Sun worshipping Walabies….?

I write this two days paddle north of Mackay. We are sitting on a farmers paddock at Stewart Peninsula after the wind jumped up to 18 plus knots. We have had the most incredible paddle north – why Cape Hillsborough was not used in a Lord of the Rings Movie is a mystery to me. Few places have stopped us dead on the water to try and comprehend the landscape in front of us on this trip north, this place was one of them. Dancing Sea Snakes, Dolphins, Blue face booby birds, and schools of Mackerel accompanied us in our paddle around the headland into the cliff face ringed sandy bay. There is a wonderful wildlife and family friendly campground in the bay – we landed, and without expectation of success secured a camp site near the water. The camp ground owner Ben, Renee and their manager Rebeena were so welcoming to two scruffy paddlers we quickly added the site to the places we must come back to list! If you are looking for an incredible camping experience this is the place. Every morning the Wallabies and Kangaroos gather on the beach to watch to sun come up, I have never seen anything like this. Blue Tounge lizards, Spangled Drongos, Friarbirds and every rainforest plant/tree you can think of are here for you to commune with and enjoy. 

We met an awesome young man Jay and his sister Jordie,  Mum and Dad – Norton and Kylie helped us load all of our equipment down to the beach for this mornings departure. They were just wonderful, we look forward to meeting Jay and perhaps Jordie out paddling some day. 

Not long after leaving the beach the ever romantic that Marty is spotted an amazing heart shaped cave, we had to explore, what that Hoop Pine is thinking growing there is beyond me, but grow it does. The cliff faces covered in trees down to the water makes you wonder if you have somehow just paddled into a portal to Canada, a unique and wonderful place. It’s a bucket list paddle place guys and girls, if you love paddling you cannot miss it.

Tucked under our tarp we are listing to music and the howling wind passing over us. The forecast for tomorrow is looking good. As has been the case this whole trip local knowledge has made all the difference to our joirney, a huge thanks to Allen and Nat for the BBQ and advise on how to negotiate this leg of the trip. Paul, Wilb and Bianca you are hugely generous souls who made our time in Mackay an unforgettable part of the trip-thank you so much. Tomorrow northward, yay. DT