5/4/06
Bundaberg and 1770
May 1st was a school holiday and with its passing, the vacation
season has come to an end and the beaches are now empty. The weather
has been perfect with temperatures hovering around 80 in the days with
cool nights in the 50s or 60s F. This far north in Queensland
experiences two seasons, a wet season and a dry season. The wet season
is hot and humid during the summer months with occasional downpours,
while the dry season is much what we're currently having, dry sunny
days. Queensland is
experiencing a drought and water restrictions are in effect. It's made
even worse by the fact that this area is headed into the dryer part of
the year.
After a two night stay in Bundaberg, we headed north towards
Rockhampton, but not before stopping by a town called 1770. It's name
comes from the year Captain Cook landed on its shores. It was one of
the few places that a ship could land, as north of here are vast
stretches of coral reef ready to hole the side of a wooden ship.
For years the only paved road to 1770 was from the north, but about a
year ago, the road from Bundberg was paved, giving easier access from
the south. The town has remained small because of the limited access,
but we felt the renewed growth from the extra road as we drove through.
Being in the end of the tourist season, the beaches were deserted and
beautiful. There was very little surf
because as we head north in Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef begins
to form offshore. The reefs absorb the energy of the waves as they come
ashore making for small waves.
Having small waves does not mean there weren't strong currents as
we saw from this warning. The sign also warned swimmers about touching
jelly fish, and stepping on stone fish, both hazards are equally
dangerous. The marine stingers are tiny jelly fish that are hard to
see, and yet have
a sting so powerful that people who have been stung writhe in pain for
days. Some unfortunate swimmers have died from these stings. These
Marine Stingers along with the Box Jelly come into these waters half
the year until May. Luckily for us, the season is just about over.
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