Coconuts and Coal

“Just slow down, slow down. Holy crap, that’s scary”. Surrounded by smoke, front and rear vision blocked, uncertain when the road would appear; driving through a bushfire was not part of the original list of experiences. Travelling along the Bruce Highway from the volcanic coastline of Yeppoon and Capricorn National Park, the heat source shaping this part of the hinterland landscape was a grassfire. Appearing suddenly and out of nowhere, we were somehow always going to meet the same fate as Thelma and Louise. We’d just been in denial.

As quickly as it came, it passed. True to his reputation old Bruce had been good. He’d guided us through. Today was Operation Rash Reduction, the focus on  lower kilometres, increased aircon and one designated driver was all aimed at harmony, balance and wellbeing – no stress. Besides, we’re not even halfway through the audiobook – can’t end yet. From the passenger seat “Better get some fuel, in case that happens again. Maybe some extra water too.” Our outback smarts increasing each day.

Exploration success factors include preparation and resources. We scored 0 on preparation. Resources we could acquire along the way. Strawberries fermenting on the back seat, butter leaking through its silver wrapping, popcorn and pretzel crumbs squashed under shorts. We’d collected a whole inventory of desert survival resources. Sugar, fat and carbs. With our zealous commitment to survival the next fuel stop is ours. Toilets out of order, half priced fried chicken and no unleaded petrol don’t equate to an effective survival checklist and after morning coffees at the Two Professors in Rockhampton, full cream milk lattes on lactose intolerant stomachs sounded worse than an empty fuel tank. One kilometre up the road a BP mirage appears.

With a local’s tip to stop at Hay Point, Bruce takes us smoothly through the sugar town of Sarina and on to the Point hosting one of the largest coal-loading facilities in the world. Barges proliferate on the horizon waiting for their cargo, tug boats line the marina, conveyor belts scrape the skyline. For a tropical beachside town, 120,439,077 tonnes of coal per annum seems like serious business. Signs warning of crocs and Irukandjui critters at beach entrances, fallen coconuts licensed to kill strewn over the road, and an influx of high vis workwear, trigger departure from the Point for something sweeter.

After 1,732 kilometres a silhouette appears on the roadside rapidly taking the shape of a banana. Our overland pursuit of ‘mega fructus’ has finally been rewarded. The connection between a fishing chandlery and bananas remains a mystery to us, but Queensland never promises to be self – explanatory to its East Coast relations.

Nicknamed the sugar capital, the sunset views from Mackay’s Lamberts Beach lookout are sweepingly sweet. I’m reminded at the end of day three that happiness is a car, an open road, a best friend and a mega banana.