The alarm a four o'clock the expedition started;

Adventures like this aren't for the faint-hearted

In inky darkness headlights probed the beach

Ngkala Rocks was their first objective to reach.

Klicks flew as Poyungan and Chards were passed,

Despite the GPS, Keith hit Eli far too fast.

At Ngkala rocks were chopped, holes filled with sand

The red sun rose from the Pacific — a vision grand.

The youngest trio took gear ahead to the Cape.

The elder three walked six klicks to get in shape.

Browns Rocks were an obstacle Keith didn't foresee

Wheels spun in midair as the Paj defied gravity.

They searched vainly round the fishermen's camp for water,

While in the sun rotted mullet from the slaughter.

A brew, then toes dipped in sea at Breaksea Spit,

And put on their packs (and swag) for the first bit.

On the way to the lighthouse, they talked to the Ranger;

Who told them of management problems and danger.

Lunch was consumed with much relish and hunger

Before a sortie to inspect an old wartime bunker.

In the bush below the light, ground orchids grew,

Greenhoods fighting through weeds to get a view.

A few kilometres further they finally reached Bool;

By now for more food Andrés had begun to drool.

A snack, a drink and time for muscles to forget

The elder four then walked on until a great sunset.

The jury sat down for the green flash to await

'Twas no unanimous verdict after much debate.

Rest, sleep and snoring then followed ever faster

After a dinner of carrots, pears, pesto and pasta.

Morning began as daylight the dark attacked.

Yet again John's (Jr.) widdling a car did attract.

Camp was dismantled and gear shoved into the car.

Five Sinclairs set off but didn't get very far.

After just about two kilometres (or maybe three)

Keith stopped in pain, having cracked his knee.

Two kilometres before even reaching Rooney Point

He doubled up with pain from his left knee joint.

No vehicular support here, no turning back,

Just 20 Ks of pain before rejoining his pack.

With ice-gel, a bandage and a stick in his hand.

He hobbling bravely, determination grand.

Around from the point a wrecked cat cruiser lay

Disintegrating under the waves from Hervey Bay.

The "Panama" grounded here 136 years before

While Aborigines fed survivors on this very shore.

The valiant quintet rounded the wide zeta curve,

Pondering the role in Nature soldier crabs serve.

No other human tracks marked this beach pristine,

As wind and tide shaped this wilderness scene.

They lost some joy of feeling wild and free

Crossing Blowah Rocks froze Keith's dicky knee

Andrés helped Keith while three elders were sent

To where Michelle waited with car food and tent.

Rescue and refreshment ended an eventful day,

The walkers were well around Platypus Bay.

'Twas early when the elders and Andrés left camp,

Keith and Michelle packed tents which were damp

Proceeding south they passed professional fishermen

Patrolling for mullet schools every now and again.

They reached wide Wathumba right at low tide,

They could have kept pants on to get to south side

In the estuary were anchored two yachts.

John pined for Laura as he observed two little tots.

The paused in the campground for almost an hour,

And while waiting for the Paj all took a shower.

While the vehicle took the gear ahead

The packless quartet southwards sped.

Passing mangroves, streams, crab armies and more.

Even Beach thicknees inhabit this shore.

Good progress was made with relative ease

But at the "bubbler" Dad sank to his knees.

Arriving early at Awinya — about 2.30,

They erected their camp and got undirty.

Food and baggage had been left at Awinya,

But unbeknown, dingoes had eaten their dinner.

Ration shortages didn't deter after their dash.

They dined on dregs and looked for a green flash.

Eagles clashed, two whistlers and a Brahminy Kite

An overhead duel for a nearby nesting site.

Dad started shivering and rugged up early for bed

Then spent the next hour watching satellites instead.

A shower before dawn left the tents very damp,

It was nine before they eventually left camp.

Inertia and tranquil scene slowed up the pack

Then creek was crossed, boots on and up the track.

A steeper gradient produced some feelings strange

Despite the aches, the forest was a welcome change.

They paused at an Angophora full of feral bees,

Then passing Gnarran and Whites Lakes with relative ease.

Many topics discussed including Olympic events,

The bland, the sublime, inconsequential, intense,

By a swamp Dad wondered if the islands of sedges

May have come from detritus washed off road edges.

At a picnic ground in a carroll and hoop pine forest

They watched melomys' antics while taking a rest.

A rainforest garden surrounds Lake Bowarrady,

The weather looked ominous as they began early tea.

In icy water with turtles and musk duck

Dad was parasitized by a leech — Just his luck.

Well before second course, it began to heavily rain,

'Twould be another three days to see the sun again.

They retreated to the tents to wait out the long night

But Andrés and Dad got mixed up in a big fight.

During the long night down the rain poured,

Three qualified for the "Golden Bladder Award".

Once big trucks travelled the road beside this lake,

They're overgrown now and only pedestrians take.

Backhousia, auracaria, syncarpia, a great rainforest

Drizzle and funnel webs deterred sitting to rest.

Other pedestrians use this track, poorly maintained,

But despite obstacles the Telstra road was attained.

John's estimate of a short detour to the tower.

