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AUSSIE ADVENTURE
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AUSSIE ADVENTURE

This started out as a retirement dream.
After months of planning and thousands of dollars, we were ready for the adventure with a new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain Ute with several custom mods and a Retreat Fraser 216 R-Rev off road caravan. Read more
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  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Curtain Fig Tree 🌳

    August 17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Not sure what I was expecting, but seeing this magnificent tree up close—what an incredible natural wonder! There are several informative signs positioned around to learn about the forest, its inhabitants, and the process of how the Curtain Fig Tree came to be.Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Malanda Falls

    August 17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    A pretty little waterfall, which has a swimming area at its base, is surrounded by a lovely picnic area.

    The Falls was a popular swimming and picnic spot for service personnel during the war years. Australian troops upgraded the pool at the base of the Falls and built a
    level platform and diving tower, which has been removed.

    The pool has had some upgrades and additional stairs have been added to the swimming area.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Millaa Millaa Falls

    August 17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Millaa Millaa Falls is mesmerizing and is nestled amidst the lush rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands. The pool is surrounded by giant, moss-covered boulders and vibrant green foliage, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

    The surrounding area is home to an array of wildlife, including colorful birds, butterflies, and even platypuses in the nearby creeks.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Mount Hypipamee Crater

    August 17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Mount Hypipamee Crater is almost 70m across, with sheer granite walls. It is thought to have been created by a massive gas explosion.

    Fifty-eight metres below the rim is a lake over 70m deep, covered in a native duck weed that supports a thriving population of freshwater shrimp possibly found nowhere else.

    This is a pretty amazing place, with great views of the crater. It's worth the short walk to the viewing platform. There are plenty of birds and wildlife to see. I kept looking out for a cassowary, but no luck.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Kuranda Scenic Railway 🚂

    August 18, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Our trip on the Kuranda Scenic Railway started at Freshwater Station. This was a unique experience that felt like stepping back in time. The historic railway station features fantastic architecture, stunning buildings, and stone flooring.

    It was a great way to see the rainforest from the ground and experience Barron Falls. The train ride was smooth and very well looked after. The commentary was a welcome addition that helped us learn about the hardships of building this railway and the scenic surroundings.

    We arrived at Kuranda Village and had lunch at the local pub before spending a couple of hours browsing the shops. Then, we caught the cable car back to Smithfield.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Skyrail Rainforest Cableway 🚠

    August 18, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Skyrail is a fantastic way to see stunning views of the forest canopy and Barron Falls from above, providing a unique perspective of the rainforest. The cable car stops at Barron Falls and Red Peak, where you have the opportunity to disembark for a photo opportunity before continuing your journey back to Smithfield.

    This was an unforgettable experience! Seeing the rainforest from high above with uninterrupted views out to the ocean was breathtaking. Being able to see the town and reef in the distance also left a lasting impression.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    111Juvenile Humpback Whale

    Cairns Reef Fishing 🎣

    August 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today, we had an amazing day reef fishing. Even though the weather was overcast, nearly everyone on board caught something. I managed to catch two spangled emperor fish and, unfortunately, a barracuda.

    It really was a great experience. The crew was wonderful, and this trip was so memorable. To make this day even more special, we witnessed a juvenile humpback whale splashing its tail and breaching the water on our way back to port.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Cathedral Fig Tree

    August 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Cathedral Fig Tree is a majestic 500-year-old strangler tree located in the Danbulla State Forest. Only a short walk through the forest leads to the tree.

    One of the biggest strangler figs, this inspiring beauty competes well with the Curtain Fig Tree, a stunning piece of nature.

    As you admire the beauty of this huge strangler fig, the lyrebirds and whipbirds cry out in the rainforest.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Millstream falls

    August 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Millstream Falls National Park features the wonderful Millstream Falls, said to be the widest falls in Australia at 340 metres wide. It was formed from a columnar basalt lava flow. It is only a short stroll down from the car park to good viewing areas.

    The contrast of the bush and the sound of falling water as you approach the falls is beautiful, and the big rock pools look refreshing and deep.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    Trench

    World War II Heritage Walk

    August 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    World War II Heritage Walk takes you on a path through long grass and gum trees. We spent about an hour here, visiting the historic area where Australian soldiers trained and rehabilitated during World War II. This trail is situated on a network of granite paths that linked facilities for the battalions of the 7th and 9th Divisions between 1943 and 1945.

