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Winter in Queensland
  • Helen and Charlie Leahy
  • Helen and Charlie Leahy

Winter in Queensland

Destination Cape York! Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 29, 2024
  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Yamba

    May 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Long drive to Yamba for our first overnight stop. Great Italian dinner at Sarrafras in Yamba before arriving at the campground on the Clarence River.

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    Main Beach
    View from the hotel balcony

    Exploring Yamba

    May 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    A glorious day walking around the “next Byron Bay” (unfortunately say the locals!) Wish I had lots of room in the 4x4 to buy all the goodies.

    Visited the Pacific Hotel on Main Beach where Mum and Dad honeymooned 74 years ago, looked very tired on the outside but apparently 9 rooms have been renovated and it is the entertainment hub of Yamba.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Maroochydore

    May 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Bit of rain around and slow going through Brisbane but eventually arrived in Maroochydore in time for dinner. Walked along the beachfront promenade, lots and lots of apartments and quite a few looked pretty okay!

    Early morning walk along the beach before hitting the road north.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    The Shoplifters

    Coolum

    May 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Revisited Coolum - after about 20 years! It has definitely grown but feels like it still has a soul. Had a little seaside entertainment with The Shoplifters by the beach.

    Stopped at Queens Park in Maryborough for a picnic lunch.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Bargara

    May 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    15kms east of Bundaberg is this picturesque beachside suburb. Camped about 1.5kms out of the main strip. Walked in for an early dinner.
    Packed up early the next morning before the rain arrived.

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    1

    Rockhampton

    Jun 1–2, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Travelled through or past Rocky a few times before so thought we should stay a while. Camped on the Fitzroy River and walked over to the city centre and wandered around for a few hours and enjoyed lunch at the Riverston Tea Rooms.

    After a quick Google we discovered that Rockhampton was having a crack down on crime which would explain the constant sirens we could hear during the day and evening.

    I was attacked by midgees that afternoon (mainly my arms which were exposed).    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    Tide is out
    Tides in!

    Clairview

    Jun 2–4, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Home for the next 2 nights, Clairview is a rustic beachside community, with golden sands famous for crabbing. These waters are a protected sanctuary for the endangered mammal, the Dugong.

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    Sunrise

    10,000 steps

    June 3, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Put our walking shoes on and walked about 4kms up the beach past the beach shacks and homes along the water’s edge as far as the community hall which for 6 months of the year houses a charity shop raising funds for the RFS. Returned to camp via the road.

    This afternoon, when it was low tide, we walked out to sea as far as we could along a sandbar, over rocks and barnacles - about 1.5km off shore. In about 6 hours it will be high tide again with the waves at our campsite.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    A noisy Curlew

    Airlie Beach

    June 4, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    First night at the campground was pretty bad with chronic smokers at the back - so checked into the Airlie Beach Hotel. Charlie managed to get a wheel alignment. Explored town on foot.

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Murray Bay

    June 6, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    It just gets better!

    Mt Inkerman for a picnic stop - this lookout offers views to the north and east overlooking the mouth of the Burdekin River.

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Townsville

    June 6, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    After picking up a new water tank tap in Townsville we decided to check into the Tasman park in Rowes Bay where we have stayed before. Walked along the beach and under the amazing banyan trees as the sun was setting.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    South Mission Beach

    Jun 7–9, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Can’t believe it’s only been 9 months that we were here last, and on the same site at the Tasman caravan park. Saw a cassowary on the way in but couldn’t get the camera going in time.

    Stopped at the Hinchinbrook lookout as the weather was clearer than last year - pulled into Cardwell for lunch.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    Sunrise over Trinity Bay

    Palm Cove

    Jun 9–13, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Arrived early Sunday afternoon - Giselle and Roy (who were driving up to Port Douglas for 4 days to celebrate his birthday) met us at the campground then we went for lunch at the beachside pub.

    Back to the campground to finally see our Cape travelling buddies, Annette and James! We’ll spend the next four days in Palm Cove catching up on travelling tales, relaxing, exploring, eating and drinking together and generally have fun!

    On Wednesday night Mel came up from Cairns (en route to Thursday Island for work) and we all enjoyed a yummy meal at Vivos.

