Tuesday 30th June Cairns
True to their word the Instant Windscreen people came to us at the caravan park and replaced our rear window and as a bonus it was tinted and all at a third of the price of a new one. It was hard to see what was wrong with it except for a few marks on the side; anyhow we were very happy with it.
All completed we drove into Cairns and reported the lost plate to the police and was given an incident card to carry explaining why we had no number plates as we had sent the other one down to Sydney so we can be issued with a new number. Hopefully we can get it all turned around in 6-7 days.
Walked around Cairns and saw the huge American aircraft carrier and then returned to the caravan park to read, relax and plan are movements for the next week as we will be without a car. We understand they have a good bus service into town from just outside where we are staying.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Mt Carbine to Cairns
29th June 2009 Mt Carbine to Cairns
Before we left we exchanged email addresses with David who we had been chatting to us over the last few days. He and his wife were on their way up to the Tip and were leaving their caravan at the park and will be tenting it for about three weeks before they return and continue their journeys. They have rented out their house in Victoria for an indefinite period and intend to just keep travelling. Both still of a working age they pick up work when they need to or else they just take it easy. They do have a very grand caravan though, complete with shower and toilet. So they aren’t really roughing it normally. We hope to catch up with them again out west.
Just 10 kms travelling south from Mt Carbine the country changes from being very dry and cooler nights, to being almost lush. As we came down over the range, a very steep twisting single lane, the views were fantastic out and across the vast grazing lands to the ocean. Travelling to Cairns via Mossman we saw they had started cutting the cane everywhere, with the cane trains pulling numerous cages full of cane to the sugar mills.
We stopped off when we heard the phone come into range, had a coffee and made a few phone calls to find somewhere to stay for the next week. As school holidays have started in Queensland we knew we might have a problem. After a few knock backs we called the park we stayed at before and found we could return and even be in the same spot we had before, which we rather liked.
Called the police and reported our lost plate and arranged for the instant glass people to come out tomorrow morning and replace our rear window. With none in stock we settled on a second hand one, which we were assured was OK, otherwise we would have had to wait for one to come up from Melbourne which would have taken at least another week.
Purchased a post office bag to send the number plate to Sydney along with the forms and will wait for a new set to be returned to us. (Thank you Bob for helping out with this, much appreciated)
Stocked up on our groceries and settled down for a relaxing evening, it being a very pleasant 22deg.
Tomorrow we are into Cairns to the Police station and PO to send the plate off.
Before we left we exchanged email addresses with David who we had been chatting to us over the last few days. He and his wife were on their way up to the Tip and were leaving their caravan at the park and will be tenting it for about three weeks before they return and continue their journeys. They have rented out their house in Victoria for an indefinite period and intend to just keep travelling. Both still of a working age they pick up work when they need to or else they just take it easy. They do have a very grand caravan though, complete with shower and toilet. So they aren’t really roughing it normally. We hope to catch up with them again out west.
Just 10 kms travelling south from Mt Carbine the country changes from being very dry and cooler nights, to being almost lush. As we came down over the range, a very steep twisting single lane, the views were fantastic out and across the vast grazing lands to the ocean. Travelling to Cairns via Mossman we saw they had started cutting the cane everywhere, with the cane trains pulling numerous cages full of cane to the sugar mills.
We stopped off when we heard the phone come into range, had a coffee and made a few phone calls to find somewhere to stay for the next week. As school holidays have started in Queensland we knew we might have a problem. After a few knock backs we called the park we stayed at before and found we could return and even be in the same spot we had before, which we rather liked.
Called the police and reported our lost plate and arranged for the instant glass people to come out tomorrow morning and replace our rear window. With none in stock we settled on a second hand one, which we were assured was OK, otherwise we would have had to wait for one to come up from Melbourne which would have taken at least another week.
Purchased a post office bag to send the number plate to Sydney along with the forms and will wait for a new set to be returned to us. (Thank you Bob for helping out with this, much appreciated)
Stocked up on our groceries and settled down for a relaxing evening, it being a very pleasant 22deg.
Tomorrow we are into Cairns to the Police station and PO to send the plate off.
Monday, 29 June 2009
29th June Mt Carbine
Mount Carbine Caravan Park Sunday 28th June
What a gem of a place we had found here at the caravan park. We were able to wash everything and take time out to read and relax.
I took time out to walk around the park which was once a mining village for all the families and the workers. It was oped by Bjelke- Peterson in 1978 and the now discarded swimming pools, tennis courts, halls and bunk houses have fallen into disrepair over the last 8 years.
I called AAMI and was impressed at how helpful they were and that I didn’t have to speak to any recorded voices or go through numerous menus, pushing phone buttons. With it all sorted out we will go into Cairns to have the rear window replaced either on Monday or Tuesday. Then we head out to the Savannah way via Mareeba.
After all that we went to the pub for a drink.
Going up Cape York and return to Cairns we travelled a total of 2078 kilometres over roads being mostly 90% gravel, sand or red dirt going through Cooktown, Lakeland, Laura, Hann River House, Musgrove Roadhouse, Coen, Archer River Roadhouse, Moreton Telegraph Station, Jardine Ferry, Bamaga and finally the Tip and all again on the return trip.
The result was a great sense of satisfaction that we were able to do it. The cost was a lost number plate, a cracked front windscreen, a destroyed rear window, a lost front headlight protector, the front of the trailer pushed in (when the rock hit and bounced off into the rear window), and of course the stress we put the car and trailer through and the red dust!!!!!!!!
Was it worth it? Yes. However in hindsight we now realise that we should have not have taken the trailer and we should have been driving a much bigger Diesel 4WD complete with snorkel, heavy Cooper tyres, retrieval gear, spare tyres, and containers carrying spare fuel and water. Probably a Nissan Turbo or the like. We could then have spent a few weeks on the trip and gone down many of the side tracks along the way which have great camping spots by rivers, creeks etc. We now know why there are so many caravans and trailers parked where we are staying at the caravan park as they offer free storage whilst people take their tents for the trip up north and then pick them up on their return. Perhaps next time!!!!
What a gem of a place we had found here at the caravan park. We were able to wash everything and take time out to read and relax.
I took time out to walk around the park which was once a mining village for all the families and the workers. It was oped by Bjelke- Peterson in 1978 and the now discarded swimming pools, tennis courts, halls and bunk houses have fallen into disrepair over the last 8 years.
I called AAMI and was impressed at how helpful they were and that I didn’t have to speak to any recorded voices or go through numerous menus, pushing phone buttons. With it all sorted out we will go into Cairns to have the rear window replaced either on Monday or Tuesday. Then we head out to the Savannah way via Mareeba.
After all that we went to the pub for a drink.
Going up Cape York and return to Cairns we travelled a total of 2078 kilometres over roads being mostly 90% gravel, sand or red dirt going through Cooktown, Lakeland, Laura, Hann River House, Musgrove Roadhouse, Coen, Archer River Roadhouse, Moreton Telegraph Station, Jardine Ferry, Bamaga and finally the Tip and all again on the return trip.
The result was a great sense of satisfaction that we were able to do it. The cost was a lost number plate, a cracked front windscreen, a destroyed rear window, a lost front headlight protector, the front of the trailer pushed in (when the rock hit and bounced off into the rear window), and of course the stress we put the car and trailer through and the red dust!!!!!!!!
Was it worth it? Yes. However in hindsight we now realise that we should have not have taken the trailer and we should have been driving a much bigger Diesel 4WD complete with snorkel, heavy Cooper tyres, retrieval gear, spare tyres, and containers carrying spare fuel and water. Probably a Nissan Turbo or the like. We could then have spent a few weeks on the trip and gone down many of the side tracks along the way which have great camping spots by rivers, creeks etc. We now know why there are so many caravans and trailers parked where we are staying at the caravan park as they offer free storage whilst people take their tents for the trip up north and then pick them up on their return. Perhaps next time!!!!
Mt Carbine 27th June
Saturday 27th June 2009 Mount Carbine Village and Caravan Park
Mount Carbine
Today is going to be clean up time. I spent until 2.30pm cleaning the car inside and out. Red dust had penetrated everywhere .The vacuum cleaner worked overtime getting the roof lining, seats and vinyl cleaned up. I knocked out as much of the broken rear window as I could, cleaned it out and removed the glass fragments before taping black plastic over the back as a temporary measure until we can get into Cairns for it to be replaced .Beatrice took advantage of the washing machines and the clothes line to catch up on a couple of weeks of much needed washing as most of our clothes were covered in dust as well.
At 4pm we met up at the office as Robert the operator of the park invites anyone who is interested in hearing about the history of the area and for a walk through the bush and the rocky hills to point out the various trees, bushes and wild life. What a knowledgeable person he is. We sat around the table on the front lawn and went through all the different minerals that had or are being mined in the area. I wish I could remember it all; however it was interesting to hear that a very large pastoral station of about 4500 hectares was sold about 4 years ago to the government and is now dedicated to the preservation of Australian wildlife. Members of the James Cook University stay for a period each year and record every, plant, tree, and wild life in the area. I think we were told that at least 30% of all the birds in the country can be found here.
Mount Carbine
Today is going to be clean up time. I spent until 2.30pm cleaning the car inside and out. Red dust had penetrated everywhere .The vacuum cleaner worked overtime getting the roof lining, seats and vinyl cleaned up. I knocked out as much of the broken rear window as I could, cleaned it out and removed the glass fragments before taping black plastic over the back as a temporary measure until we can get into Cairns for it to be replaced .Beatrice took advantage of the washing machines and the clothes line to catch up on a couple of weeks of much needed washing as most of our clothes were covered in dust as well.
At 4pm we met up at the office as Robert the operator of the park invites anyone who is interested in hearing about the history of the area and for a walk through the bush and the rocky hills to point out the various trees, bushes and wild life. What a knowledgeable person he is. We sat around the table on the front lawn and went through all the different minerals that had or are being mined in the area. I wish I could remember it all; however it was interesting to hear that a very large pastoral station of about 4500 hectares was sold about 4 years ago to the government and is now dedicated to the preservation of Australian wildlife. Members of the James Cook University stay for a period each year and record every, plant, tree, and wild life in the area. I think we were told that at least 30% of all the birds in the country can be found here.
26th June Coen
Friday 26th June. Coen to Mount Carbine.
We took off a little later than usual as I wanted to get some photos of Coen before we left. We still had many hours of gravel travelling to do, though we knew we would get some relief from a few stretches of bitumen. Our luck ran out about half an hour from Coen when travelling on a very bad gravel road with many big stones we heard a huge bang, for a split second I thought I had a puncture and then to my dismay I saw in my mirror the rear window had a hole in it and as I slowed down the shaking of the car collapsed it bit by bit until it all lay in the back of the car. We had flicked up a rock that had bounced off the front of the trailer and into the window. Nothing we could do about it and we still had another 400 Kms to travel on dirt roads. As we continued on the car filled with dust and we and everything else inside was covered in it. We were both very tense so we decided to try and get to Mount Carbine so we could clean up and assess the damage. However we did stop off at Spilt Rock which we had by passed on the way up, so we climbed up the rocky hill in 30 + deg and very sunny to view some ancient Aboriginal rock art of people and animals, some of which dates back over 13000 years.
We took off a little later than usual as I wanted to get some photos of Coen before we left. We still had many hours of gravel travelling to do, though we knew we would get some relief from a few stretches of bitumen. Our luck ran out about half an hour from Coen when travelling on a very bad gravel road with many big stones we heard a huge bang, for a split second I thought I had a puncture and then to my dismay I saw in my mirror the rear window had a hole in it and as I slowed down the shaking of the car collapsed it bit by bit until it all lay in the back of the car. We had flicked up a rock that had bounced off the front of the trailer and into the window. Nothing we could do about it and we still had another 400 Kms to travel on dirt roads. As we continued on the car filled with dust and we and everything else inside was covered in it. We were both very tense so we decided to try and get to Mount Carbine so we could clean up and assess the damage. However we did stop off at Spilt Rock which we had by passed on the way up, so we climbed up the rocky hill in 30 + deg and very sunny to view some ancient Aboriginal rock art of people and animals, some of which dates back over 13000 years.
We made Mount Carbine and on checking in they could see the state of our car, trailer and of course us. They offered us the use of their vacuum cleaner and hose so we could clean up a bit. We managed to clean the outside of the car and trailer before it got dark and before the water pumps were turned off, as they are still on water restrictions. We will do the rest tomorrow. We cleaned ourselves up with nice hot showers and had something to eat and a few drinks, which we needed. Tomorrow I will have to call the insurance company and then we’ll have to go back to Cairns again so we can get our front windscreen and rear window replaced! And make a temporary number plate until we can get a replacement. My we are having FUN!
We were very exhausted but happy to be secure for the night and with it a lot cooler we took to our bed for a good night’s rest.
25th June Travelling South
Thursday 25th June travelling south
As we were packing up Gary who was next to us came over with his wife Debbie to wish us well on our trip back as they knew we were a bit anxious about it because the roads were really hard on the car and trailer. As he happens to work for Jayco caravans back in Brisbane he gave ours a check out to see if it was all OK. No problems so we said our goodbyes and set off for Mareeba planning to stop off for the night at Coen. The roads seemed to be just as bad despite the graders having been at work. Along the way we saw them burning the bush off, drovers on horseback driving stock along the road, cyclists!, motor cyclists, cattle and dead wild pigs ,cockotoos and the usual road kill of kangaroos and wallabies .We also saw eagles, snakes, abandoned cars,burnt out cars, and destroyed caravan shells .We crossed a few floodway’s, had stones flicked up at us and of course got covered in red dust. It was hot; however we made good progress and stopped at the various Roadhouses for fuel, toilets or to have a break and something to eat. We drank bottles and bottles of water as it was around 30 degs and travelling with the windows closed most of the time to keep the dust out, it
was even hotter. We decided to stop overnight at Coen which was founded as a fort on the river in 1873 and grew with the gold rushes that followed at the Palmer River. We set up in a small camp ground behind the local general store come post office. This place was like a time warp with the local pub and bistro having stayed the same for years. In the main street one of the original Repeater Stations has been preserved as the Cape York Heritage House.
