A RETURN VISIT TO HERVEY BAY TO SEE OLD FRIENDS (6 - 9 JUNE 2016)

New horizons are the essence of our 'life on the road'. Where, out of necessity, our route takes us along familiar highways, we try to seek out new towns in which to drop anchor, even if only for one night. But there are always the exceptions to this rule. Visiting old friends is one.

And so it was that when we left Poona Palms we had a very short day in front of us. Hervey Bay is a mere 80 kms distant. Three very good ex-Glenelg Surf Club mates decided to shun the winter blasts of Adelaide some years ago and have called this town home ever since. We caught up with them four years ago as we made our way south from FNQ. It was time for another visit.

Our route took us back through Maryborough. As we wended our way through the busy streets of the CBD

and again had the opportunity for a passing glimpse of a few of the marvellous old buildings of this historic town, our resolve to return for a much better look was strengthened.

Not too far out of Maryborough, on the Hervey Bay Road, Liz got excited.....we were back in cane country. We could not possibly encounter any more cold weather now!  More to the point, this sight served to remind us just how extensive the sugar cane industry is in Queensland. For the next thousand kilometres or so north up the coast cane fields can be seen in many districts. Is it any wonder the sugar futures market is always a hot topic in this State?

Consistent with my reluctance to clutter these missives with photos of previously visited towns, (see blog September 2012) the camera remained firmly shut it its case for the four nights we spent in Hervey Bay. 

I did make an exception in relation to the caravan park in which we dossed down despite the fact that we stayed here previously. The Palms Caravan Park, which we find very convenient in terms of its location near the Hervey Bay waterfront, surf club and one of my old friend's home, has changed hands and is in the throes of a makeover. We were disappointed to find that the previous managers Gayle and Norm had moved on, but I am happy to comment that their replacements are equally obliging.

The park entrance is as narrow as it ever was....some things cannot be changed.

And, as before, the sites here are quite tight, but parking assistance is still part of the service. What we immediately noticed is that much of the old shrubbery has been removed to be replaced by larger lawn areas and new, painted slabs. New garden beds have been established between sites, and once these plantings have matured, they should provide a good screen between vans.

The amenities block is being refurbished. Large palms have been recently planted at the entrance and work was underway during our stay to tart up the interior.

The Palms, Hervey Bay, remains a park with a large permanent population (all of whom are still completely separated from the rest of the park). The limited number of sites for us transients means that none of the shared facilities are far from any one site. This includes the camp kitchen, which has also been the subject of an up-grade, both outside










and inside.

Here, as we saw in Cowra,  they have cottoned onto the trick of providing baking paper for those using the camp BBQ facilities. And as you can see here, our site was separated from the kitchen by a mere twenty metres or so of lovely green sward.

Apart from several most enjoyable reunions with my old mates, Liz and I took the opportunity to gallop along the excellent Hervey Bay esplanade walking paths most mornings. The weather was unseasonably warm and the seafront area was far less frenetic than we remembered. 

We took the opportunity to re-supply, enjoyed a good lunch at the huge Hervey Bay RSL and spent our last evening dining at a very good local Italian restaurant with old friends.....BYO with no corkage.....I was in shock for the better part of the meal!

I remain very fond of Hervey Bay (for reasons apart from the last mentioned). Liz is less enthusiastic, but we were both very glad we did not by-pass the town and made the effort to renew our acquaintance with our old Adelaide friends. Our return visit passed quickly, a bit like this uncharacteristically short blog!