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  • Wendy House
  • Wendy House

AUSTRALIA

An open-ended adventure by Wendy. Read more
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  • 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
    1

    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
    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

    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

    Extra Day In Chillagoe

    August 11 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Darts Anyone?

    August 11 in Australia ☀️ 32 °C

    Micks dart set up attracts attention everywhere we go. Yesterday this fellow came over to our camp for a dart chat. Mick invited him and his wife over for a game today and they made Micks day by playing a few games with him.Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    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

    August 14 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Herberton Blacksmith

    August 14 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    Our set up...

    Archers Creek Free Camp

    August 15 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Surprised in Mount Surprise

    August 17 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    The Search For Beer

    August 18 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    The Plane Boss, The Plane

    August 20 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler

    Richmond Day Trip

    August 21 in 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 🤫 😌    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    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

    August 22 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    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

    August 23 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    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

    August 24 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
    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

    August 25 in 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.    Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    COWS

    August 27 in 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.Read more

  • Wendy HouseAUSTRALIATraveler
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    Brolgas

    August 28 in 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…    Read more