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    🇦🇺 Winton Shire, Australia
    Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende

    Hit By Whirlywind

    29. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We came back to camp yesterday to this.

    Video and photos attached.

    A whirlwind had come through the campsite yesterday while we were out. Thank goodness we were not here. It travelled directly over our caravan. Noone else's. Just ours. Lol.

    Most things were packed away. The awning had the antiflap kits on and was screwed to the ground. The clothsline was ocy strapped to the awning.

    Apparent it came directly across the paddock. Hit our caravan. Ripped the awning out of the ground and blew it up and over and across the caravan roof to the other side and sent bits of anti flap and awnings legs over the caravan. Everything landed on the other side and was flapping away on the roof. Thank goodness there was noone on the other side of us close by.

    A man saw it happen and he and another man managed to use Micks ladder and get it of the roof and tie it up with tent rope and secure it.

    He waited until we got back about 4pm. This happened around midday. He was camped across from us a little way away.

    Wow. Ripped the electrics out of the awning. Lots of photos. Lots of videos. Name and numbers of 2 witnesses. So insurance will cover it. $750 excess later but better than thousands. I have to wait till tomorrow morning to claim but I am sure that its not a problem.

    But it's the inconvenience yet matched with gratitude that firstly there were people to help stop any further damage to the caravan and its roof... and secondly that I wasn't sitting under it and that micks awning on the car wasn't out or his roof top tent up. We would have lost it all and possibly been hurt.

    Apparently it happened that quick.

    Repairs can wait now until October when she goes in for solar work and a full service.

    We are okay. Thats what is important and noone was hurt.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    Octopus TreeOctopus Tree2Octopus Tree11Lunch at the 20 k end. SCRAMMY LookoutSpinifex Pidgeon2Winton main streetWinton Main StreetWinton Main Street

    Blandensburg NP Qld

    29. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Yesterday morning we drove to Blandensburg N P. We thought maybe a few hours. Again we were very surprised to discover history, scenery, views, and a great 20 in and 20 back out 4wd which gave Mick a good chance on reasonably easy tracks to familiarise himself with Silver. And she is perfect. Dirt roads are better than sealed up here.

    This park has transferred back from lease to the government and into a national park to preserve its uniqueness as well as history.

    The wool shed was so interesting and is from 1800s and closed down in 1980s. We stood in the spot that the big shearers strike sit in happened, and was lost. Apparently this is the beginnings of labour party.

    The original homestead and out building such as kitchen, meat locker, bookkeepers buildings are all preserved.

    A lot of terrible history of local indigenous people from this area. We were educated with an increased awareness. The indigenous people are very involved in this area to preserve the lands and learning about the land and bridging two extremely diverse cultures.

    But we are also blown away by the tenacious early settlers who came and settled the area. Life was so hard. All for us to have what we have today.

    This park was significantly damaged by cyclone Alfred after affects and repairs are still ongoing. The camp area will reopen in October.

    So much that people dont see on their news each day. For the information age so little is actually known what's happening away from the cities.

    After this we visited The North Gregory Hotel for a beer and lemonade. This is the first place that Banjo Patterson shared his new poem/song Waltzing Matilda.

    Check out this in the photos. Incredible hardy very old gum.
    The famous uniquely shaped tree in Bladensburg National Park is the Octopus Tree, a peculiar ghost gum (Eucalyptus) shaped into dramatic, twisting limbs by harsh outback conditions    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende

    Brolgas visiting

    28. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We have had a pair of Brolgas wandering around us throughout the day here at The Long Waterhole Winton QLD.

    They mate for life.
    They are very tall.
    They have the longest necks.
    They make a very cool sound.
    They look spectacular when they fly. ( hope to get a video)

    About the Brolga

    The Brolga is a large, grey crane, with a featherless red head and grey crown that inhabits wetlands and grasslands. It is known for its elaborate courtship dance, often accompanied by a loud ‘honking’ call

    Identification

    The Brolga is a large grey crane, with a featherless red head and grey crown. The legs are grey and there is a black dewlap under the chin. Females are shorter than males. The Brolga is one of Australia’s two crane species. The energetic dance performed by the Brolga is a spectacular sight and displays may be given at any time of the year and by birds of any age. Their average size is 1.12 metres. Similar in appearance to the Sarus Crane, but the red on the head does not extend as far down the neck.

    The Brolga’s call is a loud trumpeting ‘garooo’ or ‘kaweee-kreee-kurr-kurr-kurr-kurr-kurr-kurr’, which is given in flight, at rest or during courtship.

