4th August: Toomulla Beach Camp => south...

We made Sunday our day of rest, aside from a decent walk around the place, met a nice young couple Ben and Jen on a low footprint tour. And then it's Monday. Four weeks at midday since we set out.
Today we will head south again, first to check out Saunders Beach, then get through Townsville (BTDT) to Ayr and out to Alva on the coast. We actually have a bit of a plan!

Saunders Beach next to the campground, gorgeous.

Half past eight we hit the road escaping the sandflies, I am the usual mess of red itches!!!

Saunders Beach is a ripper. The campground small - but room for us if we wanted, but its only 0930... 48hour limit and the camping nazis apparently come around each day. Maybe not on weekends? Anyway will will stop here... next time.
There are a couple of maybe similar beaches along here but that is enough exploring here.

Instead of the inland 'ring road' around Townsville we opt for coastal. In through the industrial northern suburbs. And fill with cheap fuel $1.51.9! Plan is foiled by road closures so we have to snake through. The shopping centres look difficult to navigate so we rejoin the Bruce Highway without another stop, and fortunately hear the southern end of the roadworks.

Bruce Hwy north of Ayr

Ayr next. We have missed Ayr before by taking the well signed heavy vehicle bypass. Not today. We want a Woolies; Coles is just not the same... Quick shop stop, more beer too. And across the road to the reject shop for a couple of small glasses and a small laundry basket. All good.

16 km north east of Ayr is Alva and Lynchs Beach. Looks alright. We will stay a night $30 CP no camping... Anyway the short drive has not recharged the batteries after two days in partial shade off mains...

Speaking of the drive we have done 895km from Daintree... and it is only 560km to get back there. 335km of 'detours' or 37% of the journey...



It is a beautiful day, and the wind (south easterly) has sprung up strongly) good ventilation to counter the bright sun. Next is a walk back to the beach. Quite hike through the dunes to a very flat foreshore with warning about the speed of the tides... Might have to stay another day so we (meaning I) can take the Suzuki on the sand...