The usual kids were running around the place barefooted and generally having a good time along with the numerous dogs that always seem to be roaming about. We set up our home for the night which didn’t take too long, though the trailer was quite dirty from all the dust which seems to get in everywhere. I then walked down to the general store which also sells the fuel, to have a look around and saw all the kids running around very excited pointing to a Ute which had a huge dead wild black pig on the tray at the back and with its head hanging over the side. The fun was who was going to be brave enough to go and touch it, which for these 5 to 8 year olds was quite daring and a great source of amusement. Pity I didn’t have the camera with me.
24th June Trip To TI
Wednesday 24th June Trip to Thursday Island
Leaving Seisia on the “Strait Magic”
We set the phone for a 6am alarm. (Much too early in hindsight as it was still dark) we didn’t want to miss the boarding time for our trip.
The ‘Strait Magic’ departed at 8.30 am for TI. On board were other nomads and tourists, the rest being were the workers or residents returning home from the main land. We travelled through the Islands of the Torres Strait and you can only admire how great those navigators were such as, Torres in 1606, Cook in 1770, Mathew Flinders and Captain Bligh not long after that. The Torres Strait covers some 40,000 sq Kms and contains over 100 islands. Fifteen of which are inhabit ted with between 50 to 2000 people. Thursday Island has 3500 and is the main centre. It is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait for Australia and Queensland. TI is approx 30 Km NW of the tip of OZ and only 130 Kms south of the Papua New Guinea mainland. It was once the hub of the pearling industry when mother-of-pearl shell attracted fortune seekers from all over the world from 1868. During the pearling heyday many of the local young men from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan lost their lives diving for shell. A memorial dedicated to the 700 men lost stands beside their graves at the local cemetery.
We chatted on the trip over to Keith and Bridgette who are sailing around the world on their 43 ft yacht. They left Ramsgate (UK) in mid 2007 and have travelled through the Panama Canal to NZ and the east coast of OZ and are staying over at the Cape for a few days before moving on to Darwin and then across to the Med where they will be in 2011 and will then probably stay for some time. Of course they have stopped off at all the great spots and have many more planned. What a great life! They learnt their navigation skills at their yacht club!
The trip took us about an hour and 10 mins and on arrival we joined a tour bus so we could get around the island. (See www.peddellsferry.com.au)we learnt all about the pearling industry, the ship wrecks, the missionaries and the Prince of Wales Channel which is used by about 4000 ships a year and employs about 80 pilots to navigate them safely through the straits as it’s a short cut to Asia.
We then visited the Gab Titui Cultural Centre of the Torres Strait to look at the local area history and some of their art. We walked up and down the main street and ended up in the pub for a cool beer. (See www.federalhotelti.com.au)
We reboarded the “Strait Magic” at 2.15 and left the wharf at 2.30. Many additional passengers onboard making their way back to the mainland. A third of the population consists are expatriates who work for the government for about a year and then move on.
We arrived back at the wharf after a run of an hour and ten minutes during which time we had to shelter from the wind and sea spray that the boat was throwing up as it sped along at 25 knots.
We had decided to watch the State of Origin at the Fishermans club which was not far from where we were staying. All that was on offer for dinner were hamburgers or a sausage wrapped in a piece of bread and to think I had used the bribe of a meal out to Beatrice so she would join me! Anyhow we ate up and found a seat in front of the big drop down screen they had erected. I didn’t like the result of NSW losing but the atmosphere was great. Many of the local children sat up at the front, or should I say ran around the place bare foot shouting and whopping it up whenever Queensland were on the attack and when they scored the noise was deafening. When we shouted “go the blues” that got them really excited and they showed us how they felt about the NSW team with lots of boos and hisses amongst all the laughter.
We returned back to the camp and walked over to the beach to see if we could spot any red eyes glowing in the torch beam which we shone up and down the beach. We had heard that the crocodiles had been there the night before and one was even sunning itself during the afternoon. It just confirmed why we should take notice of the warning signs all over the place about crocs in the area.
Leaving Seisia on the “Strait Magic”
We set the phone for a 6am alarm. (Much too early in hindsight as it was still dark) we didn’t want to miss the boarding time for our trip.
The ‘Strait Magic’ departed at 8.30 am for TI. On board were other nomads and tourists, the rest being were the workers or residents returning home from the main land. We travelled through the Islands of the Torres Strait and you can only admire how great those navigators were such as, Torres in 1606, Cook in 1770, Mathew Flinders and Captain Bligh not long after that. The Torres Strait covers some 40,000 sq Kms and contains over 100 islands. Fifteen of which are inhabit ted with between 50 to 2000 people. Thursday Island has 3500 and is the main centre. It is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait for Australia and Queensland. TI is approx 30 Km NW of the tip of OZ and only 130 Kms south of the Papua New Guinea mainland. It was once the hub of the pearling industry when mother-of-pearl shell attracted fortune seekers from all over the world from 1868. During the pearling heyday many of the local young men from Wakayama Prefecture in Japan lost their lives diving for shell. A memorial dedicated to the 700 men lost stands beside their graves at the local cemetery.
We chatted on the trip over to Keith and Bridgette who are sailing around the world on their 43 ft yacht. They left Ramsgate (UK) in mid 2007 and have travelled through the Panama Canal to NZ and the east coast of OZ and are staying over at the Cape for a few days before moving on to Darwin and then across to the Med where they will be in 2011 and will then probably stay for some time. Of course they have stopped off at all the great spots and have many more planned. What a great life! They learnt their navigation skills at their yacht club!
The trip took us about an hour and 10 mins and on arrival we joined a tour bus so we could get around the island. (See www.peddellsferry.com.au)we learnt all about the pearling industry, the ship wrecks, the missionaries and the Prince of Wales Channel which is used by about 4000 ships a year and employs about 80 pilots to navigate them safely through the straits as it’s a short cut to Asia.
We then visited the Gab Titui Cultural Centre of the Torres Strait to look at the local area history and some of their art. We walked up and down the main street and ended up in the pub for a cool beer. (See www.federalhotelti.com.au)
We reboarded the “Strait Magic” at 2.15 and left the wharf at 2.30. Many additional passengers onboard making their way back to the mainland. A third of the population consists are expatriates who work for the government for about a year and then move on.
We arrived back at the wharf after a run of an hour and ten minutes during which time we had to shelter from the wind and sea spray that the boat was throwing up as it sped along at 25 knots.
We had decided to watch the State of Origin at the Fishermans club which was not far from where we were staying. All that was on offer for dinner were hamburgers or a sausage wrapped in a piece of bread and to think I had used the bribe of a meal out to Beatrice so she would join me! Anyhow we ate up and found a seat in front of the big drop down screen they had erected. I didn’t like the result of NSW losing but the atmosphere was great. Many of the local children sat up at the front, or should I say ran around the place bare foot shouting and whopping it up whenever Queensland were on the attack and when they scored the noise was deafening. When we shouted “go the blues” that got them really excited and they showed us how they felt about the NSW team with lots of boos and hisses amongst all the laughter.
We returned back to the camp and walked over to the beach to see if we could spot any red eyes glowing in the torch beam which we shone up and down the beach. We had heard that the crocodiles had been there the night before and one was even sunning itself during the afternoon. It just confirmed why we should take notice of the warning signs all over the place about crocs in the area.
Seisia 23rd June
We checked at the camp site office to pick up our directions and map to enable us to get to the top end some 40 kms away and mostly on dirt roads. They were really bad, very corrugated until we arrived at the Croc Tent where we stopped and chatted to Esther who sells souvenirs and drinks to the tourists during the winter season up here. She hailed from Victoria and she and her husband told us how they were caught in the recent bush fires there but were lucky enough to escape the worst of it all. She gave us another map and more advice as how to get there as nothing is signposted. It as though the Aboriginals who are responsible for the region don’t want people to go there. We headed off with the knowledge that she said if we weren’t back by 7pm she would send a search party out for us. We were in for quite an experience as we drove through the rain forest on tracks that we very washed out. What really took us by surprise was when we had to forge through water courses that were up to the bottom of our doors; we nosed in slowly in low gear and then pulled out quickly the other side. The car is always in locked 4 wheel drive when we travel the dirt roads and we managed to get better and less concerned as we continued. We arrived at the end of the track and took to the path which was not shown too clearly, however we pushed on and knew we were OK when we hit the broken boardwalk which was falling to bits. This area was all handed back to the original owners the Gudang tribe some years ago and some of the maintenance seems to have fallen
Some of the track we had to drive along.
by the wayside. What a walk, through the rainforest and then out into the open to huge granite boulders which we had to climb up and over. Away in the distance we could see the cairns that people had built to guide the way as there were no sign posts. Up and over we went, it was hot, but we were determined to get there! Cape York or its traditional name Old Pajinka was up ahead we walked down to the point and stood under the sign, “You are standing at the most Northernmost point of the Australian continent” Another couple was there which was good as we had a photo taken of us together standing under the sign
We walked back to the car and then before we set off we walked through the now deserted PAJINKA Wilderness Lodge that had been run very successfully for 20 years before it was handed back to the local owners of the land . Unfortunately it had been abandoned by them in 2004 and over the last few years the huts and buildings have become derelict.
We walked back to the car when Beatrice noticed we had lost our front number plate. I checked the photos and knew we still had it when we crossed on the Jardine Ferry. We would have to keep an eye out for it as it must have shaken off on the corrugated roads. Or it’s at the bottom of a creek crossing. (Not sure what to do about it so I’ll have to find out tomorrow).
Our Number plate is probably at the bottom of this water crossing. I asked Beatrice to dive in and look for it, I said I would keep an eye out for the crocs, but she declined!
Some of the track we had to drive along.
by the wayside. What a walk, through the rainforest and then out into the open to huge granite boulders which we had to climb up and over. Away in the distance we could see the cairns that people had built to guide the way as there were no sign posts. Up and over we went, it was hot, but we were determined to get there! Cape York or its traditional name Old Pajinka was up ahead we walked down to the point and stood under the sign, “You are standing at the most Northernmost point of the Australian continent” Another couple was there which was good as we had a photo taken of us together standing under the sign
We walked back to the car and then before we set off we walked through the now deserted PAJINKA Wilderness Lodge that had been run very successfully for 20 years before it was handed back to the local owners of the land . Unfortunately it had been abandoned by them in 2004 and over the last few years the huts and buildings have become derelict.
We walked back to the car when Beatrice noticed we had lost our front number plate. I checked the photos and knew we still had it when we crossed on the Jardine Ferry. We would have to keep an eye out for it as it must have shaken off on the corrugated roads. Or it’s at the bottom of a creek crossing. (Not sure what to do about it so I’ll have to find out tomorrow).
Our Number plate is probably at the bottom of this water crossing. I asked Beatrice to dive in and look for it, I said I would keep an eye out for the crocs, but she declined!
It started to rain however we made it back ,having to go through the water crossing s which were much deeper than we felt comfortable about, the water coming up to the front bumper, we did it. With the rain easing, we bought a cask of red wine, sat on the beach and watched the sunset and those mad enough to go venture into the water waist deep with their fishing nets. Maybe they can’t read all the warning signs about the crocodiles! Tomorrow we go to TI (Thursday Island) and then in the evening to the fishermen’s club to watch the State of Origin.
Archer River Roadhouse 22nd June
22nd June ARCHER RIVER ROADHOUSE
At about 1 30am I heard one of the road trains start up, it kept running until his air brakes and engine were ready to roll. It made a lot of noise but eventually moved off. Early morning I could hear others starting to fold up their trailers; tents etc and start off again. We weren’t far behind them as we were on the road again just after 8 am. We were aiming to get to our destination at Seisia on the beach just out of Bamaga. It appeared that as we must have left the roadhouse just after another four cars that were travelling together. It made it very hard with all the dust that was kicked up by them all. Something that we hadn’t experienced before. The only benefit for us was that we were able hear them talking to each other over the UHF radio, the lead car warning of dips, (of which there were many) cattle, washouts and floodway’s, where we had to go through water. My, this road was bad and we rattled and shook our fillings out. The corrugation in some places was quite extensive but we just had to keep on going and find the best speed to drive at. Maintaining a steady 80 where there was no sand seemed to be the go but we had to slow down for the dips which if you miscalculated could be quite frightening.
We caught up with the other four cars at Bramwell Junction where we all filled up for the last and worst legs of the trip! We decided to buy an Icy Pole and head straight out so we weren’t following the others and their dust. Here the road was in some cases was quite good, we were taking the Bamaga Road which by passes the Old Telegraph road as we would not be able to go through it as it is only passable by big 4 wheel drives and experienced drivers! We were learning on the job! The Bamaga road (north and south by passes) we were using were built by Telstra so they could manage the communication lines up to the Cape. They were now maintained by the various councils or the Aboriginal council of the Heathlands area we were travelling through. There were no bitumen relief parts on this road, it was all dirt or sand or gravel or red mud! The car and trailer was by now absolutely covered in red dust. Inside the car wasn’t much better, though we did try to keep the windows closed when cars or trucks passed us from the other direction. We continued on to the Jardine Ferry where we had to check to see that we weren’t taking any excess alcohol into the restricted Aboriginal zone. We asked what people did if they had excess amounts with them. He said they usually gave it to him. So Beatrice handed her bottle of Gin over and said we would pick it up on our return! We paid our $99 return to cover the ferry (about 100 mtrs across) and the entry into the area. This mighty Jardine River flows all year round and is Queensland’s largest perennial river. The continual flow of water is largely due to the constant high annual rain fall (over 1500 mm) and the shallow bedrock that lies below the surface.
