RAPTURE IN BOWEN

​The drive to and from Bowen is mostly via the Bruce Highway, and you can expect extensive roadworks both sides of town – but don’t let that put you off because the birds and other rewards are many.

Bowen is mostly a flat landscape, and of course it’s seaside, and not just any old seaside: the day we arrived the water was marine and clear with the Whitsundays in the background. Pretty nice. 

​We made straight for Mullers Lagoon Park which is pretty large and right near the town centre. It was a good choice.

One of the first things we noticed about Bowen and its surrounds is the very high numbers of kites circling overhead. Clearly raptors have figured out that cane fields are a great food source, and so we saw so many out on the highway but also right in the middle of town, and flying pretty low over the lagoon and surrounds. So low in fact they were difficult to photograph, but we did give it a good go (these pics were not cropped).

​But that’s not all: the lagoon is pretty much teeming with birdlife and we certainly saw some new species. But first some old ones: we saw a few rainbow bee-eaters, and managed to get a reasonable shot of one, as well blue-faced honeyeaters (of which we never tire). 

There were flocks of pink and grey galahs and lorikeets (zooming about like bomber squadrons), peaceful doves, the usual array of waterbirds and smaller bush birds and honey eaters. ​Those new to us included a male great bowerbird (not a great pic below but the best we could get) and (we think) a female as well. Also a rajah shelduck (no pic this time) and little friarbirds.

Apart from the lagoon, the town had a “peaceful easy feeling” and looks a nice place to live, especially if you’re an outdoors person. Many driveways sported 4WDs, vans and boats and the usual toys. We enjoyed a pub meal (best steak we’ve had for a while) at the Grand View Hotel, and a comfortable stay at the very reasonably priced Queens Beach Tourist Park. We have added Bowen to the “would definitely return” list.

​Next stop, Paluma in the mountains and rainforest…