Straight in the deep end

In the weeks leading up to the midyear school holidays we had a lot of charter jobs on top of our regular runs out to the mines. I took a group of dancers into Rockhampton airport for my first charter.

My second charter involved our biggest coach – 14m long and 4m high – a 52 seater full of students and teachers for a 6 day trip down the coast road to the Gold Coast and then home via Towoomba and Roma. They played rugby, netball and touch at various schools along the way. They got to visit Dreamworld and Harbourtown outlet shopping centre whilst on the Gold Coast.

I was told that Coach drivers get free entry to all the theme parks, but it seems Dreamworld have changed their rules – all I got to see was their staff canteen – at least I didn’t get ripped off with my lunch prices. I had tea with an ex driver, Garry, who had helped me when I started – he is now living back at his home on the Coast.

Coach and driver taking a break at Picnic Point Towoomba

The view south from Picnic Point Towoomba

Majestic Gums - Picnic Point Towoomba

Passengers enjoying a break from the coach

Amazingly I found my way around Brisbane – my GPS was my saviour and the trip went without incident. I had hoped to take Jan but was told the bus would be full.

Back in Emerald things just keep ticking over.