We were on our last leg of the north bound journey which had so far taken us the best part of two days. We drove into Seisia after travelling on some of the worst gravel roads and checked into the caravan park. No camping under any old tree, we wanted a powered site under a palm tree and some showers etc. We hosed the car and trailer down before we opened it up to try and clean some of the red dirt/dust off and then set up. A gentle breeze, about 30 deg and right on the beach under a couple of palm trees. The water looked so inviting but regrettably the signs warning of the crocodiles in the water kept us and everybody else out of the water! We booked for the trip over to Thursday Island (TI) for Wednesday then sat down and had a beer and chatted to a woman who told us how we could get up to the most Northern part of Australia, the Tip, which we will do tomorrow, and all on dirt roads unfortunately.
We took our chairs and sat on the beach and chatted to Keith who wandered up the beach carrying a few empty water containers. He was looking for water which he was told he could get at the camp. He was sailing his Ketch “Serenity” from Cairns around to Perth and had anchored here for a few days. It was just him and a retired friend helping him.
Very tired we watched the sunset, then enjoyed a steak dinner and a glass of red wine, had our showers and went to bed. We need a few days rest before we had to do it all again!!!!!
No Telstra signal here today or yesterday so this will be seen when hopefully we, the car and trailer our safely back near Cooktown, some 900 odd Kms away and two days of shake rattle and...........hope not!
At about 1 30am I heard one of the road trains start up, it kept running until his air brakes and engine were ready to roll. It made a lot of noise but eventually moved off. Early morning I could hear others starting to fold up their trailers; tents etc and start off again. We weren’t far behind them as we were on the road again just after 8 am. We were aiming to get to our destination at Seisia on the beach just out of Bamaga. It appeared that as we must have left the roadhouse just after another four cars that were travelling together. It made it very hard with all the dust that was kicked up by them all. Something that we hadn’t experienced before. The only benefit for us was that we were able hear them talking to each other over the UHF radio, the lead car warning of dips, (of which there were many) cattle, washouts and floodway’s, where we had to go through water. My, this road was bad and we rattled and shook our fillings out. The corrugation in some places was quite extensive but we just had to keep on going and find the best speed to drive at. Maintaining a steady 80 where there was no sand seemed to be the go but we had to slow down for the dips which if you miscalculated could be quite frightening.
We caught up with the other four cars at Bramwell Junction where we all filled up for the last and worst legs of the trip! We decided to buy an Icy Pole and head straight out so we weren’t following the others and their dust. Here the road was in some cases was quite good, we were taking the Bamaga Road which by passes the Old Telegraph road as we would not be able to go through it as it is only passable by big 4 wheel drives and experienced drivers! We were learning on the job! The Bamaga road (north and south by passes) we were using were built by Telstra so they could manage the communication lines up to the Cape. They were now maintained by the various councils or the Aboriginal council of the Heathlands area we were travelling through. There were no bitumen relief parts on this road, it was all dirt or sand or gravel or red mud! The car and trailer was by now absolutely covered in red dust. Inside the car wasn’t much better, though we did try to keep the windows closed when cars or trucks passed us from the other direction. We continued on to the Jardine Ferry where we had to check to see that we weren’t taking any excess alcohol into the restricted Aboriginal zone. We asked what people did if they had excess amounts with them. He said they usually gave it to him. So Beatrice handed her bottle of Gin over and said we would pick it up on our return! We paid our $99 return to cover the ferry (about 100 mtrs across) and the entry into the area. This mighty Jardine River flows all year round and is Queensland’s largest perennial river. The continual flow of water is largely due to the constant high annual rain fall (over 1500 mm) and the shallow bedrock that lies below the surface.
We were on our last leg of the north bound journey which had so far taken us the best part of two days. We drove into Seisia after travelling on some of the worst gravel roads and checked into the caravan park. No camping under any old tree, we wanted a powered site under a palm tree and some showers etc. We hosed the car and trailer down before we opened it up to try and clean some of the red dirt/dust off and then set up. A gentle breeze, about 30 deg and right on the beach under a couple of palm trees. The water looked so inviting but regrettably the signs warning of the crocodiles in the water kept us and everybody else out of the water! We booked for the trip over to Thursday Island (TI) for Wednesday then sat down and had a beer and chatted to a woman who told us how we could get up to the most Northern part of Australia, the Tip, which we will do tomorrow, and all on dirt roads unfortunately.
We took our chairs and sat on the beach and chatted to Keith who wandered up the beach carrying a few empty water containers. He was looking for water which he was told he could get at the camp. He was sailing his Ketch “Serenity” from Cairns around to Perth and had anchored here for a few days. It was just him and a retired friend helping him.
Very tired we watched the sunset, then enjoyed a steak dinner and a glass of red wine, had our showers and went to bed. We need a few days rest before we had to do it all again!!!!!
No Telstra signal here today or yesterday so this will be seen when hopefully we, the car and trailer our safely back near Cooktown, some 900 odd Kms away and two days of shake rattle and...........hope not!
Leaving Cooktown Sunday 21st June
Sunday 21st June Leaving Cooktown
It was an earlier start today as we were heading for tip of Australia. As mentioned before we have heard some bizarre stories of what the road can be like. However after we had spoken to a very informative person named Mandy at the information centre in Cooktown we felt a little more confident about it all. She told us that when she was working in Seisia she would travel back down to Cooktown in a day, travelling at 100 + Kms and it would take her about 7 hours. Well now, we don’t think that we could do that but as we had also heard that the road had been recently been worked on (regraded) we knew we could give it a go. Left the camp at 8 am and put into Tom Tom Coen as our destination. The calculation was that we could get there by 2.12pm the distance about 350 klms. So off we went heading for Lakeland all bitumen which we came up to Cooktown on where we turned to the North West and headed for Laura. Here there was being held the biannual Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival. We had heard about it and thought that we might stop by and have a look. The road was pretty well bitumen all the way except for some gravel parts which weren’t too bad. Laura contains Queensland most extensive Aboriginal rock art at Split Rock. UNESCO ranks this Quinkan region as one of the top ten art areas in the world. Aboriginal occupation here dates back over 37,000 years. The discovery of gold on the Palmer River brought thousands of miners from 1873 on the old coach from Cooktown to the goldfields. Regrettably conflict, separation and diseases decimated the Aboriginal people and their traditional way of life and the last thousand generations was lost. Now this rock art tells the stories of their past and was only recently rediscovered in the 1960’s. We intend to take a self guided walk to the Spilt Rock Art site on our return journey. From Laura the road became dirt and corrugated and we started to shake rattle and roll. We kept our speed up to 80 as advised and went for it. We soon got the hang of it and just kept going, now heading for the Hans River Roadhouse where we intended to stop for our cup of coffee and fill up with petrol. This Roadhouse was a welcome break and we stopped for a short break. The dirt road continued on though every now and again there was a few Kms of bitumen which we really appreciated. These are placed so traffic can have a chance to overtake slower moving traffic. We passed a few road trains of 50 metres + going in the opposite direction. The only things to do is to slow right down move over and stop as the dust they kick up appears as though you are in thick fog and you can’t see a thing until it all settles. Of course as always there are some lunatics even on these roads and we were passed a couple of times by big 4 wheel drives that must have been travelling at over 120klms. They must be mad as how they can see through the dust that we kick up to enable them to pass us, I just don’t know. All they can hope for is that no traffic is coming the other way.
We reached Coen and stopped for lunch. Many photo opportunities but as I hadn’t charged the camera battery I was unable to take any so will have to do it on our return trip. The road continued much as before with the bitumen breaks which we really looked forward to. Coen has a road house and also one of the original repeater stations from when they first constructed the telegraph road. We continued on the development road for the Archer River Roadhouse where we intended to stop for the night which meant that we were well and truly ahead of our original destination of Coen.
We arrived at 4pm filled up with petrol checked in and found that Manly v Raiders was on the TV! Thank God they were able to hang on and win as they very nearly threw it away by some stupid mistakes. It was interesting to see that it was raining in Brookvale especially as I was sitting in outside in the warm drinking a cold XXXX.Chatted to another couple who were there. Mike and Bridget and found out they were from Narrabeen.!They were going to Weipa first and then to the top end. We looked at the photo board they had set up in the roadhouse showing the results of cyclone Tracy that went through in 2006. Amazing to see tinnies tied up to the posts of the roadhouse when the Archer River flooded which resulted in them being isolated for many weeks.
Very tired it was time for bed by 9.30. There must have been about another 20 odd campers/trailers there, some were in tents and some were just sleeping in swag under an awning or in their car. We were doing well in our camper.
Chatted to Peter next to us who was running a generator giving him 240 ac power for his lights and cooking. He was also charging up his phone so I asked if he could give my camera battery a bit of a charge which he did until he turned everything off and turned in at 9pm as he had an early start! Actually the place was in darkness and silence by 10 pm which is usual in most of the camp sites we have been in.
The stars were brilliant and we spent some time gazing at them especially when all the generators had been turned off and there were no other lights and very quiet. It was just wonderful.
It was an earlier start today as we were heading for tip of Australia. As mentioned before we have heard some bizarre stories of what the road can be like. However after we had spoken to a very informative person named Mandy at the information centre in Cooktown we felt a little more confident about it all. She told us that when she was working in Seisia she would travel back down to Cooktown in a day, travelling at 100 + Kms and it would take her about 7 hours. Well now, we don’t think that we could do that but as we had also heard that the road had been recently been worked on (regraded) we knew we could give it a go. Left the camp at 8 am and put into Tom Tom Coen as our destination. The calculation was that we could get there by 2.12pm the distance about 350 klms. So off we went heading for Lakeland all bitumen which we came up to Cooktown on where we turned to the North West and headed for Laura. Here there was being held the biannual Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival. We had heard about it and thought that we might stop by and have a look. The road was pretty well bitumen all the way except for some gravel parts which weren’t too bad. Laura contains Queensland most extensive Aboriginal rock art at Split Rock. UNESCO ranks this Quinkan region as one of the top ten art areas in the world. Aboriginal occupation here dates back over 37,000 years. The discovery of gold on the Palmer River brought thousands of miners from 1873 on the old coach from Cooktown to the goldfields. Regrettably conflict, separation and diseases decimated the Aboriginal people and their traditional way of life and the last thousand generations was lost. Now this rock art tells the stories of their past and was only recently rediscovered in the 1960’s. We intend to take a self guided walk to the Spilt Rock Art site on our return journey. From Laura the road became dirt and corrugated and we started to shake rattle and roll. We kept our speed up to 80 as advised and went for it. We soon got the hang of it and just kept going, now heading for the Hans River Roadhouse where we intended to stop for our cup of coffee and fill up with petrol. This Roadhouse was a welcome break and we stopped for a short break. The dirt road continued on though every now and again there was a few Kms of bitumen which we really appreciated. These are placed so traffic can have a chance to overtake slower moving traffic. We passed a few road trains of 50 metres + going in the opposite direction. The only things to do is to slow right down move over and stop as the dust they kick up appears as though you are in thick fog and you can’t see a thing until it all settles. Of course as always there are some lunatics even on these roads and we were passed a couple of times by big 4 wheel drives that must have been travelling at over 120klms. They must be mad as how they can see through the dust that we kick up to enable them to pass us, I just don’t know. All they can hope for is that no traffic is coming the other way.
We reached Coen and stopped for lunch. Many photo opportunities but as I hadn’t charged the camera battery I was unable to take any so will have to do it on our return trip. The road continued much as before with the bitumen breaks which we really looked forward to. Coen has a road house and also one of the original repeater stations from when they first constructed the telegraph road. We continued on the development road for the Archer River Roadhouse where we intended to stop for the night which meant that we were well and truly ahead of our original destination of Coen.
We arrived at 4pm filled up with petrol checked in and found that Manly v Raiders was on the TV! Thank God they were able to hang on and win as they very nearly threw it away by some stupid mistakes. It was interesting to see that it was raining in Brookvale especially as I was sitting in outside in the warm drinking a cold XXXX.Chatted to another couple who were there. Mike and Bridget and found out they were from Narrabeen.!They were going to Weipa first and then to the top end. We looked at the photo board they had set up in the roadhouse showing the results of cyclone Tracy that went through in 2006. Amazing to see tinnies tied up to the posts of the roadhouse when the Archer River flooded which resulted in them being isolated for many weeks.
Very tired it was time for bed by 9.30. There must have been about another 20 odd campers/trailers there, some were in tents and some were just sleeping in swag under an awning or in their car. We were doing well in our camper.
Chatted to Peter next to us who was running a generator giving him 240 ac power for his lights and cooking. He was also charging up his phone so I asked if he could give my camera battery a bit of a charge which he did until he turned everything off and turned in at 9pm as he had an early start! Actually the place was in darkness and silence by 10 pm which is usual in most of the camp sites we have been in.
The stars were brilliant and we spent some time gazing at them especially when all the generators had been turned off and there were no other lights and very quiet. It was just wonderful.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Cooktown 20th June
Cooktown Saturday 20th June
Quite a noisy night. In the early part of the evening we could hear one of the local characters giving his usual sermon to anybody within earshot. It seemed to waft across the local park next to us where he had set up his preacher’s box. Thankfully it only lasted for just over an hour and can’t say that I understood much of it. Then the local live band took over in the beer garden just down the road and went on to midnight. It was then the turn of a couple of blokes who had been drinking all day where they had set up just down a bit from us. They played their music and spoke until the early morning using some very colourful language. We still managed to sleep quite well though.
We did some chores around the place. Purchased some plastic and some tape to seal up the trailer so when we travel the red dirt roads the inside doesn’t get covered in it. Checked the tyres/pressures and filled the tanks with water, just in case we are unable to find some over the next week on our trip to the tip of Australia.
Took a picnic to the Botanical gardens and then drove to Finch Bay to look at the beach. Then on to Quarantine Bay about 5klms out of town. Beautiful beaches though a little windswept. The water was very warm, however we didn’t linger too long by the water’s edge as the recently erected signs warned that Crocodiles had been sighted in the area recently. So having a swim was out!
Enjoyed a beautiful l Barramundi dinner, as a special treat, at Captain Cooks Landing place ,the Varenda Cafe on the Esplanade.Here we saw two of the biggest Groupers we have ever seen,they must have been at least 5 to 6 feet long with tremendous girths. They come up to be fed when the tide is right and are very well known in the area.
