North Queensland 2018

This trip will start from Capricornia and take us North. We plan to make it as far as Hope Vale. Part of this trip will be an entertainment event. Read more

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Trip start
August 1, 2018
North Queensland 2018 Traveler
Getting ready and packing the van.
July 27, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
As usual there is a lot to do getting ready for any trip. We have quite a bit to do but are hoping we will be able to roll on time.

We have said goodbye to the trusty old Hyundai and now have a more serious 4WD.

The caravan has a wiring problem that shorted out some of the tail lights. It is now being rewired with new LED lights that should be more reliable. The poor wiring provide by the factory has been replaced with new wiring. Hopefully no more issues there. All this in a relatively new van.

After 50.000 kilometers the wheel bearings had to be serviced. A huge thank you to our friend Ron. I think we should be set to go.Read more
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The burn.
August 2, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today we departed (only one day late) for our North trip. The new car has run well giving us an impression that it will cope quite easily with towing the small van.

Tonight we are camping at Saint Lawrence. The wetlands area here is well worth a look with a lot of birds.

On the way we stopped for a while to watch the side of the road being burnt off. Dozens of kites circled overhead waiting to pounce on any small animals that might become exposed as they hustled away from the fire.

The rest of today's travel was uneventful.Read more
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Guthalungra
August 4, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Lunch today in a good rest area. We are getting back in the swing of travel. We stopped here last trip and the place is still a credit to the local council.
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Toomulla Beach
August 4, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Toomulla Beach is right on the coast not far north of Townsville. I say that because we encountered quite a few "beaches" that were a sandy point on a river. A small tidal creek enters the ocean along a north run right on the beach for a short distance.

Along the banks of the muddy Creek fisher persons hopefully cast their lines. All but a couple of unlucky fish made it safely past the baits. Not sure they all avoided the crocodiles though. I walked down near the boat ramp but failed to spot any crocks. Of course the locals will tell you they definitely are there. Perhaps cruising a bit further up the creek.

One of the attractions is the tree walk. This teak makes it way north and eventually meets the coat beyond the creek entrance. Many trees have had a sign placed at the trunk to help visitors identify them. If you visit this area it is well worth the small detour from the highway.

We camped overnight and enjoyed waking up to the sounds of the bush. Quite a few early birds around tweeting, warbling and chirping their joy of the beautiful morning.

The camping area is well set up with a good supply of drinking water direct from the hills a bit further north. Crystal Creek was once the water source piped all the way back to Townsville. Today it still supplies part of Townsville's water needs.Read more
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Tyto Wetlands Centre
August 5, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
The info centre at Ingham is the start point for the wetlands walk. Quite a few van parking bays and a beautiful area nearby. A short walk from here is the start of the wetlands walk.

A few hundred metres will get you to a good vantage point to look over the Lagoons. There is also a well maintained 2k walk around the lagoons.

For the avid birders there are a couple of well set out hides to observe or photograph the local water birds. Sitting here looking over the lagoon front an elevated point is very picturesque.

As usual there is a good yarn around this place but rather than retell it myself I will post the website where all is revealed.

https://www.tyto.com.au/Read more
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Avenue of Honour
August 7, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Yungaburra is one of those memorable little towns. A well run Cafe for lunch. A nice walking track along Peterson Creek and a bit further out on the dam we found the avenue of honour.

This memorial is very well presented and a must do visit.Read more
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Curtain fig tree
August 7, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Strangler fig trees are not particularly rare, but when the host tree falls and gets wedged against another tree the results are unpredictable and in this case spectacular.

Rising up many meters in height this tree has created a massive curtain of roots. This is another place well worth dropping in for a look. Just outside Yungaburra on the way to Atherton. The walk is all on a purpose designed boardwalk, fully set up for all visitors.Read more
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Jaques Coffee plantation.
August 8, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Our second visit here. This is a well worth the short drive out of Mareeba to experience one of their coffees and a delicious scone.

The Jaques family has fought great obstacles and seeing the short movie is well worthwhile. A true gritty story of battling nature, stupid beurocracy and government stupid that enters a new level of dumb.Read more
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Little Annand River
August 10, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Near Cooktown about 40k south the highway crosses this delightful place. Crystal water bubbling over interesting rocks and beautiful clear pools. We always enjoy a stop here.
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Black Mountain
August 10, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Don't climb Black Mountain alone, don't climb Black mountain if your stoned. The sage words are the lyrics of a song by local band The Roadtrippers. My advice though would be simply don't climb Black Mountain. It is formed of lots of boulders with many places that would not forgive a slip.

DON'T CLIMB BLACK MOUNTAIN!Read more
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Black Mountain (Unplugged)
August 10, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
The music festival here has finished now and it was a fantastic weekend. From the Friday evening right through, we enjoyed every minute of this small and exclusive music festival.

The weekend rocked to some great music performed by musicians who never fail to impress. Fromm the Hillbilly Goats through to an unexpected Vaudeville by Mic Conway we were ably entertained the whole time.Read more
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Bloomfield River Bridge.
August 13, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
When we crossed here a few years ago, the causeway was to the right of the new bridge. We drove through water about 10 inches deep over a very undulating crossing as the crocodiles watched from the banks.

