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North Queensland 2018
  • Rob and Pam T
  • Rob and Pam T

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. Leggi altro
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  • Inizio del viaggio
    1 agosto 2018
    Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Getting ready and packing the van.

    27 luglio 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    The burn.

    2 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Toomulla Beach

    4 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Tyto Wetlands Centre

    5 agosto 2018, 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/    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Curtain fig tree

    7 agosto 2018, 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.Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Black Mountain

    10 agosto 2018, 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!    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Black Mountain (Unplugged)

    10 agosto 2018, 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.Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Bloomfield River Bridge.

    13 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Blooms Cafe

    15 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Looking down at the Bloomfield River

    15 agosto 2018, 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.Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Weary Bay

    15 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Elim Beach

    17 agosto 2018, 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.Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Lost Dreams

    17 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Coloured sands - Elim Beach

    20 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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  • Rob and Pam TNorth Queensland 2018Viaggiatore

    Arachnaphobia

    22 agosto 2018, 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.    Leggi altro

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