Any way, let's get to the better stuff.
Kinkuna Beach Camping Area is a section of the Burrum National Park on Queensland's east coast south east of Bundaberg. I had driven through it a few times (four wheel drive only), but had never camped there. This is something that I should have done long ago. The camping sites are only approximately twenty kilometers from my front door, so close.
My plan was to load up the old mountain bike, Frankenstein, with a tag along kiddies trailer full of gear. Taking a lot of my normal gear, I was going to take a three man tent with me, an esky (cooler) and some fishing gear. The larger tent was for just a little extra room, and the esky was to keep some meats, and of course, beers cold.
This wasn't going to be a bike trip parse, but more just a few days away, fishing and just relaxing.
After several attempts to load the tiny trailer with the mountain of gear I had, I decided to wuss out and get my wife to drive me out. Ok, ok, this was fine, it was just to get away anyway.
With this decision made I opted to ditch the tent and sleeping mat etc, and take one of the new swags I had purchased. The swag was an Adventure Kings Big Daddy Deluxe that I bought from The Four Wheel Drive Super Center some months prior. It is a double swag that had never been used, and had only ever been set up once for purpose of weathering/seasoning. This became the perfect opportunity to check it out.
Well with the swag strapped to the roof racks and the boot full, off I set. Heading South East from Bundaberg it wasn't long before we hit the turn off. Once at the entrance to park the road turned into it's sandy entrance. I didn't worry about airing down the tyres, as the entrance only has sandy patches along it's driveway.
Closer to the camping sites the track becomes sand again. Although soft on top it was still relatively hard packed underneath, so high range was sufficient. I had no intentions of beach driving this time. This section is a popular four wheel drive mecca, but as it was a week day, there was hardly anyone in sight, the perfect place to camp.
It didn't take long to find a suitable spot and get set up, virtually on the beach itself. With the calm Westerly wind the water was like glass. After setting up I drove my wife the five kilometers back to the main entrance. She was a bit nervous about the sandy patches. Walking back to the camp site a young couple picked me up and dropped me back and with the night air setting in, it was time to look at getting a camp fire prepared. One thing I decided to take was my BBQ cook/grill plate that had never been used, a great idea considering my first night's thick and juicy sirloin.
The sun started to set, the fire lit, and the slight westerly breeze changed to a north easterly gust. Cooking my steak was a little difficult as the wind kept blowing any form of heat out from under my plate. I rectified this the following morning after a fish with some old bricks and logs that I found lying around.
It was time to just settle back, eat some dinner and enjoy a cold beer.
The fire nice and amply helped the serenity sink in. The strong gusts eased, a good hot coffee and it was nearly time for bed in the new swag. The great thing about the double swag is that the canvas entrance flaps can be rolled back, exposing the millions of stars that sit above me. Who needs five star accommodation when one can have a million stars. With the sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline it didn't take long to wander off to the land of Nod.
Although it wasn't cold it did cool off through the night, but pulling the sleeping bag up over my ears fixed this.
The sun's rays the following morning wee brutal to say the least. Let me say that I didn't sleep in. With only the midgie mesh of the swag separating me from the outside world, the sun's brightness started stabbing me at first light as it appeared over the horizon.
That was ok though, up early and the fishing rods that had been set the night before were in hand and I was off to the beach. It was a beautifully calm day, no wind at all meant the water was like glass. Ideal for throwing out some some soft plastics in the hope for a tasty morsel...
Ah well, no luck, so it was back up the shallow dune to start breakfast. The fireplace reconstructed, the fire lit, bacon and eggs were on the barbie plate and the coffee was hot and being consumed.
It was now Thursday, the day after Anzac Day, the camping area still relatively deserted the beach was virtually all mine, and mine alone. There's just something that is so ahhh when camping like this. I suppose that's why I like bicycle touring so much, as well as remote camping...the solitude.
Kinkuna is truly a magnificent place, and I still can't believe that I haven't been camping here before...especially so close to home. The sad thing is because it's a National Park I can't take my four-legged dish licker with me. Wilson would have loved it, although he is a big sook when it comes to waves, or water in general really.
After breaky I grabbed the new Sony Action Camera, a HDR AS50 to try out as a vlogging camera, and headed north up the beach. The warm, but not hot, sun and a gentle westerly now forming made it perfect. I don't know for how long I walked, I didn't keep track of time, time is irrelevant in situations such as these. By the way, the little Sony preformed well.
I got back to my campsite and sat. The water was way out at low tide and I saw a nice channel forming out along the beach. It was time to try the lighter gear. Down the beach I headed with my old and favourite Shimano combo. A plastic popper on top and calm water was just perfect. But perfect doesn't always help you catch fish. In the end a small flathead was hooked and seeing size matters, it lived too grow a little larger. I really don't care about catching anything. Fishing to me is like cycling, it's just about the getting out there and clearing the mind.
