2018 NatRally - Mackay - General Disscussion & Information

[Sicman]

Thanks Kate & John  - Great info 

[Gadget]

The Bilo - Mount Morgan road has been bumpy for a long time.

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[Shiney]

Thanks for the advice mate, it's always good to get first hand knolage

We are still at the early stages of planning for the ride up
This year Carrol want's to come along on the ride to the Rally
So far we are thinking of riding up to rocky about 600km then the rest of the way the next day

But plans may change closer to the rally.


Cheers
Shiney

[WendyL]

I am definitely attending, will be registering on pay day!

[Gadget]

I am definitely attending, will be registering on pay day!

Woohoo!

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[Cerebral Knievel]

Bugga  As the bikes and our bodies age it will become more about catching up with good mates and friends we have made over the years  No one cares how you get there, just that you do, so jump in the car and make a longer trip just that bit more comfortable 

Or fly in and rent a bike or car.  It's only money, and more important issues are at stake here.

NO bike rentals within cooee of Mackay.
I'd imagine hiring a Harley in Cairns and riding down would not be a pleasant experience.

* I notice no Marcus on the rego list 

[ppopeye]

I remember in discussions at Wooli that there was a possibility of some bikes rentals
or such for Mackay. Possibly. You know my memory

[Scarlett Thunderbolt]

... possibility of some bikes rentals or such for Mackay...

sorry Team, we've made enquiries but sadly there's nothing available in Mackay. John & Kate.

[Shiney]

If you fly in you could always hire a cool car like Cerebral Knievel did in WA

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[johnnyYTED]

 

If you fly in you could always hire a cool car like Cerebral Knievel did in WA

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Can I drive?

[STroppy]

If you fly in you could always hire a cool car like Cerebral Knievel did in WA

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Can I drive?

Why not, quite likely I will be driving . . And Lionel, also . .

[Cerebral Knievel]

If you fly in you could always hire a cool car like Cerebral Knievel did in WA

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Can I drive?

No  "prestige or luxury" cars for hire in Mackay unless the mafia staff car is a landcruiser with aircon Johnny 

[Shiney]

If you fly in you could always hire a cool car like Cerebral Knievel did in WA

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Can I drive?

No  "prestige or luxury" cars for hire in Mackay unless the mafia staff car is a landcruiser with aircon Johnny 

Bugger 

[johnnyYTED]

 

Can I drive?

No  "prestige or luxury" cars for hire in Mackay unless the mafia staff car is a landcruiser with aircon Johnny 

Any wineries or Brewery/Distillers to visit, I don't care who or what I  chauffeur about.  

[WendyL]

I am definitely attending, will be registering on pay day!

Woohoo!

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And done 

[Cerebral Knievel]

I am definitely attending, will be registering on pay day!

Woohoo!

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And done 

It's pay day $DING$ $DING$ $DING$ $DING$ 

[Scarlett Thunderbolt]

Any wineries...

... nothing around here johnny... too humid for grapes... nearest vineyards and/or tropical fruit wineries would be up on the Atherton Tablelands.

Any Brewery...

... yup... https://www.goannabrewing.com.au/

Any Distillers...

... again, yup... http://sarinasugarshed.com.au/goodies/sarina-liquers/

Hope this info helps, John & Kate.

[Scarlett Thunderbolt]

OZSTOC NR2018, MACKAY
August 2018

To help you all get in the mood for NR2018 in Mackay, we'll be putting up a series of posts to highlight activities and attractions for both NR2018 and the Mackay area.

We'll kick off with the two RTEs of the rally itself, and then move on to things to see and do.


Rally Run-Up No. 1: Saturday RTE – Eungella & Criterion Hotel

Rally Run-Up No. 2: Sunday RTE – Old Station Teahouse and Eimeo Pacific Hotel

Rally Run-Up No. 3: Mackay on a Plate

Rally Run-Up No. 4: Beyond the Rally – things to see and do around Mackay

Rally Run-Up No. 5: Gateway to Tropical North Queensland



Cheers
John & Kate

[Scarlett Thunderbolt]

NR2018 Run-Up No. 1
Goodes Lookout, Eungella and Pies at the Criterion Hotel, Finch Hatton.

