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Australia

April - June 2017
A 86-day adventure by LouisaJames Read more
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  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 12

    Taree: Sprint Power Boat Racing

    April 15, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    After yesterday's chance meeting with a local boat team we decided to spend the day watching the racing which took part on a wide section of the river. The track was an oval circuit where up to six boats would race at once. Some boats were six litre V12, capable of 150mph plus! Loud and fast does not come close to describing them. Loads of people lined the river banks with gazebos and picnics, all very social. Lived the crane that lifted boats in and out of the water.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 13

    Coast Road to Port Macquarie

    April 16, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Took the coastal road stopping off for an early morning walk along the breakwater at Harrington. Had a look at the old (144 years) lighthouse that's still in use that overlooks the beautiful Crowdy Bay National Park. Captain Cook decided on the name after seeing a crowd of aboriginal people there. It's far from crowded today. Spent time on other beaches up the coast before going to the Koala Hospital. Great ethos here as they take in sick koalas and rehabilitate them before releasing them back into the wild, if possible. Some have been there for a while, some are kept screened to minimise exposure to humans and they are never held. We were lucky as they were quite active when we got there. Some were blind, some limbs missing but all quite capable climbers.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 14

    South West Rocks

    April 17, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Didn't really know where to head today but after talking to another tourist at the campsite this morning we were given the idea of visiting this lovely part of the coast. Like all beaches along here they are lovely but rough undercurrents mean it is only really safe to swim in areas with lifeguards and between their flags. They are usually quite close together and can get quite busy, especially as it's a bank holiday weekend. Instead we went to the really interesting Trial Bay Gaol that was built by convicts so they could be based there in order to build a breakwater and safe harbour. It never got completed and the jail was not used again until the first world war as a prison for German civilians. Whike there we saw some Eastern Grey Kangaroos, one with a joey who kept popping its head out! More great views from the Smoky Cape Lighthouse (Captain Cook named it because of what he saw when he arrived).Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 15

    Waterfall Way

    April 18, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    Driving inland now along the aptly named Waterfall Way. Stopped for a great view back across to where we were yesterday and took the opportunity to collect dry wood for our evening campfire and dry the tent outer as it is soaking wet every morning from the heavy dew. Went along a 'skywalk' platform at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, which took us over the Gondwana Rainforest canopy before undertaking a 2.5 hour walk through it. This also had some waterfalls like Cascade , which you could walk behind. Fascinating plants and bird life, particularly the fig tree that grows over a host tree eventually killing it and leaving a hollow centre where the host once was. Found a museum in Dorrigo, not yet open to the public, where they have a huge collection of locomotives (75), carriages (280) and other railway things. Dangar Falls fell into a cauldron like basin where as the Ebor Falls fell 100m over edge of the escarpment in two stages, the later one being particularly huge. Needed the fire tonight as we are at higher altitudes now and it's quite cold.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 16

    Waterfall Way Continued...

    April 19, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    After a cold night (for Aussie) we still managed an outdoor hair wash, etc... unlike the friendly Aussie's in the caravan next to us with their own hot shower. These free (very basic) rest areas area much more social places to camp than most campsites. Hope we will still be doing this sort of thing when we are their age, at 82! We had to get the waterproofs out for our walk at Cathedral Rocks but thankfully the sun came out later in the afternoon. The scramble up and over these huge boulders, finally using a chain to get to the top was brilliant fun. They are huge granite rocks piled up like giant marbles. From here we went along to Wollomombi Gorge and walked to Chandler Lookout where we had a great view of both Wollomombi and Chandler Falls that plunge into an enormous ravine. The 2nd highest falls in Australia at 220 metres. Found another rest area in the nearby tiny hamlet of Wollomombi, on a piece of grassland just across from the small village shop. Wandered across to have a look, turns out that the young couple who have recently taken over also run a pub at the back. About as rustic as it gets, the locals were very friendly and we enjoyed a couple of beers and a long chat. Great to see a slice of backcountry life off the tourist trail.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
    Day 18

    UK or Australia?