Quite a noisy night. In the early part of the evening we could hear one of the local characters giving his usual sermon to anybody within earshot. It seemed to waft across the local park next to us where he had set up his preacher’s box. Thankfully it only lasted for just over an hour and can’t say that I understood much of it. Then the local live band took over in the beer garden just down the road and went on to midnight. It was then the turn of a couple of blokes who had been drinking all day where they had set up just down a bit from us. They played their music and spoke until the early morning using some very colourful language. We still managed to sleep quite well though.
We did some chores around the place. Purchased some plastic and some tape to seal up the trailer so when we travel the red dirt roads the inside doesn’t get covered in it. Checked the tyres/pressures and filled the tanks with water, just in case we are unable to find some over the next week on our trip to the tip of Australia.
Took a picnic to the Botanical gardens and then drove to Finch Bay to look at the beach. Then on to Quarantine Bay about 5klms out of town. Beautiful beaches though a little windswept. The water was very warm, however we didn’t linger too long by the water’s edge as the recently erected signs warned that Crocodiles had been sighted in the area recently. So having a swim was out!
Enjoyed a beautiful l Barramundi dinner, as a special treat, at Captain Cooks Landing place ,the Varenda Cafe on the Esplanade.Here we saw two of the biggest Groupers we have ever seen,they must have been at least 5 to 6 feet long with tremendous girths. They come up to be fed when the tide is right and are very well known in the area.
Quite a cloudy evening so the stars were not too brilliant.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Cooktown Friday 19th June
Cooktown Friday 19th June
Today it was visiting the local tourist spots. The James Cook Museum, the Botanical Gardens, Grassy Hill, The old Bank and the Lighthouse. http://www.cooktowns.com/
Lots of reading and trying to absorb the history of this place. Amazing to think that during the gold rush days when gold was discovered on the Palmer River, there were over 20000 Chinese here working the gold mines and supporting all the diggers who arrived here in the thousands and then a 100 years later the population went down to about 3000 and the town nearly died.
http://www.cooktowns.com/
The Botanical Gardens http://www.naturepowerhouse.com/ was somewhere we spent some time walking the trails through the gardens. Actually looking for a Sandlewood tree that we wanted (Bea) to collect some seeds from as they can be used in making necklaces,bracelets etc. which we have seen being sold in the markets up here. In the evening drove up to Grassy Hill which Cook climbed back in 1770 so he could get a good view of the river and see the way out for the Endeavour through the shallow waters. We watched the sunset.
Today it was visiting the local tourist spots. The James Cook Museum, the Botanical Gardens, Grassy Hill, The old Bank and the Lighthouse. http://www.cooktowns.com/
Lots of reading and trying to absorb the history of this place. Amazing to think that during the gold rush days when gold was discovered on the Palmer River, there were over 20000 Chinese here working the gold mines and supporting all the diggers who arrived here in the thousands and then a 100 years later the population went down to about 3000 and the town nearly died.
http://www.cooktowns.com/
The Botanical Gardens http://www.naturepowerhouse.com/ was somewhere we spent some time walking the trails through the gardens. Actually looking for a Sandlewood tree that we wanted (Bea) to collect some seeds from as they can be used in making necklaces,bracelets etc. which we have seen being sold in the markets up here. In the evening drove up to Grassy Hill which Cook climbed back in 1770 so he could get a good view of the river and see the way out for the Endeavour through the shallow waters. We watched the sunset.
Drive up to Cooktown Thursday 18th June
Thursday 18th June 2009 COOKTOWN
It was the normal procedure for departure. Up at 7 breakfast, showered, packed up, and hitched up and on the road just after 9am. The journey being about 350 klms would make our arrival there at about 2.30pm. That’s taking into account stops for coffee and lunch in the rest areas and for fuel. We are averaging about 7-8 klms per Litre so with a tank holding 60 Litres we can usually do about 430 klms. However To be on the safe side we always fill up when a quarter tank is showing. We do have the capacity to carry an additional 20 litres on the trailer but haven’t done so as yet, mainly so as not to increase the towing weight.
The trip took us up past the same route from a couple of days ago however instead of turning into Port Douglas we headed for Mossman and then had to back track south westerly so as to be able to join route 81 (The Mulligan Highway)for Cooktown at Mount Molley and up through Mount Carbine. It was a climb up a twisting road over the Great Dividing Range.
Mount Molloy is a small picturesque village at the edge of the tableland area and a thriving mining town in its early years supplying coal for the Chillagoe smelters. Remnants of these mining years can still be seen throughout the town. However cattle and fruit growing are the main industries now. At Mount Carbine Wolframite was mined and the open cut mine can also still be seen. Here cattle are now the main business. The Palmer River dissects the Mulligan Highway where the hills were invaded during the gold rush days. It was here in 1872 an Irishman named Mulligan found the “River of Gold”
Once over the tablelands we came down into the Lakeland Downs region which is developing into a farming region. This area is also expanding its coffee, bananas, peanuts and exotic fruits. We continued on past Black Mountain and the Anan River into Cooktown.
We checked into the Orchid Travellers Park and set up. With all down to quite an organised procedure we were through in no time. We decided to walk through the town and down to the Marina and where Captain Cook beached the Endeavour Bark on June 17th 1770. They had just celebrated the re-enactment the week before on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Pity we missed it. A beautiful evening though the Northeast Trade winds certainly blow this time of the year which keeps the temperature down. We walked many fine restaurants along the river front which all looked pretty good. Continued on reading all the plaques, statures, memorials etc for Captain Cook. We found the Milbi Wall (The story Wall) built by the Gungarde Aboriginal Corporation to told a good story about the local people and how they reacted to the arrival of these strange like people who they thought were their dead ancestors coming to revisit them.
It was with that we made our way back to our trailer for dinner and a good night’s rest, so we can get out and about again tomorrow.
It was the normal procedure for departure. Up at 7 breakfast, showered, packed up, and hitched up and on the road just after 9am. The journey being about 350 klms would make our arrival there at about 2.30pm. That’s taking into account stops for coffee and lunch in the rest areas and for fuel. We are averaging about 7-8 klms per Litre so with a tank holding 60 Litres we can usually do about 430 klms. However To be on the safe side we always fill up when a quarter tank is showing. We do have the capacity to carry an additional 20 litres on the trailer but haven’t done so as yet, mainly so as not to increase the towing weight.
The trip took us up past the same route from a couple of days ago however instead of turning into Port Douglas we headed for Mossman and then had to back track south westerly so as to be able to join route 81 (The Mulligan Highway)for Cooktown at Mount Molley and up through Mount Carbine. It was a climb up a twisting road over the Great Dividing Range.
Mount Molloy is a small picturesque village at the edge of the tableland area and a thriving mining town in its early years supplying coal for the Chillagoe smelters. Remnants of these mining years can still be seen throughout the town. However cattle and fruit growing are the main industries now. At Mount Carbine Wolframite was mined and the open cut mine can also still be seen. Here cattle are now the main business. The Palmer River dissects the Mulligan Highway where the hills were invaded during the gold rush days. It was here in 1872 an Irishman named Mulligan found the “River of Gold”
Once over the tablelands we came down into the Lakeland Downs region which is developing into a farming region. This area is also expanding its coffee, bananas, peanuts and exotic fruits. We continued on past Black Mountain and the Anan River into Cooktown.
We checked into the Orchid Travellers Park and set up. With all down to quite an organised procedure we were through in no time. We decided to walk through the town and down to the Marina and where Captain Cook beached the Endeavour Bark on June 17th 1770. They had just celebrated the re-enactment the week before on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Pity we missed it. A beautiful evening though the Northeast Trade winds certainly blow this time of the year which keeps the temperature down. We walked many fine restaurants along the river front which all looked pretty good. Continued on reading all the plaques, statures, memorials etc for Captain Cook. We found the Milbi Wall (The story Wall) built by the Gungarde Aboriginal Corporation to told a good story about the local people and how they reacted to the arrival of these strange like people who they thought were their dead ancestors coming to revisit them.
It was with that we made our way back to our trailer for dinner and a good night’s rest, so we can get out and about again tomorrow.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Drive to Kuranda Wednesday 16th June
Wednesday 17th June CAIRNS
Today we drove up to Kuranda (The village in the rainforest) http://www.kuranda.org/ 1000 feet above sea level and 20000 years of Aboriginal culture. We checked out the railway station which is just as we remember it. We decided not to do the train journey up from Cairns as we have done it before and also it would have cost us about $100 each. This is for the train journey up to Kuranda and then the Sky train back to Cairns or you can do it the other way around http://www.skyrail.com.au/
This is one of Queensland favourite tourist’s attractions which are a great draw card for the many Japanese and Koreans who were walking through the markets.
We also walked all through the markets of local art, crafts and souvenirs and the Aboriginal Gallery. There were so many things to look at, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary http://www.australianbutterflies.com/ The Kuranda Koala Gardens http://www.kolagardens.com/ and the Birdworld Kuranda http://www.birdworldkuranda.com/. These were just some of the few attractions that we saw. However we decided that we would follow the walking track along the Baron River and through the Jungle walk on a circuit back into the village. It took us much longer than we thought it would, maybe it was because we didn’t take the short cut back to the village and continued to do the whole circuit. The only people we saw on the walk were, believe it or not, the couple who are in the next caravan to us and were going the other way round. They were making their way back to the railway station as they had come up on the skyrail in the morning.
We sat in the park, had a rest and our picnic which we had brought along with us. This saved us having to choose from one of the many restaurants that are in Kuranda.
Drove down to the Baron falls, which we didn’t find that impressive as not much water was running however would be absolutely fantastic during the wet season I’m sure.
Made our way to the caravan park (Coolwaters) stopping off to buy a few supplies that we need for the continuation of our journey up to Cooktown, which will take us about 4-5 hours tomorrow.
Today we drove up to Kuranda (The village in the rainforest) http://www.kuranda.org/ 1000 feet above sea level and 20000 years of Aboriginal culture. We checked out the railway station which is just as we remember it. We decided not to do the train journey up from Cairns as we have done it before and also it would have cost us about $100 each. This is for the train journey up to Kuranda and then the Sky train back to Cairns or you can do it the other way around http://www.skyrail.com.au/
This is one of Queensland favourite tourist’s attractions which are a great draw card for the many Japanese and Koreans who were walking through the markets.
We also walked all through the markets of local art, crafts and souvenirs and the Aboriginal Gallery. There were so many things to look at, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary http://www.australianbutterflies.com/ The Kuranda Koala Gardens http://www.kolagardens.com/ and the Birdworld Kuranda http://www.birdworldkuranda.com/. These were just some of the few attractions that we saw. However we decided that we would follow the walking track along the Baron River and through the Jungle walk on a circuit back into the village. It took us much longer than we thought it would, maybe it was because we didn’t take the short cut back to the village and continued to do the whole circuit. The only people we saw on the walk were, believe it or not, the couple who are in the next caravan to us and were going the other way round. They were making their way back to the railway station as they had come up on the skyrail in the morning.
We sat in the park, had a rest and our picnic which we had brought along with us. This saved us having to choose from one of the many restaurants that are in Kuranda.
Drove down to the Baron falls, which we didn’t find that impressive as not much water was running however would be absolutely fantastic during the wet season I’m sure.
Made our way to the caravan park (Coolwaters) stopping off to buy a few supplies that we need for the continuation of our journey up to Cooktown, which will take us about 4-5 hours tomorrow.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Tuesday 16th June Trip to Port Douglas
Cairns Tuesday 16th June
Did some housework and sorted out the Jacko (trailer) and then set out for the drive to Port Douglas about an 80 Klms north. Stretching 26klms north of Cairns city are eight sandy palm fringed beaches. Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob where you can wind and kite surf, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, which has a luxury resort, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove, which has many restaurants and Ellis Beach which has a wide sandy beach and camping. This is the Captain Cook Highway and is a good road which is very well maintained. However it is mostly a single lane each way and has many bends as it tracks right along the sandy beaches. I can see why they warn you that it has a high accident rate as you really have to watch the road.
Port Douglas has many great holiday places to stay, from the most expensive hotels to the backpackers and the caravan parks. We walked up and down the main high street looking at the changes that have happened over the years since we last visited. The shops didn’t appear to be that busy which seems to confirm that the tourists have been staying away due to the economy. Had some lunch and then walked down to have a look at
Did some housework and sorted out the Jacko (trailer) and then set out for the drive to Port Douglas about an 80 Klms north. Stretching 26klms north of Cairns city are eight sandy palm fringed beaches. Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob where you can wind and kite surf, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach, which has a luxury resort, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove, which has many restaurants and Ellis Beach which has a wide sandy beach and camping. This is the Captain Cook Highway and is a good road which is very well maintained. However it is mostly a single lane each way and has many bends as it tracks right along the sandy beaches. I can see why they warn you that it has a high accident rate as you really have to watch the road.
Port Douglas has many great holiday places to stay, from the most expensive hotels to the backpackers and the caravan parks. We walked up and down the main high street looking at the changes that have happened over the years since we last visited. The shops didn’t appear to be that busy which seems to confirm that the tourists have been staying away due to the economy. Had some lunch and then walked down to have a look at
Four Mile Beach which had a few swimmers and sunbathers. This beach is still patrolled with the yellow and red flags out and the warnings that there might still be some stingers around. We walked a little way along the beach and then decided to head back to camp. We had a good drive back only stopping at the Rex lookout to watch the hang gliders swirling overhead and over the ocean. It had been a beautiful sunny day with the temp reaching 27 degs, though it does cool down to about 22 degs in the evening. Tomorrow we shall visit Kuranda as we have decided to stay another night in Cairns and will leave for Cooktown on Thursday.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Leaving Millaa Millaa for Cairns via the Senic Route
Monday 15th June Leaving Millaa Millaa
Time to move on and head for Cairns. Packed up and on the road at 9.22am on a cool beautiful day at 22 deg. Said our goodbyes to Tony our next door neighbour who was disappointed that we were leaving so soon as he had plenty of other places he could tell us about. We felt we had seen enough waterfalls for awhile and wanted to head for the coast once again.
