Felicity Palmateer continues north through some of Queensland’s most inviting coastal stops. Meanwhile, Gerado Lopez heads into the Grampians for wine, a walk and a meal straight from the garden.
Flick leaves Hervey Bay and drives about 110 kilometres north to Bundaberg. Sugar cane fields line the way, and her first stop is a place whose name has travelled a great deal further than she has today: the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Barrel.
Taste Bundaberg Brew
At the Barrel, Flick explores the gallery and the story of the family business behind Bundaberg Ginger Beer. The Fleming family’s involvement dates to 1968, and the drinks now reach customers well beyond Queensland. There is a smellography wall to test your nose, a look at the brewing process and, of course, a guided tasting.
Flick tries the ginger beer, sarsaparilla and mandarin, learning the all-important “flip, rip and sip” ritual along the way. She even gets to personalise a bottle with her own photo. It is a fun way to see what goes into a familiar Australian brew before getting back on the road.
Agnes Water and the Town of 1770
Further north, Flick reaches the neighbouring coastal towns of Agnes Water and 1770. The Town of 1770 takes its name from the year James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour came ashore here, on what is described as their second landing on the Australian mainland. Today, its sheltered water makes a beautiful place to slow down and explore by kayak.
Flick joins 1770 Liquid Adventures for a paddle along the coast. Dolphins, turtles, eagle rays and ospreys are among the wildlife to watch for; the local stories even include Boris, a remarkably old loggerhead turtle. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the sandbars and coastline make this outing worthwhile on their own. The tour ends with a glass of wine on a sandbank as the sun drops toward the water.
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1770 Liquid Adventures – Kayak Tours & Hire
Koorana Crocodile Farm
Back in Queensland, Flick leaves Agnes Water and heads toward Yeppoon, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn along the way. Before settling in on the coast, she stops at Koorana Crocodile Farm for a guided tour. Home to over 3000 crocs!
Seeing saltwater crocodiles up close is memorable, but the lesson here is practical too: understanding these animals and how to stay safe in crocodile country.
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Koorana Crocodile Farm
Ingenia Holidays Kinka Beach Yeppoon
Flick sets up at Ingenia Holidays Kinka Beach Yeppoon, making it her base for exploring the Capricorn Coast. After the drive north from Agnes Water, it’s a welcome chance to settle in and enjoy the slower pace of a coastal stay.
Positioned between Yeppoon and Emu Park, Kinka Beach puts seaside towns, waterfront attractions and local experiences within easy reach. For caravanners and motorhome travellers following Flick’s journey, it’s a handy stop to spend a few nights while exploring the region – from a swim at Yeppoon Lagoon to a visit to High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm.
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Ingenia Holidays Kinka Beach Yeppoon
Yeppoon Lagoon
Flick heads to Yeppoon Lagoon, where a refreshing swim comes with views across the coast towards the Keppel Islands. This free, patrolled waterfront pool makes an inviting stop after a morning of exploring, with time to cool off and take in the seaside setting.
For travellers staying nearby, it’s an easy addition to a day in Yeppoon. Pair a dip with a wander along the foreshore, then find somewhere for lunch or a coffee before heading back to camp. Check the lagoon’s current opening and patrol hours before visiting.
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Yeppoon Lagoon
High Valley Dawn: Farm life
Flick’s next stop is High Valley Dawn, a working permaculture farm near Yeppoon. She sees the gardens and farm animals, and how the produce connects to the food served here. The farm also offers tiny-home stays and tours. Its approach is built around the permaculture ideas of earth care, people care and fair share.
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High Valley Dawn – Permaculture Farm & Farm Stay
Byfield National Park
From the coast, Flick heads into the Byfield area for a swim at Stony Creek. The creek and its surrounding forest feel a world away from the open beach, even though they are within reach of Yeppoon. The drive then returns to the sand for one last sunset with the DENZA on Farnborough Beach, accessed near Bangalee. Anyone following the route should check park and beach access conditions before taking a vehicle onto the sand.
DENZA Driving Farnborough Beach
Whats Up Downunder Kitchens: Breakfast Nachos
Recipe from Episode 7
Gerado’s Chilaquiles
Ingredients
- 1 brown onion, halved
- 6-8 tomatillos
- 1 jalapeño
- A handful of coriander
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 small red onion, halved
- 1 tbsp chipotle chilli in adobo
- 3 tbsp good-quality olive oil
- ½ cup canned beans, drained
- Blue and yellow corn chips
- 2 -4 eggs
- A little oil for cooking
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Method
- 1Heat the grill or a pan over medium-high heat. Char the brown onion, tomatillos, jalapeño and tomatoes until softened and charred.
- 2Blend the brown onion, tomatillos and jalapeño with the coriander to make a loose green sauce. Then season to taste.
- 3Blend the charred tomatoes with the red onion, chipotle and beans to make the red sauce. Season to taste.
- 4Warm the sauces in separate saucepans over low heat.
- 5Fry the eggs on the hot plate or pan, keeping the yolks runny.
- 6Divide the blue and yellow corn chips between two bowls. Spoon the green sauce over one side and the red sauce over the other. Add half and half each colour to a serving bowl per person.
- 7Top each bowl with a fried egg and serve immediately, while the chips still have some crunch.
Camp Cooking Tips
- ✓Leave the egg yolk runny so it mixes through the chips and sauce.
Gas Stove · Dometic
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Camplify Short Stay · This Season
Grampians
📍 Pomonal
In Victoria, Gerado’s Camplify Short Stay continues through the Grampians. At Pomonal Estate, he finds a family-run winery and microbrewery with vineyard views, accommodation and a restaurant. It is a good place to linger over a local wine or beer before heading out among the mountains.
Next comes the walk to The Pinnacle, one of the best-known lookouts near Halls Gap. There are several routes to the top, so visitors can choose a walk that suits their time and ability and check current track conditions before setting out.
Gerado then visits Mount William Station, a historic working property that now welcomes guests for accommodation and dining. The station dates back to 1842; it changed hands in 1919, and its old bluestone stables remain part of its story. Executive chef Luke Wakefield draws on produce from the property’s garden and local growers, adapting the menu around what is fresh and available.
Suggested itinerary
Your Route Title
- 1Hervey Bay to Bundaberg – Head north through sugar cane country and stop at the Bundaberg Barrel. Explore the gallery, sample the brewed drinks and personalise a bottle to take home.
- 2Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 – Set up at NRMA Agnes Water Holiday Park. Make time for a surf, then join 1770 Liquid Adventures for a kayak tour and a sunset on the sandbank.
- 3Continue to the Capricorn Coast – Travel north towards Yeppoon, stopping at Koorana Crocodile Farm for a guided tour. Settle in at Ingenia Holidays Kinka Beach Yeppoon.
- 4Explore Yeppoon and the surrounding coast – Cool off at Yeppoon Lagoon, wander the foreshore and visit High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm to discover its gardens, animals and approach to growing food.
- 5Head into Byfield – Take a day trip to the Byfield region for a swim at Stony Creek. Return to the coast for a beach sunset, checking current access conditions before driving onto the sand.
Traveller Notes
From Bundaberg’s familiar brews to a sunset paddle at 1770 and a refreshing dip in Byfield, Felicity has found plenty of reasons to pause on the road north. In the Grampians, Gerado has paired mountain views with local wines and garden-fresh food, discovering how much a short stay can offer.
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