प्रकाशित: 31.03.2017
After we finished the Fraser Island tour, we wanted to head to the Whitsundays.
Planned stops were Bundaberg, 1770, and Rockhampton. We heard about the upcoming cyclone, so we took our time, hoping it wouldn't affect us too much.
In Bundaberg, we visited the rum distillery. 'Bundy' is the most famous rum in Australia and has won several awards for best rum in the world. However, it is relatively unknown outside Australia and New Zealand. For $30, we could visit a small exhibition, admire the facilities, and taste 2-4 different samples at the end (either four half-full glasses or two full glasses). Since I had to drive afterward, I only had two half glasses, while Tom had four half glasses. We even tried a sip of the most expensive rum, which costs around $170 per bottle, which is still over €100. The distillery also makes liqueurs, such as a mixture of banana and toffee (usually called banoffee), which is very sweet and delicious.
The next day, we met up with two people from the Fraser Island tour who had the same goals and similar stops planned. In Bundaberg, we went to the zoo to see native animals like emus, iguanas, snakes, and parrots. And it was free! Australia is great ;D
Unfortunately, the Botanic Gardens were a bit underwhelming because a pond had flooded due to heavy rain, birds were nesting, and other parts of the garden were under construction. There wasn't much to see.
Around noon, we drove to 1770 (or Seventeen Seventy), the oldest town in Queensland, where the state was discovered and settled.
We ended up in Agnes Water, which is right around the corner. Since it rained almost continuously from our arrival until our departure two days later, we didn't leave the hostel. But the hostel, Cool Bananas, was great! In the evenings, they had game nights. One game was 'Knight, Queen, Cuddling': you had to carry your partner on your back, arms, or knee. Tom and I came in 3rd place after having to wheelbarrow race through the whole room. Lucky for us, the decision task was to demonstrate as many sexual positions as possible in 60 seconds :'D.
The next evening, we played poker and I (once again) came in first place and won $60. Woop woop!
After two rainy days and nights in Agnes Water, we were getting tired of it. We considered going back to Brisbane since the weather didn't seem to be improving.
On the way back, we had to cross several bridges or drive through rivers because they had already overflowed. I had a brief panic attack once when all I saw was water, and lots of it!. Well, turns out I didn't have my glasses on. There was a bridge above it, completely above the water, although not much of it.
Anyway, we managed to make it almost 500km to just outside Brisbane that day, and now we hope to sell our car for a good price here. Fingers crossed!