MT HAY CAMP SITE ENTRANCE

 Left Monto and our plans were to stay at Mount Hay  just off the Capricorn Highway. I was so eager to fossick for Thunder Eggs but I kept getting this nagging feeling....this is what we found 

ROAD TO VAN PARK

The Camp site was no better than these photos and the possibility of finding Thunder Eggs looked as dim as the Caravan Park.  Paul quickly made a U-turn and we high tailed it back onto the Highway & made our way to Rockhampton.

We travelled on to Gracemere which is only 5kms out of Rockhampton. It made an excellent base for us and we thoroughly enjoyed the above view from our Annex

Rockhampton, sits on the Tropic of Capricorn and its claim to fame is being the Beef Capital of Australia.  Population is approx 58,000 and swells by some 75,000  during Beef Cattle Expo which is held once every 3 years after Labor Day weekend 

THERE ARE 6 BULL STATUES REPRSENTING EACH BREED IN THE AREA 

TROPIC OF CAPRICORN

Rockhampton is a much larger Town than we imagined with plenty to offer in the way of sightseeing.  The Riverside Walk along the Fitzroy River and Heritage Trail filled up our day around Rockhampton.  There are some beautiful Buildings which thankfully have been restored to their former glory.  A little bit out of the ordinary is The Great Western Hotel which features real life bull riding twice a week & has won 2012 'Best Steak House'

RIVERSIDE WALK

EAST ST ROCKHAMPTON

FITZROY RIVER

ROCKHAMPTON FROM MT ARCHER 

Mt Archer National Park provides magnificent views of the city... from Frazer Park, the summit of Mt Archer, you are approximately 604 metres above sea level.

BEWARE 'CROCODILES'

Criterion Hotel/Motel

Historic Quay Street

Just some 35kms on the Capricorn Coast Highway are the towns of     Yeppoon, Rosslyn Harbour, Kinka Beach and Emu Park.

 

We are booked in at Yeppoon as from Thurs 10 May and will more than likely have 2 weeks there.  The weather is glorious at present and a few lazy days by the beach & around the pool will be right up our alley 

MOUNT MORGAN's biggest claim to fame is the Mount Morgan Mine, which was mined for 99yrs.  It yielded a total of 225 tonnes of gold, 50 tonnes of silver & 360,000 tonnes of copper.   The town is situated 40 kms south west of Rockhampton.  The population today is around 3,000  whereas in its peak the town was home for up to 16,000. It is 260 metres above sea level. These days the biggest drawcard is the Golden Mount Festival which is an historic event that has been running since 1977. It  is held over three day's during the May Day Labor weekend and is a celebration of the Mount Morgan Community and its rich history.    The festival kicks off with street markets, a procession, and the famous 'Running of the Cutter'. There is also the Golden Mount Festival Rodeo as well as a  family day at the Dam with games, poetry, races and competitions.

 

The Mine and Railway Museum (also pictured is a restored steam engine from early 1900's which was built in Leeds UK & was used up until  1968)

 

Sadly our week's stay at Gracemere is up but we've had a great stay and a good look around Rockhampton & its surrounding areas.