Caravanning News - 'Santa Run' had more than fair share of thunder and lightning


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Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

Festive cheer in central Queensland

'Santa Run' has more than its fair share of thunder and lightning

Story and Photos: DENNIS AMOR

WE dubbed it the 'Santa Run' ... that time of year when our trusty Jayco transforms into a pseudo sleigh and the car metamorphoses into reindeer.

With the caravan packed to overflowing with brightly wrapped Christmas presents we headed into central Queensland to visit grandchildren at Biloela for lots of festive cheer.

The three-week pre-Christmas trip also took in Mapleton, Forest Glen, Noosa Heads and the wonderful BIG4 caravan resort in Cania Gorge. When pitched, our 'van was adorned with Christmas lights and tinsel. Yes, we certainly got into the spirit of things!

^{Warning sign at Mapleton}

We clocked 1474 kilometres and our Ford Falcon AU, hauling an 18ft Jayco Westport full shower 'van, swallowed 243 litres of petrol, averaging 6.04 kilometres a litre.

The journey began with a short hop to Flaxton which involved a very steep climb up the range from Nambour ... first gear for much of the way. We deposited our cats at a local cattery and stayed for two nights at the nearby Lillyponds Caravan Park.

^{A soggy stay at Forest
Glen}

Then back down the range to the expensive BIG4 Forest Glen site where most of our three days were spent inside the 'van sheltering from torrential rain!

A nice site, but I award it a black mark for not having a dump point. We were expected to drive almost to the coast to empty our toilet. Not good enough for the price we were paying.

Day Six saw us braving more torrential rain and gusting side winds as we drove along the Sunshine Coast Motorway to Noosa Heads and the caravan park at Munna Point.

Positioned on the banks of Noosa River, the site's amenities blocks were among the cleanest we have ever seen and there was an endless stream of hot water available. Shame about some of the inconsiderate campers and caravanners this site seems to attract.

It never rains but what it pours ... and our planned 500km drive from Noosa to Biloela certainly proved the point! After battling hours of heavy rain, thunderstorms and flooded roads we decided to call it a day at Mulgildie rest area just south of Monto on the Burnett Highway. The evening news revealed that 200mm of rain had swamped the area that day!

Biloela offered easy parking while we shopped at Woolworths

Easy parking at Biloela allows caravanners to shop at nearby Woolworths

Luckily the skies had cleared for the next day's 111km drive over the Coominglah Range into Biloela.

Before leaving we did the usual courtesy bit when staying at rest areas ... we shopped at the local store.

Our stay in Biloela was a grandparent's delight as we did the usual Christmas activities with two very energetic and excited youngsters. Unfortunately the time whizzed past and we were soon retracing our route south, this time stopping off at Cania Gorge for a week's rest and recuperation.

Bird feeding at Cania
Gorge's BIG4 caravan park

We stayed at the wonderful BIG4 site where everyone is welcomed like family. The owners do a magnificent job to ensure your stay is enjoyable and memorable. Bird feeding and free movies on the big screen under the stars are a bonus.

Day 19 saw us winding up the steadies and heading south again. The roads were very quiet and we had a pleasant 378km drive home, stopping at Ban Ban Springs roadhouse for lunch ... egg and chips plus fish and chips for a bargain price!

Covering less than 1500km in three weeks meant this was a leisurely trip along quiet roads for much of the time.

A few words of criticism about the Burnett Highway (Highway 17) are in order, I think. This inland road has been promoted as an alternative route for southerners heading to Rockhampton and the north coast.

Maybe it is quieter and more scenic than the coast-hugging Bruce Highway, but many sections of the highway leave a lot to be desired.

A Cania Gorge 'local' drops by for a
visit

Collapsed edges and narrow stretches mean you have to keep your wits about you, particularly with a caravan in tow. There's little room for error ... especially when heavy trucks approach from the opposite direction.

It was made even more precarious for us when we hit a particularly nasty spell of bad weather. Luckily, there were ample roadside rest areas and we were able to abandon driving and park up for the night as lightning and thunder echoed around us.