Yeppoon, Byfield NP, 5 Rocks					file=FiveRocks.htm
Introduction
We took off in reasonable weather, heading North to  the
Ferry over the Noosa River. This way leads to the Beach,
then the coloured sands and the Freshwater track to Tin
Can Bay Road. We avoid Fraser Island and go via
Maryborough and Bundaberg. You can take the INLAND
tracks here to avoid high beach tides but the Beach tracks
are smoother and quicker. From Bundaberg, we headed
North to Rosedale and Baffle Creek, Then came the great
track in Deepwater NP, via Wreck Rock and to Agnes
Water and 1770. The recent rains had made the usually
sandy tracks in Deepwater NP quite easy and firm.
Silly me, I had packed my camera in a hard to get at bag
in the back of the Jeep, so photos had to wait until next day.
We finally got to the terrific Bayview Tower Hotel on the
Yeppoon waterfront, with ocean views from the top or 8th
floor. This is a favourite stop heading North. Great Motel &
friendly/helpful staff. Serve Brekky only, but good meals
are easy walking distance…..100 to 150 metres.					Map 1, to and from Yeppoon.
Beats camping, has secure parking and is central. Very
good value and highly recommended.					Route from Yeppoon to Byfield NP and onto
					5 Rocks area and return, via "BIG Sandy".
After a very good nights rest, we headed North to Byfield National Park, via the old Capricorn resort, now
closed. There is a nice and handy shop in Byfield, for snacks, fuel, information and inflating tires which
had been let down when on the sandy, steep tracks such as Big Sandy and many more.
From the Byfield shop, we headed East (see map 2) to see 5 Rocks, Stockyard Point, Nine mile beach
Parj got lost a few times, not having been here for a while, and we were told that visitors were always
souveniring directional signs. (hooligans)
Robyn, in Byfield Shop, start of Nat. Park				Parj letting down tyres to 20 psi at start of  BIG Sandy
Going towards BIG Sandy, easy part. On BIG Sandy					On 9 mile Beach, great views.
its too rough to take photos, jumping around too much.
Robyn above 5 Rocks, see 4, 1 hidden by trees.					Parj at 5 Rocks, dud photographer !!
View of 5 Rocks from South, from Google. Parj couldn't find the track to this Lookout, from the South,
hooligans had souvenired the track signs !! The 5th rock, very small, is barely visible on left.
The locals reckon this is easier than BIG Sandy.					Going DOWN BIG Sandy, lot easier than UP !
They tow their boats up here, rather than BIG Sandy.					Photos don't show how steep this actually is.
					View out of Bayview Motel window, Yeppoon.
					Roslyn Bay harbour on right, Keppel Islands
					to left or East. Pity it was overcast/cloudy.
On the way back to Yeppoon. Looking for Bird Sanctuary. The Capricorn resort has been closed, and so
it seems, has the wonderful bird sanctuary, or access to it via private farmlands ??
After another restful nite at Bayview Hotel, we started heading back. The skipper, "Robyn" wanted to go
via Emu Park and then the inland roads, via Mt Morgan and others. The stretch between Yeppoon and Emu
Park, mostly along the coast, has great views, boat harbours and scenic eateries.
					Looking down on Mt Morgan. Could not get
					any closer to the old GOLD mine pit, as it was
					being emptied of "toxic" water. I think they were
					doing this several years ago ??
				<------Parj and Robyn at the Singing Sail, Emu Park.
				Nice little holiday village, on the coast. Hard to imagine
				steel bars, 20 mm dia., vibrating a musical tone ??
We seemed to lose interest in taking photos as we were nearing home. Got a bit late, so had to motel it
in Gayndah, as Parj was getting a bit tired……no great hurry at our age, is there ??
Conclusions		Can highly recommend a trip to Yeppoon and Byfield national park. You really need
a capable 4WD and be prepared to let the tires down and bring your Snatch strap, shovel and Max Trax.
This time, the rains had packed the soft sand down, so nowhere did we lose any traction, on even the
steepest sections. Very often inexperienced drivers get bogged, especially going up BIG Sandy, and this
causes much inconvenience to other drivers. Also, as per MURPHY'S law, whenever you forget your
recovery gear, you will get bogged, and need help from other drivers. We were pleasantly surprised at
mobile phone reception in Byfield NP. This must be new, and a good idea. Can also recommend the
Bayview Tower, Yeppoon. Excellent hotel and management, handy to everything.
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