Rockhampton via salt water croc territory

I feel like the salty dog of the sea after spending almost 7 hours today paddling from Gladstone to Rockhampton.  For some reason when I finished I was just crusted with salt that had set like cement all over my aching body.  This morning I had the choice of cycling/running for 120km’s, or paddling all day and covering around 65km’s.  Since I will now head west and be on the bike most of the time, paddling was my best choice.  The paddle was across the busy industrial port of Gladstone and then through the narrow channels between the main land and Curtis Island.  Before departing we got some local advice about tides and also found that salt water crocodiles inhabited these waters.  The paddle went well for the first two hours and then I entered the thin channels that were surrounded by mangroves and small sand spits.  Jokingly I said to Ian and Darren in the support boat that it is too cold for the croc’s.  The next minute, there it was about 50metres in front, the first crocodile I had ever seen paddling.  The boys in the boat then moved from their usual relaxed position on the sides of the boat, to standing in the centre.  For the next two hours there were plenty of bubbles and movement from under the water in parts, but no more sightings.  Finally reaching the river mouth at Rockhampton about 2.30pm, a local fisherman gave us another warning and said that he had recently seen a 14 foot crocodile right where we were pulling the ski and boat out. 

We are now at our most northern part on the east coast and start our trek west.

Speak soon, Craig

Is that George Clooney?

Local Knowledge

Thompsons Point

Tired & Salty

Local Onlooker

 

I thought I was supposed to be in the tropics!

Back to an early start this morning and on the road by 5.00am.  As I left the caravan park in the coastal town of Seventeen Seventy, the outside temperature was 6 degrees.  Some 40 kilometres inland, cycling along the Bruce Highway it got to one degrees and the reading on the Hummer said “ice”.  I only had fingerless gloves thinking I’m in the tropics and had to tape some glad bags over my gloves to give me some feeling back. 

I turned off the Bruce Highway at Benarby, and headed into Gladstone via Tannum Sands.  I had planned to paddle to Rockhampton and was going to get a start this afternoon but learned that the tides were against us and because I’m paddling between Curtis Island and the main land, the water would be roaring in the opposite direction. 

We are staying in Gladstone tonight and starting to paddle in the morning.  I have visited the local fisheries for information and also learned that crocodiles are known in these areas but are “timid” (I hope). Gladstone is a mining town and has massive coal deposits sitting at the docks.  The bay is surrounded by tankers and the town has a huge port.

Before I sign-off for another day I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to Elliott Heads Holiday Park for providing accommodation for myself and the crew free of charge on Tuesday night and to Captain Cook Holiday Park at Seventeen Seventy who gave us a heavily reduced rate. The generosity of the local community continues to be fantastic and we are extremely grateful.

Regards, Craig

Sandwich Bag Gloves

 

The look says it all... a good time to pause and put ourselves in Craig's shoes just for a minute.

 

Gladstone Moon

 

Road to Gladstone

 

Barney Beach Caravan Park... time for some cleaning!

 

Our new signage to help attract more attention and donations