    Behaviour

    One of the most obvious features of the Brolga’s behaviour is its courtship display, an elaborate dance. The dance begins with a pair of birds picking up grass, tossing it into the air and catching it again. This is followed by the birds repeatedly leaping a metre into the air with wings outstretched, followed by stretching their necks upwards, bowing to one another, bobbing their heads, walking about and calling. Sometimes the dance is done alone or in a group, with the birds lining up opposite one another. Outside the breeding season, Brolgas form large family groups and flocks of up to a hundred birds. These groups may be partially nomadic or may stay in the same area. Some birds also migrate northwards.

    Breeding
    Brolgas probably mate for life, and pair bonds are strengthened during elaborate courtship displays. An isolated territory is established and is vigorously defended by both partners. The white (blotched with brown and purple) eggs are laid in a single clutch of 2 eggs. The nest is a large mound of vegetation on a small island in a shallow waterway or swamp. Both adults incubate the eggs (32 days) and care for the young birds. Breeding season is from September to December in the south and February to May in the north.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    112

    Brolgas

    28. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We are mesmerised by their height and long necks, the way they walk. We are careful to just let them wander around us. So special. This is a pair. They mate for life. The link is below if you want to know more about them. They are spectacular in flight. I am hoping I get a video.

    https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/brolgas…    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
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    COWS

    27. august, Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Where we are camped at Long Waterhole Winton there was lots of signs that cows are around. They showed up this afternoon and I think we might have caused them a dilemma and were on their track line. I really thought they were going to come straight through our camp. Video attached.Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    Leaving Hughenden
    1SunsetLeaving HughendenNo idea but I think they are a weed1There are no words to describe the road from Hughenden to WintonMick checking before we drove in.Long WaterholeMoon RiseMoon Rise1Lights under canopy awning

    Farewell Hughenden

    25. august, Australia ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

    We left Hughenden this morning. Its funny how we ended up staying in this town twice. It is a quiet, welcoming, has decent supplies, very good inexpensive(25 unpowered) council run caravan park we used for this past two nights, a great icecream shop and very tidy even with the winter brown tinge.

    The over 200k road between Hughenden and Winton currently holds our award for worst road so far. It is a roller coaster, with massive soft edges, some very big pot holes, and a lot of surprises.

    We have included a video.

    We are now at a free camp 2ks from township of Winton. It's called the Long Waterhole. This place is HUGE. You have to be self sufficient. We will be staying in Winton for the next 6 nights. Longest of grid stay. And we are avoiding Winton water so our water supply had to really last.

    These are photos of our set up here. The sky is so HUGE and its a full moon tonight and still plenty of stars.

    There is a photo looking west into the sunset and another when you looked back in the opposite direction and the moon was rising. Like I said.....BIG SKY.

    There is a photo of Mick walking into a camp area before driving in. Recently in Mareeba we pulled into a carpark for a picnic lunch and there was no turning around and we had the van on. Cars were parked in there. How Mick got out of that car park is impressive. He will tell you that every cent we spent on his caravan reversing and towing course was worth it.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    This tree was magnificently twisty.This tree looked like a spider plant treeAs far as the eye can seeThe Pyramid in the distance3Red Dragon Flys everywhereSpider Web in grass.Random lady with giraffe cap. We chatted and I took a photo

    Rim Walk Porcupine Gorge Qld

    24. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We did the Rim Walk of 2.6ks return this morning. Much less strenuous than going to the bottom yesterday.

    And the view was spectacularly amazing. To see the gorge from up the top was brilliant.

    I have labelled photos that need it.

    We leave here tomorrow so these are the final snaps of this stop of.

    Porcupine Gorge has captured my heart.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    Pyramid Rock. A sight to behold.The Gorge from up the top3Every layer and colour is millions of years oldThis is amazing. Imagine this being created over time.2

    Pyramid Rock

    23. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    It is hard to explain how ancient, and as two tourists from Switzerland and Ohio said, very Australian this place is.

    The pictures do it little justice.

    It is a 1.1k walk to the bottom. You can follow the gorge along the bottom in either direction.

    This gorge has so many layers of rock and sediment and is 285 million years in the making. It once had glaciers on it.

    The colours are magic.

    The water is so clear and clean even though its at its lowest in the dry season.

    We didnt expect this and only took a sandwich and a few bottles of water. We could have stayed all day.

    BUT a person has to climb back up. And a person is tired. Yet I did it. Slowly back to the top. And I am so glad I did.

    Tomorrow morning we will do the Rim Walk.

    Check out the photos. There is some serious rock porn going on here. I will post photos in a few posts.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    3Porcupine Gorge Qld
    3Porcupine Gorge QldThe sky is huge and the most gorgeous blue.Our Camp Set UpOur Camp Set UpSunset Porcupine GorgeSunset Porcupine Gorge

    Porcupine Gorge

    22. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We have arrived at Porcupine Gorge. And our first look at this magnificent Gorge was wonderful to see.

