AiIrlie Beach Qld

Yesterday was a transport day. We left Kinka Beach at 8am sharp, stopped at 10am at some completely forgettable choke and puke for a coffee, then again at a truckstop north of Mackay for lunch at 1230.  3pm came and saw Prosperpine coming into view along with 500k on the odometer, which was quite a welcome site, having crawled along at 85k for the last hour, stuck behind blasted caravans and old trucks laden with either gypsies or carnival equipment, or maybe both.

Thankfully, we turn off immediately and slide down toward Airlie and our Big4 which is rated at the best in Australia. After a bit of a rest and a walk up to the shops, we had some afternoon tea and then bit the bullet: The Proserpine Show was in full swing!

Back up to the highway we went, following the others out through town to the west and the showground. Its an odd thing, this is the biggest thing to hit town every year, and there are no signs whatever to indicate that its on, let alone where it is. It must be a big deal, Friday is Show Day and a local public holiday!

You walk right into the biggest sideshow alley you can imagine, stretching full halfway around the showground arena, in a double loop. The had heaps and heaps of rides and all the money-parting amusements you could think of, including some oldies such as the laughing clowns, duck shoots, lucky numbers and of course: show bags.

The highlight appeared to be some hideous ride called Extreme, which flung the occupants up down and sideways all while slinging around at '180 kilometres per hour'. And all for just $10 a go. Mind you probably better value that the 3 darts to pop a balloon for 10 bucks, or the sledge hammer-hit-the-bell thing for 5 bucks a whack, or-3-for10. Step up step right up, give us your cash!

Actually, whilst the place was packed, quite a lot of the 'attractions' were very quiet indeed. Only thing packing the kids in was the Extreme.

They were having problems though, something to do with power in the main arena and in the show pavilions, which were largely in darkness. A show called Rooftop Express had decided to go ahead in the arena despite the darkness. Rooftop express is a 5th wheeler, called a goose-neck in roadies parlance, decked out with lights and accommodation for the Head Drover and his entourage of horses, dogs and cattle. In a style reminiscent of the Australian Horse show we've been to on the Gold Coast a few times, the head man comes out on a beautiful horse and starts to wax lyrical about the horse and drovin' and mustering and the good ol' days and how he's looking to hire some good drovers. Then a clown comes out on a quad bike and says he'll have the job and of course he's put to all kinds of tests - classic man versus horse - hero versus dropkick. All good fun and quite amusing ending with the Head Drover showing the hapless bloke how it's really done by effortlessly drafting 3 'wild' bullocks up onto the truck and up the stairs onto the top of the goose-neck.

We ventured down into the darkened agriculture display area and to our delight the place was then lit up by the promised fireworks at the conclusion of which we made a bolt for the exit gates and home.

Testing out the new hat - Airlie Beach style