Road Trip Diaries # 8 – Conway National Park, Shute Harbour and The Big Mango
Shute Harbour
After joining a day tour off the coast of Whitsundays to visit the world-famous Whitehaven Beach the previous day, Charles and I decided it was time to move further North. After the amazing time we had in the Whitsundays I couldn’t help but wonder if there was anything that could top that experience on the road ahead. Little did I know, our last day spent on the outskirts of Airlie Beach would be just as interesting, with an unexpected wildlife encounter, and the opportunity to see one of Australia’s famed “big things”. The former made me wail for a good 5 minutes in the middle of the woodlands, while the other one just cracked me up.
Shute Harbour
Just 10 kilometers east of Airlie Beach, was the picturesque Shute Harbour, our first stop of the day, after finally checking-out from Island Gateway Resort Caravan Park. Most of the parking spaces, however, were not free and we didn’t want to pay 5 bucks for a few minutes stay. So we ended up driving inside a private village on top of a hill and found a good spot to look at the scenery.
The effort was rewarded with a view of a serene bay dotted with white yachts and a swarm of catamarans set against the densely-covered forest of Conway National Park. We also saw a group of kayakers on their way to one of the islands, another activity on offer at the Shute Harbour. We didn’t spend much time here and drove instead to Conway National Park. It was another tropical lowland rainforest, but we figured, we might as well check it while we were nearby.
Conway National Park
Egrets
We chose the Mt. Trooper Walking Track among the three trails but decided to walk until the lookout tower only, which was about half of the walking time it takes to do the complete circuit. A swamp full of egrets perched on bald branches of trees greeted us at the start of the trail. It was a lovely walk through low woodland forest growing in stony, shallow clay soils. There were wild ferns, orchids, wattles, and more grass trees. On the way to the lookout, one elusive rock wallaby scooted into the bush after sensing perhaps we were approaching its territory.
After two and a half kilometers of fairly steep walking, we finally reached Mt. Trooper lookout and found a splendid view of the Whitsunday Islands and Passage. Two power bars and loads of snapshots later, we were back on the trail again. For some reason, I walked ahead of Charles for the first time and decided to run downhill back to where we parked our camper van. I usually walk behind him when trekking the forest because I’m terrified of snakes. I have this theory that if someone is in front me, he will scare away any snakes lurking on our trail before I get there.
The pale yellow flowers of Grass Tree produced on spear-like stalks, provide food for many insects.
View from Mt. Trooper Lookout
Jaunt with the carpet python
I ran downhill only stopping to catch my breath. Then, right on a narrow trail bordered by thick vegetation, I suddenly came to an abrupt stop, 3 inches away from my feet was a huge green snake, at least 2 meters long crossing the trail. I screamed at the top of my lungs and out of instinct ran back like I have never run before. I didn’t realize Charles was also running behind me so he had seen the whole incident. It was funny because I cried for sometime on Charles shoulder but when I looked back on the trail, I still saw the last bit of its tail slowly disappearing into the bush as if nothing had happened.
Apparently carpet python is harmless but will bite if provoked.
Photo Credit: www.snakecatcher.com
Jaunt with the Police Officer
A few minutes of pep talk from Charles, I was back on the trail again. But I sure wont be leading any bushwalking trips again in a long time. It was already lunchtime when we had finished the walk so we went back to Airlie Beach to look for a place to have lunch. Just when we thought we had found a good spot near the Marina Bay to make our own lunch without paying for the parking, a police officer came by about to fine us 60 bucks for parking illegally. It wasn’t my lucky day indeed, first a bloody snake scared the crap out of me and then we were going to get fined 60 bucks for trying to save 10 bucks for parking.
An innocent look that says we didn’t know and there were no signs that say it’s a no parking area surprisingly got us off the hook. It wasn’t a bay day after all. We spent the rest of the afternoon stocking up on groceries and researching a place to camp at Bowen, the next town. I joined hordes of backpackers at Mc Donalds to use its free WiFi, which was very slow because of so many users. But at least, it was good enough to get updates back home and around the world.
The French HitchHiker and the Big Mango
Charles with the French Hitchhiker
When everything was set, we finally hit the road again off to the Salad Bowl of the North – Bowen. And just when we thought our interesting day had come to an end, we had picked up a French hitchhiker along the road who had hitchhiked his way from France to Tahiti and then to Australia on a cargo vessel. His stories were of movie material and had entertained us throughout the drive. But there was nothing better to cap our day than seeing the Big Mango at the outskirt of Bowen (which doesn’t really like a mango to me). It was the first of the “Big Things” which we would encounter throughout our trip. And I thought it was only America who is obsessed with the Big Stuff.