    We have set up camp for 3 nights so there is plenty of opportunity to walk to the bottom tomorrow morning to view pyramid rock and then to walk the rim the next morning.

    If we walk in the morning we will be able to rest in the shade in the afternoon.

    I have given myself these next two days to not worry about my work. This is time to read and relax and draw and meditate.

    Then before Winton I will spend some time, a few days, tidying up some loose ends and preparing for September workshops, redo the August Art Meditation that failed due to video systems error, and check everything is working again.

    But for the next few days I would like to fully immerse myself in nature here at this very dark, very quiet , big sky national park.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende

    Richmond Day Trip

    21. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Today we visted Richmond. Over an hour and a half from Hughenden on the bumpiest roller coaster drive. By the drove back I was getting used to it. How trucks with 3 trailers and weight management this road is very impressive.

    We visited a man made lake in the middle of town first for a cuppa and lunch. Walking track around it. Pontoons for fishing. But as per usual it has blue green algae like everywhere else.

    We then visited the Kronosauris Korner... so many fossils and information about our countries origins over millions of years. We spent a full 2 hours wandering around learning things and unlearning many things originally taught to us many years ago.

    The variety bash cars pulled in here this after at Hughenden. Mick took a few photos but they are not to clear but there are so many, such as simpsons, ghost busters, smurfs all decorated.

    This town is so busy this weekend and the doof doof continues into the second night. There is the horse 🐎 things happening beside us and they started at 6am this morning on their loud speakers and event calling. There is also some sort of old fossils dance on tonight. Lol

    They party in the country. Work hard though. And play hard.

    We are of to Porcupine Gorge tomorrow for three nights. I have my fingers and toes crossed for dark and quiet 🤫 😌    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
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    The Plane Boss, The Plane

    20. august, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We travelled a few hundred ks today from The Oasis Roadhouse to Hughenden on The Kennedy Development road. Its amazing to see the amount of flood markers. Next time we hear of flooding and river names we will have a somewhat better understanding. Some water over the road in places but not much. People at the roadhouse came through the day before and the water was higher and they hit a drop out in a causeway and did a bit of damage. They warned us and Mick was very vigilant but it was okay. But you can see how very quickly you could get into trouble.

    Driving along we see something in the distance. Unbelievable. Its a Plane. Broken down. Mechanic working on it on the side of the road. The pilot was standing beside his plane waving us through. He must have landed on the road. Just classic.

    And cows. So many cows. In their paddocks. On the roadsides. Everyone is getting them ready for cattlesales in the next month.

    Was originally all sheep for wool. Every farm switched to cattle by 1970.

    And there is a photo of what looked like a swamp area. Obviously from recent unseasonal rains. Just not you expect to see on these gorgeous grass plains.

    We went to the Flinders Discovery Centre this afternoon in Hughenden. Combining history of the area from indigenous to exploerers and settlers and farming, with fossils and info on the Muttaburrasaurus which was a large, plant-eating ornithopod from the Early Cretaceous of eastern Australia.

    My dinosaur 🦕 trekking has begun. We will visit Richmond tomorrow to continue my dinosaur exploration and then on to Winton after Porcupine Gorge.

    Walked the simple main street of the town. Very clean and tidy. Purchased a new puzzle book. Bought a dust pan and brush and 2 huge icecream cones.

    We have camped up for 2 nights in the RV stop in Hughenden. And its full. There is some horsey thing on in the showgrounds this weekend. Lots of travellers. These small towns just would not exist very well without all of the travellers.

    We went up to Walkers Lookout to watch the sunset. It was beautiful. There are actually 5 lookouts with seats facing different directions. We are going back up there tomorrow look at all of them. Very unique. It gives you a great view of the absolute vastness of our country. Outback QLD.

    We cannot get away from loud music and a beat in the background. Hughenden is going of tonight in some place behind the RV Park. Lol. And its just winding up at 10pm like the back packer's in Port Douglas beside our caravan park there.

    At least we didnt pay for this site and we are a fair way away.

    So overall we had a great day.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
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    The Search For Beer

    18. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We went for a drive yesterday to Einasleigh to get Mick his weekly carton of beer.

    We are so happy with how Silver drives on dirt roads and a bit of corrugation. De Mick had a bit of fun without the caravan attached.

    Remember... the pub in Mt Surprise closed on Sunday night and unbeknownst to De Mick it would not open until Wednesday.

    We were also wanting to check out where we would maybe stay for next few nights until our booking at Porcupine Gorge is available on Saturday.

