Fall in Love with Australia at Notch Point

We found ourselves doing a bit of off-road caravanning on our way from Townsville to Brisbane this week. I found Notch Point using the WikiCamps App on my Iphone.  The sun was getting low as we left the Bruce Highway at Illbilbie navigating using the maps.me App.

Maps.me showed the dirt road petering out before Notch Point, but I had faith.  The trees thinned to a sandy beach just on sunset after a few hairy moments on the track involving trees, rocks and holes. Every time I opened my mouth it was to ask “Do you think we can fit through there?”

Thankfully it all seemed a lot less scary on the way out.

I like the way the setting sun coloured the dry cane leaves red.

Close the Gate. This is cattle grazing land so if you don’t want the farmer to call you out, you should close the gate properly. This is not the way!

The proper way.

A kangaroo watched us arrive and although this photo is too grainy to tell for sure, it looks like a kookaburra, or possibly a white cockatoo sitting in the tree above!

We pulled up at the first likely spot and it was perfect.

Sunset at Notch Point.

Instead of doing helpful things like stabilising the van, I took a million sunset photos. I know – he’s one lucky guy 🙂

I looked into this reflected sunset and was teleported to Africa.

Morning coffee at the log.

The neighbour on the other side of us had a story about catching a big flathead the day before just past the trees in the photo below.

Before leaving we walked along the beach where we spotted some kangaroo trails.

Swimming.  Beneath the Crocodile Warning Sign and beside the Shark Sighting sign, is a memorial to a person who went missing at this site.

Our camp site was in a sheltered mini-bay, but around the corner past the rough looking boat ramp and warning signs was a hill with more camp spots.  The views were great up there and down on the ocean front were even more campers.  It was a bit exposed down there so not so good in strong winds.  About half way down the hill was an old level concrete slab, just crying out to be used as a campsite with a view.

I have no idea what type of bird this handsome fellow was. Notch Point is 460km south of Townsville which I guess is far enough for there to be different bird species!

Brolgas.  They are the symbol of Townsville and can be found in large numbers on the town common, but these were fossicking in a newly harvested cane field near Notch Point.

Having just arrived home from 10 Weeks in Europe I have gone through the usual readjustments and this timely journey reminded me just how beautiful Australia is.

 We were impressed with Notch Point.  

It made me fall in love with Australia all over again.  

There was even talk about coming back for a longer visit.

Budget Travel Tips

Seven Day Stays are allowed

Monday to Friday would be good if you’re time flexible and crowd wary.

This is a free camp site.

Fully self contained camping/caravanning only.  This means bring your own everything and leave nothing behind 🙂

Arrive in daylight especially if you are towing.

Click on GBRMPA then Zoning Permits and Plans, search for Mackay Region to find out about where fishing is permitted.  Dark Blue is OK to fish, but Green is a No Fish zone.*

*Check the site before you go.

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