Was two kilometres short, taking over an hour.

They met two German hikers and a carpet snake,

But further on was the dilemma of which track to take.

The first choice was wrong adding an extra 2 k's

Back the junction with a choice of three ways.

They had no compass or sun to point ahead.

The GPS gave only position instead.

Eventually they reached the spot where Michelle.

Was waiting with plenty fresh food — just as well.

Andrés decided he would temporarily withdraw,

Walking more than planned and got top score.

They then turned east to set up base at Lake Allom,

They had it to themselves, Would any more come?

In their quest they now sought a different scene,

To find the well hidden Deepwater Lake pristine.

After bush bashing they espied this lake elusive,

Enveloped in a wall of reeds, a lagoon exclusive.

At Allom facing a wet night and hard bed,

John and Rastus opted for "Talinga" instead.

Dad and Keith stayed and walked around the lake

Before sleeping, ignoring noise backpackers make.

Big surges troubled those returning to Eurong,

It was slow and dangerous taking much too long.

Andrés wanted rest, refusing to lift a finger

He determined to rest and stay put at "Talinga".

Four ascended the ridge of lightning scarred gums

At Knifeblade Lookout they held up their thumbs

Keith took the Paj; Michelle joined the older three

To descend to the sandblow's wind-swept beauty.

Magic sand patterns, even streams and waterfall,

Laterite and ancient tree skeletons enriched it all.

Climbing up the barkhans then down to the beach

Through thickets of scratchies to Thoorgine reach.

Above the foredunes glided majestic wedgetails,

Making most of strong winds freshening to gales.

Lunch was a spartan affair near the old Maheno,

Then on to Eli where most tourists are wont to go.

Dad dallied here; John had trouble with his knee.

Michelle continued; walkers now down to three.

The wind became stronger, but it was rain free.

As they passed Chards Rocks and Happy Valley.

The tide was making as they Yidney was crossed

They found the gear near the Oaks not getting lost.

They dined well that night, not making a welter,

But grateful for the trees providing some shelter.

At dawn Dad went to the beach to get fresh water

Tho rain suggested that bed was where he oughta

While at Eurong they waited for Paul and Pauline

The Trio up the beach exploring a new scene.

The big waves surged up to the top of the beach

But at Rainbow Gorge they were out of their reach.

Here foot prints revealed a crowd well controlled

And staying on the tracks without being patrolled.

On the beach it didn't rain ,but it certainly blew

Winds buffetted birds as they soared and flew.

Passing Poyungan, they were still going strong

Covering twenty two kilometres to get to Eurong.

Somewhere near Cornwalls Break or there about

Up drove a crowded Pajero on the lookout.

After 24 hours resting his dislocated knee

John resumed the walk, joining the other three.

Lunch was eaten near the Wabby Lakes track exit.

Nothing special more than an opportunity to eat.

Back at Eurong with a chance to rest and recover.

Dad won at "tricks" before the night was over.

For the sixty year old today stated at five,

Like Milligan he felt "it's good to be alive!"

Others emerged in approximate descending age

Until the youngest of all was last to reach the stage.

The two young lovers needed urgent health repair,

At Tin Can Bay they received some medical care.

The remaining six celebrated "Sixty" walked inland

Where fallen trees & barbed wire littered the sand.

They left the main island road at the Eastern Break,

But past the quarry slow progress did they make.

At a kilometre an hour they covered the ground

Where two decades of fire negligence were found.

They stopped twice to eat fruitos and Muesli bars

Allowing Michelle to admire her increasing scars.

At Markwell's Lookout they paused to see the view

Now obscured by walls of trees grown up anew.

They all sat down to anticipate a birthday lunch

Though there was very little on which to munch.

They followed Markwell's Break with difficulty

Until reaching an old bulldozed area near the sea.

Then they came upon a dense and scratchy thicket

Dad got poked in an eye; it just wasn't cricket.

Almost on hands and knees they had to creep,

Until they reached the swamp full of water deep.

A desperate six waded across to reach the sea

They had covered eight Ks with great difficulty.

Six scratched, scarred hikers, one with a sore eye,

Rested and relaxed at Eurong heaving a big sigh.

That night at Sid's they celebrated Dad's big six "O".

There were now only 30 more kilometres to go.

At just about 9.30, near the top of the tide

The elder three resumed trekking Fraser's East side.

Starting where they left off the previous night,

They walked down to Dilli and then turned right.

With packs on backs, passing an area sandmined.

The track they sought was now not at all defined.

The old swamps trail was with lantana overgrown,

Even its existence to the Rangers was unknown.

After wasting an hour seeking an old walking track

Before retracing their steps, they stopped to snack.

Then back over Govi, on the old mining road,

They were muddied by a 4WD unslowed.

Almost 10 Ks they made towards Toolooroo Creek

But 2 K's short, a campsite they began to seek.

The wind got stronger with cool air from the west,

Amongst the casuarinas they found a place to rest.

Despite plenty of wood and opportunity for a fire

The freshening wind quickly cooled this desire.

Three dined, reminisced, watching star and satellite

Before retreating to their warm sacks for the night.