    But the Einasleigh Hotel in the bloody middle of nowhere, with a zillion road workers and caravaners, and on a main road to many sites didnt sell take away because they couldn't get trucks through all the time. Mick got 2 cans because they didnt pull ring top. And we headed back the 60ks of dirt road.

    So we waited for 10am after packing up campsite and pulled into the Mt Surprise Hotel. It was closed.. there is a video of De Mick waiting for it to open. But it didn't open. So sad. De Mick knocked on the door. The publican was sweeping out the front and ignored Mick. When Mick asked him the fellow said he didnt open to 12. He was so rude. The sign said 10. And we were definitely not waiting or giving that rude man one iota of business.

    The business is for sale and I agree totally with De Mick that it could be a very busy profitable business if it opened was friendlier as it is on a main thoroughfare up to Kurumba.

    So the journey for beer continued and we changed plans and headed for The Oasis Roadhouse.

    The beer is secure Repeat. The beer is secure though all they had was Great Northern.

    And we are spending the night now here at the roadhouse and visiting Hughenden and Richmond over next few days before three nights at Porcupine Gorge.

    There are pictures of emus. A picture of a cap in a garage. A photo of our awesome rest area for lunch where it was just so very quiet. And photos trying to capture driving around here. A photo of a vanilla slice. We forgot to take a photo of the meat pie.

    I am astounded that the word of mouth travels so far. The owner of this little outback shanty caravan park makes chunky meat pies and vanilla slice every night. And every morning in the season he sells out of both and also makes a lot of coffees. And the rumours of how good they are are true. 14 for 2 pies and 24 for 4 of these huge vanilla slices.
    The publican could take a leaf out of Russell's book.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende

    Surprised in Mount Surprise

    17. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Mick cannot get away from silicon...

    We left the tableslands with the intention of visited Undara Lava Tubes yesterday.

    We decided to drive past the entry and go to Mount Surprise to eat our lunch and phone ahead for the caravan park and tour tickets. Just to make sure.

    Then we realised that the accommodation for 3 nights and a 3 hour lava tube tour was going to cost us $400. The ticket per lava tube tour is $125 per person. There are 2 to choose from. And dont even bother to consider a visit into the privately owned and run gorge.

    Its bloody criminal that our Qld National Parks make visiting our own country's national parks so difficult and in many cases so expensive.

    So as much as we would probably have enjoyed it we gave it a miss.

    We the decided to rest up here in Mount Surprise. 30 a night with power and water. Perfect.

    We will then travel on to Porcupine Gorge NP and end up in Winton.

    The money saved not spent on Undara has given us quite a few things to do in Winton.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    Our set up...

    Archers Creek Free Camp

    15. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    This is a free camp about 45 minutes from Herberton. This is where we camped up for three nights to visit Herberton Historical Village. I will post those photos tomorrow. It was a mammoth effort to visit the Historical Village in Herberton as its just so much to see.

    Herberton is currently my favourite place i have visited and I have every intention to return not just to this Historical Village but to the town itself. It has a geniunely friendly, welcoming, older and wiser feel.

    I honestly think this is the perfect place to set yourself up in the local caravan park as your gorgeous base for everything Atherton Tablelands.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende

    Herberton Blacksmith

    14. august, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Our second day we were lucky enough to watch 1.5 hour blacksmith demo.

    Mind blown. This extremely talented man made a owl fire poker from scratch while he explained how blacksmiths worked and what was involved.

    He learnt this as an interest but spent his career as a teacher.

    We were so fortunate to have been able to watch him.

    He made all of the sculptures in the photos. The crocodile was impressive.

    There is videos attached.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende
    Old old materials. These were not easily availableOld art supplies.Huge camera used in printing newspapers. 1920sThe printing museum section. Just phenomenalRead this. Original home. Same site. Following photos

    Herberton Historical Village

    14. august, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Honestly. I dont know how to describe this place. My brother Andrew said he wouldn't talk to me if I didn't go here.

    We got our tickets, which then gives you 3 days entry in a row and also entry into the local Mining museum. We didnt do that this visit.

    We went two days in a row. My advise is stay in Herberton a week. Or two weeks as a perfect base to Atherton Tablelands. Just such a precious town with easy access to everything around the place.

    This town just feels good. So loved and cared for.

    I have added info on the comments in the photos.    Les mer

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  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIAReisende

    Extra Day In Chillagoe

    11. august, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    We stayed an extra day in Chillagoe and visited balancing rock, the old tin smelter, and a few other unguided caves which Mick passed up due to steep dark climbs down into them.

    We managed to spend time alone as the only tourists on the short climb up to balancing rock. So appreciated this quiet visit.

    We visited the old tin smelter and learnt a lot about tin mining and the history of this town.

    The painted rock was on the side of the road. Classic. Made us laugh.    Les mer

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