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AUSTRALIA

An open-ended adventure by Wendy Read more
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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    A Long Hike

    August 11 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    This morning we visited the information centre. It is run by Qld National Parks. Lots of info about how the unusual land formed here, the indigenous history, which is dated back at least 28000 years, and the recent few hundred years of settlement in this area.

    This place is special. It feels special. It feels light and welcoming yet so very old and solid and predictable.

    We walked 6ks return to Royal Arch Cave but it was locked. You have to pay to tour there. Thete is plenty to see and do for free. This walk helped us feel the country. And I got to see a pretty big snake (dont ask me what) that crossed my path. I heard a rustle in the grass to the right of the path. I thought it was a lizard at first, and propped, but then a brown/blackish/reddish 1.5m snake slithered very fast across the track into the higher grass on the other side. How awesome was that.

    And we were so surprised to have to cross a little stream. It is the dry season and this walk would not be happening when the rain increases.

    We then had lunch at the local pub. I had THE BEST freshly crumbed whiting and chips. Bara for Mick. What a surprise this meal was. I will get online and give them a great review.

    We drove out to the Mungana section of the park. Lots of photos. A person can't help it because its quite amazing.

    This is one of the caves you can visit on your own. Mick crawled through in one and ended up a bit disorientated. Though there was no way to get completely lost he was glad to meet two people who passed me in the previous chamber where I waited and they explained to follow the rope. In these caves everything looks similar.

    We have decided to stay another night.

    A few more sites to see. 2 more free caves to explore and balancing rock and the old smelter and weir to visit tomorrow. And also a motor museum collected by an 88 year old collector. He is next door to the park. And the man at the post office told Mick about this old man and his motor collection.

    Mick is of doing the observatory tonight. He might have some photos of that to share tomorrow.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    A shady spot with my solar fan to work and do some art
    A shady spot with my solar fan to work and do some artOur set up and Micks dartboardA dripping tap is water for so many birds.Sunset last nightA kitten and a wallaby visit us together1Sunrise ChillagoeSunrise this morningGalahs waiting for the sun.

    Sunsets, Sunrises and kittens

    August 10 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    A little kitten, obviously a feral stray, has shown up at camp here. Last night we were watching the grand final of Masterchef under the awning and both the wallaby and kitten showed up at the same time. The photo made me laugh.

    Spectacular sunrise this morning. I am able to sleep here with my windows not shuttered and my skylight open. I woke up through the night a few times last night and actually stopped to smell the air. The only way to describe how fresh and clean it smells is with the words "sweet smelling fresh air". I look out the window or up at the roof and I see stars. It is so quiet. And dark.

    This morning I opened my eyes and saw these colours. I jumped out of bed and went immediately outside. The morning sky was stunning. It has been a long time since I have jumped out of bed excited for the day. Not like this morning. Its been a very long time. And I am excited to feel this more and more.

    There are so many birds here. Lots of galahs. They were all sitting in the tree this morning waiting for the sun to come over the hill.

    We then went exploring and walking. Lots of photos to follow.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Chillagoe

    August 9 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We travelled to Chillagoe this morning. We headed to a free camp 35ks inland of Chillagoe on the Walsh River.

    Not much water in it. Quite pretty. But dirt road running past and it was just so dusty. A bit of rain and it would be boggy and also a site very hard to manuvere out of.

    So back into Chillagoe we went. We ended up at Chillagoe Eco Lodge and caravan park as well as a private observatory.

    We are enjoying the quiet. The dark. Being in nature. No traffic.

    Mick will hopefully do the observatory night tour tomorrow night. And there is a pool. Its hot enough for a swim.

    A day at camp tomorrow. Cook a smoked chicken in the Webber.

    We will sight see the national park on Tuesday. Do some walks. Check out some caves.

    We really need a bit of time not going anywhere.

    The sunset just changed the colours everywhere around us. Hard to get a good photo.

    Thankful for the change of scenery with sunshine and very blue skies.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Sleep Over at the Drive In

    August 8 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We went to the drive in at Mareeba last night. We stayed overnight. $14 bucks each and we saw Spiderman, Brand New Day and Sheep Detectives.... and then we got to set up the van and stay the night amongst so many others who did the same.

