Day 1: I had to skip Agnes Water on the way down the east coast because Dave and I had already booked our Fraser trip. After enjoying Fraser so much, I was actually glad I couldn't rearrange but still wanted to head back up the coast to do a couple of things up there.
Dan & Sharron were heading there too as they were beginning work for the next 3 months so we decided to go together. The initial plan was to get a bus but then we had a bit of a result after discovering that 2 other lads from our Fraser trip, Job & Peter (Holland) were driving up there. They were happy to take us so we spent the day making our way back up the coast.
The drive took most of the day and involved myself and Dan getting mauled by a Mosquito trapped inside the car. Pretty annoying but hilarious at the same time - there aren't many funnier sights than seeing Dan getting attacked, constantly scratching himself and complaining in his rich irish accent. The rest of us were highly amused.
We arrived into Agnes Water early evening and I checked into the hostel that the guys would be starting working at. The dutch lads went off to find a campsite so we said goodbye to them and the 3 of us spent the evening having a few beers at the hostel.
Day 2: After discovering that Jones had arrived and was staying there as well, I met up with him and we headed down to the beach for the morning while Dan and Sharron stayed and sorted some things out at the hostel. Jones is french and trying really hard to improve his english so I helped him out a bit while we were down the beach. We also bumped into Steph briefly (also from the Fraser trip).
That afternoon, myself and Jones went off to do the activity I had most wanted to come up to Agnes Water for - Scooteroo. This is a pretty unique activity, which allows you to dress up and ride around as a biker all day on your own Chopper. It's voted one of the best experiences in Australia and sounded really cool so we were keen to get involved.
When we arrived at Scooteroo HQ, we met up with Erik and Jo, who we knew were also doing it. We then each got kitted out in our Helmets, Flamed Leather Jackets and fake Tattoos before being assigned our bikes. These are only automatics, meaning anyone with a driving licence can ride them but they genuinely look the business and have an engine roar to match. After a few laps around their practice circuit, we hit the road for 3 hours Chopper riding. Bring it on!
The ride took through the hills of Agnes Water and into the small town of 1770 - so named because this was the year that Captain Cook discovered it. The bikes are quality and can reach speeds of around 80km per hour. The ride was really enjoyable but spoiled a little bit by the stop/start nature of the trip. There were around 40 of us doing it and you have to follow each other in single-file but because they allow people who haven't riden Bikes or Scooters before, this meant that everyone had to be pulled over to the side of the road every time we reached a busy junction. It got quite frustrating when all we wanted to do was ride around the town.
We made our way to 1770 and watched the sunset there before heading back to HQ. I did enjoy the experience but it wasn't as relaxed as I had hoped given all the Scooter rides I did across Asia. The Choppers are really cool though and we got some awesome photos. Also a little bit overpriced in my opinion but I was still glad I did it. Not every day you get the opportunity to ride a Chopper.
Another pretty relaxed evening at the hostel with Dan and Sharron. Agnes Water is tiny so there isn't a huge amount to do besides have a few beers and play cards. Fine by me!
Day 3: Dan and Sharron started work in the morning - Sharron on reception and Dan doing ''lad'' work, meaning he had to sweep around the premises. I, on the other hand, spent the morning soaking up the sun by the hostel pool and occasionally giving Dan a wave to see if he was enjoying the sweeping, while I chilled out. Suffice to say, I got the expected Irish response, which I can't repeat on here. Haha.
In the afternoon, the 2 of us went for a round of Golf at a course nearby. He had played there once before but aside from that, we both hadn't played for several months and weren't expecting too much in terms of a quality game. We surprised ourselves though and somehow, both found form right from the offset and had decent rounds on what was a really nice course. The owner told us they don't get that busy throughout the year so I was surprised at what good condition he had kept the course in. It was a close battle between me and Dan for a while but I emerged victorious in the end. We also saw a big Kangaroo hopping across the 18th as we finished our round - an added bonus.
That evening, there was a BBQ on at the hostel so we took full advantage of that, whilst meeting some of the other staff there and sharing a few more Beers. Then it was time for me to say goodbye to the guys as I had an overnight bus booked to take me back down the coast to Rainbow Beach. Sad to leave them both as we had had a great laugh on Fraser and for those few days up in Agnes Water. Definately hoping to meet up with them again if they ever return to the UK.
No more northern excursions for me from now on, it's straight south towards Sydney.
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