Now only the ends remain as a temporary reminder of the last hazard of the Bloomfield track as you head head north towards Cooktown.

The concrete blocks lasted together with chains were an improvement from years before when the river was boulders that made for an even more difficult crossing only possible in most vehicles at a low tide.

Today's travellers don't realize how good they have it.Read more
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Fungi
August 13, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Growing on a log this was quite an interesting fungi.
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Blooms Cafe
August 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Sometime a trip has unexpected surprises. Here is one of those. A lovely place to stop for coffee and a scone or a full breakfast or lunch. Quite a good menu and all the food is delicious and fresh.

Either drop in via a Bloomfield track run or take a trip down from Cooktown. After lunch you can head to Wajal Wajal visit the waterfall and try spotting a crock in the Bloomfield River. While you are here you can visit the indigenous gallery.Read more
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Wujal Wujal Falls (and a croc)
August 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
The falls are a bit bigger than last time. A lot of water tumbling over with a loud roar. Just down the river a bit a small crocodile is sunning on a nice warm rock.

There are some birds but they are moving quickly from tree to tree looking for nectar.Read more
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Looking down at the Bloomfield River
August 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
A short drive over the Bloomfield River and heading south is a steep climb to an impressive view of the river. We just happened to have good light to get a nice photo.

The track to here is a sampler for the rest of the 30 or so kilometers of rough, hilly track that is the famous Bloomfield track. Dirt, dust, razor gravel and steep hill climbs make this a road to drive with extreme care.Read more
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Weary Bay
August 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
A short detour from the main road leads to the beach on Weary Bay. This beach runs south from where we drove in to the Bloomfield River. At that point the river is quite wide as it enters the sea.

Looking to the South you get a view of Collins Hill. To the north is Rattlesnake Point. Odd really since we don't have any rattlesnakes in our country. Suppose some old timer thought one of our big brown snakes was a rattler.

Swimming is supposed to be OK on the mid tide but advice is to keep clear of the river mouth. Strong currents and abundant crocodiles are a great deterrent.

There are a couple of places here that look like they would be a good place to stay. Cabins at one very nice spot and along a it further there is a camping and caravan park. Prices seem reasonable.Read more
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Keating Lagoon
August 16, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We have been here before but there was a lot more water in the lagoon still quite a few birds and a nice walk.
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Finch Bay
August 16, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Pretty spot on the Cooktown coast.
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Elim Beach
August 17, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Elim Beach camp is basic and remote. Getting here is not a drive to the shops and you need to bring everything you need. There is some potable water and cold showers.

Long walks on the beach is rewarding with good restful sleep each nigh as a benefit. It is easy to see why just about every visitor decides to stay longer.Read more
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Lost Dreams
August 17, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Young groups decide to have a nice spot to relax and fish or older families build a shack with friends to get away.

As time goes on people move, friendships change. Economies make remote living more difficult. Eventually all that is left is a little evidence of the long gone dreams.

In a few more years the salty water will have completely consumed the metals. A careless bushfire will leave only the concrete pads.Read more
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Coloured sands - Elim Beach
August 20, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
One must do while visiting Elim Beach is a visit to the coloured sands. It is best colour wise to go early in the morning. At this time there are rich red tones and vivid yellows that will mature and change as the sun rises higher.

This is a delicate and sacred area that must be visited with care. No material should be taken and care moving around is advised.

The canyon winds way up into the sands revealing a thousand new vistas. A long and energetic climb is rewarded by a very unique water feature.

At this point, which should be as far as you proceed, the water soaks out of the sand and runs with a dribble over a harder ledge. Here for the first time I witnessed sand stalagtites. I am not sure how they are "glued" together but they seem very fragile.Read more
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Arachnaphobia
August 22, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
In the Australian bush there are many animals. There are the normal furry kinds such as wallabies, koalas, marsupial mice, and kangaroos. There are slithering kinds of all types. Giant pythons with beautiful carpet patterns that grow up to 6 meters or more in length. Coppery and black varieties that should always be avoided. They are highly venomous and everyone should understand snake bite first aid. Australian snakes generally don't attack. Many of the two species of crocodiles are found here and birds too numerous to count.

Another common fellow seen mostly at night are the many spiders. If you shine a light at your eye level outward into the bush it is very likely you will see thousands of tiny jewel reflections. Following these bright reflections will reveal a spider. Commonly 1-2cm in size these guys hunt on the ground preying on insects with cover of darkness. In the daytime they tend to hide from hungry birds. Although they look quite scary they are less bother than sandflies, mozzie or March flies all of which readily try to such your blood.Read more
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Isabella Falls
August 23, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Not far north of Cooktown is Isabella Falls. This beautiful crystal water tumbles over a rock lip then down a bit further over the falls.

Well worth taking a short stop here to enjoy nature.
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A very late breakfast.
August 23, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
All day breakfast at Cooktown. With a nice cup of coffee. We decided to visit the Cafe at the gardens. We had cerial earlier after deciding not to spend the time preparing our own bacon and eggs. The all day breakfast here did not disappoint.Read more
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