Sunrise with the Bouncers

For the second part of our car hire experience, we needed to make a very early start. We were off to find wildlife once more . When I’d told Leera (my friend back home, who has done big long trips round Australia) that we were stuck in Mackay, she said that we needed to go to Cape Hillsborough as it was ‘the most beautiful place in the world’. Here the forests meet the sea and the kangaroos and wallabies can be seen on the beach at sunrise and it was where she found so many sand dollars. It was about 50km from where we were staying and quite remote so I couldn’t really see how Jane and I were going to make it there.

So when Svetlana on reception also recommended this trip as well as the huge billboard at the entrance to the airport, it seemed very tempting.

However, we’d need to get up at 4am to get there in time. Well, that was just crazy talk …but Svetlana put forward a convincing argument of ‘well if it was a flight you’d just do it so…you have to! ‘

So, it was decided and we set the alarms for 3-45am so that we could be on the road by 4-30. It was very dark and the roads were pretty empty. We drove down the Bruce Highway which is a major road but only single lanes in places. The speed limit is mostly 100kmph but I trugged along at about 80. Thank goodness those huge long trucks hadn’t woken up yet.

Eventually we left the Bruce Highway and started to head down a very windy lane towards Cape Hillsborough. It had started to rain and was very steamy outside. We finally made it to the car park at Casuarina Beach. There was obviously a campsite beyond a red-lit barrier and there was a car parked in the car park with all its lights on. There was a couple mooching about outside it. I got out of our car and asked them, if they were here to see the Roos and wallabies. They said they were and pointed in the direction of a path down to the beach.

Jane and I walked down with the aid of torches on our phones.The beach was in darkness but there was a sign saying ‘Welcome to Kangaroos on the Beach’ . It warned that you shouldn’t touch the Roos, not to have bright lights and no blocking the Roos exits. A little further along we could make out a few lights so we headed off in that direction.

As we approached we could see the silhouettes of 3 kangaroos and several wallabies. We kept behind the line and tried to listen to the Ranger but couldn’t hear a word. The Roos were mostly eating mangrove pods and some cereal (Puffa Puffa Rice) provided by the Ranger. They moved about pretty oblivious to their audience and got really close. Well the Roos did, the Wallabies seemed to keep their distance. Meanwhile, even though it was a bit cloudy the sun did rise turning the sky shades of orange and pink. It was a very beautiful and tranquil scene as most people were very respectful and quiet.

As it got later the animals moved towards the forest – getting closer to the people who couldn’t resist petting them. They didn’t seem to mind at all but the Ranger did and told people ‘not to touch as they are wild animals, you know.’ He rewarded Jane and I , who had resisted temptation, with stickers!

By 6:35 the sun was up and the Roos and wallabies bounced off into the trees – the show was over. The lazy folk who were just turning up were disappointed and by 6:35am the beach was empty . Jane and I agreed it had been a fab experience at a stunning, natural place. Happy, we drove the scenic route back to our hotel , now able to enjoy the views on the way. We even saw one cheeky wallaby eating leaves by the side of the road. He looked more surprised to see us than we did him! It was so cute it didn’t look real. We arrive back at about 8:30 just in time for breakfast.

After this we decided that we felt fine and would make the most of our car hire by driving the short distance to Eimio Beach. Here we found Mango Avenue – a terrific mango tree arch over the lane . No fuss is made about this at all but it’s stunning.

Then we drove round to Eimeo Beach where despite the signs warning of crocodiles, deadly jellyfish and strong currents, there were plenty of people out surfing and enjoying the waves.

Hold on a minute….did someone say there were crocodiles in the sea……what were the people thinking.🫣

We found a spot by the Surf Club to sit down in the shade and admire the views. I think it’s just one of quite a few beautiful beaches around Mackay. I did a little sketch and it was really enjoyable. The young girl serving us a cold drink got chatting to me about my watercolours. She enjoyed painting too but said she hadn’t been able to find any decent paints in K-Mart. I told her about mine which are about 30 years old and still going strong.

The day was incredibly hot by now and we were ready to make a move. What a splendid morning we had had. I drove back and retuned the car and then we spent the rest of the day taking it easy and enjoying all of the wondrous things that the Ibis had to offer.