    We purchased a hamburger and icecream each. Supporting this venture feels good. A great night including accommodation for only $66. Value right there.

    We are of to Chillagoe now to find a quiet out of the way spot if possible for a few nights and days chill time.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    This is a huge male. Look at how long he is in the water.
    This is a huge male. Look at how long he is in the water.This is the big male before he got angry at another croc and swam to another bank.Magnificent bird.?Female on the shore

    Visiting Daintree

    August 7 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    We are in awe. On Wednesday we took a boat ride on the Daintree River upstream which is fresh water. Today we took the boat downstream towards the mouth of the river into mangrove areas which is salt water.

    I have a ridiculous amount of crocodile photos. Its not even their active season and we have seen so many in the wild and when we visited Hartleys Crocodile Farm.

    Firstly salt water 🐊 crocodiles can live in fresh water and salt water. Don't be tricked.

    A crocodile cannot swallow, instead it lifts its head up to let food drop down its throat.

    Crocodiles have big teeth but they dont actually chew as such. They rip of pieces of meat and throw it back down their throats. They can digest bones and crab shells.

    Crocs can stay under water for up to 7 hours but definitely for 4.

    Crocs actually dont need a lot of food and can not eat for months at a time. Longest recorded time was 18 months.

    You cannot see a crocodile when it's stalking in the water.

    They can launch up to 5 metres.

    The male crocodile is the biggest. They are cannibals and eat each other and their young.

    They dont raise their babies.

    1 in 100 survive to adulthood.

    Crocs have their mouths open to help get more heat into them.

    Crocs cannot be rehomed in another area. They will return back to their own home ground area. That is why a troublesome Crocodile ends up in captivity.

    The trade of crocodile leather nearly wiped them out by poachers. But conservation efforts at crocodile farms have helped to make the poachers leather hold no value. Win win for the crocs as their numbers have increased and stabilised is qld and nt.

    So many facts.

    So here are our crocodile photos and some videos. Also photos of Daintree River    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Cape Tribulation Daintree

    August 5 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    On Wednesday we went across the Daintree River on the ferry. We drove as far as we could to the start of the Bloomfield track.

    There is a terrible quality video on here but it is very funny of our drive.

    This entire area is very commercially run. So many resorts. Lots of businesses vieing for your dollars. I think about 500 permanently live in this area.

    There is still plenty of free stuff to do for walks and siteseeing.

    We enjoyed the drive, the views, the boardwalks. It was another wet day.

    I discovered so many different plants I had never seen. I particularly love the Large Fruited Red Mahogany tree. Photo in here.

    We did not wander down beach's and certainly not near water edge.

    A German tourist luckily survived but lost a leg while sunbathing close to water at Port Douglas.

    So we have visited in unseasonable wet winter weather and have not swum anywhere at all yet. Still to cool for us in the mountain streams you can swim at or the pool.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Mossman Gorge

    August 4 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Today was Tuesday and we visited Mossman Gorge. It was a lovely morning. You drive there and buy a ticket each for the bus that takes you up to the walking area. It cost $15 each. Same as they do in Cradle mountain but you can buy a pass there because there is so much to do. The walks are board walks here at Mossman. There is a longer hike but its not a proper track. So we walked the board walks though the rain forest and we walked the suspension bridge to nowhere. Lol.

    Im glad I ticked it of but its not a Gorge as it is more like viewing the Mossman river. Maybe it needs to be seen in wetter weather.

    We then called into a little beach side town called Cooya for our picnic lunch. You can see Port Douglas in the distance.

    We went down to Smeales Park to play yatzee and watch a sunset. It was to cloudy tonight. But every night this is where people go and gather. There is one photo of hardly a person and another one of it full. People had drums and guitars and a bunch of shirtless young men were playing soccer in the distance. Its a very chill hippy vibe.

    We went for a pizza. Another reminder to stick to making our own food. Wasn't very good. But we did get a nice icecream cone afterwards.

