It was sad to leave Airlie Beach as we could easily have stayed much longer. But we knew we have to keep moving or we would run out if time.

We left Airlie Beach on the 31st of August, stopping in Mackay for lunch. Mackay didn't really grab our attention which was a shame. I remember my Aunty Beverley and Uncle Jeffery and their family living there for many years. So I was curious about the regional city. However we decided to make tracks and continue heading south. We stopped at a community camp about 150km north of Rockhampton for the evening. The kids were rapt as it had an inground pool.

The plan for the following day was to visit Capricorn Caves which is just north of Rockhampton. We also planned to collect a vintage car part for my Dad from another Napier owner. This would require us to venture over the mountains from Rockhampton to the small inland town of Goovigin.