Shakedown tour in Queensland

In April 2010 I bought my 1987 38 foot Country Coach from a private seller in Florida.

For 4 and a half months I travelled from Florida through Ohio, and Pennsylvania to Ontario in Canada. Then back across to Michigan and then to Oshkosh and the big Airshow there in Wisconsin. A direct route south back to Florida and the Motorhome was lodged with a Shipping Company to be put on a Roll on Roll off ship to Brisbane from Jacksonville.

What I had not anticipted or was made aware of was that She was to be transhipped in South Africa to another Vessel. It was here that the interior was ransacked for anything of portable value and the desecration was soul destroying. I only became aware of the damage and loss when I inspected the vehicle with the Agriculture inspector on the Port of Brisbane Wharf!! It took 9 weeks to arrive and another week to get her through all the port, Customs and Quarantine process. My friend Ted assisted in this process and we were able to charge the dead flat batteries and repair the damaged radiator and refill with water. When the port clearance was given; I had no hesitation to drive her straight home. To get a permit would have taken 2 days and 2 days more port charges!! I had current registration and insurance and was licensed, albeit all were Florida rego, insurance and my Florida License almost made it legal!! I imagine the Gateway Charging System is still trying to get paid for theFlorida registered vehicle which flew over it on the way home!!~ Ted followed in the Prado and it was a trouble free run to Beachmere, a couple of laps of the block with some passengers ands she was parked up for all the work to commence! First job was to clean up all the mess; fortunately there was not much damage, just all my clothes gone, the flat screen TVs, DVD player, about 20 DVD movies and some pressies I had stashed away had been flogged in Durban!! By the middle of December 2010 I had stated on the transfer of all the Dash Instrument Cluster wiring changeover to the right hand side.

The design of the mechanical requirements for steering changeover had already been done for an identical unit inBrisbane and I was able to copy the metalwork necessary for the changeover. A trip to the US for 8 weeks in February gave me the opportunity to buy a number if items that had become important in the process of getting Rocinante on the road in Australia. Also the opportunity to get to another great Airshow at Lakeland inFlorida. On my return to Australia; it was full steam in pulling the steering, braking and throttle assembly’s from their previous location on the left hand side and the education process for me to begin in these systems!! I became very good friends with Richard at the metal cutting and fabrication workshop and Bruce at the fitting and turning workshop.

I seemed to spend my whole day on the ground looking up at the bottom of Rocinante. The very complex and heavy systems slowly were altered and bit by bit, the Transformation to a right hand drive vehicle was completed. It was now time to employ the services of an Engineer to check and certify my work and in due course the magic blue compliance e plate was issued and fitted to Rocinante. The weighbridge episode with its VERY narrow approach roadway was negotiated with a slight drama and then the Roadworthy Process was accomplished!! The daunting part of the process is where I arrive at the Motor Vehicle Registry and a quite official and very determined Transport Inspector goes over all the previous processes again. The tiny left hand door which used to be the Driver access door, is now my main access door!!! It was a contentious point, but passed. So I paid the fees and had the registration plate….901 RQA It was home to celebrate and now all the cosmetic items had to be attended to. The most important being to get the compressor that allows the toilet to work, to operate again. That together with a dozen other small; some not so simple, tasks were completed just today!! Why the rush? About a year ago, I was hosted in the front yard of a small farm in Darlington inPennsylvania. My hostess; Jeffrey, was marvelous and I offered to return the hospitality if that was possible. A couple of months ago Jeffrey; Cricket is the name she uses, was deciding what she would do over the school holiday from her post as a Trainer in the School of Cosmetology at the County Vocational Technical College. I said that Rocinante was nearly ready for the road and a test run was proposed. So Cricket has booked her ticket for the biggest trip of her life and arrives at Brisbane Airport in 2 days time!!! The proposed trip will be to Airlie Beach via Sarina, and then to Charters towers and back south again via the inland. The story will evolve in these pages. So just sit back and read!!

