Agnes Waters 1770 and Gootchie Creek Escape

It's been many years since we last visited Agnes Waters and 1770. Back then, the access road from the Bruce Highway was dirt. At that time, this area was just a sleepy spot that hadn't grown much, but it is now bursting with development. We were heading south, so this stop was brief and probably our last visit here. We stayed at The Summit in Agnes Waters and initially booked an unpowered site. However, upon arrival, it was clear that camping in that section was impossible due to the uneven ground. Thankfully, there was a powered site available for our stay.

Besides having a good look around, we shopped and enjoyed lunch on one of our days along the waterfront in 1770. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch, especially my crumbed red emperor.

From here, we headed further south along the busy Bruce Highway to our next stay at Gootchie Creek Escape, just south of Bauple. It is a six-hundred-acre property located just over one kilometre west of the Bruce Highway. We arrived on a Thursday and chose a site along Gootchie Creek, although there are many sites on the property. The usual facilities, including showers, toilets, and a dump point, are available on site. The facilities can be seen in the background.

Sadly, our peaceful campsite was spoilt on Friday afternoon when the crowds arrived with their noisy children and loud music, which played late into the night. Fortunately, we only booked for two nights; otherwise, we would have left anyway. If you enjoy peace and quiet, I recommend camping here only during the week, not during school holidays.

Haliday Bay north of Mackay

 We shopped in Proserpine before heading south to camp at Halliday Bay, north of Mackay. We had never ventured off the main road in this area, and we were very glad we did. It’s like a little piece of paradise, featuring a small campsite with both powered and unpowered sites. Naturally, we chose the unpowered section. The site is perfect for fully self-contained caravans and motorhomes.

The on-site bar and restaurant were closed during our visit due to fewer travellers at this time of year.

Twenty-seven dollars per night unpowered, with water available, a dump point, and a lovely beach featuring a swimming enclosure to keep the stingers at bay. There's even a nine-hole golf course, but unfortunately, my golf clubs are at home, and the hired clubs leave much to be desired. Initially, our four-night stay has extended to sixteen because the area is so peaceful and quiet, although it's late in the tourist season with fewer travellers. The past weekend was busy with people from Mackay camping here, but now that it's Monday morning, we almost have the place to ourselves.

Spearfishermen and snorkellers reported that the area around the rocks on the point outside the swimming enclosure was inhabited by many sea snakes.

Another small community, situated ten kilometres north of here, also sells fuel. It features a petrol station, a small shop, and a bowling club where we enjoyed lunch on one of our days.

Covering six hundred kilometres from Halliday Bay to Agnes Waters, we decided to break the journey and stay at the pub in Marlborough, where you can camp for free as long as you purchase something from the pub. So, we both enjoyed our lunch and a beer.