The road to Malanda was very green and picturesque-dairy farming, emerald green grass and rolling hills. At Malanda there is the main Dairy Farmers milk processing dairy centre. Up to Yungaburra a Heritage Village which is very pretty and sits on a hilltop with lots of shops, wood turning, Swiss clocks and B & B’s. As we continued on the landscape turned very dry and unimpressive, we can see now why we didn’t think much of it the last time we visited this area. We by passed the Curtin Fig Tree having visited it the last time and drove on to Atherton, a large town. Around this area it is flat and highly cultivated and grows nearly everything including coffee.
We continued on heading north on the A1 for Mareeba, past the Beck Military Museum looking for the Coffee Works where we wanted to stop and have a break. http://www.coffeeworks,com.au/ This family run business offers the ultimate tasting experience, 21 coffees, 12 chocolates, 4 teas and 3 liqueurs. I elected to have a flat white and Beatrice a shot of espresso with whipped cream! (Very adventurous)
We now headed down the Kennedy Highway to Cairns. A narrow twisting steep down hill drive skirting Barron George National Park ,on past Kuranda where the train runs to from Cairns and into North Cairns. We stopped and looked for the Caravan park location, entered it to Tom Tom which took us right there. Set up on our site and then drove into Cairns for a look around and to have a haircut and get the arm of my glasses repaired. OPSM fixed everything and the Fair Dinkum barber gave me a very short cut all over.
What a change this place has gone through over the last 20 years when we were last here. We walked all over the place and to the Marina and the old part of town trying to see what we could remember.
Tired we headed back for a rest, a glass of beer and something to eat. Tomorrow we will drive up to Kuranda and Port Douglas.
Time to move on and head for Cairns. Packed up and on the road at 9.22am on a cool beautiful day at 22 deg. Said our goodbyes to Tony our next door neighbour who was disappointed that we were leaving so soon as he had plenty of other places he could tell us about. We felt we had seen enough waterfalls for awhile and wanted to head for the coast once again.
The road to Malanda was very green and picturesque-dairy farming, emerald green grass and rolling hills. At Malanda there is the main Dairy Farmers milk processing dairy centre. Up to Yungaburra a Heritage Village which is very pretty and sits on a hilltop with lots of shops, wood turning, Swiss clocks and B & B’s. As we continued on the landscape turned very dry and unimpressive, we can see now why we didn’t think much of it the last time we visited this area. We by passed the Curtin Fig Tree having visited it the last time and drove on to Atherton, a large town. Around this area it is flat and highly cultivated and grows nearly everything including coffee.
We continued on heading north on the A1 for Mareeba, past the Beck Military Museum looking for the Coffee Works where we wanted to stop and have a break. http://www.coffeeworks,com.au/ This family run business offers the ultimate tasting experience, 21 coffees, 12 chocolates, 4 teas and 3 liqueurs. I elected to have a flat white and Beatrice a shot of espresso with whipped cream! (Very adventurous)
We now headed down the Kennedy Highway to Cairns. A narrow twisting steep down hill drive skirting Barron George National Park ,on past Kuranda where the train runs to from Cairns and into North Cairns. We stopped and looked for the Caravan park location, entered it to Tom Tom which took us right there. Set up on our site and then drove into Cairns for a look around and to have a haircut and get the arm of my glasses repaired. OPSM fixed everything and the Fair Dinkum barber gave me a very short cut all over.
What a change this place has gone through over the last 20 years when we were last here. We walked all over the place and to the Marina and the old part of town trying to see what we could remember.
Tired we headed back for a rest, a glass of beer and something to eat. Tomorrow we will drive up to Kuranda and Port Douglas.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Drive to falls and Ravenshoe Sunday 14th June
Sunday 14th June Millaa Millaa
Woke up to an overcast day. A pleasant 22 degs and no rain forecasted. Tony from one campervan up who resides in a 5th wheeler with wife Valerie came over and continued his conversation with us from last night. They are here until September and are from Sydney. They love it, it’s sunny, not too hot and he has his golf course just next door where he plays every day. Only a small club and has made many friends there so feels quite at home. He has been all over the place and has given us details on where to go/visit etc.
First up it’s a drive out on the Theresa Creek Road to the Zillie Falls where after a short walk we viewed the falls from a platform at the top. It was then on to the Elinjas Falls where we followed a path to the picturesque area at the bottom of the falls. It was then on to the Old Palmerston Highwayand the scenic route to Ravenshoe. This is a drive through a very lush region which was very green; it’s called the Diary farm of the tropics. Plenty of cattle grazing and numerous farms. Passing Windy Hill where there are 20 wind power electric generators across the hill tops. They generate enough electricity to run a town of 3500 homes.
It was then on to Ravenshoe which is the highest town in Queensland and a visit to the information centre. Here we found out about the local steam train which runs every Sunday at 1.30pm. Once again this happens to have the highest railway station in Queensland! At 3165 feet (964.7 metres) we had our packed lunch and then we boarded the train which was being pulled by the last operating D17 loco in the world! http://www.steamloco.nq.nu/ The railway which runs to Tumoulin was opened in 1916 to take out the beautiful rain forest timbers. In those days Ravenshoe was called Cedar Creek and was only a logging settlement. This area was listed as a World Heritage of the wet Tropics in 1988. It is now run entirely by steam enthusiasts on a voluntary basis for tourists and visitors. Our round trip took 90 minutes and ran over high wooden trestle bridges and through the open forest. Out of interest we saw where the old sawmill had been that supplied the timber that was used to rebuild the House of Commons in London after WW11.
It was then a 28 Klms drive to the Innot Hot Springs. Luckily the creek was running so we made a quick change into our bathers and joined the hippies by lolling around in the sand and the hot running creek by the road side. Otherwise we would have had to pay a fee and use the 7 pools of various temperatures which are run by the camp site. We thought it was better to use the creek than the concrete pools. Our way was also free and it was great and very relaxing
Quite tired now we headed back to our base camp for dinner and a read of the Sunday papers which we haven’t done since we have been away. It was also time for a beer and to plan our day for tomorrow.
Woke up to an overcast day. A pleasant 22 degs and no rain forecasted. Tony from one campervan up who resides in a 5th wheeler with wife Valerie came over and continued his conversation with us from last night. They are here until September and are from Sydney. They love it, it’s sunny, not too hot and he has his golf course just next door where he plays every day. Only a small club and has made many friends there so feels quite at home. He has been all over the place and has given us details on where to go/visit etc.
First up it’s a drive out on the Theresa Creek Road to the Zillie Falls where after a short walk we viewed the falls from a platform at the top. It was then on to the Elinjas Falls where we followed a path to the picturesque area at the bottom of the falls. It was then on to the Old Palmerston Highwayand the scenic route to Ravenshoe. This is a drive through a very lush region which was very green; it’s called the Diary farm of the tropics. Plenty of cattle grazing and numerous farms. Passing Windy Hill where there are 20 wind power electric generators across the hill tops. They generate enough electricity to run a town of 3500 homes.
It was then on to Ravenshoe which is the highest town in Queensland and a visit to the information centre. Here we found out about the local steam train which runs every Sunday at 1.30pm. Once again this happens to have the highest railway station in Queensland! At 3165 feet (964.7 metres) we had our packed lunch and then we boarded the train which was being pulled by the last operating D17 loco in the world! http://www.steamloco.nq.nu/ The railway which runs to Tumoulin was opened in 1916 to take out the beautiful rain forest timbers. In those days Ravenshoe was called Cedar Creek and was only a logging settlement. This area was listed as a World Heritage of the wet Tropics in 1988. It is now run entirely by steam enthusiasts on a voluntary basis for tourists and visitors. Our round trip took 90 minutes and ran over high wooden trestle bridges and through the open forest. Out of interest we saw where the old sawmill had been that supplied the timber that was used to rebuild the House of Commons in London after WW11.
It was then a 28 Klms drive to the Innot Hot Springs. Luckily the creek was running so we made a quick change into our bathers and joined the hippies by lolling around in the sand and the hot running creek by the road side. Otherwise we would have had to pay a fee and use the 7 pools of various temperatures which are run by the camp site. We thought it was better to use the creek than the concrete pools. Our way was also free and it was great and very relaxing
Quite tired now we headed back to our base camp for dinner and a read of the Sunday papers which we haven’t done since we have been away. It was also time for a beer and to plan our day for tomorrow.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Saturday 13th June Tropical North Queensland
Saturday 13th June
A very damp night and quite a cool one. 12 deg this morning. Had to wait until the sun came up so we could dry out the canvas over the beds. It wasn’t until 10 am that we started to pack up, meanwhile we chatted to Craig the owner of the Kennedy shop who gave us some places that we should make sure we visit. So we heeded his advice and decided to go up into the hills but first of all drive into Mission Beach to have another look around. This is the main departure point for Dunk Island. Beautiful beaches and a great little shopping centre with numerous small bars and cafes. Had our lunch sitting on the beach and then set out for Ravenshoe which boasts as having the highest bitumen road in Queensland and the highest point at 860 mts above sea level, which made it much cooler. On the drive here we saw all sorts of fruit being grown in this area, bananas, paw paw, mandarins, mangoes, lychees, tomatoes etc.etc. With the sugar mills working and the cane cutting being started in most of the fields. Soon it will be a very busy place with trains and double b's all over the place.
Visited Murray Falls, Murray Upper National Park. Rainforested Mountains. We walked through the rainforest to view the waterfalls and then a 60 min walk through the rainforest for the views across the waterfalls. On then to Millaa Millaa (Many waters in aboriginal language) where we drove into a caravan park for the night as there were many more places we want to visit tomorrow. (We would have to get to leave Ravenshoe for tomorrow as it was now getting late) .On checking in with the office they gave us an information sheet with 6/7 drives throughout the area visiting all the waterfalls and great walks. Before dinner and getting dark we drove into the little town past the main street looking at the local sculptures and reading its historyand then on through to the Millaa Millaa falls. Here they say you can swim,with no stingers or crocodiles in the water. We didn't see any turtles or catfish either or the tree kangaroos or the platypuses. Getting dark now so we headed for base and our evening meal and to listen to the Manly Panthers match on the radio.
A very damp night and quite a cool one. 12 deg this morning. Had to wait until the sun came up so we could dry out the canvas over the beds. It wasn’t until 10 am that we started to pack up, meanwhile we chatted to Craig the owner of the Kennedy shop who gave us some places that we should make sure we visit. So we heeded his advice and decided to go up into the hills but first of all drive into Mission Beach to have another look around. This is the main departure point for Dunk Island. Beautiful beaches and a great little shopping centre with numerous small bars and cafes. Had our lunch sitting on the beach and then set out for Ravenshoe which boasts as having the highest bitumen road in Queensland and the highest point at 860 mts above sea level, which made it much cooler. On the drive here we saw all sorts of fruit being grown in this area, bananas, paw paw, mandarins, mangoes, lychees, tomatoes etc.etc. With the sugar mills working and the cane cutting being started in most of the fields. Soon it will be a very busy place with trains and double b's all over the place.
Visited Murray Falls, Murray Upper National Park. Rainforested Mountains. We walked through the rainforest to view the waterfalls and then a 60 min walk through the rainforest for the views across the waterfalls. On then to Millaa Millaa (Many waters in aboriginal language) where we drove into a caravan park for the night as there were many more places we want to visit tomorrow. (We would have to get to leave Ravenshoe for tomorrow as it was now getting late) .On checking in with the office they gave us an information sheet with 6/7 drives throughout the area visiting all the waterfalls and great walks. Before dinner and getting dark we drove into the little town past the main street looking at the local sculptures and reading its historyand then on through to the Millaa Millaa falls. Here they say you can swim,with no stingers or crocodiles in the water. We didn't see any turtles or catfish either or the tree kangaroos or the platypuses. Getting dark now so we headed for base and our evening meal and to listen to the Manly Panthers match on the radio.
Leaving Ingham 12th June 2009
Leaving Bowen for INGHAM Friday 12th June
7/8/9 that’s our departure set up times. We were all showered, breakfasted, trailer packed up and pulling out just after 9.10am Not Bad.
Another great day though it was quite windy last night with the palm tree leaves brushing the top of the canvas all night. Still managed to sleep though. The stars were great, very bright with the Southern Cross clearly visible. Didn’t really get to meet too many people where we stayed as everyone kept to themselves. At around 9.30pm its dark and the place is like a morgue. Not a soul stirring and oh so quiet. I did venture off to the front of the caravan parks sea wall and started chatting to a guy who was hanging on to the end of a fishing line. He hadn’t had much luck and thought the fish probably thought he was there just to feed them. He was from Erith (?) North Kent and had been out here since 1992. He and his wife had had enough of the old country and they wanted to start a new life. He went on to say he was 51 now and they were buying a motel just north of Bowen. Just 12 rooms which they thought they could handle and would be a great way to live up here and have another change. He was still very English and laughed a lot. I hoped it would all work out for them and was in bed by 10pm myself!
Leaving Bowen on the A1 cane fields again on both sides. Many fields with tomatoes plants which were being picked by hordes of no doubt back packers extending their visas and earning some good money. Great irrigation arms watering the growing areas with all the water being pumped up the water table below. At last we saw vast areas where the cane had been cut and was now being eaten up by the cane cutting machines and dumping it into to the cane trains which were running all over the place and criss crossing the roads. Signs saying give way to cane trains, red lights flashing etc. I don’t think we would want to argue with them.
We stopped at Home Hill for our morning coffee at a comfort stop as they call it. Everything provided, clean toilets and showers and places you can park and stay overnight for a maximum of 20 hours. On then to Ayr, a very Italian town, with many Italian business names prominent throughout the town. This is the Burdekin Valley and we saw the Pioneer Sugar mills belching smoke stacks refining all the cane being brought in. Then on to Townsville which we skirted around on the new motorway that we hadn’t seen before, decided we had been there previously a couple of times a few years ago so we kept going. Many new roads and huge housing estates being built or being prepared for the houses to be built. This area is really progressing with many new roads and much work being done on the existing ones and all well signposted. Quite a few new shopping centres being built or just completed. Woolworths, Coles etc.