    Up early on Thursday morning to catch the sunrise over Trinity Bay. Lots of activity on the foreshore, paddlers, runners, walkers and workmen (getting ready for Sunday’s Ironman race).    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    Looking towards Palm Cove
    Looking towards Kewarra Beach

    Clifton Beach

    June 12, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Giselle and Roy dropped in for a quick visit on their way back to Cairns, then we walked south along the beach and walking tracks to Kewarra Beach .

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    1Mango coconut smoothie - so yum
    Sugar wharf from Anzac ParkSt Mary's by the SeaLooking towards the marinaMacrossan Street

    Port Douglas

    Jun 13–17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Slower than usual drive up the Captain Cook Highway due to continued roadworks after the many landslides that cut the highway off in December last year after heavy rainfall. Some sections are still down to one lane only.
    We went into the shopping strip for brunch, did a small shop at Coles and then wandered down to Anzac Park and the Sugar Wharf before returning to camp so that Charlie could re-tension the new drive belts on the engine and air conditioning before the big shake up heading to the Cape.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Mossman Gorge

    June 14, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    James was our chauffeur today - first stop Mossman Gorge Discovery Centre from where we did a self guided tour of the gorge.

    Caught the shuttle bus to the beginning of the walk, first to a lookout with views of the Mossman River and the mountain ranges beyond. The track includes two sections of elevated boardwalk which pass through the lower rainforest canopy.
    Next section is a circuit track beginning just past the Rex Creek suspension bridge. On the left, 80m from the bridge a small lookout provides views of Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi). A little way past the lookout, the track divides to form the circuit that meanders through the rainforest with access to the river in parts.

    After eating our picnic lunch at the centre and admiring the artworks in the discovery centre, we set off to Daintree Village and explored the surrounding area.

    Back at Port Douglas we went up to the lookout on Flagstaff Hill then back to camp where James and Annette continued to spoil us with dinner!    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Port Douglas markets and lookout

    June 16, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    The four happy campers set off on foot this sparkling morning to the markets at Rex Smeal Park at the end of Macrossan Street. I bought a delicious mango and pineapple ice block - and a long sleeved silk shirt to hide from the sun.

    Brunch at our favourite Cafe Fresq then down to Four Mile Beach and up to the lookout.

    Back to camp to rest and do some washing before starting our trek further north tomorrow.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Cooktown

    June 17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Up early this morning for the 3 hour drive to Cooktown. Stopped at the Rollo Gallop Bridge lookout for a late breakfast. Also stopped at the bridge over the Annan River.

    We arrived in Cooktown just before midday and secured two sites.

    Cooktown is one of the few large towns in the Cape York Peninsula and was founded in 1873 as a supply port for the goldfields along the Palmer River.

    Once Annette and James arrived we had lunch then did a self guided tour of town. First stop the main street to the wharves, Grassy Hill for a 360 degree view, Finch Beach and the Botanic Gardens. Back to camp and then we walked back along the waterside.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    PDRSmoky view from lookoutPort of Weipa - loading bauxite

    Weipa

    June 19, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Up very bright and early today - not too many corrugations, a few shallow creek crossings and reasonable sections of bitumen. Coen was our first stop, a small remote town on the Cape York Peninsula with a rich mining and pastoral heritage, and an 80% indigenous population.

    Archer River roadhouse was our stop for lunch and where a huge bridge is being constructed.

    Weipa camping ground, right on the beach at the Gulf of Carpentaria, is home for the next 2 nights.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler
    Fruit Bat Falls
    Fruit Bat FallsTwin Falls

    The Falls

    June 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Toured the three falls today. First stop at the spectacular Fruit Bat Falls for a refreshing swim and not many other people.

    Eliot Falls was another 6kms further on where James and Annette had another swim.

    A short walk further on brought us to Twin Falls where there were more people swimming.

    Lunch at the camping area which had good sized sites.

    Thought we’d return to Fruit Bat falls for an afternoon swim but the parking area was full so gave it a miss and returned to last night’s camping spot about 12kms south of the falls.

    We enjoyed another scrumptious meal thanks to Annette and James.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyWinter in QueenslandTraveler

    Seisia

    Jun 23–27, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up early again and arrived at the Jardine River ferry without having to wait too long.

    Straight to the campground in Seisia to see if we could get a site a day earlier than planned. We got a powered site on the beach with a hut which is a large shelter with power, sinks and fixed table. There were many wild horses ambling through the campground.

    During our 4 days at Seisia we heard many stories of 4x4s being damaged on the road up especially the Old Telegraph Track (OTT).    Read more

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