Discovering Elliot Heads

Four days - 25 to 28 April

The majority of our first day was involved in Anzac Day functions. The wind was still blowing a gale as we took a sunset walk across the wide expanse of the Burnett River delta.

First steps onto the sand. 

The river mouth is beyond the trees / Dr Mayes Island, a protected area for nesting and migratory birds.

We didn't progress far before we were wondering if we had been transported to a moonscape. The sand erosion patterns were dramatic and constantly changing. 

Thankfully the wind kept to a low level, so only blasted our lower legs, but its movement across the sand was spellbinding to watch.

We returned to camp along the beach.

Wednesday was spent visiting my brother in Bundaberg.

Thursday

We drove north to Bargara to explore its surroundings.

We stumbled on an entrance to a path, which took us nearly 3 km north to the world-famous Mon Repos Beach. How lucky were we, as we had decided the journey by car was too circuitous. Just a delightful trail, away from the wind, and in wonderful autumn sunshine.

Below is the boardwalk leading to Mon Repos's beach.

"Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant Loggerhead Turtle nesting population in the South Pacific Region."[Qld Government, Parks and Rivers]

Up to 400 turtles nest on this beach and adjacent islands each year, commencing in November, and the last hatchlings reach the water by the end of March. Alas, we were too late to witness their determination to cross the sand and reach the sea.

Back at the car, it was time for a cuppa with a view!

We were soon joined by a kookaburra, renowned from experience, for their swift dive to take food from one's hand if one is not on the alert. On this occasion sadly, he was being attacked by smaller birds, and food wasn't on his mind.

Kookaburra plus Blue-faced Honeyeater.

He moved to another tree but his enemies followed.

Whilst this was all going on, a Butcher Bird decided to serenade us.

I am always finding wonderful playgrounds to take my grandchildren to when they visit. This one would keep them happy for ages. The turtle was just the cutest.

The foreshore at Bargara.

Here we met a couple who mentioned a beautiful field of sunflowers nearby. We had to find them!

A detour was made to The Hummock, [an extinct volcano remnant] for its magnificent views of the red soil, and fertile plains surrounding it.  This region had always been known for its sugar cane, but over recent years, the farmers have diversified to other crops - macadamia and avocado plantations, sweet potatoes and peanuts. We were totally impressed with all we could see, but note how the palms are affected by the wind.

The sunflowers didn't disappoint.

5pm and time for another sunset stroll across the 'moonscape'.

Friday

We were so thrilled that the wind had all but abated when we woke, so we took our breakfast straight to the beach, pj's and all. There was no one else enjoying this rare occasion. [7am]

We were in need of a more restful day. As the morning fully woke up, the wind did increase but thankfully wasn't as strong as on other days, and a small bay at Coral Cove gave us some protection.

First, a closer look at the rockpools.

A very pleasant couple of hours were enjoyed reading and listening to the ebb and flow of the waves.

Some time was also spent being creative with our cameras. 

My efforts.

Joc had bought her glass photography ball along, and had almost forgotten to play with it.

I was very impressed with her image of our sunset drinks. Once again we were sitting behind the one and only clump of trees around, to protect us from the return of the wind.

Saturday 6am

Alas, it was time to pack the van and make the return journey to Brisbane. The morning light was sensational and almost delayed our departure.

Above - the silver car, centre, is beside our site.

Even with the wind, it had been an exceptional visit to this lovely rural, coastal area.

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Elliot Head's, Anzac Day

Tuesday 25 April

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in that Corps became known as ANZACs. Anzac Day began as a commemoration of the anniversary of the landing of troops from both nations at Gallipoli, Turkey, on 25 April 1915.

Anzac Day is now a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who served". [Wikipedia]

It was time to again take Issie Eagle [Camper Van], for another outing. Elliot Heads was chosen because I had heard of how beautiful the setting was for their Anzac Services, plus my eldest brother, who hasn't been well, lives in nearby Bundaberg. 

My friend Jocelyn and I arrived at Elliot Heads on Monday afternoon just after 4.30 pm. By the time the van was set up, night had fallen. Yes, our autumn days have rapidly become shorter.

The Dawn Service was to commence at 5.40 am. We woke to an extremely windy morning making quite an emotional atmosphere, as the public quietly gathered in the dark, on the cliff top at Submarine Lookout, with the waves constantly rolling in. Thankfully, unlike the first landing at Gallipoli, there was no sound of gunfire.

                     

As Reveille was played, the wind gathered strength, and brought a squall of rain, as the final note faded, 

Most Returned Services Leagues host a Gunfire breakfast after the Dawn Service. The 'Gunfire' rum was added to the soldier's cuppa before action. Their breakfast would not have been as hearty as the food on our plates. Our rum was served with milk.

The origin of Two-up is obscure but was regularly played by soldiers in action. Now it is only legal on Anzac Day. Neither Joc nor I had played before so needed instruction on how to spin the coins. We both bet and lost $5.

The game involves a designated 'spinner' throwing two coins into the air. Pennies are placed on a narrow board and tossed with a flip, high into the air. Players bet on whether the coins will both fall with heads or tails up.

Joc as the spinner.

Myself as spinner.

When we returned to camp, it was still only 8.30 am. Plenty of time to explore the coastal walk. Much to our amazement, there were no sandy beaches, except for wide expanses at the Burnett River mouth. 

About 10 kilometres north of Elliot Heads and a few kilometres inland, is The Hummock, an extinct Basaltic Volcano.  The lava flow was very hot and fluid, creating Basalt Boulders along the shoreline.

It was a lovely 6 km return, well-maintained walk, but the wind was ferocious.

We arrived back at Submarine Lookout at about 10 am and tried without success, to find shelter from the wind, as we waited for the flyover of the F/A_18F Super Hornet, at 10.34 am. 

Joc trying to remain upright, whilst waiting for the Super Hornet.

Meanwhile, I found a smidgen of relief, behind this tree.

Everyone expected the Hornet to come along the coast, out to sea, and that we would hear it before seeing it. Well, the wind was so strong that there was no sound until it was low overhead and we all had to very quickly swivel to see it flash past behind us.

This is what I actually saw but of course not my photo.

During the Memorial Service at 11.15 am, a Trojan T-28B flew over twice.

The mounting of the Catafalque Party - Bundaberg Naval Cadets.

Note the strength of the wind - the flags remained parallel to the ground constantly.

The Elliot Heads State School sang "And they Marched". Each participant had written on a small wooden cross which they individually placed on the wreaths that had been laid.

Once again, the rain held off until the service had concluded.

We needed a warming coffee when we got back to the van. Soon after, we took a short drive to Bagara to buy fuel for the car. We were very impressed with their Cenotaph and the crosses arranged on the lawn in front.

The flags were still being held aloft.

Back at the van preparations were made for sunset nibbles by the water, but would we find any shelter from the wind?

Yay, this one and only clump of trees on the foreshore was just perfect.

This muted sunset was a fitting end to the solemnity of the morning.

We are so very grateful to those who have served and for the freedom we have each and every day.

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