    April 21, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We went back to Wollomombi to do a walk along the gorge the other way. That was after we had seen the local farmers round their cattle up by horse back. As it was early morning we were treated to Rock Wallabies feeding along the cliff edge. Apparently they have suction pads on their feet for easy grip! As we neared the end of Waterfall Way we visited our last waterfall which wasn't even on the map, there are so many, but it was equally as stunning. We restocked at the small city of Armidale which had a lovely hill station feel about it, with some interesting old buildings, many made of the black bricks used locally. The Autumn colours on the 'introduced' trees were amazing (all Aussie trees are evergreen). We went into the tourist information centre but didn't take the leaflet on '10 things to do for the over 40's' as it was all far too sensible! After the daily drying of the tent while eating a picnic lunch we covered a bit of mileage and got to Glen Innes. Another high town at 1100m above sea level. As we drove we passed through so many place names from the UK: Glencoe, Ben Lomond, Llangothlin, Exmouth, Glen Elgin, Aberfoyle... Then again, this region is called New England. The best was Stonehenge as it had a field of balancing rocks that defy gravity. Enjoying the comforts of a paid campsite tonight, like clothes washing, running water, electricity, lights and a covered kitchen.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 18

    Bald Rock National Park

    April 21, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Drove North from Glen Innes through agricultural prairie lands to Tenterfield and had a day walk up the Bald Rock. On the way we passed Thunderbolts hideout, a secret base hidden between the huge boulders. Nearby were tank traps from WW2, seen as wooden poles in the first picture. This remote area was the 2nd line of defence if Northern Australia was occupied. 10,000 troops were stationed here in anticipation it would happen. The rock is considered to be second only to Ayers Rock (Uluru) in size, with the summit 200m above the surrounding landscape and is 1,227m above sea level. It's the largest single granite 'stone' in the Southern Hemisphere that no-one has heard of!! A steep climb to the top led to a rounded summit with large standing stones perched on the top. Perfect for playing on...! 360 degree views from the top look out over the endless forests. The lower slopes are covered in boulder fields with mazes, bridges and tunnels to explore. Turned East again to head towards the coast and our final few days on the East coast. Stayed in a quiet woodland clearing, sharing the large area with a friendly Australian couple from Brisbane and their huge fire.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 19

    Cape Byron Marine Park

    April 22, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Had a change in climate today as we descended down to the coast through lush farmland and pasture. Good to put the shorts and tee-shirts back on! Stopped at the recently flooded Lismore (thanks to Cyclone Debbie) and saved a tree frog from being eaten by birds. We had never heard a frog cry out before and once we chased the birds away we relocated it back to the undergrowth of a tree: Karma plus one! Once we were fuelled by ice cream we drove up the coast from Ballina, stopping at beaches along the way and drying out the tent (from the dew that soaks it every night). We enjoyed a Turkish picnic over looking surfers near Lennox Head before spending time at Byron Bay. Byron has a busy vibe, perhaps more urban than we expected. It does have a certain traveller feel and buzz with a large sandy beach and safer looking surf. Spending the night at a camp ground at Mullumbimby Rugby Club where we have been re-acquainted with mosquitos!Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 20

    Gold Coast

    April 23, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Enjoying being back in the warmer weather and like all the other bank holiday weekenders we went to the coast. While it was busy, it had a really good vibe. Parked at Coolangatta and walked up through a market to Kirri Beach and back. Enjoyed a long swim in the sea trying to body surf on the waves. Once the tent was set up we headed back to town as the sun was setting for an early dinner. Treated ourselves to a 'surf and turf' meal, actually enjoying the prawns! The evening view of the Gold Coast as the sun went down was quite impressive.Read more

  • LouisaJamesAustralia
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    Day 22

    Brisbane

    April 25, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Yesterday we stayed put at the great campsite in Tweed Head/Coolangatta to spend the day exploring up the Gold Coast and relax in the swimming pool. We enjoyed a couple of swims and being thrown about on the slide. We stopped at Elephant Rocks (Crummbian Beach) to watch the many surfers as it was a good vantage point out in the ocean.
    Today we made it up to Brisbane and went exploring the city in the afternoon. Today is Anzac Day (Remembrance Day) which also means it is a public holiday. It also means it is the only day in the year that they can play 'Two Up', a betting game played in bars. Bets are made between many groups of two people for two coins to land either both heads or both tails before they are flipped. This is all after many people have been to Remembrance parades starting before dawn. We really like the city. It is a very outdoor city complete with a free swimming pool, beach and water fountains to play in. There is also a free river ferry through the main part of the city from where you can see more outdoor pursuits. There are bolts in the river cliffs for climbing, bbq's, walk ways and people on jet skis and kayaks.    Read more

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