Australia/Japan 2023 | FindPenguins

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Trip start
May 20, 2023
Australia/Japan 2023
Toomulla beach
May 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
First night camp!
- Good amenities (BBQs - free to use, toilets, playground)
- Very quiet
- No view, but close to fishing spots along the river!

Pets allowed, but Barchie was in a resort as there is a local croc (aptly named Gregg by Josie) around the river, that we didn't get to see.

After a morning of getting the house cleaned, sorted and the trailer packed, we stopped at our favourite pub Queens Head for a final round of beers and 1kg chicken wings (sadly, our usual).

250km to Toomulla, it was great to set up have dinner and get an early night before the real stuff got going the next day.Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
Paluma National Park
May 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
For our second camp we headed to Paluma National Park, the Big Crystal Creek Campsite. A free spot, there were ample secluded areas, each with their own firepit. We nabbed a great little spot, before heading off to explore some of the park.

We drove up into the mountains to Little Crystal Creek - a popular swimming spot comprised of several mini waterfalls and waterholes. We walked further down from the main area, away from the groups and families and found two beautiful swimming spots all to ourselves.

A quick dip to cool down in freezing water, lunch was a meat pie cooked in the car oven and a beer- doesn’t get much more Australian than that!

Later that afternoon, after setting up camp and trialling some of Josie’s favourite purchases - a very aesthetic wooden camp table, turf and an inflatable ottoman was found at Bunnings for $7 - we went to find Paradise Waterfall located just 100m from our site.

It was incredible! We hadn’t planned to have a swim as it was 5pm and cooling down but it looked so beautiful we had to do it. Much warmer than the other creek, and we backed it up the next morning with a lovely 7.30am swim. Definitely fresh!

After our early start we headed further up into the park to the teeny town of Paluma. We couldn’t believe there was infrastructure and houses after the longest, windiest road that is 1000km above sea level!

A lovely 4km walk we came across Cloudy Creek Falls which was breathtaking- a waterfall made up of 4 cascading waterholes, absolutely crystal clear and with a view of a steep drop off and of the rainforest. Again, wasn’t going to swim but how could you miss out? Also what a photo opp! However it was FREEZING, almost couldn’t get in.Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
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Big crystal creek to Mission Beach
May 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Just before leaving our lovely campsite at Paluma, we went just up the road to the crystal creek rock slides. As the name suggests it is made up of lots of small water falls and water holes that are all connected by rock water slides. Great spot to explore and lots of fun!

Once we were all packed up and on the road, we went to pick up Archie from the pet setters. After he was collected, we headed north to mission Beach. We finally arrived in the rainforest paradise and were greeted by 16mm of rain in the first two hours.

The next few days were pretty low key, we did a bit of driving but not much. The unrelenting rain stopped us from doing any walks, but we did go for a fun drive on the second day where we stopped at a gorgeous little beach called Etty bay for lunch (out of the back of the canopy). We then ended the day by going to a winery

On our way back through we stopped at the murdering point winery "north Qlds number 1 winery". They make exotic tropical fruit wine, including wine made from mangoes, lychees and passionfruit. We did the tasting, as expected it was putrid. An experience will not repeat any time soon. Headed back to camp for our last rain soaked evening.Read more
Traveler Love all the names - dead horse etc
5/28/23Reply
Traveler He always has x
5/28/23Reply
Traveler Awwww
5/28/23Reply
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Australia/Japan 2023
Kuranda
May 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Absolutely sick of the rain, we headed up Cairns way to Kuranda - “The village in the rainforest.”

We’ve visited here before, love the hippie markets! Our campsite for the night was 10 minutes out of the village, at ‘The Billabong Kuranda’ which doubles as an event space and campsite.

Paid spot in the middle of the bush, with great amenities including a little bar with a happy hour that apparently lasted as long as the woman serving us was happy. $5 beers, back in the sun, perfect.

We couldn’t believe it but we ended up getting the prime spot right in front of the billabong, firepot and all. This is the wedding ceremony spot, and the wooden arbour ended up being used to dry our very wet awning and gear.

Peaceful, serene and absolutely beautiful with lily pads dotted along the still water of the billabong, it was exactly what we needed to reset, regroup and remember that being on the road isn’t all doom and gloom at all.