Another day was on the close and the fire was lit again, and a beer was enjoyed. There is something about a fire that soothes the soul and help you forget and knees the mind still and quiet. The sun setting, the stars lighting up the sky one by one, why would you want to be anywhere else?
A slight breeze, the crackling of the fire and the crashing of the waves on the beach was a recipe of beauty, all combining to give life that little extra meaning. Soon it was time for bed.
On the morning of the first day the swag had it's fair share of sand inside that had worked it's way in. Even though I shook it out, there had seem to be another compilation of the stuff this night as well. I went to bed and laid there flicking the grains this way and that to try and get some comfort. Again the swag flaps were rolled up with only the midgie (no-see-um) mesh protecting me from what elements may be.
After a couple of strong gusts of wind I realised what was causing it. It wasn't me walking it in as I first thought. It appears that midgie mesh is midgie (sandfly) proof, but not sand proof. With the leaving of the flaps open, it was apparent that it was left open to blow in the sand.
Up I got, unzipped everything, pulled out sleeping bag and mattress and shook it all of again. After returning everything to it's rightful place I closed the flaps down. You know what? It worked like a charm. With the wind coming from the south-west again I was able to suffice with the rear flap closed. It was a little cooler this night, so no worries about over heating.
The morning seemed to come too quickly after a good night's sleep. This morning wasn't as kind. The wind had moved around the the south-east and had cause a decent chop on the water. I did try a little fishing, but as I was only using light gear it was difficult casting into the wing. I switched gear and wend for my larger rod, and heavier tackle. It didn't help me much, as I always say, "I don't even catch a cold when I go fishing"...lol.
It was a time to kick back and just relax. I went for another walk, ate some, drank some, went for another walk...repeat. It's great when you go like this, no plan, no have to's, no need to's, just you and the moment at hand. I enjoyed the simpleness of my camping kit as well, the swag, minimum gear, a fire pit and a plate to sit over it. No need for massive cleaning up duties, just set and forget.
I met a nice young couple that were doing the rounds. The one thing I had forgotten was a roll of toilet paper, and we all know there's nothing worse than cacky-tacky bum...think about it...
Anyway, back to the nice young couple, they were nice enough to leave me a full roll of toilet paper, and that my friends was badly needed at the time...phew, crisis averted.
After they left the afternoon was setting in. It was Friday by now, so the obvious weekenders were arriving. Whilst the majority were steady paced, quiet and thoughtful of others, the weekend also brought out the morons who don't give a shit. It was sweet justice seeing a couple of utes that were tearing up the track get bogged as soon as they hit the beach...as the tide was rolling in. It was a case, it seemed, of all the gear and no idea.
It settled as dark drew closer, and yet again I had a blazing fire, snags and patties on the plate and was sitting back enjoying a cold ale and the serenity all over again. This was my last night so I stayed up later than usual. It's a tradition of mine. On the last night of every camp I sit up later (although I was out of beer) enjoying a beverage and stoking the fire higher than usual.
Unfortunately, segments of my evening serenity were blind sided by late arrivals and the morons I suffered earlier driving out with driving lights and spot lights blazing, not only to the night, but into my friggin' camp site as well. I went to bed around 11.00 p.m. and even after lights out there were still people arriving and driving about...not happy Jan. I get a little touchy when my serenity is messes with. Although I should have expected this, it's just that I am used to camping in places where this no, or little else is around. I drew ten deep breaths and ended up asleep never to be disturbed again.
The morning came and I awoke, to yet again, the sound of four-wheel-drives arriving and running up the beach. Hey, don't get me wrong, I love four-wheel-drives, I have one. I just don't always like the drivers behind the wheel. Yes, grumpy old bum this morning, I hadn't had my coffee yet.
The morning dragged on, I chatted with a lot more people as I was packing up somewhat. My wife was coming out to pick me up this morning and I wanted to be a little prepared. Although I have to admit, I wasn't in a hurry. Morons and all, I wasn't in a hurry to leave.
My wife arrived just before lunch and the kids hit the beach as quickly as they hit the ground...running. Some bar-b-queable goodies were brought out, so a lunch time barby fire was lit as we packed the rest of my gear.
In the end an inevitable, unavoidable, but reluctant end came to my weekend (or should I say) my mid-week away. It was a remarkable place so close to home, and although it appears to be better mid-week than weekend, I still have to say it'd be a great place to visit again.
I will be back...
Cheers all, and as always, ride safe.
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