Disaster just as we drove through Rollingstone 110 klms out of Townsville when an overtaking 12 wheeler truck flicked up a loose stone and cracked our windscreen. It started just a small bullet hole hit and then we watched it progressively start cracking in a spider like fashion. My first thought was it going to disintegrate and land in our laps. Pushed on to Ingham where we stopped for petrol and directions to the windscreen repairers. No problem we were told. He wouldn’t recommend replacing the screen for that crack. Wait till it goes all over the place and then get it done in Cairns! No problem with safety as it was laminated. So we pressed on to an overnight rest just behind the Kennedy store on the Bruce Highway 12 Klms north of Cardwell. Set up using the gas to run the fridge and carrying our own water and running lights on the batteries we were all set up. Joined by three other overnighters we were all OK fir the night. It’s just that we were right beside the main train line to Cairns from Brisbane. Since arriving at 4 pm three trains have been through! Oh well we are staying here for free!
7/8/9 that’s our departure set up times. We were all showered, breakfasted, trailer packed up and pulling out just after 9.10am Not Bad.
Another great day though it was quite windy last night with the palm tree leaves brushing the top of the canvas all night. Still managed to sleep though. The stars were great, very bright with the Southern Cross clearly visible. Didn’t really get to meet too many people where we stayed as everyone kept to themselves. At around 9.30pm its dark and the place is like a morgue. Not a soul stirring and oh so quiet. I did venture off to the front of the caravan parks sea wall and started chatting to a guy who was hanging on to the end of a fishing line. He hadn’t had much luck and thought the fish probably thought he was there just to feed them. He was from Erith (?) North Kent and had been out here since 1992. He and his wife had had enough of the old country and they wanted to start a new life. He went on to say he was 51 now and they were buying a motel just north of Bowen. Just 12 rooms which they thought they could handle and would be a great way to live up here and have another change. He was still very English and laughed a lot. I hoped it would all work out for them and was in bed by 10pm myself!
Leaving Bowen on the A1 cane fields again on both sides. Many fields with tomatoes plants which were being picked by hordes of no doubt back packers extending their visas and earning some good money. Great irrigation arms watering the growing areas with all the water being pumped up the water table below. At last we saw vast areas where the cane had been cut and was now being eaten up by the cane cutting machines and dumping it into to the cane trains which were running all over the place and criss crossing the roads. Signs saying give way to cane trains, red lights flashing etc. I don’t think we would want to argue with them.
We stopped at Home Hill for our morning coffee at a comfort stop as they call it. Everything provided, clean toilets and showers and places you can park and stay overnight for a maximum of 20 hours. On then to Ayr, a very Italian town, with many Italian business names prominent throughout the town. This is the Burdekin Valley and we saw the Pioneer Sugar mills belching smoke stacks refining all the cane being brought in. Then on to Townsville which we skirted around on the new motorway that we hadn’t seen before, decided we had been there previously a couple of times a few years ago so we kept going. Many new roads and huge housing estates being built or being prepared for the houses to be built. This area is really progressing with many new roads and much work being done on the existing ones and all well signposted. Quite a few new shopping centres being built or just completed. Woolworths, Coles etc.
Disaster just as we drove through Rollingstone 110 klms out of Townsville when an overtaking 12 wheeler truck flicked up a loose stone and cracked our windscreen. It started just a small bullet hole hit and then we watched it progressively start cracking in a spider like fashion. My first thought was it going to disintegrate and land in our laps. Pushed on to Ingham where we stopped for petrol and directions to the windscreen repairers. No problem we were told. He wouldn’t recommend replacing the screen for that crack. Wait till it goes all over the place and then get it done in Cairns! No problem with safety as it was laminated. So we pressed on to an overnight rest just behind the Kennedy store on the Bruce Highway 12 Klms north of Cardwell. Set up using the gas to run the fridge and carrying our own water and running lights on the batteries we were all set up. Joined by three other overnighters we were all OK fir the night. It’s just that we were right beside the main train line to Cairns from Brisbane. Since arriving at 4 pm three trains have been through! Oh well we are staying here for free!
Thursday, 11 June 2009
In Bowen Thursday 11th
Thursday 11th June in Bowen (Home of the Big Mango)
Drove out to the Information Centre where they had a big Mango outside and picked up some more information for our trip further up north.
Quite a cold start to the day at 12deg. This is quite cold for here as the lows are usually around 17 deg. They say that Bowen is surrounded by some award winning beaches and secluded bays, so we drove out to the start of them. First up was Horseshoe Bay which is small and cosy with white sand and crystal clear water and just metres off shore there is a spectacular coral reef providing fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving. We both went for a swim as the day had warmed up considerably, (about 26deg) the water was great. Pity I hadn’t packed my mask and flippers. We decided to do one of the more challenging walking trails (2.5 klms) which have a quite a few climbs and also some fantastic views of the bays and beaches .Along the track there was an old site where there had been a World War ll radar station and an anti-aircraft guns. It’s all gone now but you can still see where it all been. During the war there was the base for the flying boats (Catalina’s) which operated bombing missions into the Far East. Up and on past Mother Bedrock a rock balanced precariously on a granite outcrop along some more great beaches, stopping to chat to some English girls who were up here picking tomatoes and so extending their visas for a year. It appeared they didn’t want to return home as there was no work and the weather was better up here. Back to the car we skipped lunch except for a shared apple and drove up to Flagstaff Hill for the sweeping views out and across the township and the bays and off shore the northern islands of the Whitsundays.consisiting of 74 islands extending down south to Mackay. Before driving back to the caravan we stopped off to buy a couple of fresh mackerel steaks and some prawns for dinner. We could see the fishing boats unloading so we knew it was very fresh. Had an early dinner and enjoyed a great healthy meal. Sat down for the evening and checked the maps out to see where we would head for tomorrow as we continue to make our way north and to the warmer weather which we are looking forward to.
Drove out to the Information Centre where they had a big Mango outside and picked up some more information for our trip further up north.
Quite a cold start to the day at 12deg. This is quite cold for here as the lows are usually around 17 deg. They say that Bowen is surrounded by some award winning beaches and secluded bays, so we drove out to the start of them. First up was Horseshoe Bay which is small and cosy with white sand and crystal clear water and just metres off shore there is a spectacular coral reef providing fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving. We both went for a swim as the day had warmed up considerably, (about 26deg) the water was great. Pity I hadn’t packed my mask and flippers. We decided to do one of the more challenging walking trails (2.5 klms) which have a quite a few climbs and also some fantastic views of the bays and beaches .Along the track there was an old site where there had been a World War ll radar station and an anti-aircraft guns. It’s all gone now but you can still see where it all been. During the war there was the base for the flying boats (Catalina’s) which operated bombing missions into the Far East. Up and on past Mother Bedrock a rock balanced precariously on a granite outcrop along some more great beaches, stopping to chat to some English girls who were up here picking tomatoes and so extending their visas for a year. It appeared they didn’t want to return home as there was no work and the weather was better up here. Back to the car we skipped lunch except for a shared apple and drove up to Flagstaff Hill for the sweeping views out and across the township and the bays and off shore the northern islands of the Whitsundays.consisiting of 74 islands extending down south to Mackay. Before driving back to the caravan we stopped off to buy a couple of fresh mackerel steaks and some prawns for dinner. We could see the fishing boats unloading so we knew it was very fresh. Had an early dinner and enjoyed a great healthy meal. Sat down for the evening and checked the maps out to see where we would head for tomorrow as we continue to make our way north and to the warmer weather which we are looking forward to.
Blacks Beach to Bowen Wednesday 10th June
Wednesday 10th June Travel from Blacks Beach to Bowen.
Another chilly morning, we were showered, breakfasted, packed up and moving out by 9.10am bound for Bowen via Airlie Beach. Beautiful countryside outside of Mackay, small treed hills, green cane fields and properties dotted on the hill tops. The cane stopped just outside of Airlie which is a massive area covered by the cane growers. However we have been told that this is even less than it used to be as many cane growers have turned their property over to companies which have paid big money for their land so than grow trees for carbon credits, or they are growing other products like peanuts, which is more profitable.
Drove into Airlie beach and passed the crocodile club where we stayed next door to about 15 years ago? Big shopping centre now next door to it and many housing developments. Drove down to the lagoon and parked so we could look around. Called Danielle at work for a chat. Met Heather and Graham who live in Sutherland and are on their way back home after visiting their daughter and son in law in Darwin. We exchanged travel tips; they have been away since 1st April and are using a trailer tent set up. They have had a great time and are sorry they have to get back, however they have to dog sit their other daughter’s dog so she can visit her sister in Darwin.
Drove on to Bowen, some camels in the fields and other live stock. Not much cane now and the landscape much drier. Much less water up here than in the Mackay region which was very green.
Couldn’t get into our first choice of Caravan Park, which was full and the cheapest. Found a space hard to come by so we had to go up market and stay in a Top 4 site, which we don’t like, as it’s as though we are living in a new housing estate, all concrete and very little grass. It is on the beach front though so is unfortunately more expensive. Set up, had lunch and then drove into Bowen for a look and see. It’s just like an old country town with its wide streets but is located on the coast. Saw the locations where the film Australia was filmed and had a walk around the town looking at some of the 24 murals painted on the sides of the buildings, depicting the diverse history of the town from its early settlement to the present day. http://www.tourismbowen.com.au/. Drove back and went for a walk along the beach side and then dinner and an early night. Tomorrow we will do some of the walks they recommend.
Another chilly morning, we were showered, breakfasted, packed up and moving out by 9.10am bound for Bowen via Airlie Beach. Beautiful countryside outside of Mackay, small treed hills, green cane fields and properties dotted on the hill tops. The cane stopped just outside of Airlie which is a massive area covered by the cane growers. However we have been told that this is even less than it used to be as many cane growers have turned their property over to companies which have paid big money for their land so than grow trees for carbon credits, or they are growing other products like peanuts, which is more profitable.
Drove into Airlie beach and passed the crocodile club where we stayed next door to about 15 years ago? Big shopping centre now next door to it and many housing developments. Drove down to the lagoon and parked so we could look around. Called Danielle at work for a chat. Met Heather and Graham who live in Sutherland and are on their way back home after visiting their daughter and son in law in Darwin. We exchanged travel tips; they have been away since 1st April and are using a trailer tent set up. They have had a great time and are sorry they have to get back, however they have to dog sit their other daughter’s dog so she can visit her sister in Darwin.
Drove on to Bowen, some camels in the fields and other live stock. Not much cane now and the landscape much drier. Much less water up here than in the Mackay region which was very green.
Couldn’t get into our first choice of Caravan Park, which was full and the cheapest. Found a space hard to come by so we had to go up market and stay in a Top 4 site, which we don’t like, as it’s as though we are living in a new housing estate, all concrete and very little grass. It is on the beach front though so is unfortunately more expensive. Set up, had lunch and then drove into Bowen for a look and see. It’s just like an old country town with its wide streets but is located on the coast. Saw the locations where the film Australia was filmed and had a walk around the town looking at some of the 24 murals painted on the sides of the buildings, depicting the diverse history of the town from its early settlement to the present day. http://www.tourismbowen.com.au/. Drove back and went for a walk along the beach side and then dinner and an early night. Tomorrow we will do some of the walks they recommend.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
IN Mackay Tuesday 9th June
Tuesday 9th June Blacks Beach
Shock/Horror we had been hit by a cold snap of 15 degs! However we were up and out to visit Sarina which we had driven through on our way here. We went to the Sarina Sugar Shed for a lesson on how the sugar is harvested through to its raw sugar stage and all the derivatives that our produced, such as Ethanol and molasses.This is the heartland of the sugar cane industry in Queensland. There is a window of 16 hours from the cutting of the cane to getting it to the mills. This is all done through a network of cane trains that they say is more complex than the London underground. The cane cutting should be starting in about 3 weeks time, Flowers can be see growing from the top of the cane which indicates that it is ready for harvesting.
Shock/Horror we had been hit by a cold snap of 15 degs! However we were up and out to visit Sarina which we had driven through on our way here. We went to the Sarina Sugar Shed for a lesson on how the sugar is harvested through to its raw sugar stage and all the derivatives that our produced, such as Ethanol and molasses.This is the heartland of the sugar cane industry in Queensland. There is a window of 16 hours from the cutting of the cane to getting it to the mills. This is all done through a network of cane trains that they say is more complex than the London underground. The cane cutting should be starting in about 3 weeks time, Flowers can be see growing from the top of the cane which indicates that it is ready for harvesting.
Thankfully it warmed up to a bright sunny day of 21 degs which we enjoyed as we had our home made lunch by the beach at Sarina. Drove home and took a long walk on our Blacks Beach, looking at all the marking that the soldier crabs make on the sand. They are about as big as your thumb nail (the soldier crabs) As Bazza said when I asked him about the time of the tides, Mate! when there lots of sand its low tide and when there no sand its high tide. Yeah thanks Bazza that really helps!
Returning to home just as the sun was setting beyond the headland. Quite a few people walking, some hitting golf balls, fishing, dogs! And a couple riding their horses along the 6 K stretch of sand. Time for another great dinner knocked up by Beatrice and a glass of wine, but not before we met a couple sitting out having a drink who told us of all the great places we should visit as we made our trip around OZ. We can’t see us getting home for at least 6 months! If we want to do and see everything we hear about. Tomorrow we go to Bowen for a couple of days, which is where they filmed the movie Australia; we will go via Airlie Beach just for a look see.
Mackay Monday 8th June Blacks Beach
Monday 8th June. Queens Birthday and Public Holiday
Up at 5.30 am to watch the sun rise over the ocean with its brilliant red, yellow glow. Well worth the early rise. A little cooler today. Decided to drive into the town of Mackay to have a look around. We left the caravan park at 9.30 just as our neighbours were getting up. They had to leave by a 10 am check out. We wished them the best of luck and found out later that they had struggled to leave by midday as the new occupants waited for them to move out.
