Driving Loop South from Townsville

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RB

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I received some great tips here earlier this year re a driving loop north from Townsville. (No Cassowary Sightings for Us | Australian Frequent Flyer ). In June 2022 we are planning on doing something similar but basically heading to the south of Townsville probably around 10 days. Just a bit of domestic sightseeing/walking. Any suggestions of where to stay/must sees?
 
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So I only got 1 reply (thanks Craven Morehead). I was hoping to get tips about hidden spots around Bowen & Airlie Beach-is it a case of Queenslanders not wanting to share their hidden gems or is it a bit of a dud area?
 
@RB,

Here's a few places you should have a look at while in the Airlie Beach area which is definitley not a "dud" area.

This place Northerlies is a cracker and has some unique accommodation otpions.


Cape Gloucester Resort Whitsundays

Holiday Resort in Whitsundays | Montes Reef Resort

If you're an Accor Member there is this quite reasonable place to stay : Mantra Club Croc - Airlie Beach Accommodation

Cheers CM 🍻

PS: I recently followed some of your tips from your previous TR ie: Staying in the same hotel at Charters Towers etc just haven't had time to post.
 
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For Hamilton Island if you go, make sure you stay over at Cats Eye Beach side. Definitley worth a few days if you can manage.
 
@RB,

Here's a few places you should have a look at while in the Airlie Beach area which is definitley not a "dud" area.

This place Northerlies is a cracker and has some unique accommodation otpions.


Cape Gloucester Resort Whitsundays

Holiday Resort in Whitsundays | Montes Reef Resort

If you're an Accor Member there is this quite reasonable place to stay : Mantra Club Croc - Airlie Beach Accommodation

Cheers CM 🍻

PS: I recently followed some of your tips from your previous TR ie: Staying in the same hotel at Charters Towers etc just haven't had time to post.

Thanks again. Looks like some top tips there.
 
I live in ADL so can't help.
Have you considered going inland to places like Winton and Longreach?
Hopefully you have a fabulous journey.
 
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I live in ADL so can't help.
Have you considered going inland to places like Winton and Longreach?
Hopefully you have a fabulous journey.
Thanks. Yes have covered some of those parts in an earlier trip and probably wants to stick with the coast this time as there might be another couple travelling.
 
We hadnt been to Airlie beach for years, but last August we were there one night before we went over to Hayman Is. The place has grown ! They even have a huge Bunnings !
 

Cape Gloucester, Montes and Dingo Beach are all about 40 odd minutes from Cannonvale.
 
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Sorry a combination of being on call and having to send everything to the accountant for my tax return and I forgot to reply. i found my Townsville TR and I did a day trip to Ayr and a little of the Alligator Creek walk which was very pleasant. Starts at post 109. Also reports of a walk around the top of Mt. stewart and the Town common walks if you haven't done them in Townsville.

However I was going to link the Nat Parks page but found that walk is closed until the end of the year.

If you get down to Mackay worthwhile to go up to Eungella NP.

Then do a loop out west to Nebo and Moranbah with a stop at the Peak Range NP.

Then connect to the road up to Charters Towers and back down to Townsville.
 
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Sorry a combination of being on call and having to send everything to the accountant for my tax return and I forgot to reply. i found my Townsville TR and I did a day trip to Ayr and a little of the Alligator Creek walk which was very pleasant. Starts at post 109. Also reports of a walk around the top of Mt. stewart and the Town common walks if you haven't done them in Townsville.

However I was going to link the Nat Parks page but found that walk is closed until the end of the year.

If you get down to Mackay worthwhile to go up to Eungella NP.

Then do a loop out west to Nebo and Moranbah with a stop at the Peak Range NP.

Then connect to the road up to Charters Towers and back down to Townsville.
Thank you, appreciate your time. Looks like around 1,100km (plus extras for viewing spots) so not dissimilar to what we did in Sth Aust & Qld this year
 
Bowen is worth a look, some nice beaches, the Big Mango etc
Also some WW2 history, Battle of the Coral Sea museum is at the airport...it is only a small room but lots of information, there was a big brown history type sign pointing to the turnoff from the highway beside the airport last time I went by...which was over a year ago now.
On the waterfront there is a place where there used to be Catalina Flying Boats, a large concrete area has the parking bays marked out and there is a small rest hut type thing with some information in.
Also the town watertank says "Bowenwood" from the Nicole Kidman "Australia" movie a few years back...Bowen stood in for Darwin.

Proserpine and Shute Harbour/Airlie Beach Whitsundays all need a look.

Eungella National park is nice...been ages since I was there but.

Mackay is more a sugar/mining town but there are some nice beaches around...including that one in the Qantas add where the Kangaroos come at sunrise...forget the name.

It is NOT the best time for road trip...Bloody hot or pouring rain will be the weather...down Mackay way they are pretty soggy at the moment, school holidays will be starting soon as well. The roads should be busy with the borders opening on the 17th.
 
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Bowen is worth a look, some nice beaches, the Big Mango etc
Also some WW2 history, Battle of the Coral Sea museum is at the airport...it is only a small room but lots of information, there was a big brown history type sign pointing to the turnoff from the highway beside the airport last time I went by...which was over a year ago now.
On the waterfront there is a place where there used to be Catalina Flying Boats, a large concrete area has the parking bays marked out and there is a small rest hut type thing with some information in.
Also the town watertank says "Bowenwood" from the Nicole Kidman "Australia" movie a few years back...Bowen stood in for Darwin.

Proserpine and Shute Harbour/Airlie Beach Whitsundays all need a look.

Eungella National park is nice...been ages since I was there but.

Mackay is more a sugar/mining town but there are some nice beaches around...including that one in the Qantas add where the Kangaroos come at sunrise...forget the name.

It is NOT the best time for road trip...Bloody hot or pouring rain will be the weather...down Mackay way they are pretty soggy at the moment, school holidays will be starting soon as well. The roads should be busy with the borders opening on the 17th.
Thanks for the info. Looking to go next June
 
June to August is the best time for walking in the North.The Alligator Creek NP will be open and the walk I found enjoyable even though I had twisted my ankle a week before.
 
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Much better time to go...hopefully the roads will be quieter with everybody travelling overseas by then...
 
Eungella National park saw so many wild platypus - very pretty and enjoyable. I did a day trip from Mackay with friends
 
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Eungella is beautiful; stayed at the campgrounds there a couple weeks ago and spent hours peacefully watching the platypi. Heaps of walks available of varying lengths.

We were going to Blackdown national park too but alas too much flooding meant we couldn't get into it - will do next time. Lots of shortish walks available.

I don't like Airlie at all, but it has lovely views and is the jumping off point for the whitsundays; consider grabbing a bareboat for 4-5 days if you have time. I may be biased as I've accidentally gone there twice during Schoolies. Restaurants are average and expensive. Get your seafood platter delivered to your hotel from fishi.com.au . $55pp and enormous (we got 5 serves for 7 people, gorged ourselves, and still had enough leftover prawns and crab for leftover wraps for lunch the next day).
 
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