    Came back to a very noisy camp site. There is a very large back packer motel next door over the fence. They are noisy every night. Pool parties and doof doof and drunk screachy women and loud mouth blokes. Lol. So I'm tucked away in my van with the air con blasting to drown out the noise.

    We are heading to Daintree and Cape Tribulation tomorrow.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Baron Falls, Kuranda Qld

    August 3 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    This is the second time I have visited Baron Falls at Kuranda that are described as mighty yet every time I see them they are low on water. But the FREE walk through the rainforest in the trees was perfect. And it was aptly raining in the rainforest.

    We did not go on the train and instead walked through the rainforest. We watched the train come in... literally a handful of people got of ( it was drizzling rain) and within less than 15 minutes they were ushered back on the train and they were gone. The remainder sat in the train, heads in phones, we could see so many through their windows.

    We also passed so many people walking so fast its amazing they see anything at all.

    It blows my mind the ability of the indigenous to these rainforest who lived here so comfortably until they couldn't. Such a rich source of food and a environmental knowledge that is hard to comprehend. They are working hard with all walks of life to keep their knowledge alive. With no written language and everything being oral I can understand how urgent it is to record as much as possible of their knowledge.

    Then the pictures of the railway men. Such a crazy hard way to get through the depression years.

    We managed to avoid the silly busyness of the markets, with arriving on a Monday morning at 10am in Kuranda. Got a car park. And avoided the crowds. Everywhere you look and go someone is vieing for your dollars.

    Skywalks through tree tops is expensive but at Baron Falls walk it was beautiful and free. Walks through the rainforest is free. We take our own picnic lunch and Thermos. A box of muesli bars. Mick can have a beer with his lunch without forking out another 10 bucks for a pot of beer or 6 bucks for a teabag and hot water. We get to sit in nature. Away from crowds.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    Pied HeronYellow-Crowned Amazon from South AmericaWhistling Duck. Native BirdAlexandria Parrot. India and South-east AsiaSatin Bower Bird. Native BirdBush-stone Curlew. Native BirdGlossy Ibis. Native BirdRajah Shelduck. Native BirdWhite-faced Heron. Native BirdPied-Imperial Pigeon. Native BirdCattle Egret. WorldwideBar-shouldered Dove. Native Bird. This is a bird we always hear in Bauple but never knew what it wasCommon Bronzewing. Native BirdIndian Ringed-neck Parakeet. Africa and AsiaRainbow Lorikeet. Native BirdEclectis ParrotYellow-crowned Amazon. South AmericaWandering Whistling Duck. Native Bird1

    Birdworld Kuranda

    August 3 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    What a wonderful experience this little park in Kuranda was yesterday. I have named all the bird photos. More to follow.

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Port Douglas Far North QLD

    August 1 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    This is an incredibly beautiful place. It is clean, neat, tidy, and you can clearly see money everywhere.

    Ralf drove us all around this little township yesterday. Having a local to show us around we have been able to eat out without spending a fortune.

    Yesterday we went to The Tin Shed for lunch and I simply had the BEST EVER Steak Sandwich - ever - in my life. Not one bit of grissle - so tender and easy to eat - and only $23 with Ralf's member discount. This was only the second time eating out while travelling - that is a killer of an expense - much less expensive and more predictable in quality when we make our own food.

    Shopping for groceries is a completely different matter now - we don't waste any food - we use what we have - our shopping has become very intentional and we don't always just buy what we want with no thought of expense. I am really enjoying this part of the journey - less is more - enough is enough.

    Today we will eat out for lunch again with Ralf - he is taking us to the irish Pub - $20 for a huge roast lunch which he swears is the best ever as well. Then there is a musician he likes that is playing across the road and we will go in there for a bit of a Sunday session. Hope they have TEA - LOL

    Tonight I have secured two free tickets to a KIRTAN Event at Smeales Park - waterfront under the stars - chanting, meditation and just good energy vibes - unfortunately it is pouring rain - again everyone says it is unseasonal - but its raining and the alternative venue will be the community hall - so we will see what happens.

