Four hours to get to Bargara Beach Holiday Park but a good drive. Very spacious site across the road from the beach. Surprisingly small beach with lots of black boulders - apparently basalt, a result of volcanic eruption. For such a small place there are heaps of units along the waterfront. The gent who took my washing in at Corindi is our next door neighbour here, Charlie and Jeanie - what a small world. Went for walk down to beach then through mangroves to Mon Repos turtle beach. Unfortunately out of season for the turtle hatching. On the way back encountered a huge 2 metre python across the walkway which wouldn't move - it had just eaten as there was something big and fat in its belly. Decided passing at the tail end would be safer! Went for bike ride to town centre. Again lots of eateries for such a small place. It's very picturesque. Called in to Bargara Beach Hotel, a lovely new hotel as the old one burned down in 2019. Got in a game of bocce then Al cooked one of the steaks we got off Dale which was mouthwateringly delicious.

Lady Musgrave Experience. Up by 6 and set off to Burnett Heads to board the boat. 2 hour sail to the island with morning tea on board. Anchored quite a way off from shore and snorkelled around the reef. Saw lots of fish and a turtle. Coral not as colourful as when we were at Hamilton Island. Back on board for buffet lunch - chicken, ham, prawns, salads, wraps and bread rolls. Then a glass bottom boat ride to the island where we were walked through by a marine biologist who pointed out various things of interest such as the island is completely formed of coral and the white cap noddy birds who migrate there. On the way back to the boat were taken over the reef in the glass bottom boat and saw heaps of turtles. Al managed to get some drone footage from the sundeck as the wind had died down a bit. The marketing manager came to see Al to ask if he would tag their facebook page with his shots. Afternoon tea on the way back and it was a lot calmer return trip. Next day bought some veg from stall in the park. Decided to drive to Childers as it looked interesting on our way past but there was nothing there except some really cool old buildings - especially pubs they love their old pubs in Oz. Had fish and chips at Grunskes on the Burnett River.

Next on the list the Bundaberg Distillery Tour at 11am. Really good tour with good guide - Ebony. Huge operation but only has 30 odd permanents and 20 odd casuals working there. I asked if they got a bottle of Bundy for Christmas but they don't and they don't even get a discount? History of the factory was very interesting and we finished off with 2 samples each - one rum and one liqueur. We bought a bottle of small batch spiced rum and a bottle of salted caramel liqueur and a t-shirt each. Visited Elliott Heads on the way home - nothing much there but the water is stunning. Al got some good drone shots again. Went to Hummock lookout - looks out on to very flat land with lavender fields, sugarcane and macadamias - looks like a patchwork quilt. Al thought he had good shots but the drone hadn't worked - think it may have been interference from the towers on the hill.

Lord Fraser Island Tour. Early start again and got to Kingfisher bay reception centre before 8. Coach took us to ferry landing where we got on the barge over to Kingfisher Bay. Then we hopped on a 4WD coach which took us from the west of the island over to the east on very bumpy roads through the rainforest. Saw a goanna climbing up a tree. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and it is amazing to see how much vegetation and trees survive here. Drove along 75 Mile Beach along the waters edge. Stopped at Eli Creek where the water flows from the island into the ocean. Walked along the boardwalk there and then waded back up the creek to the beach. Checked out the Maheno shipwreck which had been a luxury cruise line til it was decommissioned and sold to the Japanese. As it was not operational the Japs tried to tow it back to Japan but the tow rope snapped and it ended up on Fraser Island. They couldn't move it so they salvaged what they could and left the rest in 1935. Next stop Pinnacles coloured sand formations which look quite stunning. On to Central Station to see the towering trees along the boardwalk. Lunch at Eurong Beach Resort which was quite ordinary. Sure my fish was frozen and not fresh - Al had a steakburger which he said was ok. Then had an hour at Lake Mackenzie which was beautiful but the sun was going down and it was quite windy. We saw 3 dingoes on the beach and got some really good shots of one of them - it was very cute. Then we missed the barge back to the mainland. We were on the dock before the barge left but the gate was closed and it left while we were standing there. Two other couples missed it too. We obviously misinterpreted what the guide had said about the leaving time. We all thought he said to get to the dock at 5.15 but that's when the barge left. Anyway Ken one of the tour workers called reception and it came back for us. We got bagged when we got on board especially from two women who said they shouldn't have gone back for us.

Car was supposed to get fixed but they messaged to say they hadn't received the part and to take it in on Friday. Went back to Hummocks Lookout and Al got some good drone footage. Drove to Sharon Gorge but it was closed for repairs. Went to Mystery Craters which was a disappointment. $7.50 each to get in and it was like someone's backyard and not very well maintained. Craters are apparently bottomless and they have no idea how they were formed. Made up of silt, sand and red ochre like Uluru. Had fish and chips at Burnett Heads marina. About 12 beautiful vintage Dodge cars rolled into the park. Al took car to get fixed and got the bus home which cost $4 - a taxi was going to be $45?? When we went to pick up car they hadn't done it - said there was too much damage on front end so we took part and left. Hope to get it all fixed in Cairns. Our last night so went to Bargara Beach Hotel and shared a seafood pizza. Barramundi, prawns, cuttlefish and anchovies. It tasted good but wasn't much in topping - garlic bread was good though.