Cricket arrived on schedule at 7:30 AM on Monday morning to a perfect Queensland winters day. Back to Beachmere via Morayfield where a search for a gas top coffee pot was the order of the day!~!~! It was finally successful. My dud laptop was conveyed to the laptop hospital with hopes that the Outlook problem could be solved promptly. That was not to be and I am travelling with a 7 year old Acer that does work but is not that bright inn the screen department; a bit like me!!! Back to Beachmere and to continue on some last minute Rocinante preparation jobs. Wednesday was fuel top up day... it only took 350 litres to fill the 680 litre tank. That was good, I had more on board from the US than I had calculated. Laptop was unable to leave hospital, so we headed north on Thursday morning. About 3km out of Beachmere; with Prado towing behind wonderfully, a side compartment door; that I had failed to lock, opened and some contents spewed out over the road!!!! and broke the black water dump valve!! Fortunately there was very little behind it!!
The trip up the Sunshine Cast was going well. The lovely little drive through Picnic spot just a few hundred metres before the Coolum Shopping Centre was my lunch destination. What used to be a drive up and then drive down is now a drive up, park reverse out of a parking spot and drive down the same road, the drive thru has been converted to a walking path. I had 19 metres of travel train on top and trapped. Unhooked Prado drove that back down and across the street and then did a 10 point turn in Rocinante and reversed up to one corner at the very top and had lunch!!! Went down about 2 hours later after enjoying the views and lunch and a nap. Hooked up Prado and continued to Noosa where I parked Rocinante and then took Prado for a drive around Tourist Noosa and when I headed back to reconnect, could not accurately locate where I had parked 38 feet and 13 tonne of RV!! Found it eventually and then headed for Boreen Point and a roadside overnite park on the road out of town. Next morning it was out to lovely Pomona and a little shopping experience. On the ham radio I was able to hook up with Erik Sundstrup who is located near Gympie. He was able to tell me where the RV spares place was located and I was able to buy a new Sewerage Dump Valve to replace the damaged part. A lovely tour through the Gympie Historic and Mine Museum. Back out on the Highway and lunch up the highway. Repair carried out and then on to Hervey Bay. Found a good quiet spot art the new Industrial Estate beside the Airport and unhooked Prado and went down t the Whale Trip Offices down at the Marina. Booked on the Spirit of Hervey Bay for a 8:30AM departure on the Saturday morning. Have a quick drink at Gillian and Phillip’s place and then back to Rocinante and Dinner! Up early to make the 8;30 start for the Whale Cruise Tour. Beautiful day on Hervey Bay and lovely views of Fraser Island. Only 2 whales found; it is very early in the season, but was a great day. To Gillian and Phillips for dinner after watching an Australian Football League local game at the Elizabeth Street Oval. Cricket was educated in AFL!!! Back to Gill and Phil’s for a lovely dinner and home by 10 to our apartment on wheels. Next morning , it was a bit of “re-engineering the charging system on board for the 12 Volt House Batteries to give better service!!!! Long story short, flat batteries means no nothing, everything relies on 12 Volts existing all the time!~!!! North to Childers for lunch and a walk down the Historic Main Street. The most moving part was going to the first floor of the Palace Hotel memorial to the 15 young people who died in the 2000 fire there. The attached gallery had a marvellous Aboriginal Art Display. On to Bundaberg and a lovely spot was found at the Port of Bundaberg just near the Bulk Sugar Loading Jetty!! Not a soul around and lovely riverside views! Next morning the first tour of the Rum Distillery was on the agenda and the tasting at the conclusion made it perfect!! On to the Airfield and Jenny and Gordon Tait provided a much needed coffee before lunch at the side of the runway!! Shane F. was there and we had a good catch-up with all!! Shane said the direct road to Miriamvale was a good road; he neglected to tell me that the 30Km from the highway to the 1770 Town turnoff intersection was still narrow dirt!!! And it became dark quickly!! We passed the Granite creek Overnite Stop hoping the one near Miriamvale would be better…it was a heavy vehicle only stop!!!! So onwards for another 48km to the roadside stop at Benaraby with badly adjusted headlights!!! And where, as we turned in, a lovely voice greeted us on Channel 40 UHF CB to guide our 19M to a good parking spot!! Great mystery “crumbed what is it” dinner and veggies!!!! Cowboy Movies before bed and not early start next morning!!! The road north was to Rockhampton and find a bank; difficult to find a parking spot for 19M and 3.5M high road train!! But parked on side of highway near ANZ bank in front of a diminutive No Standing sign!! On the highway north to St Lawrence and the great camping area at the recreation ground. Was astounded to find over 50 caravans and motorhomes there!!! Found a great spot and parked Rocinante and unhooked Prado. Took a trip down to distant boat ramp and it was the lowest time of the 8M tide, could clearly see multitudes of 35cm mullet making there way back inland with the incoming tide. Back to 100 + year old pub for a beer and then back to campsite for a lovely dinner.

Early next morning and the tide was out as we hooked up Prado and took the track via the causeway and dirt road back to Highway One. We arrived at 5 William Street Sarina at midday and were able to get a power hook up courtesy of my Tenants Xandra and Rob. We travelled down to Armstrong’s Beach for a sightsee and at 5pm we went over to Sarina palms caravan Park and had pre-dinner drinkies!!