We also picked up a Nintendo Switch for a very excited Jono. This means more peaceful reading opportunities for me.Read more
Travelerlucky girl syndrome we love to see it
6/6/23Reply
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Australia/Japan 2023
Port Douglas/Chim arrive!
May 27, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Today we had a drive through karanda and the surrounding suburbs. On the way to the airport we stopped off for ice cream biltong, just as we were reversing the trailer a bus load of people arrived. We sprinted to get ahead of them, and although we made it in first, the old people had no regard for the line and we had to wait..

After getting ice cream and biltong we headed down south to pick Kim and Charles up from the airport. After we picked them up we dropped off Archie off at a pet sitter, as we made our way up to Port Douglas. Once at the accommodation we headed out for a night in Port Douglas.

3 Days in Port Douglas:
Day 1 -
We started the day with breakfast and a short trip to the markets! An unreal Thai for dinner where they allowed byo (with a bottleshope adjacent to them). Josie only stalled the car twice while driving everyone!

Day 2 -
A trip to the Daintree, an exotic fruit farm with coffee and ice cream ( we got the 4x combo flavour, jackfruit, passionfruit, wattle seed and coconut), and then to end the day Bruce Belcher's Crocodile tour. We ended the day with picking up a golden band snapper to cook and a wholesome games night.

Day 3 -
Mossman gorge! A walk, and a swim through the mossman gorge. After finishing up there we trekked down to palm cove for the next 2 nights.Read more
TravelerSuch a balance of good food and good exercise and experiences - fabulous
6/9/23Reply
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Australia/Japan 2023
The Daintree Rainforest!
May 29, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
A short ferry ride over a croc infested river, we drive through the scenic and mountainous rainforest
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Australia/Japan 2023
Bruce Belchers Crocodile Tour
May 29, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
An hour long croc spotting tour, lots of crocs seen. Picked by Josie because of the name it didn't disappoint!

We saw scarface (a 60year old croc) Bruce (who's a lady), and some of scarfaces seven girlfriends.

We also saw a kingfisher, a yellow and black tree snake (which the guide almost knocked into the boat with some interesting boat control)Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
Cairns/Palm Cove
May 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
After our lovely time in the Mossman gorge we headed to our new accom in palm cove. Although we have stayed there before we still love it!

Only two nights in palm cove.

Day 4:
Babinda boulders, a cassowary! Lunch and rockslides/swimming in the rain at Josephine falls, the final dinner at nu nu!

Day 5:
Good bye Kim and Charles 😭Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
Babinda boulders
May 31, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Babinda boulders, a cassowary and potentially Australia's best bakery
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Australia/Japan 2023
Balgal beach/Townsville
June 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
A lovely beach side camp where we stayed for two nights. A free camp, right on the beach, not very private and average toilets but a great little base.

Spent some time recovering, and then went for a day trip to Townsville, we loved the strand and was pleasantly surprised by how much we loved it. Pre made pizzas for dinner, great success.

We were awoken on the Saturday by the sounds of the balgal beach markets starting up just opposite us. The musician was a highlight, belting out Karoke early in the morning. Including sweet Caroline, the candy man can, etc.

Then a drive down to Bowen, where we stopped off at the Townsville barbecue battle and caught up with a colleague from Jonos work who was competing.

Days without Josie stalling: 2Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
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Bowen stopover
June 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 26 °C
Our friends from Bowen, who were away, kindly let us stay at their place for three nights for a further reset and reorganise of our set up. It was nice to spend a few days doing very little and getting ready to get back to camping full time. Plus some beach time of course.Read more
Traveler You cutiessssss
6/12/23Reply
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Australia/Japan 2023
Lake Elphinstone
June 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
A short stop on our way to emerald. Right on the lake, lovely and quiet.

Surprised by a few local residents, however Archie was dubious on them.

Great amenities, including showers and toilets!
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Australia/Japan 2023
Emerald and Sapphire!
June 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Met up with Jarrod, Letia and Bodhi. 4x nights in the lovely Lake Maraboon caravan park. Days spent catching up, fossicking for sapphires, eating red claw, and renting boats to go out on the lake.
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Australia/Japan 2023
Caliope River
June 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Easily one of the largest campsites we've ever been to, however we were fortunate enough to snag a spot right in the water overlooking the lake especially after only arriving at 5pm.

