Busby Marou’s second album Farewell Fitzroy may have the boys careers scaling to new heights debuting at #5 in the album charts alongside the likes of Miley Cyrus and Lorde. But local Rockhampton boys Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou will always feel most at home with the bright lights of the cityscape in their rear view mirror. They have given us their own unique take on the best things to do if you find yourself in their home town in the far north reaches of Queensland.
Over to the boys!
Rockhampton was a great place to grow up, especially when surrounded by plenty of family, which we both had the luxury of. Apart from a small movie theatre and a gaming parlour on the South side there wasn’t much on offer, so we had to make our own fun. Most of our adventures involved the ocean, great barrier reef and the and near by islands - which is something we took for granted. Nowadays, Rocky is booming and there is plenty more on offer, but it is those precious hot spots that we still keep coming back to and the older we get, the less we take it for granted.
Keppel Islands
A short half an hour drive from Rosslyn Bay Harbour (Yeppoon) puts the Great Keppel islands in our backyard! Keppel Islands are made up of a group of pristine islands, 2 main ones North and South Keppel. When my weekends are free I chuck the family in a boat and go and find myself a beach all too myself. The water is perfect for swimming, and the fishing is fantastic. The life on the reef is incredible! Snorkeling is always amazing.
5 Rocks
We have a song named after this beach but the lyrics fail to describe its beauty. Five big rocks on the point, divide two huge stretches of unspoilt beach. The ocean water is crystal clear and the crashing waves are loaded with visible fish and sometimes whales and dolphins. The sand is white and hot and the only footprints are your own. I can’t remember having to ever share the beach with anyone else! But the most exciting part of the 5 Rocks experience is the journey. It is only accessible by 4WD (1 - 2 hours north of Yeppoon) and even then you’re not guaranteed to make it. Hundreds of vehicles have been sacrificed to the beach and the evidence can be seen deserted by the sides of the path.
The half way point is marked by two beautiful fresh water creeks (Stony Creek & Water Park Creek). Both creeks are deep enough to swing and jump from the top of the highest tree and fresh enough to wash off on the way home. The perfect weekend for anyone who loves camping, fishing, surfing, swimming, 4WD'ing, relaxing or having no phone reception!
The Oxford Hotel
The Oxford Hotel (aka ‘The Oxy’) is the smallest pub in Rocky but with the biggest reputation. It sits dead smack in the guts of town and it hosts a strange variety of punters, from loyal bar flies, back packers, music lovers to party goers. Famous for its genuine hospitality, cold beer and the signature drink 'Gypsy Kiss’ (another local secret recipe), it’s the only local bar where you can drop in any time of the day, any day of the week for a good yarn with a friend or a stranger.
Despite its size, the Oxy has proved to be the best watering hole to start the night or stay and watch the best local, live, acoustic music. When the music is good, so is the the crowd and it pours out the windows and door and into the streets. It is the birthplace of the infamous 'Oxford Street Party’ and Busby Marou and we always go back to the old girl for milk…
The 'Leave all Pretensions at the door’ and 'No Wanker’ policy makes it the most comfortable venue to come home to for a beer and a laugh.
Captain Nemos
Nemo’s is the sandwich shop of ALL sandwich shops and the Achilles heel for all locals. The Captain was around long before Subway hit town and won’t be going anywhere in a hurry. Simply because the sub’s are the most delicious tasting sandwiches on the planet (possibly even Queensland). All the recipes are 'top secret’ and no amount of money can buy you the recipe for the mayo. It is the only food that all Rocky expats crave and it’s always our first food stop when we return. Every local will tell you they have a favourite, but nothing is more popular than the the 'Sunshine Sub’! I’ve had this particular sub flown down to me in Brisbane and I’ve even heard stories where people have had them smuggled to them overseas - No Joke!
Now with the tour officially concluded, if you want to hear more from Busby Marou grab their Farewell Fitzroy album on iTunes and check out their video for ‘Get You Out Of Here’ below.