    Last night Mick went out with Ralf for a night on the Port Douglas town - he is nursing a hang over - and is sleeping before we go out again today at 11.30. But he had a fabulous time and a special treat to catch up with a mate and his mates friends.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    Babinda

    Josephine Falls

    July 30 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    These photos will continue with Josephine Falls on Mount Bartle Frere, the tallest mountain in QLD... in
    Wooroonooran National Park, Tropical North Queensland (about 50 km south of Cairns).Official Height: 1,611.2 metres (revised by Geoscience Australia)
    Indigenous Name: Choorechillum (Ngajanji nation).    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Babinda Boulders

    July 30 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Oh My Goodness.
    This place has no words.
    Except possibly, swim where you are allowed to, do not go in where you are told not to. Since 1916... 21 people have died here at what is referred to as the Devils Pool. And even with the signs people still ignore it.

    But its magic 101...    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    A Reasonably Sunny Day

    July 29 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    On Wednesday we travelled back to Malanda and continued on to Atherton, Yungaburra, Lake Eacham and Curtain Fig.

    We were now seeing the countryside in sunshine.

    The spread of the soulless housing estates is everywhere. The same houses you find everywhere with block sizes maybe a fraction bigger.

    Yungaburra is a lovely little township. The mighty cancerous Woolworths has not infiltrated yet. Flowers in pots, friendly people, like a postcard were Micks words.

    Lake Eacham is an old volcano plug and walkers are welcome with swimming area set up well. Like a huge pool.

    And curtain fig is goodness knows how old. How it survived all the decimation of the area is beyond me. This fig has taken out 6 other trees. It is magnificent.

    We attended the evening light tour of Paronella Park on Wednesday night.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Waterfalls and Rain

    July 27 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Monday gone we went for our first drive into the Atherton Tablelands.

    The weather was wet and cloudy. Typical of this area yet the locals feel it is unusually wet for this time of year.

    We visited waterfall way and walked to the closest ones. Drove to Malanda where we visited their highly informative tourist info centre.

    Mick and I both had never heard of a tree kangaroo. Really. Amazing creature that is very hard to see in the wild.

    We learnt about the indigenous peoples from this area and also the pioneers who settled here. I can't help but constantly imagine what it would have been like before sugar cane was everywhere and so much native food and water in abundance.

    But it beautiful.

    We were both in awe of the scenery around every bend. Even in the wet weather it was beautiful.

    The next day, Tuesday, we did not venture out at all. Put part of the annex up and pretended to be ducks for the day.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Paronella Park

    July 25 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    I have wanted to visit this place for years.

    I arrived here a few days ago. I am not disappointed. I was overwhelmed with awe on our first visit with guided tour explaining everything about this incredible place, and the audacity and dream making of one man.

    The entry ticket includes as many visits as you want in 2 years. It includes guided intro tour. A night lighting spectacular that we will be attending on Wednesday night. And a free night camp in their spacious, clean, modern caravan park.

    Just wow. And then to top it of I have not received customer service like offered there in so many many years. You are made to feel welcome. You are not treated like a nuisance.

    We are going to walk around again on a sunny day on Thursday. We have seen it in the rain now and we will see it at night on Wednesday but the sun will be out on Thursday and we will wander around the park again.

    If you are interested then here is the link to the history. But until you actually step inside here it is so hard to imagine the tenacity of one person's dream building.

    https://www.paronellapark.com.au/about/the-park…    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    Sam and Wendy. Lucinda. QLD
    Sam and Wendy. Lucinda. QLDBalgal Beach QldBalgal Beach Qld1Front yard car art. Balgal Beach QldForrest BeachForrest BeachSam running with her new puppy. ThorForrest BeachBathing Area... loved the old school descriptionMark, Sam and ThorThor. Absolutely adorable and very spoilt puppyMural walk in Ingham.Sam and WendySugar Cane Jetty

    Forrest Beach

    July 24 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After leaving Alva a few days ago we changed plans and called into Forrest Beach on the coast outside of Ingham Qld.

    Sam invited us to drop in for a visit to their block of land they have had for a few years now and are spending winter enjoying the weather.