    Yes, one needs to use one's imagination to appreciate what conditions were like; they truly were difficult times.

    This was a very informative World War II heritage site.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    Boiler ShedSuspension BridgeTurtle with dinnerEastern Yellow RobinPowder Puffs (Calliandras)Flying Foxes (Bats)Playful PlatypusWilliams WeirTree KangarooOld Railway BridgeFrawley's Pool

    Wildlife & Botanical Walking Track

    August 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Just a stone's throw away from where we are staying in Yungaburra is the Peterson Creek Wildlife and Botanical Walking Track, which is maintained by volunteers.

    This delightful, well-facilitated track follows the creek, with picnic tables along the way. The path along the creek has a lovely suspension bridge that allows you to cross the creek and sit on the other side.

    This fabulous nature walk is a great spot for seeing a diverse range of birds and wildlife, including the playful platypus, elusive tree kangaroo, flying foxes (bats), and the inquisitive turtles.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Tinaroo Falls Dam & Lake

    August 23, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Tinaroo Falls Dam is a beautiful location; the entire area is peaceful and tranquil. View the dam from above or below. When we visited, the dam was flowing.

    There are many historical markers and several pleasant picnic spots, or you can drive past the dam to the campgrounds and day-use areas.

    The lake is a great place for picnics, catching barramundi, water sports, and swimming. It also has many walking tracks; it's a photographer's dream.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Daintree River Cruise

    August 24, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today, we all went on the Daintree River Cruise. It was pleasant but a little disappointing. Our tour guide was not very informative; we were not provided with any information or facts about the forest, wildlife, or what to look out for. Despite our tour guide living in the Daintree, it felt more like a self-guided tour.

    I'm sure there are other Daintree River Cruises we could have chosen; we simply chose the wrong one. On the positive side, the vegetation was lush and green, and we did get to see crocodiles in the wild.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    Zillie Falls
    Ellinjaa Falls

    Waterfall Circuit

    August 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    The Waterfall Circuit is a 17 km stretch of road through the rainforest that passes three major waterfalls: Zillie Falls, Ellinjaa Falls, and Millaa Millaa Falls, which we saw a couple of days ago.

    After finishing the waterfall circuit, we stopped at Mungalli Creek Dairy Café, a family-owned business that makes a wide range of artisan products, from jams, chutneys, and chocolates to handcrafted cheeseboards, tea towels, and candles.

    Belinda ordered the cheese platter for one, and Kat chose the dessert platter. Phil and I ordered coffee and shared a passionfruit cheesecake. After we had our fill, we headed to the Mamu Tropical Skywalk.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Mamu Tropical Skywalk

    August 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The Mamu Tropical Skywalk is in a beautiful World Heritage rainforest, which we had the pleasure of experiencing. This enchanting tropical skywalk is very nicely built and maintained and was absolutely worth doing. It was truly a delightful adventure from start to finish.

    The paths were easy to walk, with many information panels about the trees and plants along the way. The long cantilevered lookout offers stunning and  amazing views, as well as the tower platform, once you manage to climb the 100 stairs. The climb is well worth it, as it provides magnificent views of the Johnstone River, the rainforest canopy, and this beautiful, lush country of ours. It's amazing how much faith one can put in a man-made structure.

    We didn't spot any birdlife, except for bush turkeys, but you can certainly hear them. This place was definitely worth the visit.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Afghanistan Avenue of Honour

    August 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour is a product of both local sacrifice and local community spirit.

    It is a beautiful tribute to the service men, women and service dogs that sacrificed their lives, not only soldiers of Afghanistan but also to honour POWs of WWII as well, to ensure that we, as Australians, get to live the life we live. This beautifully designed installation is a well-maintained and pristine park set in a beautiful and quiet location overlooking the water, with beautiful sculptures and moving tributes.

    There is also a tribute book at the end where you can leave a message.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    Stone Curlew
    Plumed Whistling DuckTawny Frog MouthIguanaBar-shouldered DoveJuvenile Bar-shouldered DovePhil and Belinda PlatapusRed-browed FinchFrog painted on a rock along Gillies Range Road, GadgarraCarins Wharf at 6 amLake TinarooThunbergia mysorensis or Lady's Slipper vine,Sunset Lake TinarooKookaburraPhil's Aunty Beverley's 80th birthday when we were in Tassie

    On the Road Again

    August 27, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We are on the road again and heading to Townsville for the next four days before we head over to Mt Isa. Here, I would like to share some random photos that I have taken but haven’t shared in my travel journal.Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Museum of Tropical Queensland

    August 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Small, interactive museum; everything was interesting and informative. The Pandora exhibits are very interesting; you can see how much care is taken in preserving and presenting all of the artifacts and displays.

