North Queensland then West

This trip starts from home and does a near lap of Queensland. The furthest point is the Dig Tree, nearly to the South Australian border. Approximate duration, six months. Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

North Queensland then West Traveler
Freshwater Bird Hide
May 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Very quiet spot with the sun in our face. Birds around but they are not in view. As we walk back towards the car park we can hear many birds chattering the morning news of humans lurking in their forest.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
The Reeds
May 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
On the way to the Jacana bird hide there is a reedy waterway. This is alive with small birds, some in the reeds but many in the surrounding trees. Once again they are very easy to hear, but quite difficult to see. It is a very pleasant place to enjoy.

As we walked back, there were many dozens of various small birds and some larger ones making quite a choir. Some we recognised but many were difficult to discern. The pardelope is one bird more often heard than seen. He sits high up in tall trees and repeats his chip, chip, chip, chip sound over and over.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Jacana Bird Hide
May 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
There are no Jacanas here right now. Jacanas are commonly called Jesus birds or lily trotters. They walk on lily pads easily with their huge feet. A random magpie goose has done a fly past and there are a few other birds. We can hear many birds around, chattering in the trees.

There are battalions of mosquitoes devising a battle plan to attack. So far the Bushman's repellent has deterred them from actually biting us for breakfast.

A kingfisher is sitting 10m away in a tree watching for fish in the water. He has flown to a nearby shrub to join a few of his mates.

The pathways and bird hides here are a credit to the management. Walking to here is easy and rewarding. This is a great place to visit and would be possible to access with dirt track capable wheelchair. There is a vehicular track right to the hide so it may be possible to access for groups.Read more
1 like
North Queensland then West Traveler
Black Weir
May 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Black Weir is one of three that were used to ensure water supply for Townsville. It still has a role if necessary to pump water to the treatment plant if the dam supply fails. Water is also piped from crystal creek.

Today we have decided to do one of the shorter walks of about 4k. It starts at the Wier school and runs along the river to a footbridge crossing and back along the other side.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Ross River Walk
May 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today is perfect for a walk. The weather is cooler and sunny. We expect the walk to take several hours since we stop often and enjoy all the sights. First is the very pretty water lilies. They are quite splendid and in large areas.

Up a bit is a spot where turtles are frequently fed by the public. Although bread is not good for them, this is exactly what people chuck in. We saw hundreds of turtles and one very large eel. There were also feral goldfish.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Ross River from the bridge.
May 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
As we crossed the pedestrian bridge we had a very nice view of the Ross River. This was halfway on our walk.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Heather's Fairy Garden
May 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
On the other side of the river is Heather's Fairy garden. We missed the fairies but there were lots of neat things there for when they came back.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
End of the walk
May 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
As we crossed the bridge back to the car park we had a nice view of the weir from the downstream side. Our walk was at its end but we plan to come back and walk more of the 27 kilometres of walking tracks.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
A last visit to Castle Hill
May 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We decided to revisit Castle Hill in daylight. We waited until after sunset before we finally left with many photos.

There were many people there today, some walking up the road and others running. It is a very popular spot.Read more
1 like
North Queensland then West Traveler
Leaving Townsville
May 17, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
This was the first time we had ever stayed in Townsville and taken time to have a look around. There was more to do and see than we expected. One day at Magnetic Island was not enough with all the walks we could have done. Many other points of interest slipped past on this trip.

We will be back again to Townsville for another visit soon and aim to check out some more of the area. For now though we continue north with Elim Beach as the furthest north on this trip.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Toomulla Beach
May 17, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We have stayed at Toomulla Beach a couple of times its a nice area but today nearly deserted. Perhaps it was a bit early but I expected people would be still leaving.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Tyto Wetlands
May 17, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
A visit to the wetlands is worthwhile to see some of the local birds in their natural environments. This is quite a large area but despite the recent rain seems to not have as much water as expected.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Lucinda Jetty
May 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
This jetty is one of the longest in the world at nearly 6 kilometres in length. It is supported by 660 steel reinforced concrete pylons. There is a roadway for service vehicles as well as a covered conveyer belt.

Sugar is loaded via the conveyer belt system that takes 22 minutes to travel the full length. The berth can accommodate the huge Panama class ships bound to Canada and Mayalasia. These ships are the largest currently used in the raw sugar trade.

Nearby is the old service jetty where many anglers try their luck at landing some of the local fish. Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, queenfish, northern bluefin and even small black marlin have been landed from here.