Beautiful redclaw, that was given to us at lake Maraboon was on the menu!Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
Glastonbury Creek
June 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Lovely campsite, great amenities and right next to a small creek. Some wolf creek vibes at night.
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Australia/Japan 2023
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Shinjuku
June 21, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Arrived to Shinjuku late after a very nice flight. Cute hotel in the Shinjuku area.
Our first day we spent adjusting to the hustle and bustle of inner city Tokyo, taking a break to wander through the Shinjuku National Gardens which we enjoyed.

For lunch, we were very excited for our first Japan sushi train! After a bit of user-error and confusion, we worked it out and happily put away 20 plates of sushi including some aged fugu (puffer fish).

A rest at the hotel and we met Richard and Maho at a fishing restaurant. A bit of a novelty for the Japanese people there to catch their own fish for dinner, we enjoyed the traditional eating setting of tables and cushions on the floor.

We continued the night in the Golden Gai area - at a whiskey bar with a slightly grumpy bartender. Gin and tonics and whiskey sours to finish a great day catching up with Richard and getting to know the wonderful Maho.Read more
Traveler unhinged amount of butter, we stan
7/1/23Reply
Traveler It’s what the people need
7/1/23Reply
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Australia/Japan 2023
Shibuya/Harajuku
June 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
All feeling slightly dusty the next morning after a late night, we rallied together to fix ourselves with a hearty bowl of Ramen. Josie was particularly excited to be able to experience her first Japanese Ramen, and it was absolutely delicious. We had pork Tonkotsu Ramen and enjoyed the experience of ordering through a vending machine before handing in your order and sitting down to eat it together.

Feeling much better, we caught the subway to the Shibuya area. A real Tokyo train experience where we had to push in together like sardines - we didn’t think we’d get on at first!

In Shibuya we visited the Nintendo and Pokémon centres and did some shopping, of course walking through the Scramble Crossing.

We then made our way over to the Harajuku area which had a really different vibe full of colour and young people.
Our destination was a cafe specialising in latte art and we of course had to have Archie created.

Dinner was a great charcoal bbq spot we stumbled across - again loved the authentic shoes off seating and a proper charcoal grill rather than a gas one. Delicious beef, pork and chicken and we tried beef tongue too.Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
Ginza/Shinjuku
June 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We met back up with Richie to go to the Tsukiji market near Ginza. Very busy and lots going on with plenty of fish and food we hadn’t seen before. It was also very expensive so we ended up not having too much, but we did try some lovely tuna sashimi, A5 Wagyu beef and a fresh cream puff, which is one of my favourites.

I had my mandatory McDonalds cheeseburger as I plan to try one in each country - solid 9/10.

We had to say goodbye to Richard before visiting the 12 story Uniqlo for some shopping. For dinner we went back to Shinjuku and visited the alleys with tiny izakayas and tried skewers including pork belly, pork cheek, beef, chicken & leek and mushroom. The pork cheek was great!
Finished off the night with some plum wine at a Golden Gai bar.Read more
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Australia/Japan 2023
Disneyland Tokyo
June 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
For our last day in Japan we went to Disneyland! A big day of trying themed foods, lines, rides, crowds and lots of lines.

Highlights - Space Mountain, Star Wars, Mickey Mouse puff pastry cheeseburger, 3 x of popcorn (caramel, pepper and curry), Toy Story mochi and a smoked chicken leg with a cold beer.

We arrived at 9am and left at 6pm, so by the time we got back to Shinjuku we had a quick dinner of tonkatsu curry and back to the hotel to get ready for our flight to Paris!

We loved Tokyo and can’t wait to come back for a longer trip.Read more
TravelerOh my gosh you are having an incredible trip
7/1/23Reply
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Australia/Japan 2023
Disneyland Tokyo
June 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
For our last day in Japan we went to Disneyland! A big day of trying themed foods, lines, rides, crowds and lots of lines.

Highlights - Space Mountain, Star Wars, Mickey Mouse puff pastry cheeseburger, 3 x of popcorn (caramel, pepper and curry), Toy Story mochi and a smoked chicken leg with a cold beer.

We arrived at 9am and left at 6pm, so by the time we got back to Shinjuku we had a quick dinner of tonkatsu curry and back to the hotel to get ready for our flight to Paris!

We loved Tokyo and can’t wait to come back for a longer trip.Read more
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Trip end
June 26, 2023