Does it look like a mango to you ? I really thought it was a huge egg painted for Easter 
(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)
Australian Road Trip: A Vantastic Beginning
Road Trip Diaries # 1 – Misty Mountain: An Encounter with the Strangest Animal in the World
Road Trip Diaries # 2 – Eungella National Park: Of Strangler Figs, Leeches and Long Holidays
Road Trip Diaries # 3 - Exploring Finch Hatton Gorge
Road Trip Diaries # 4 – Cape Hillsborough: On Bush Walks Beach Strolls and Star Gazing
Road Trip Diaries # 5 – Cape Hillsborough: Sunrise and Wild Kangaroos
Road Trip Diaries # 6 – Airlie Beach: Beaches Babes and Backpackers
At least claire you confronted your patience with the cop on it seems a parking area yet its a no parking bay. They said so that if the law confronted you, you have no choice but to abide with it. With the snake, that was really unexpected especially when you cry on the shoulder of your prince charles.
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We were lucky with the police officer, he must have sensed we were just some backpackers trying to save some bucks for parking, the car beside us got a ticketed though, good thing we had just arrived on the area and haven’t set up the roof yet
Withe snake, I guess you attract what you always think about 
Reminds me of Coron. Btw your road trip diaries is one of the best travel series I’ve read. It’s inspiring just reading these all
Come home na hehe…then pagbalik mo jan try ko apply visa for Australia..send me an invitation to your wedding
Thanks Sabertooth, madali ka naman ma-approve eh, the wedding might be in Pinas though
This is the first time I heard of a hitchhiker via a cargo vessel. Amazing! I want to do it to! maybe hitchhike via fishing vessels from Luzon to Mindanao.
Yeah his story was cool, he was also hitchhiking his way in Australia. It’s a project of their class for a semester. Everyone should live for a few months away from their country and keep a journal about their experience.
wow a giant mango in the middle of the park. hehe. it does look more like an egg.
laki nung snake. khit na di nangangagat yan, matatapos pa rin ako lumapit.
THe giant mango has a funny history actually, on the way up we’ve seen giant, snake, giant croc, giant cassowary and giant gum boot as well, just like in the US where they also obsess about the big things
I agree with you claire that in the US, they are so obsess about the big things.!!! Like that Big mango or big egg?
I think every town or city has its own icon of Big Things there. They have the word’s largest cow, goose, pecan seed etc..
Eew snakes!
Eww talaga
haha! i also thought about the easter egg … theh LOL when i saw your message that it also looks an easter egg to you! =)
i enjoyed reading this blog teach! especially the cheesy part!
see you soon! =*
Hahaha, I though about the cheesy part a hundred times as well before writing it, but then that’s what really happened,
karipas ang lola mo sa prince charming nya hahaha!
Another well written episode from your road trip Claire . Love the python story lol . I’m looking forward to further installments .
Yeah that was one of the best highlight of this trip. Imagine the first and only time I went ahead on the trail was also the first time a bloody snake had showed itself in all its glory. Just brilliant isn’t it?
Very ! lol . Just tread carefully and slowly .
Nagulat ako sa snake yikes
Grabe yang Giant Mango!
I’m still not convinced it’s a mango hahaha, it’s one of their crops here. Many backpackers flock this area during the harvest season to do casual fruit-picking job.
Mas mukha atang Chessa =P
hala chessa naman yung isa, ang mahal pa naman ng ginastos nila sa pag-gawa nito tapos mapagkakamalan lang itlog at chessa
mahirap itago yung easter egg…lol hindi yan mango
In fairness ganito ang itsura ng local mango nila
pero yung shape hindi convincing 
There are many varieties of mango grown in Australia , and the Bowen mango from Bowen is sweet and juicy . Though as you point out the shape of the ” Big Mango ” is more egg like than the mango that has more of a curve at the end . Still the colour looks good , lol,.
snake! di lang sigaw baka nahimatay na ako..hahaha
tama…. giant easter egg nga!
O ayan tatlo na tayo
Claire, quick question how long was your road trip?! I agree one of the most in depth and truthful travel diaries i’ve read. Very very inspirational! I want this trip so bad.
6 weeks in total, one of the shortest compared to the people we’ve met along the way
As I promised sweet nicole is back to appreciate your work. Looking at the picture of snake it freaks me out. If I were in your situation I probably do the same thing, run as fast as I could and cried on my hubby’s shoulder ( as if it my last day on earth waa ha ahaa ha). I like the wording you used in describing the place, it has an aussie touch.
Its a freaking thrill for me reading it especially about snake, a chuckle laugh for a police encounter.
Going great guns my dear!!!
Hooroo for now.
Thanks Nicole, glad I am some form of entertainment for you