Mackay City (River City) was deserted, all the shops closed, so we were able to walk all around the town and then along the board walk by the Pioneer River. With over twenty restored heritage-listed buildings and Queensland’s best collection of art deco architecture. Unfortunately these buildings were closed for the day. The Botanic Gardens were open but we decided that we drive out to the Marine Village for lunch where we enjoyed some great grilled fish and salad (some chips for me) The Marina is at the gateway to the Whitsundays and the stretch of coast known as the ‘100 Magic Miles” We drove right out along the breakwater to the entrance of the harbour and looked back at the marina which has up to 479 berths which includes the big boats and commercial fishing. From there we could see to the south of us the coal head terminal at Hay Point north of Sarina, this being one of the largest coal export facilities in the world. Waiting out at sea we could count up to 22 bulk carrier ships waiting to come into load up.Then there were all the islands off the coast ,the largest one being Brampton Island a tourist resort.
Up at 5.30 am to watch the sun rise over the ocean with its brilliant red, yellow glow. Well worth the early rise. A little cooler today. Decided to drive into the town of Mackay to have a look around. We left the caravan park at 9.30 just as our neighbours were getting up. They had to leave by a 10 am check out. We wished them the best of luck and found out later that they had struggled to leave by midday as the new occupants waited for them to move out.
Mackay City (River City) was deserted, all the shops closed, so we were able to walk all around the town and then along the board walk by the Pioneer River. With over twenty restored heritage-listed buildings and Queensland’s best collection of art deco architecture. Unfortunately these buildings were closed for the day. The Botanic Gardens were open but we decided that we drive out to the Marine Village for lunch where we enjoyed some great grilled fish and salad (some chips for me) The Marina is at the gateway to the Whitsundays and the stretch of coast known as the ‘100 Magic Miles” We drove right out along the breakwater to the entrance of the harbour and looked back at the marina which has up to 479 berths which includes the big boats and commercial fishing. From there we could see to the south of us the coal head terminal at Hay Point north of Sarina, this being one of the largest coal export facilities in the world. Waiting out at sea we could count up to 22 bulk carrier ships waiting to come into load up.Then there were all the islands off the coast ,the largest one being Brampton Island a tourist resort.
We then made our way back so we could go up to the old pub at Eimeo for the views, which we had visited on a previous trip. I couldn’t remember it so that’s why we went. Returned to our little home for dinner and a quiet time but were visited by Judy whom we had met the night before who stayed for a chat until quite late.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Yaamba to Mackay
Sunday 7th June
Last night decided that as this was a long weekend (Queens birthday Monday) we should book ahead and reserve a spot for our stay for the next few days. Took pot luck and called the Seawind Caravan park on Blacks Beach. It sounded good.
It’s all quite easy now. After waking up quite late at 8am, we had our breakfast and pulled out of the Yaamba road side stop just after 9am. As we headed north the country side, was hills, covered with eucalypts trees and then with areas cleared for cattle grazing mainly consisting of white Brahmas with their big humps on their backs, otherwise not much about. The road kill was quite prolific just north of Marlborough with dead wild life scattered everywhere attracting the birds that scattered as we approached. 160 klms north of Rockhampton we stopped at a driver revival outpost for our free cups of coffee and a biscuit. Met up with fellow grey nomads some of whom we had met up with in Childers. We swapped stories, where we had been and where we were all heading. All very friendly. These stop and survive outposts are a life saving godsend as it gets drivers to stop and rest for a short while and are manned by volunteers nonstop day and night over the long weekends and public holidays. This stretch of the road there aren’t many petrol stations around and with our petrol getting low I was becoming a little bit anxious. In future we have to ensure that we only leave the major towns with a full tank. Thankfully we were able to fill up at the Kalarka Roadhouse at a premium price. Obviously taking advantage of those that hadn’t planned too well. They were quite remote as when we asked what was around here they replied nothing much mate, there’s a beach down there and a few cattle about and not much people. We asked if he had any Sunday papers and he replied by the time they got them they were three days old!
Just north of Carmila the sugar cane fields were either side of the road. Very hot today for travelling at nearly 30deg so decided to run the a/c which is better than having the windows open as it causes too much drag. We pulled over at a Sarina rest stop to have our lunch and sat under a mandarin tree for our crackers of ham cheese and tomatoes. This Serenity coast journey that we are on between St Lawrence and Mackay stretches 160 klms and has a range of landscapes from vast unspoilt beaches and rocky headlands to fantastic views along the coast. We pressed on for Mackay and the Seawind Caravan Park on Blacks Beach, the city’s longest stretch of beach (about 6 Klms) that’s lined with with tropical gardens. Thank goodness for Mr Tom Tom as he directed us through the main part of Mackay and up to the northern beaches. I don’t think we would have found it so easily without his help. How lucky we were in our choice. We met Cheryl in the office whom I had had spoken to few times and she gave us a great site near the beach end. The test was on as we had to reverse park adjacent to the concrete slab. They were all there sitting around having their afternoon tea waiting to see how we made out. I hopped out of the car and our new next door neighbour dressed in his sarong asked if I needed any help, or maybe, as he was the best backer in the world he would do it for me. I declined and with some help we were successful after a bit of two and throwing. Bazza across the dirt road from us gave a hand clap and said well ‘done mate!’
Little did I know at the time, but Paul (the best backer) had along with his girlfriend had already consumed half a bottle of Bourbon when he had offered his assistance. Later that evening we had the pleasure of hearing all about he and his girlfriend and watch them finish the rest of the Bourbon. They had quite a story and were real characters. They came into our van and asked if the Elton John music they were playing was too loud and with that as an excuse brought with them ,their bottle and their next door neighbour, a mother of three travelling alone up to Cooktown where she was going to meet up with the rest of her family. Very entertaining and we stayed up late chatting, laughing and drinking. No time to write up the blog so has had to catch up for three days.
Last night decided that as this was a long weekend (Queens birthday Monday) we should book ahead and reserve a spot for our stay for the next few days. Took pot luck and called the Seawind Caravan park on Blacks Beach. It sounded good.
It’s all quite easy now. After waking up quite late at 8am, we had our breakfast and pulled out of the Yaamba road side stop just after 9am. As we headed north the country side, was hills, covered with eucalypts trees and then with areas cleared for cattle grazing mainly consisting of white Brahmas with their big humps on their backs, otherwise not much about. The road kill was quite prolific just north of Marlborough with dead wild life scattered everywhere attracting the birds that scattered as we approached. 160 klms north of Rockhampton we stopped at a driver revival outpost for our free cups of coffee and a biscuit. Met up with fellow grey nomads some of whom we had met up with in Childers. We swapped stories, where we had been and where we were all heading. All very friendly. These stop and survive outposts are a life saving godsend as it gets drivers to stop and rest for a short while and are manned by volunteers nonstop day and night over the long weekends and public holidays. This stretch of the road there aren’t many petrol stations around and with our petrol getting low I was becoming a little bit anxious. In future we have to ensure that we only leave the major towns with a full tank. Thankfully we were able to fill up at the Kalarka Roadhouse at a premium price. Obviously taking advantage of those that hadn’t planned too well. They were quite remote as when we asked what was around here they replied nothing much mate, there’s a beach down there and a few cattle about and not much people. We asked if he had any Sunday papers and he replied by the time they got them they were three days old!
Just north of Carmila the sugar cane fields were either side of the road. Very hot today for travelling at nearly 30deg so decided to run the a/c which is better than having the windows open as it causes too much drag. We pulled over at a Sarina rest stop to have our lunch and sat under a mandarin tree for our crackers of ham cheese and tomatoes. This Serenity coast journey that we are on between St Lawrence and Mackay stretches 160 klms and has a range of landscapes from vast unspoilt beaches and rocky headlands to fantastic views along the coast. We pressed on for Mackay and the Seawind Caravan Park on Blacks Beach, the city’s longest stretch of beach (about 6 Klms) that’s lined with with tropical gardens. Thank goodness for Mr Tom Tom as he directed us through the main part of Mackay and up to the northern beaches. I don’t think we would have found it so easily without his help. How lucky we were in our choice. We met Cheryl in the office whom I had had spoken to few times and she gave us a great site near the beach end. The test was on as we had to reverse park adjacent to the concrete slab. They were all there sitting around having their afternoon tea waiting to see how we made out. I hopped out of the car and our new next door neighbour dressed in his sarong asked if I needed any help, or maybe, as he was the best backer in the world he would do it for me. I declined and with some help we were successful after a bit of two and throwing. Bazza across the dirt road from us gave a hand clap and said well ‘done mate!’
Little did I know at the time, but Paul (the best backer) had along with his girlfriend had already consumed half a bottle of Bourbon when he had offered his assistance. Later that evening we had the pleasure of hearing all about he and his girlfriend and watch them finish the rest of the Bourbon. They had quite a story and were real characters. They came into our van and asked if the Elton John music they were playing was too loud and with that as an excuse brought with them ,their bottle and their next door neighbour, a mother of three travelling alone up to Cooktown where she was going to meet up with the rest of her family. Very entertaining and we stayed up late chatting, laughing and drinking. No time to write up the blog so has had to catch up for three days.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
1770 to Yaamba overnight stop
Saturday 6th June 2009
Leaving 1770 and travelling up the Discovery Coast to Mackay.
Thankfully no rain so we were able to pack up the trailer without the canvas being wet. However having camped under a fern tree for the last few days we were covered in twigs and firs which we had to thoroughly clean off before closing the roof down. Getting much better at the whole procedure now and we had it all fixed up in no time. Said goodbye to our new friends and drove out of the park just after 9am. A beautiful day at 22deg and clear blue skies. We headed out to Miriam Vale and joined the A1 north. The roads are continually being worked on though as this is Saturday we weren’t stopped by the man with the stop go/sign or the traffic signals. Still had to follow the speed zones though. Quite a few highway police patrols out so speed had to be monitored. The car cruises well at 90 and seems to be handling the towing ok. I’m beginning to perfect the hand wave now when other caravans pass by. It’s just a nonchalant lift of the hand from the wheel or just a lifted finger to acknowledge your fellow traveller. It is only those pulling vans that wave as the motor homes and tent trailers somehow don’t seem to wave. We have found that everyone is very chatty and are only too willing to help with the caravan backing in or out, hitching up etc if you look as though you need it. Most of them are permanently on the road and are able to give all sorts of help and advice as to where to stop off over night or stay for a few days. The main name of the game is to stay at the freebie spots which are quite numerous so we will try and use them ourselves when we can.
Looking for somewhere to stop we found a driver/survive offering free coffee and a cold drink for a small donation at the Historical Village on the Calliope River just beside the Bruce Highway 26 Klms south of Gladstone. We were happy to pull in and found a young French girl travelling with her boyfriend and another couple who are permanently travelling. Had a good chat and found that the older couple (!), who were under 64 had been on the road for years and wouldn’t want to do it any differently and intend to just keep driving and doing the odd work around the country. The young French girl whose partner was asleep in their combie van had been here for just under seven months and was heading down to Sydney as they had to be back home in a few months time. Needless to say they have been having a great time and say that the Australians are a very friendly lot and are mostly keen to chat to you.
We pressed on for Yeppoon via Emu Park where we stopped for lunch by the whistling ship which was erected to mark the landing of Captain Cook on 26th May 1770. They call this the discovery coast. It had all changed of course since we last visited over 30 years ago with the girls when we went over to the Great Keppel Island for a few days stay. These islands at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef have some of the most pristine beaches and unspoilt habitat that the reef has to offer. Leaving Yeppoon we rejoined the Bruce highway heading for Yaamba where we wanted to stop overnight. This was an off road location by a stop and survive location and only provided the basic public toilet facilities etc.
http://www.exploroz.com/Places/34555/QLD/Yaamba.aspx
We pulled in and set up just behind the pub where one other caravan had already set. Stuck my head into the pub at paid our $10 for the night which covered the cost of the power and then set up for the night. Decided to put the heavier covers out over the canvas as I had been advised that it was probably going to rain. This wisdom came from a traveller who had just set his tent up by the side of the road near us and was travelling with three birds that were sitting on their cage and hopping around the place. He says he never goes anywhere without them as they were his pals. I suppose at least they don’t answer him back or nag him. He says he chucks a cover over them when he wants some peace and quiet. I left Beatrice reading in the camper and went over to the pub to watch Australia play the Barbarians. Only a few people sitting up at the bar however in no time I had my ear bent by a local wearing a beat up straw hat and his little finger missing. A long story, his misses had just taken his three kids and he had just come back from his brothers in laws place where they had been welding the back gate of his ute which had been kicked out by this calf that was giving birth it went on and on................................................... I heard it all. The people you meet when you get out and about and away from the everyday life you are use to. I decided that the game was won by Australia so I hoped that it was all going to work for my farmer friend and that he would get his kids back. Sophie 13, Rose 2 and young Murphy who was just one. He says he is really missing them.
I’m writing too much, but it’s all so interesting.
Leaving 1770 and travelling up the Discovery Coast to Mackay.
Thankfully no rain so we were able to pack up the trailer without the canvas being wet. However having camped under a fern tree for the last few days we were covered in twigs and firs which we had to thoroughly clean off before closing the roof down. Getting much better at the whole procedure now and we had it all fixed up in no time. Said goodbye to our new friends and drove out of the park just after 9am. A beautiful day at 22deg and clear blue skies. We headed out to Miriam Vale and joined the A1 north. The roads are continually being worked on though as this is Saturday we weren’t stopped by the man with the stop go/sign or the traffic signals. Still had to follow the speed zones though. Quite a few highway police patrols out so speed had to be monitored. The car cruises well at 90 and seems to be handling the towing ok. I’m beginning to perfect the hand wave now when other caravans pass by. It’s just a nonchalant lift of the hand from the wheel or just a lifted finger to acknowledge your fellow traveller. It is only those pulling vans that wave as the motor homes and tent trailers somehow don’t seem to wave. We have found that everyone is very chatty and are only too willing to help with the caravan backing in or out, hitching up etc if you look as though you need it. Most of them are permanently on the road and are able to give all sorts of help and advice as to where to stop off over night or stay for a few days. The main name of the game is to stay at the freebie spots which are quite numerous so we will try and use them ourselves when we can.
