Bound for the East Coast

I think after our dramatic day, we were very eager to reach the coast. We only ended up staying one night in Charters Towers, just long enough to give the car and caravan a good wash and get the red dust off everything. The Big4 park there was nice, save the grumpy coot that yelled at Megan like she was a disobedient cattle dog. It was a nice drive through the hills into Townsville and it was darn good to see the ocean again too! 

Headed into the city to have a look around and see what there was to do. Over the half hour drive I noticed a few cars in front smelled a but oily. Started to worry it may actually have been mine, so just to appease my worry I lifted the bonnet while Em ducked off to grab some more sunscreen. Things did not look good! The squeaky airconditioner belt that I had adjusted at Charleville, was gonna do me in. It was late morning on Friday, of course. Popped into the local dealer, they couldn't even look at it until 4.30 and wouldn't be able to do anything before Monday. We were due in Airlie Beach Tuesday with a two night stay in Bowen.

Really had to make some snap decisions, the woman there gave us the info and we were able to contact the dealer in Proserpine. With 10 days at Airlie, we weren't worried about the possibility of no car for a few days. 

After a bit of poking around, discovered the harmonic balancer had given out and was wearing a hole in the timing cover. Farmers fix......cut the aircon belt, remove all load off the alternator and take it very quietly south. 

So after a day in the pool at Rollingstone, 40km north of Townsville, and a lovely family heading south behind us, we tootled off, making it to Bowen with no problems. 

Was quite amusing trying to explain to the kids that when we were little, the cars didn't have aircon, and you had to actually wind the windows down to keep cool! 

With all the parks in Bowen cram packed with Grey Nomads, we could only get in for one night. Thankfully Airlie had a spot we could have for a night and then move to the next one for 10 nights.