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Did you figure out where we went…

We stayed 4 nights here at Bradley Braeve Heart Retreat-24kms from Agnes Waters – a bush retreat with no cell phone coverage, but what a lovely spot. Not much bush, mainly gums. We were the only people here, apart from the 2 volunteer ladies.

This is a charitable trust, set up in memory of Bradley Wolf, who died at the age of 15 from multiple serosis? There is lodge accommodation-more like separate motel rooms, a large dining room with a log fire, fully equipped kitchen – with a full oven-Murray made bread and cooked a roast, while we camped here.

A powered site was $16.00 per nite for the 2 of us. There are no designated camping areas and you needed a long lead to reach the laundry to plug into for your power supply, which you would lose if someone was using the dryer.

Showers were very clean and there were 2 composting toilets. If the campground was full, the ablution area would not be sufficient. But for Murray and I – it was perfect. There is also one washing machine - $3 a load and clean rinsing water. Did you know that many of the commercial washing machines recycle the water-so you never get clean rinsing water-your clothes are rinsed in the washing water. That is why your clothes begin to go grey and smell. We often soak our clothes in a bucket and wash/rinse in water as we travel.

While staying at Braeve Heart we went for a drive and discovered the small town of Agnes Water and 1770. These towns are part of the 'Discovery Coast, Miriam Vale Shire. In 1770 Captain Cook anchored in Bustard Bay and came ashore at 1770. The Discovery Coast runs from Rules Beach in the south to Agnes Water-the most northern Queensland surf beach, on the Queensland coast.

The area claims to have over 280 sunshine days. Many people come here to explore the Great Barrier Reef-taking tours to Lady Musgrave Island-we didn't, as we don't believe in supporting commerical ventures that explore and breakdown the precious reef.

Fishing is supposed to be good-with mangrove jacks being caught in the channel.

You can see evidence of abandon hotel complexes-such a pity, that this complex is allowed to remain as a blight on the local landscape-it has been in this state for 5 years now.

There are not many long term free camps on the Queensland coast. The free camps that are here have a time limit. Much has been written about this on various blogs and forums, and in caravan magazines. Council’s defence on this matter appears to be based on the rubbish issue or the fact that permanents will set up camp. Providing no set limits to camping areas would encourage more spending in the local towns and support for local tourist ventures.

Even, the local council campgrounds are pricing themselves out of our budget-consequently they remain half empty. At $37pn-for 2, yet, the local Tourist Park campground charges $30pn.

We stayed at 1770 for 7 days at $180, as opposed to $250 at the council campground, (1770). During our 2 weeks at this commercial franchised campground, it was never full, maybe a third occupancy rate for sites. The ablution blocks are adequate, very clean but extremely small shower cubicles-just like the seating on an aeroplane-trying to cram in more passengers-not allowing space for people who are wider or taller than me!

At the campground were many birds-we were privledge to watch the mummy owl and her chick gradually grow big enough to take its' first flight.

Why did we stay here?-it was convenient-just across the road to the council exercise equipment-marvellous playground for both of us-supplied and installed by a company called Duplay-would love to see this in Perth, (maybe they have been installed since we have been away). These exercise stations are located in every town in the Gladstone region-some are different types and also differ in the number of pieces of equipment.

 Also the beach is only 900metres from the campground, it was quiet, shaded, had a lovely pool especially when it was cleaned. Murray took the opportunity to get fitter-walking the many tracks along the beach to then end of 1770-to Round Hill lookout and the beaches.



Round Hill lookout



While camping at 1770, our neighbours Jan and Jeff had 2 dogs-Bucky alsatian/rottweiler-he was born in Singapore and Stephie-a rescued pound dog-both very quiet dogs who just love to sit on the back seat as they travelled around Australia.

During the stormy nights that Brisbane experienced, we had our own night sky-a sky lite up with lightning and thunder.