Saturday 11th August 2018

  After breakfast at Mackay Indoor Sports Arena (MISA), we'll then ride out to the end of the Mackay Harbour Breakwater for our group photo.
Once this is done, it'll be time to head out on the first ride of the NR2018 weekend. The first destination is Goode's Lookout at the top of the Eungella Range, followed by a little bit of back-tracking for pies at the Criterion Hotel in Finch Hatton. It's a pretty 106km ride up the Pioneer Valley, through Marian, Mirani, Pinnacle and Finch Hatton, then 18km back to 'The Cri for Pies'. The route passes through canefields and rolling farmland on good roads, leaving behind the trucks and caravans of the Bruce Highway. Please remember that this is sugar cane harvesting season, and there may be tractors hauling cane-bins and the cane train crossings will be in use. The trains have absolute priority over road traffic, so keep a lookout. The final stretch of the ride includes some challenging twists and turns up the Clarke Range.

Goode's Lookout has sensational views back up the valley. It sits at an elevation of 1,259m, and on a clear day, you can see all the way back to Mackay and the sea beyond. There are public toilets and enough parking for all the bikes if you want to stop and stretch your legs, admire the view or take some photos with the valley laid out behind. Once we're all at the top and have had a breather, it'll be back on the bikes and back down the range, taking all those twists and turns in reverse!

Lunch is arranged at the Criterion Hotel in Finch Hatton, known for its pies and the generosity of its portions. There is ample parking for the bikes out the front.

'Cri Pies...'

This is not a marshalled ride. The following Google Maps link gives a route map for those who do not have a GPS, but your best option is probably to ride with a friend who does! Please note that there are 6 cattle grids on the range, all well signed.

Google Maps link:

https://goo.gl/maps/H4bT5QYRbPv

Lunch for NatRally members will consist of your choice from a menu of 15 different pies (see below), with platters of chips and salad and a soft drink.  There's a Vegetarian option, and they also offer a GF crepe wrap with the same filling as the pies and GF gravy.
The cost is $15 per head, payable at registration on Friday. You will be issued with a meal token to present at the Criterion for your meal.
The Criterion has asked us to let them know how many of which pies are likely to be wanted so they can ensure a good supply of freshly made golden beauties for our visit. Can you please PM John with your choice of pie so we can give the Criterion a number.

Cheers
John & Kate

[StinkyPete]

It looks like a great Rally program is coming together.   I wish I was coming on the bike....

Beef and Pepper Gravy 

[Cerebral Knievel]

That looks like a fantastic ride 

Pm'd preferred pie 

[Wild Rose]

I've always wanted to go to Goode's Lookout on the Eungella Range
For some reason every time  I was planning a visit something else happens 

[Scarlett Thunderbolt]

NR2018 Run-Up No. 2
Morning Tea at The Old Station Teahouse
& Optional Chill-Out at the Eimeo Pacific Hotel

Sunday 12th August 2018

  We know that some members will be packing up and heading for home on Sunday, so we've designed a two-part RTE to offer maximum flexibility.
We'll start the ride at the Big 4, and head north out of town to Cape Hillsborough. This is best known for its dawn sightings of kangaroos on the beach, but after the previous night's Rally Dinner, we think most members won't want to get up that early (5am? You can not be serious!) so we're taking you to the Old Station Teahouse instead, for a lavish morning tea. As the name suggests, it's an old wooden station building which has been set down in the middle of beautiful tropical gardens. Tables and chairs are dotted around, and there's also a large deck under a huge fig tree if there's a lot of us. The Teahouse serves the best freshly baked scones, home made jam and cream in the area, and and the tea and coffee are also excellent. There's also a delicious GF cake option.

Again, this is not a marshalled ride. We have linked a Google Map route to the Old Station Teahouse, with a return to the Big 4 afterwards.

Google Maps link:

https://goo.gl/maps/aiKhQDuMyF42

  Once you've refuelled there, we'll head south, back towards Mackay. At this point you can choose whether to return to the Big 4, or onwards towards our Northern Beaches. Our next destination is Eimeo, and the 1930s Art Deco Pacific Hotel, perched high on a clifftop overlooking the islands and the Coral Sea beyond. If you still have an appetite, you can order yourself a lunch from their menu of excellent pub food, or simply enjoy a beer and drink in the view - it's sensational!

The linked Google Map will take you from the Teahouse to the Pacific Hotel and then back to the Big 4.

Google Maps link:

https://goo.gl/maps/vqApDBHLgj52

  The Old Station Teahouse morning tea of two large scones, jam and cream and choice of tea or coffee is $10, payable on registration at the Rally on Friday. You will be issued with a meal token to present at the Old Station Teahouse to pay for your morning tea.

Lunch at the Eimeo Pacific Hotel is optional, so please choose and pay for your own meal if required.

Cheers
John & Kate

[West Aussie Glen]

John and Kate that sounds great. Theresa flies out of Mackay at 14:00 so guess we will just have time for a quick drink at the Eimeo.
I drop Theresa off and head for Rockhampton.

[Shiney]

Looks like we'll be having an awesome time