Thursday was a work day and all the steps and decks were reoiled. They look good. A trip to the beaches from Grasstree to Sarina is always a lovely sightsee! Sausage night at Sarina Palms for dinner and Crickets Crepes were an outstanding desert success!

Friday was time to put second coat on all the timbers done yesterday and a tour through the Field of Dreams Sugar Town Museum at the old Railway Station before a trip to Hay Point to see the massive coal export facility. On to Mackay Marina for a coffee and hospitality from Josephine at the Coffee Shop there.

Roy Moore and Rob turned up early and redid and replaced all my less than perfect radio connectors and antenna bases!! Perfect VSWR and all is well. Roy then brought me 1 tonne of decomposed granite gravel to allow me to level the bottom part of the driveway. An hour on the shovel and rake and all looks well. A little hosing and rolling with the broad tyres on the Prado and it looks good. Refill with fresh water for an early start tomorrow morning.

Sunday is an early start for the run up Highway 1 to Farleigh and a tour through the large and elderly Sugar Mill there. Helen was our tour guide there and we got a real close up sightsee.

Back onto the Highway and head to Proserpine. I unhooked Prado in main street and we went to Airlie Beach to book our trip out to the Barrier Reef at Knuckle Reef on Monday morning. Back to Proserpine and hookup and find a site at the Showgrounds.

Early start and check in at the Whitsunday Cruises at 7:30amfor the 100km trip on the 120 foot (37M) wave piercing Seaflight. The weather was “brisk” with 25mph south easterly winds and about 5 foot seas!!! Interesting trip out. We went snorkeling in these conditions with wetsuits; thank goodness, as it is coolish even at 69 deg F 21 deg C water temps.

Cricket had never even been submerged in salt water before, let alone snorkel, so with great bravery she ventured in and explored about 300 yards of the reef which is bounded by floating ropes. Her effort was magnificent!! The sea was quite rough and we survived!! And were astounded by the beautiful coral formations and millions of fish and numerous clams. Trips in both the semi submersible vessel and the glass bottomed boat made for a good day.

The trip back the 100km to Abel Marina in Airlie was memorable for a large number of the trippers; unfortunately, but they will feel better in a day or two!!!

Back to our Rocinante at Proserpine Showgrounds and a night of very sound sleep!!

Mid morning departure for Bowen and fish and chips at the lovely and breezy Queens Beach. It is easy to see how the main street of Bowen was “made over” recently to become the main street of the town featured in the movie “Australia” with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

Up Highway one to the small road left turn off at the village of Giru to take us across to the A6 highway at Woodstock. A few kilometres down A6 and the Reid River overnight bay was a welcome and comfortable camp spot.

An easy run on the Wednesday morning to Charters Towers and I headed directly for the airport. I had contacted old mate from PNG days as to whether I could park beside his Hangar; no problems, even have power and a level site!! Turns out Denis needs to go away for a few days to do a long overdue job about 600 miles to the south and I am left in charge of aircraft refueling for a few days!

The historic City of Charters Towers is a tourist delight. All the perfect old buildings and mining mill are devoured with enthusiasm.

Modification to Rocinante’s turning indicator wiring is also done given the time and great location with big workshop!!

The City of Charters Towers may be the oldest City in Queensland, its immense wealth in the last half of the 19^th century endowed it with magnificent buildings of stone and facilities far beyond the norm of an inland city or town of that era. Great theatres, Banks and Government buildings. The shops are in themselves museum pieces and have had their historic nature retained. One expects to confront a Clerk on a high stool with a eyeshade around any corner.

The Library is built behind the perfectly retained façade of one of the old Hotels. The two main streets are a walk through history.

It is incredible what gold can create!! And there are still functioning mines in the immediate region.

The large hill to the west of the City has a lookout which has an aspect right down one of the main Streets. At about 150 metres above town, it is a great spot to be at sunset. To enhance this view, the local Tourist Office, puts on a production that is called “Ghosts after Dark”. The ghost who presents it is the deceased Editor and Publisher of the local newspaper, the presentation is with multiple video projectors and screens, good sound and smoke effects. Very well done. A good coat was a wise move on the cool evening!

Next day and a tour of the Venus Battery was scheduled. Our animated guide sounded very much like the Editor of the paper of last nights show!! The Battery was where all the miners bought their ore to be crushed and processed. Mercury amalgamation was the primary method of recovery and a flotation recovery process was available at the same site for suitable ore. One can only dream of the millions of dollars of gold that was recovered. The Battery is still in an operable condition and work is underway to have part of it running again for the tourist travelers which are in good numbers.

