We had never heard of Emu Park as a destination for our next stay with Karina and family. Booking the AirBnB house on the beach near to Yeppoon (close to Rockhampton, the city where Karina and family were flying out of) that could seven people in the Yeppoon Region, was a challenge, however, we all loved Emu Park and our stay house. Emu Park has a modern town centre, with an IGA Supermarket, three bakeries and other retail shops and eateries. The foreshore has a great walk, with an ANZAC focus plaques, plus a Singing Ship. What is a Singing Ship you ask? It is a metal structure in the shape of a sail located on the headland, with organ pipes suspended on cables, which catch the onshore wind and hum different notes. Similar concept to the Sea Organ we visited in Zadar in Croatia, except the sounds there were generated by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea filling submerged organ pipes, with air emitted from the top of each pipe creating a hum.
Bluff Point was our first hike, stopping off at Turtle Lookout along the way. Apart from the magic view out to the Keppel
Islands, there were several sea turtles of all sizes swimming at the base of the lookout. After our 2.5 km hike, it was time to head to the freshwater lagoon at Yeppoon for a swim. Another great Qld Govt initiative to create these safe swimming lagoons along beach fronts where crocs and sharks may be encountered. Archer had great fun in the water park whilst we took turns swimming.
The highlight of our stay at Emu Park was to visit Great Keppel Island via fast ferry. The island lies 15 kms off the coast of Yeppoon, and we were up early to catch the 7.30 ferry. It was Archers first time on a boat, and he couldnt contain his excitement as the catamaran cut through the swell, spraying water over the side windows, shrieking and laughing at the same time. On arrival, we hiked to Shelving Bay, which has one of the best reefs on the island for snorkeling. We took turns minding Archer and snorkeled until lunch time, seeing many different forms and colours of coral, many different coloured clams and numerous varieties of coloured fish, including everyones favourite, Nemo the Clownfish. We had pre booked a tasty
lunch on the island, which was enjoyed by all. We caught the 2pm ferry home, with the day being a memorable one.
The next day Maia and I walked down for a swim at Emu Park pool, where we cooled off in the heat. After eating lunch, we all drove to Capricorn Caves, where Karina, Kaden and Maia chose to tackle the challenging Adventure Caving tour. The caves lie within Mt Etna, and the three and their tour guide had to negotiate narrow passages and squeezes (one named Fat Mans Misery) with only a hard hat and head lamp, as they wound their way up the inside of the mountain, emerging at the top for a view over the surrounding region. Kim, Todd, Archer and I chose the more sedate standard tour of the Cathedral Cave, which was still interesting (and a little scary at times for Archer).
On our last day we drove to Double Head to hike up the headland, followed by a swim again at Yeppoon Lagoon. We then walked to the Keppel Kracken, a water Park along the Esplanade, where Archer had the time of his life in the fountains and water sprays. We
Our family time together was over too soon, with Karina and family flying home out of Rockhampton the next morning. We repacked the caravan and headed for Tannum Sands, near Gladstone. It was great reconnecting with Karina, Todd and the grandkids, and we are now looking forward to spending Xmas with them, and catching up with friends.
