Rockhampton and Bundaberg, or Rocky & Bundy

Leaving Airlie Beach we continued south towards Hervey Bay, passing through Rockhampton for a quick night’s stay. For some reason, Australians have to shorten everything with more than one syllable and thus Rockhampton is known as Rocky. We definitely got a good feel for how large the country is through this back to back 5+ hour drive days along the Bruce Highway.

Can’t remember where this is, but it was a nice little point overlooking the ocean somewhere between Airlie Beach and Mackay. Also got a nice nature sighting of these strange black birds, with bright orange beaks and eyes.

This is a lighthouse we passed by in Mackay. It was first in use in the late 1800s and got moved to its current location (at the end of a parking lot in a boat harbor) after it was decommissioned.

Megan at the wheel, enjoying the beautiful scenery. This was how she normally looked except for the time earlier in the trip we got caught up in a lightning storm, neither of us were smiling for that part. Although we did get to see lightning up close and personal all around us.

Here’s us stopping for oncoming traffic. Australia roads are quite well maintained. Their signage is good, especially for warning you about ongoing road work and changed traffic conditions. Most of this stretch are undivided, two-lane highways, so we had to test the Yaris a few times to pass those pesky trucks.

In Rockhampton, we walked down to the Fitzroy River. Weeks later, this river would overflow and cause some of the worst problems for Queensland in their statewide floods.

Rod Laver, the famous tennis player, was from Rockhampton. We know this because the bust and plaque told us so (and later confirmed by Wikipedia).

This is a covered lawn bowling club. Lawn bowling is huge in Australia and there seems to be a club in every town no matter the size. We even saw it broadcasted on TV.

After spending the night in Rockhampton, we stopped by the Bundaberg Ginger Beer factory. Inside this giant barrel is a little museum about the process of making Ginger Beer, the traditional way. We also had a taste of each of the 20 or so flavors of soda they make, which was an unbelievable amount of sugar and carbonation for two non-soda drinkers.