The audio visual presentation at the end of the tour is presented in quite a spectacular manner, quite a surprise!!~

Lots of small improvement jobs carried out on Rocinante while at this great location and had a tour of the North Queensland Soaring Club with Bernie Fisher; who is very active with the Club. Thank you Bernie for the great yarn and the immense coincidence of our both getting our twin engine endorsement in the same aeroplane at about the same time in April 1973. The Piper Apache VH-DBF at Camden NSW!!!

On Monday, a visit into Repco reveals that the Bosch light switching relays I need are locally available at a miniscule cost!~!~ So buy a bagful for today’s job and future needs.

While all the fiddling outside Rocinante is happening, Cricket has been busy cooking, bread, buns, cookies and baklava and great tucker in general!!!

A lazy time at the Airfield and some more local exploring each afternoon, great destination, lots of sites of interest and weather is perfect!!

Thursday morning and on the road just after 9am. A steady drive down the Gregory Development Road. Many very large properties along here, but no homesteads visible from the road. They will all be on the end of 1 mile long driveways! A lot of cattle transport roadtrains on the road, The drive to Clermont through Belyando Crossing is a great view of inland agricultural Australia. Just north of Clermont everything changes. Agricultural Australia transforms to Mining Australia. The coal conveyer belts run for many kilometres joining new mines to the railway loading terminal at the 40 year old Blair Athol Mine of Conzinc Rio Tinto. The Showgrounds on the outskirts of Clermont provided a quiet and level campground for the evening. A drive around town to catch the sights in Prado took us to the site of the old town centre which was flooded with massive loss of life in 1916. 65 souls were lost in the flood. The whole town was moved by dragging all the remaining hoses and buildings to the top of a nearby rise; a kilometre away, where the town is now located.

Rio Tinto are a very civic minded Company and every Friday morning puts on a small 25 passenger bus with tourist guide come driver for a free tour of the massive Blair Athol open cut mine. The three hour tour went to every part of the mine including to right beside the giant dragline which was removing overburden on that morning.

From Clermont it was a nice drive to the large country town of Emerald. A very reasonable diesel fuel price here! So with a little bit of patience, Rocinante with Prado behind, was able to take the complete width of the Petrol/Gas

Station to refill and then we also refilled at Maccas!!! WE planned to head for the roadside stop at Dululu which is 75 kilometres west of Rockhampton. However….. we encountered 3 wide loads on nthe way. The 5.9M wide one was OK, as was its mate behind him, but the 7.3M wide load was encountered where there was minimal opportunity to get our 19M long outfit off on the verge, however with CB contact with Police escort and the rig itself, they squeezed past!! Into Dululu about 6pm and a good spot for a couple of nights.

The reason for staying here was to attend the annual Mount Morgan Show; or Fair, if you are a yank!! It was on the Saturday and we took Prado the 30 kilometres into Mount Morgan the next morning. Mount Morgan was a very rich gold mine from 1882 to 1981. The very hilly town has heaps of interesting things to see. BUT the Show was an eye-opener for my travel companion. Very country Australia, it was a great day and finished with the fireworks at 7pm.

During the day, a trip from the showgounds back into town to tour the old Railway Station. Surprisingly, it had a very good 3D presentation; in an old rail Wagon, featuring the different railway solutions to serve them new mine!! The museum in Town is in the old Department Store building and is really a half day destination to do it justice. Great Aboriginal display area.

Back to Rocinante via the Dululu Hotel. The pub had a visit by a busload of soccer players heading back to Biloela from a win at their last game of the year in Rockhampton. They were a sight top be seen!! Back to Rocinante in the nearby roadside stop after an interesting day for all!

A lazy departure on Sunday morning and we had coffee parked outside the Monto information centre, slow old town. We proceed leisurely to Ban Ban Springs which is on the junction of the Burnett and Isis Highways. Nice , but crammed location on the edge of the Spring opposite the Roadhouse. Great camping location. Do a couple of little repairs which included replacing a missing bolt in the automatic step!

Monday morning was an easy run down to Murgon and lunch! Next was on to Kingaroy and its great Information Centre, Museum and Art gallery Complex. Staffed by wonderfully helpful people, it was easy to learn m much about the peanut industry of the area. The video presentations were most informative. The surprise was the Art Gallery and its enthusiastic and very well qualified guide. Wayne Brown was a fund of knowledge about the exhibiters and the history of the old Shire Offices which form the Gallery.

Down through Nanango and Blackbutt; and immense work being done on the Range Road, will make the trip an easier one when completed in a year or so.

Through Kilkoy and check out the Yowie and back to Beachmere by 4pm. 4 weeks and 1800 miles; 3200 km, and 1000 litres of fuel. Rocinante performed faultlessly and towed Prado as if it was not there.