With a big day ahead of us today, we were out the door early, heading for our first stop at the nearby Koorana Crocodile Farm. A working farm, they have branched out into tourism and provide an excellent insight into the whole business of crocodile farming.

We arrived in time for the first guided tour of the day, which started with a talk about the history of the farm. They are not afraid to admit that they are purely in it for the money, but as a fortunate benefit, the farming process assists in the conservation of the breed. As we saw later during the tour however, even though most of the crocodiles will spend about 4 years here before becoming handbags, shoes, wallets and other assorted leather goods, the breeding pairs are cared for and almost considered as family pets, so much are they loved. The tour also gave us the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the pre-historic beasts. Close enough, that there was only a fine wire fence between us and them, and two guides were required to ensure no one accidentally lost an arm or a leg. It never ceases to amaze me, that the moment someone is told not to stick their arm over the fence, the first thing they do is stick their bloody arm over the fence. Hence the second staff member, constantly running back and forth, reminding folks to remain entirely on our side of the wire. And then some idiot was silly enough to query if the crocodiles were really that dangerous and was it really necessary to have two guides with the group?

Surely they’re not that dangerous?

The tour lasted about an hour and a half, and was money well spent. As well as getting to see crocodiles up to 5 metres long and weighing in at close to 1,000Kg being fed, at the conclusion of the tour we got to hold one of their slightly smaller brothers. The skin was surprisingly supple to the touch, with a distinct lack of sliminess, which I was expecting to feel.

Bec checks out her next hand bag.

Following the crocodile farm, we took a scenic drive along the coast from Emu Park to Yeppoon, stopping along the way at the Emu Park Beach to take some photos of the choppy, turbid water. The recent weather has turned the waters a dirty coffee brown colour, and the stiff breeze that was blowing ashore today meant there was a consistent white topped chop breaking against the sands of the beach.

Wind lashed Emu Park Beach.

There was a look out further down the road, which I imagine would provide a stunning outlook of the nearby islands on a clear day, but failed to impress today, the strong wind menacingly tugging at the brim of my hat.

Our stop in Yeppoon was designated as our lunch break, and for the first time since we left home we had finally remembered to pack a cut lunch, something we had suggested that we would do every day. So with the dogs taken for a run in the park and our bellies full, we continued on our way. I would think that as for the lookout, Yeppoon would be at its best on a fine day. The only thing I knew of Yeppoon before we visited was courtesy of the old television advert, in which it gains a mention as being the place where a cannon went off and put a ‘dirty great hole in the roof of a Torana’. Sadly I could locate neither the damaged car (or any Torana for that matter), nor the cannon that fired the mortal shot. It is otherwise a rather typical beach side town, with plenty of apartments overlooking the ocean, and is the main launching place for boat tours to the reputed Great Kepple Island, which lies just off of the coast. The island was initially on our list of things to do, in the hope of doing some snorkeling, but given the continuing poor weather we have decided to give it a miss.

As a result, we continued along the scenic route taking the road back towards Rockhampton, heading for the local zoo and botanic gardens in town. In an exciting twist, we found that entry to the zoo is free. Not only that, but we arrived at the perfect time to see the keepers doing the rounds and feeding some of the animal inhabitants. Firstly was the aviary, where there is a range of birds flittering about uninhibited all waiting for a feed of grapes and bugs. Next door, in a separate section were a couple of brightly coloured Cassowaries, also coming out of hiding for a bunch or two of grapes. Hardly a snack when you consider that they can consume up to 12Kg of fruit per day.

Captive Cassowary.

From the aviary, it was time for the chimpanzees to get their afternoon tea. They were rousing, as the keeper slid plates of yoghurt into the enclosure, which they ate almost daintily with a spoon, before receiving a drink of orange juice each. Then, whilst the keeper was talking about them, leaning against the fence of the cage, the chimps sat inside, prodding him with their long slender fingers, and even undoing his shoe laces, much to the amusement of the crowd.

We didn’t get a chance to finish looking around the whole zoo, or even make a start on the adjacent gardens though, as the rain again began to cascade down upon us. Not expecting a shower, as the day had been relatively clear, all of our jackets and umbrellas were still safely stowed within ‘The Beast’. It was a mad dash back, trying to stay as dry as the scarce overhead foliage would allow.

Being that it was on our way back to the caravan anyway, we made a final stop at the information centre again, braving the rain to get some photos of us straddling the invisible line between temperate and tropical zones.

Here I am. No, over here. Standing in the temperate zone and the tropics all at the same time.

Returning to the van, we had enough time for a quick rest, before jumping back into ‘The Beast’ and heading back into town. We decided to leave the dogs behind again, which I am sure they were secretly thrilled about. Bec is right, that they are quite calm about being left ensconced in the van.

In keeping with our animal themed day, we were going out for dinner and a show tonight, at one of Australia’s largest indoor rodeo arenas, where there is free, live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday night.

Arriving at the Great Western Hotel, we ordered our dinner. Bec a surf and turf, and me an 800gm slab of their finest rump steak. Sitting out at the tables lining the bullring, we dined on deliciously tender steaks, while watching cowboys ride the still living variety.

I found it exhilarating, thrilling in the excitement as the bulls crashed about the arena, throwing off the riders, generally with practiced ease. One of the bullfighters, or ‘clowns’ copped a good hit, right in front of us, pushing the perimeter fence alarmingly, while one of the bulls escaped from his pen, leaping the 6 ½ foot fence, thankfully into the ring rather than out of it, and then it took a cowboy in a bobcat to entice some of the meaner looking beasts back out of the arena.

I enjoy my dinner and the rodeo…

…while Bec tries to ignore the rodeo.

Whilst I was enjoying the spectacle, Bec was watching nervously, worried that at any moment a beast might launch itself over the fence and into her dinner. She was glad that she came for the experience, however I seriously doubt that I’ll entice her to return, no matter how good the food was.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.