Ayr to Mackay to Bororen

We arrived in Ayr looking for a campsite but as it was late , 7pm being late in these parts, we were refused entry to the first one we tried. After checking on Wikicamps we found a Big 4 site only a few miles away. Next morning we set off down the Bruce Highway heading as far south as possible. There were a few pit stops as this road is so monotonous you need a break to stop you going in a trance. That's a difference between riding and driving. We took a detour into the backpacker haven of Airlie Beach on one of the breaks. It's a lively town with a good beach strip. It looks well set up for bar crawls, students and travellers.

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I took over driving duties in the afternoon for my first go behind a wheel since June. 5 months of pure pedal power on 3 different continents. We found a nice site in a town called Mackay and made use of the swimming pool and had dinner with a retired couple from Perth. They even shared their spuds and steak. The conversation was really pleasant about people being good to each other all over the world, about the diverse Australian eco system and the joys of camp life. While I have been traveling it has been moments like this that I have enjoyed most along with the riding and the weather. We pushed on today and made it to the excellent Bushchooks Campsite. This is a fantastic site with all the facilities you could think of. $10 per night for a tent is around £6 and when I'm happy just for a plot and a shower and to have all that is here is superb.

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We have a plan now to get to Brisbane on Wednesday and stay with a family via Warmshowers for 2 nights and then cycle north and stay with another host further up the Sunshine Coast. Just thinking Sunshine Coast during November when I see on Facebook that the UK has now had snow is so surreal. All my years of being cold in November and all the time this has been here waiting for my arrival.