    I met Sam through her attending my women's workshops on The Deck in Bauple. We had a chance on this visit to get to know each other better. I am so very glad we had this opportunity.

    We had such a pleasant visit and Mark and Sam showed us around their little paradise with such beautiful geniune hospitality.

    Mark took us into Ingham for coffee the next morning and then a visit to Lucinda to see the jetty and have lunch.

    This is a beautiful area with the longest jetty to transfer sugar cane to waiting ships. It is truly remarkable engineering. There is literally sugar cane EVERY WHERE. Healthy huge acres and acres everywhere with the sugar cane trains running all the time.

    " The Lucinda Bulk Sugar Wharf in Far North Queensland features the longest service jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It measures 5.76 kilometres (about 5.8 km) long, curves to follow the earth's actual contour, and is supported by more than 660 steel and concrete pylons."

    Hinchinbrook Island is right there. It is all mountains. It's massive. Huge. Incredible shape. Devours the entire view. And you have to book two years in advance to do the hike/camp around the island. I just had no idea. So now I have some yet visiting this island will have to wait for another time.

    "Hinchinbrook Island is a raw, rugged, and completely uninhabited national park featuring cloud-scraping granite peaks, pristine beaches, and the famous Thorsborne Trail. Located off the tropical coast of Queensland between Townsville and Cairns, it is Australia's largest island national park and limits visitor numbers to just 40 people on the island at a time.

    Accommodation: There are no hotels, shops, or resorts on the island; self-sufficient bush camping is the only option.
    Swimming on beaches is prohibited due to saltwater crocodiles."

    We moved on after this visit to Paronella Park.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    1A cement table and chairs and fire pit on the beach. Obviously for the locals.All around here is also wetlands. So many birds.Cooking dinnerWebber burgers1

    Sunshiney Day @Alva

    July 23 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    No fish. Sad face.
    But it doesn't matter really. Being on the sand and fishing was enough.

    Darts went well last night. They thought Mick was going to play every week and didn't realise he was travelling through. But he had a grand time.

    I really enjoyed today. Very relaxed.

    Plans have changed again. I have a friend who is currently at a beach past Townsville. We are going to visit her tomorrow and stay for a night. Paronella Park will wait till Saturday now.

    My instinct went to no. Stick to plans.
    But I said yes.
    I'm glad I did.
    It will be great to have some company.
    An extra opportunity to see another place here in North Qld.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Alva Beach Qld

    July 21 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We didnt plan on where to stay yesterday. We just headed for the halfway point to Paronella Park which is where we are booked in on Friday 24th for 4 nights.

    We wanted beach. Sunshine. A little more warmth. I found a independent caravan park 14ks outside of Ayr. And it is paradise. Not one house for sale. It was $105 for three nights. No power needed. But laundry. Beach. Fishing. And shorts weather but not for the pool.

    Mick saw a sign that tonight there is a dart night at the bowls club. He rang and is going to join them tonight. He is very very happy.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    11132

    Eungella NP

    July 20 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    On Monday we ventured up into the mountains of Eungella ( pronounced yun-ga-la) and were blessed with decent clear sky's. The rain came in when we got back to camp. The clouds completely covered the mountains the next morning. So we counted our good fortune and blessings to see what we saw on Monday morning.

    I have put captions on the photos.

    This is absolutely beautiful country.

    Another clear short video of a platypus.

    And another video of the rainforest with all the bird sounds. Magic.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    Camp at Pinnacle Family Hotel
    Camp at Pinnacle Family HotelView from Pinnacle site until everyone arrived throughout afternoon.Master Chef1Drive out to Eungella Dam on MondayEugella Dam

    Remainder of photos for Eungella NP

    July 19 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    If you feel overwhelmed at my posts I am sorry, but this is my record of our journey. So lots more to come.

    The Eungella Dam photos show a serene waterside area where carabans and a few campers were enjoying the peace. And then a bus load of teenage girls arrived right where we are parked. With a trailer load of canoes and tents. How's the serenity then. They were all talking at once. It was hilarious and we were so glad we were just stopping for a cuppa.Read more