Looking for somewhere to stop we found a driver/survive offering free coffee and a cold drink for a small donation at the Historical Village on the Calliope River just beside the Bruce Highway 26 Klms south of Gladstone. We were happy to pull in and found a young French girl travelling with her boyfriend and another couple who are permanently travelling. Had a good chat and found that the older couple (!), who were under 64 had been on the road for years and wouldn’t want to do it any differently and intend to just keep driving and doing the odd work around the country. The young French girl whose partner was asleep in their combie van had been here for just under seven months and was heading down to Sydney as they had to be back home in a few months time. Needless to say they have been having a great time and say that the Australians are a very friendly lot and are mostly keen to chat to you.
We pressed on for Yeppoon via Emu Park where we stopped for lunch by the whistling ship which was erected to mark the landing of Captain Cook on 26th May 1770. They call this the discovery coast. It had all changed of course since we last visited over 30 years ago with the girls when we went over to the Great Keppel Island for a few days stay. These islands at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef have some of the most pristine beaches and unspoilt habitat that the reef has to offer. Leaving Yeppoon we rejoined the Bruce highway heading for Yaamba where we wanted to stop overnight. This was an off road location by a stop and survive location and only provided the basic public toilet facilities etc.
http://www.exploroz.com/Places/34555/QLD/Yaamba.aspx
We pulled in and set up just behind the pub where one other caravan had already set. Stuck my head into the pub at paid our $10 for the night which covered the cost of the power and then set up for the night. Decided to put the heavier covers out over the canvas as I had been advised that it was probably going to rain. This wisdom came from a traveller who had just set his tent up by the side of the road near us and was travelling with three birds that were sitting on their cage and hopping around the place. He says he never goes anywhere without them as they were his pals. I suppose at least they don’t answer him back or nag him. He says he chucks a cover over them when he wants some peace and quiet. I left Beatrice reading in the camper and went over to the pub to watch Australia play the Barbarians. Only a few people sitting up at the bar however in no time I had my ear bent by a local wearing a beat up straw hat and his little finger missing. A long story, his misses had just taken his three kids and he had just come back from his brothers in laws place where they had been welding the back gate of his ute which had been kicked out by this calf that was giving birth it went on and on................................................... I heard it all. The people you meet when you get out and about and away from the everyday life you are use to. I decided that the game was won by Australia so I hoped that it was all going to work for my farmer friend and that he would get his kids back. Sophie 13, Rose 2 and young Murphy who was just one. He says he is really missing them.
I’m writing too much, but it’s all so interesting.
Friday, 5 June 2009
1770
Friday 5th June.
Birthday Girl Beatrice. The many phone calls and text messages received with Happy Birthdays were well received and made Beatrice very happy along with my card and the opening of Lynn and Bobs present and card we have been carrying since leaving Sydney.
Woke up to another beautiful day. Lots of coming and goings today with many caravans and tents being packed up as people move on. We thankfully have another night here and will be leaving on Saturday morning.
This morning we walked along Bustard bay up to Round Hill Head. We watched the cormorants doing their diving trick. Soaring up high and then making a vertical dive into the water way down and catching the fish. Many people fishing off the beach as we started to walk towards the headland. They were not having much success but most seemed contented to just sit in their chairs or stand gazing off into the bay. It was a good climb up to the headland of Round Hill where we had a great view right up Bustard Bay and round the other side to Agnes Waters Beach. It was a good walk and we felt really ready for some lunch. Had a wash and then walked back along the new walkway built to celebrate the 1770 landing by Cook on towards the Saltwater Cafe for Beatrice’s birthday lunch. Looking out over Bustard Bay we enjoyed a great meal and a few drinks. A good walk back to the caravan and a bit of a rest. Later on we walked over to the beach to watch the brilliant sunset over the bay. It being quite a ritual with many campers sitting on the sand with drinks in hand watching the evening glow.
Birthday Girl Beatrice. The many phone calls and text messages received with Happy Birthdays were well received and made Beatrice very happy along with my card and the opening of Lynn and Bobs present and card we have been carrying since leaving Sydney.
Woke up to another beautiful day. Lots of coming and goings today with many caravans and tents being packed up as people move on. We thankfully have another night here and will be leaving on Saturday morning.
This morning we walked along Bustard bay up to Round Hill Head. We watched the cormorants doing their diving trick. Soaring up high and then making a vertical dive into the water way down and catching the fish. Many people fishing off the beach as we started to walk towards the headland. They were not having much success but most seemed contented to just sit in their chairs or stand gazing off into the bay. It was a good climb up to the headland of Round Hill where we had a great view right up Bustard Bay and round the other side to Agnes Waters Beach. It was a good walk and we felt really ready for some lunch. Had a wash and then walked back along the new walkway built to celebrate the 1770 landing by Cook on towards the Saltwater Cafe for Beatrice’s birthday lunch. Looking out over Bustard Bay we enjoyed a great meal and a few drinks. A good walk back to the caravan and a bit of a rest. Later on we walked over to the beach to watch the brilliant sunset over the bay. It being quite a ritual with many campers sitting on the sand with drinks in hand watching the evening glow.
The smell of the log fires being lit and everyone settling down for evening drinks and something to eat was all the go. Having had a good lunch all we needed was some chicken soup for dinner. We met our new neighbours who had just arrived in a camper van, two German girls Leah and Madeleine so we invited them across to join us for a birthday drink with Beatrice. They are making their way up to Cairns over the next few weeks. No doubt we‘ll see them again on the trail.
Getting ready to pack up for tomorrow’s departure we settled down for the evening and bed.
Getting ready to pack up for tomorrow’s departure we settled down for the evening and bed.
At 1770 just wonderful
Thursday 4th June
Booked in for another day so will be leaving on Saturday. Very busy so was quite lucky they could fit us in. I wanted to be somewhere on Beatrice’s birthday so I could take her out to lunch at the local restaurant. Had a good walk along the ocean beach for a couple of hours in the morning and after lunch walked along Bustard Bay. Watched the sun set over the bay. Tired out had dinner and read etc before bed.
Booked in for another day so will be leaving on Saturday. Very busy so was quite lucky they could fit us in. I wanted to be somewhere on Beatrice’s birthday so I could take her out to lunch at the local restaurant. Had a good walk along the ocean beach for a couple of hours in the morning and after lunch walked along Bustard Bay. Watched the sun set over the bay. Tired out had dinner and read etc before bed.
At 1770
Wednesday 3rd June 2009
Left Childers stopping of for some groceries etc before heading for Bundaberg and on to the 1770 camp sight. www.1770campinggrounds.com Named after Captain Cooks first landfall in Queensland on the 24th May 1770 when the town celebrates his arrival with an annual festival. This area has as virtually remained unchanged for over 200 years. www.townof1770-agneswater.com .
Set up camp at 3pm after driving through some light rain and vast areas of sugar cane and avocado trees. Pickers could be seen working away.
Left the camp site at 6.30 to run into Agnes Waters and the pub on the courtesy bus. Had a good meal and watched NSW lose the game with a whole bunch of Queenslanders. Though there was some good support from all the NSW tourists. Picked up and came home in the pouring rain. Still quite warm and pleased to say no leaks in the trailer except from an open skylight we forgot to close.
Left Childers stopping of for some groceries etc before heading for Bundaberg and on to the 1770 camp sight. www.1770campinggrounds.com Named after Captain Cooks first landfall in Queensland on the 24th May 1770 when the town celebrates his arrival with an annual festival. This area has as virtually remained unchanged for over 200 years. www.townof1770-agneswater.com .
Set up camp at 3pm after driving through some light rain and vast areas of sugar cane and avocado trees. Pickers could be seen working away.
Left the camp site at 6.30 to run into Agnes Waters and the pub on the courtesy bus. Had a good meal and watched NSW lose the game with a whole bunch of Queenslanders. Though there was some good support from all the NSW tourists. Picked up and came home in the pouring rain. Still quite warm and pleased to say no leaks in the trailer except from an open skylight we forgot to close.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Travelling North
Tuesday 2nd June
Up early, a good breakfast and in no time we had everything locked down and ready to roll. Slept well so we were ready for a day’s driving. Heading for Childers and Tom Tom (TT) says we can get there by 3.pm. With lunch and a few rest stops 4pm should be no problem. Certainly not much traffic on the roads. On and up through Warwick on the A3 to Toowoomba. Miss read TT so made a bit of a scenic tour through the back streets, as Beatrice explained I really must take notice of TT and not try and know better. Having cleared Toowoomba we drove on through beautiful farm land, small hills in the distance corn fields, cultivated green corn fields not yet chopped. Lucerne hay under irrigation (looks like France with the yellow corn fields) Dead rabbits all over by the side of the roads. Signs stating there is a $30000.00 fine if you keep rabbits. No wonder they end up dead! School zones at 80ks and 70 ks on the main roads and only 40 on the side streets. Keeps the traffic moving much faster. Beatrice commented that may be the kids can run faster in Qld! (Sick) All very green and the dams appearing all to be full. Farm lands look great, many pine tree forests, some quite young others ready to be logged. Toowoomba is at quite at an altitude-they call it the Garden City. Saw alpacas grazing around Yarraman where we stopped for some lunch in a rest lay-by. Chatted to some other travellers and exchanged talk, where we were all going and had been, quite camaraderie amongst us all. This is also pig country. South Bernette we had some rain squalls. This is also a peanut region. Travelling well cruising at 85-90 have to keep reminding myself that I ‘m pulling a trailer.Musn’t get too confident! On ISIS Hwy past Ban Ban.Series of round hills like the Mendips in Somerset. The roads wind through small grassy hills down to the coast. This is where they say the coast meets the country. Spotted Brahman bulls and many other varieties. Heading for Biggenden to check out the caravan park there, didn’t like it as was right on the side of the road, so made for Childers. Pulled into Sugar Bowl Caravan Park for the night. Quite lucky to get a spot and had to basically set up on the front lawn to be joined by three others rigs that got the last spots. Not the best, very near the highway with many trucks passing heading to Bundaberg. Really quite good at setting up now and in no time we had our cup of tea and as it was getting dark decided to drive into Childers. Quite an historic town and one that has experienced a few tragedies, especially when the back packer’s hostel was destroyed by a fire bug and 16 backpackers were killed. The site has been rebuilt and a memorial has been set up to the lives lost. Other fires and lighting strikes have also contributed to its history. It looks well worth a visit in daylight so we’ll be back tomorrow to have another look. Back to the home and a cooked meal, red wine and write this blog that keeps me thinking and amused. Phoned ahead to 1770 to make a reservation for the next two nights as we want to ensure we have a place. Also want to be somewhere I (we) can watch the State of Origin. Whilst on the the phone to 1770 I was asked where I came from as he said there were too many New South Welshmen already staying there and he felt threatened! All in good humour! To bed and another day tomorrow.
Up early, a good breakfast and in no time we had everything locked down and ready to roll. Slept well so we were ready for a day’s driving. Heading for Childers and Tom Tom (TT) says we can get there by 3.pm. With lunch and a few rest stops 4pm should be no problem. Certainly not much traffic on the roads. On and up through Warwick on the A3 to Toowoomba. Miss read TT so made a bit of a scenic tour through the back streets, as Beatrice explained I really must take notice of TT and not try and know better. Having cleared Toowoomba we drove on through beautiful farm land, small hills in the distance corn fields, cultivated green corn fields not yet chopped. Lucerne hay under irrigation (looks like France with the yellow corn fields) Dead rabbits all over by the side of the roads. Signs stating there is a $30000.00 fine if you keep rabbits. No wonder they end up dead! School zones at 80ks and 70 ks on the main roads and only 40 on the side streets. Keeps the traffic moving much faster. Beatrice commented that may be the kids can run faster in Qld! (Sick) All very green and the dams appearing all to be full. Farm lands look great, many pine tree forests, some quite young others ready to be logged. Toowoomba is at quite at an altitude-they call it the Garden City. Saw alpacas grazing around Yarraman where we stopped for some lunch in a rest lay-by. Chatted to some other travellers and exchanged talk, where we were all going and had been, quite camaraderie amongst us all. This is also pig country. South Bernette we had some rain squalls. This is also a peanut region. Travelling well cruising at 85-90 have to keep reminding myself that I ‘m pulling a trailer.Musn’t get too confident! On ISIS Hwy past Ban Ban.Series of round hills like the Mendips in Somerset. The roads wind through small grassy hills down to the coast. This is where they say the coast meets the country. Spotted Brahman bulls and many other varieties. Heading for Biggenden to check out the caravan park there, didn’t like it as was right on the side of the road, so made for Childers. Pulled into Sugar Bowl Caravan Park for the night. Quite lucky to get a spot and had to basically set up on the front lawn to be joined by three others rigs that got the last spots. Not the best, very near the highway with many trucks passing heading to Bundaberg. Really quite good at setting up now and in no time we had our cup of tea and as it was getting dark decided to drive into Childers. Quite an historic town and one that has experienced a few tragedies, especially when the back packer’s hostel was destroyed by a fire bug and 16 backpackers were killed. The site has been rebuilt and a memorial has been set up to the lives lost. Other fires and lighting strikes have also contributed to its history. It looks well worth a visit in daylight so we’ll be back tomorrow to have another look. Back to the home and a cooked meal, red wine and write this blog that keeps me thinking and amused. Phoned ahead to 1770 to make a reservation for the next two nights as we want to ensure we have a place. Also want to be somewhere I (we) can watch the State of Origin. Whilst on the the phone to 1770 I was asked where I came from as he said there were too many New South Welshmen already staying there and he felt threatened! All in good humour! To bed and another day tomorrow.
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