Possum in the Bush

Another long day on the road setting off from Rockhampton just before 8 o'clock. The weather was beautiful and not nearly as humid and stifling as it was in Port Douglas.

The real difference we have found between the roads in the UK and those in Oz, is the lack of motorways or even dual carriageways here. Of the 2,000 km we have covered so far, we have not been on more than a few km of dual carriageway. The roads are similar to an A Class Road in the UK, with the speed limit normally set at 100 km/h. The quality of the road surfaces varies considerably, with very few kms of new surface. The extremes of weather seem to have taken their toll, particularly the severe flooding that has hit the area recently. In our journey of over 500 km today to Noosa we must have passed through more than 30 sets of road works. Most were controlled by flag men/women, who must have one of the most boring jobs in the world. I couldn't help but feel sorry for them as they stood in the sweltering heat with their stop/slow poles or, worse still, waiting to press a button to change the lights from green to red or vice versa.

I moaned a lot about the lack of progress and having to sit looking at the back of enormous lorries. I have never seen so many wide loads on a 2 lane road. Most loads were portacabins or pieces of machinery, but there were also loads of giant tyres (4 only on each trailer each hanging over the side by at least a metre) which I reckoned were destined for mine workings north of where we were. My conclusion on seeing all these loads passing us was that the Oz economy must be doing OK!

I was also struck by the huge commitment being made to repair the damaged roads. Compared to the situation in Scotland, particularly Argyll and Bute which has the worst roads in Scotland, it was like night and day!

By 4 o'clock we had reached our destination, Noosa, at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast. With no accommodation booked, we headed to the Tourist Information Office to see what is available. A couple of suggestions were made and we had them checked out and one booked within half an hour. One thing I have learned through the years, on holidays such as this, is to go with instinct and not check out loads of options. Experience has taught us that if you check out 6 different places, you nearly always end going for the first one, which was the one you liked the sound of or or look of from the brochures!

Anyway, we have a cracking we apartment looking onto the lake with lots of restaurants and shops within easy walking distance (now that will please Mrs B!).

Hard to blip when you are driving all day, so its a quick shot of a little Possum that was rummaging in a bush as we headed to a restaurant for dinner!