I the massive loading jetty is not accessable to the public whereas the other jetty is. It would be a nearly 10 kilometre walk out and back if it were allowed. I think one of the longest jettys we have walked was the one mile jetty at Carnarvon. This old jetty is currently closed to the public, probably for repairs.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Swinging Rag Doll
May 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
On the side of the road for no obvious reason, I find it intriguing the things people do. Sometimes these things are a remerence to a lost family member or part of a fund raising or awareness effort. This does not seem to be the case though, it is just "because", perhaps artistic expression.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Taylor's Beach
May 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Very windy, the beach is very muddy before you can get to the sand. Pam wandered along the sandy part of the beach for a while bird watching. I don't think I will sit out in this wind to have lunch.

Not sure what the structure in the distance but guessing a place where nets are set up for safe swimming.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Victoria Plantation Sugar Mill
May 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We are definitely in sugar cane country. The cane trams are certainly one give away but there are also many cane sugar mills. This is where that sweet delicious sap is squeezed out of the cane stems and dehydrated to get the raw sugar granules.

Raw sugar is then the base for all the refined sugars that are used in many different foods. The by products of this are the thick gooey and rather tasty syrups. Molassas, treacle and golden syrup are very sweet products with different levels of raw content.

Caramel is made from refined sugar and milk that is heated to become that delicious flavour we all love. Home made caramel is made from condensed milk that is dehydrated milk and sugar.Read more
1 like
North Queensland then West Traveler
Tyto Wetlands Centre
May 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Our last sightseeing in Ingham was the Tyto centre. The elevated path runs across from the info centre to the library. We started at the library, went up the tower, then walked across to the info centre. From there we returned on the small bridge across the park.

There is quite a lot of interesting cane history to read about.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Farewell Ingham
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We had 2 great nights in the caravan park here. Our hosts were great and it is not far from town. There was more to do and see around this area than we expected.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Cardwell lookout
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
The drive up the hill from Cardwell is quite easy even though there is gravel. The last bit up the hill is sealed so no problem. At the top we managed to do a U turn with the van OK, but because space was limited we drove down about a hundred meters to clear the area.

The platform here offered good views over Cardwell and Rockingham Bay. We took a photo and contemplated the weather. It had rained a little on the way and we were a bit unsure if we would get the walk in and stay dry. We set off up the stairway to the clouds.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Hinchinbrook Island Lookout
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
After quite a decent walk, we turn left for another 55 meters to climb to the top. From here we get a good view of Hinchinbrook Island.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Looking over Cardwell
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
This lookout was about 420 meters further along the Ridge. Easy walking and seemed to take a sort time. It offers nice views from a different angle over Cardwell and Rockingham Bay.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Hinchinbrook Channel Lookout
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Even though foggy over the southern end there was a good view.
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
Gordonvale
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Gordonvale is another place we have driven past many times. This trip we ate camped near the town so we walked the 1.5 kilometres from the camp for a look around. We were rewarded with some nice mosiac works on the footpaths as well as some interesting buildings.Read more
0 likes
North Queensland then West Traveler
One Night at Greenpatch
May 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Sometimes we stop in a place that surprises us. Greenpatch is a free 72 hour maximum stay camp at Gordonvale, south of Cairns. There is a very good amenities block with hot showers for $1.

We have walked quite a distance today, probably around 9 kilometres, some of which was uphil with steps. I am fairly tired and expect to sleep well. At 10pm the campers are asleep already or quiet. Every now and then I can hear a vehicle cross the bridge high above the camp.

We are in a flood area, about 3 metres below high water. Flood season is likely to be finished but there would be possibility of us having to pack up quickly and move out if we had heavy rain.

We are hitched up and need only to wind up the jocky wheel and the rear stabilisers. We could be out of here in under 5 minutes if we had to.Read more
1 like
North Queensland then West Traveler
My Fitness Watch thinks it's been stolen
May 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The last week has been one with a lot of walking and reasonable levels of activity. This is a stark contrast to my usual day, especially when sitting around all day fixing computer problems. My usual day then would be about 3,000 steps. It has been many days now with at least 6,000 steps.

The last few days have exceeded 10,000 steps, most with a reasonable period of exertion.

Fitness watches are quite useful to quantify how active you are. They not only measure steps but also monitor heart rate so calorific output can be measured. Al this information is syncronized to the phone health app. After a day of activity my Samsung watch can monitor sleep. The Apple watch requires a paid app for this functionality.

Recharging is fast using a supplied charging dock. 3 days use is possible with all tracking on. Over a month use can be achieved if set to watch only function.

My watch is the Samsung one with a round face while Pam has the Apple version with a square. Both have similar features but you do need the one that matches your phone for the best overall recording and analysis. These watches can also display the time using thousands of digital watch faces. Pam uses a digital version while mine is set to an analogue face.

Taking calls or dismissing them is convenient, especially when you have the watch stowed in your pack.

These things might seem a bit frivolous to some people. I am finding it quite a decent tool to understand how well I am exercising.

I think the watch thinks it has been stolen and someone else has been using it for the last few weeks.Read more
1 like