How to have a royal road trip to remember

SANDCASTLES at Sarina, a barbie at Burnett Heads, a coldie at Coolangatta … there are many alternative tour options for Harry and Meghan, writes Michael Madigan.

THEY could start at Dingo Beach, nestled in Edgecumbe Bay on the beautiful northern Whitsunday Coast.

How to have a Harry holiday.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, grandson of William the Conqueror (+29) could rent a three-bedroom house for the night at around $120.

He and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, could pick up a four metre tinny powered by a 6 HP Evinrude from Dingo Beach Boat Hire.

The Royal couple could motor out toward Gloucester Island in the afternoon, drink a few mid-strengths and, if they’re lucky, catch a blue tusk fish.

Getting home before sunset, Harry could instruct private secretary Ed Lane Fox who often travels with him to whip up a salad while he and Meghan fry a fish dinner on the Weber barbie which, almost certainly will be provided, gratis, on the front veranda of the beach rental.

Queensland is quite rightly excited by the Royal visit which kicks off in Australia on October 16 with the couple’s arrival in Sydney.

The newly wedded Royals are expected to be in Queensland on Monday October 22 where they’ll take in the delights of Fraser Island.

Dingo Beach boat ramp, Whitsunday Coast.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor George Seymour, who will personally welcome the couple to the paradise where towering pines with three metres girths grow out of the sand, is thrilled.

“Fraser Island (K’gari) is the only place in Queensland they are visiting, recognising what a truly special place it is,’’ Cr Seymour said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, anticipating global media coverage, has quite sensibly shot off a missive to Buckingham Palace suggesting a range of other destinations including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Yet, here’s the thing – British Royals are unceasing in their request to find “the real Australia’’.

The royals may catch a glimpse of a Fraser Island dingo like this one pictured on Seventy Five Mile Beach. Picture: Lachie Millard

Ever since 1868 when Prince Alfred mingled with crowds at a Sydney picnic on the first official Royal tour of Australia, Royals have maintained a steadfast determination to connect with ordinary Aussie folk.

It is an unfortunate, and still rather shameful, historical fact that Prince Alfred was shot at that picnic by an Irishman.

But the Prince recovered swiftly and bore no grudge, even allowing his name to grace a worthy Sydney hospital.

So next month, when we mark what will be at least the 50th official Royal visit since Prince Alfred’s extended stay (he laid up for a few months to recuperate) we modestly suggest the Royal Couple find just four more days in their schedule to familiarise themselves with the soul of what is, after all, the “Queen’s Land’’.

After leaving Dingo Beach behind on the second day of their odyssey the Royal Couple should point the Hyundai rent-a-car toward Proserpine and then head south down the Bruce Highway after enjoying a coffee and jam tart at Whitsunday Gold Coffee.

When they reach Mackay’s northern suburbs they should hang a left at Mount Pleasant and head to the magnificent Eimeo Hotel, taking in lunch and the 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean.

Then it’s on to the Coral Sands Motel in MacAlister Street Mackay ($97 a night if your timing is right) followed by a late afternoon walk down to the Austral Hotel in Victoria Street for a rump steak and a chat with the locals crowding the front bar.

The cracking view from the Eimeo Pacific Hotel new Mackay. Picture: Lachie Millard

The third days starts with a drive up the historic Pioneer Valley and a quick brekkie at the Pinnacle Hotel where Karen and Andrew Guthrie will provide one of their world-famous pies.

Then onward up the Clark range to the magnificent rainforests of Eungella and a stop over at Broken Rover to check if the Platypus is out playing.

By mid-day they could be back on the Bruce Highway headed south, pushing up 110 kph once they’re past Clairview to reach the Kinka Beach Island View Caravan Park on the Capricorn Coast by 5.30pm

Kinka Beach, Queensland. Picture: Nigel Hallett

There it’s sundown drinks with the grey nomads who’ll be sitting on fold up chairs around an Esky near the reception block (Fourex Gold for Harry, Yellow Tail sparking white for Meghan).

The last day will be remembered in years to come by the Royal Couple as the holiday’s piece de resistance – whale watching from the Freedom Fastcats off Keppel Island.

With mobile phones loaded up with pics of the gentle giants, the Royals need only drive Hyundai an hour back to Rocky airport, catch the afternoon Virgin Flight back to Brisbane and pick up the Qantas flight to London that very night.

It’s a truly Royal itinerary, proving the couple with a genuine insight into regional life, where the soul of Queensland still resides. And they’d do the whole thing for around $1000 (airfares not included).