    We all know about the "Mutiny on the Bounty," but I was unaware of the story of the Pandora and the efforts of the Royal Navy to recover the “pirated” Bounty and bring the mutineers to justice.

    This is the most interesting museum to visit. There is a wide variety of interesting exhibits in a reasonably small space, with something of interest for everyone. Displays are spread over several floors joined by ramps.

    The number of different types of displays made the visit worthwhile. There was historical and prehistoric information, etc., with plenty of explanations of what the exhibits were. I thoroughly enjoyed the hours I spent inside the museum.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Army Museum North Queensland

    August 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    The Army Museum North Queensland was better than I had anticipated. There are three galleries in total, covering different eras, and some of the displays are very well put together. The first gallery was about the Boer War, which was very interesting, then the First World War and Second World War. The other galleries are about Vietnam and modern wars.

    There are many interesting artefacts from the Boer War to modern-day conflicts, telling the story of Australia's involvement. They have a very impressive collection of weapons and ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment, including those seized from the countries they fought in.

    The displays are excellent and supported by comprehensive but not overwhelming information panels. Knowledgeable volunteers are available, but they are not intrusive.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    Townsville
    TownsvilleHome of the Cowboys NRL teamTownsvilleTownsvilleGarbutt TownsvilleWelcome to the OutbackPrairiePrairieRocks that look like frogsNational Route 83 CloncurryFountain Springs rest areaFountain Springs rest areaGarden Art Mt Isa Caravan Park

    Townsville to Mount Isa.

    August 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Highlights of our travels from Townsville to Mount Isa. We spent many hours on the road with a few pit stops, some photo opportunities, and some dash cam footage. This journey took us a day and a half.

    We stopped in Richmond overnight, passed many a road train and witnessed many hawks and falcons soaring the skies. Finally, we arrived in Mount Isa to a scorching 40° Celsius, and it's not even summer.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine

    September 3, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Mary Kathleen is a former uranium mining town that was first discovered in 1954 and decommissioned in 1982. Many of the houses and properties were sold and relocated to nearby towns such as Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

    Right out in the middle of the desert, today you can still see the concrete slabs, kerbs, guttering, and a few foundations where the original buildings stood, remnants of the town's layout where it once stood.

    The mine itself is a unique open-cut mine that descends into what I can only describe as the most iridescent blue color; it was very unusual and picturesque.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE
    Underground hospitalUnderground hospitalMedicine Underground hospitalCribs Underground hospital

    Mt Isa Underground Hospital

    September 3, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 31 °C

    Australia’s only wartime underground hospital was constructed in Mount Isa during WWII. It was to be used in case of air raids by the Japanese. Fortunately, there were no air raids in Mt Isa, so it was never used.

    The underground hospital is very unique! Combined with the Beth Anderson Museum, you can view an impressive collection of antique medical equipment, rare historical items, and all the artifacts it contains. You can also visit the restored tent house on-site, last lived in during the 1950s.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Lake Moondarra

    September 4, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We took a drive out to Lake Moondarra this morning to watch the sunrise and were pleasantly surprised by its rugged outback beauty. The beautiful lake is such a contrast to Mount Isa; it is maintained really well and is so green and lush.

    There are great views from the lookout and a nice short walk along Corella Dam. There are also great picnic spots along the shoreline, and the lake is great for water sports, bird-watching, and fishing. We even saw some resident peacocks foraging around.    Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Farewell Mt Isa

    September 5, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    This was our last night in town, and we all went to watch the sunset at Mount Isa Lookout, with its 360° views. Tomorrow, we will be heading to Ayers Rock Resort. This long journey is 1614 km, which we are going to spread out over the next few days.Read more

  • AUSSIE ADVENTURE

    Barkly Homestead

    September 6, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Barkley Homestead, the first and last pub in the Northern Territory, was our first stopover on our way to Ayers Rock Resort. What a lovely oasis in the middle of nowhere!

    This place has a great bar and beer garden, service station, café, souvenir shop, and art gallery. A few pet birds and a couple of giant sparring goannas are out front. It was a very pleasant stay.Read more