Far North Queensland

An 11 week trip through Queensland with a mix of coastal and inland travel. Motorhome and Jimny. Read more

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Trip start
July 30, 2025
Far North Queensland
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Day 1
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
🌧 11 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Australia Sydney -33.774222, 151.2819233°46’27” S 151°16’55” E
Away we go …
July 30 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
All packed, itinerary planned and the only thing left to do is leave the wet, cold weather behind and hook up the Jimny
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Day 2
Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 6:56 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 68 m
Australia Cessnock City Council -32.83102, 151.33891332°49’52” S 151°20’20” E
Cessnock, NSW
July 31 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Stayed at Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley. We just turned up without a booking and got an excellent site and a free bottle of local wine.

We visited Tamburlaine, one of our favourite wineries in the valley and went for lunch at 4 Pines at the Farm. All the vines in the valley have been pruned in anticipation of the new season.Read more
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Day 4
Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 12:59 PM
🌧 10 °C
Altitude: 469 m
Australia Tamworth Regional Council -31.302353, 150.90457231°18’8” S 150°54’16” E
Awesome lunch with Penny Webb
August 2 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
Goonoo Goonoo Station—pronounced “Gun‑ah g‑noo,” meaning running water over rocks in times of drought—is a vast historic cattle property just south of Tamworth in New South Wales, covering around 4,420 hectares. Established in 1831, the property has been beautifully restored by the Haggarty family, transforming heritage-listed structures like the woolstore, schoolhouse, stone store, and chapel into luxury cottages and communal spaces. As a working station with modern comforts such as heated pools, tennis court, Wi‑Fi and a guest lounge, it delivers a retreat-like experience that blends pastoral roots with sophisticated hospitality.

At the heart of the property lies the Glasshouse Restaurant, a striking modern venue completed in 2016. Nestled between two repurposed heritage buildings and highlighted by floor‑to‑ceiling glass walls, its design by TKD Architects uses materials such as corten steel, recycled timber, polished concrete, stone, brass and leather. The sweeping windows offer panoramic views across rolling grazing hills to the Liverpool Range, while the interior is softened by slatted timber ceilings and greenery, creating a refined yet grounded ambience .

It was lovely to catch up with Penny, an old friend of Robin’s for a lazy long lunch.Read more
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Day 4
Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
🌧 10 °C
Altitude: 427 m
Australia Tamworth Regional Council -31.195927, 150.91781631°11’45” S 150°55’4” E
Tamworth weather
August 2 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
The weather this weekend has been very welcome to the local farming community. There is a lot of water lying around.

It looks as though there has been snow in Uralla and Armidale and the road between Tamworth and Armidale is closed.Read more
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Day 5
Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 435 m
Australia Tamworth Regional Council -31.036221, 150.7800331°2’10” S 150°46’48” E
Weekend with Ms Penny
August 3 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
We had a lovely weekend with Penny Webb at her 100 acre property "Piedmonte".

We really enjoyed catching up with Penny and seeing the work of her partner, Brett, that she is continuing to develop after his sudden passing.Read more
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Day 6
Monday, August 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 211 m
Australia Moree -29.470817, 149.84223829°28’15” S 149°50’32” E
Moree Art Trail
August 4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
The Moree Art Trail is a casual and easy way to explore the town’s creative side. Spread across public spaces, galleries, and laneways, it includes murals, sculptures, and exhibitions that reflect the area’s culture and history—especially its strong Indigenous roots. You can take it at your own pace, whether that’s a quiet stroll through the main streets or popping into a local gallery for a closer look. It’s not flashy, but it’s a good way to see a different side of Moree and appreciate the work of local artists.Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 10:07 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 229 m
Australia Goondiwindi -28.550889, 150.31136128°33’3” S 150°18’41” E
Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM)
August 5 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
BAMM was established to celebrate art and preserve the rich history and culture of the Kamilaroi people.

Three fabulous exhibitions:

Team Trampoline: During the recent school holidays, young people collaborated with South Australian artist, Meg Wilson, to design and weave custom trampoline mats.

Lines of Land, Patterns of Self: This exhibition marks the debut of four emerging artists, each presenting their strongest works across painting, mixed media, and carving.

Boundaries: Transcended celebrates the work of hundreds of people who came together to build tiny ceramic homes celebrating the resettlement of refugees in the Hunter Valley.Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 12:30 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 229 m
Australia Goondiwindi -28.550907, 150.31138228°33’3” S 150°18’41” E
Travel day. Leaving NSW
August 5 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Today, other than the excellent BAAM visit was a travel day. We travelled from Moree to Goondiwindi via Boggabilla (tiny little town on the NSW side of the border.

The Newell Highway is a well used route for travellers and transport from Victoria to Queensland. It's easy driving and had little traffic today.Read more
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Day 8
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 10:51 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 216 m
Australia Goondiwindi -28.529557, 150.28037428°31’46” S 150°16’49” E
Around Goondiwindi
August 6 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Goondiwindi (or just “Gundy” to locals) is a chilled-out border town between QLD and NSW. It’s known for its wide streets, friendly vibe, and the legendary racehorse Gunsynd—there’s even a statue of him by the river. The Macintyre River’s a nice spot for a walk or a picnic, especially around sunset. It’s the kind of place where no one’s in a rush, and that suits it just fine. The Botanic Gardens is also worth visiting

Around town, you’ll find classic pub feeds, and a few quirky shops worth a browse. There’s a local gallery, some heritage buildings, and if you’re there in the hotter months, the pool and hot springs are a good shout. It’s not fancy, but Gundy’s got a relaxed charm that makes it an easy stop on a road trip.Read more
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Day 8
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 239 m
Australia Yelarbon -28.571642, 150.75634728°34’18” S 150°45’23” E
Yelarbon
August 6 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Yelarbon is a small rural town in Queensland, located on the border with New South Wales. The town sits about 280 kilometers southwest of Brisbane and 40 kilometers east of Goondiwindi, with a population of around 313. It's positioned on the Cunningham Highway between Goondiwindi and Inglewood.

The area features desert and spinifex grassland with natural salt patches, creating a unique landscape. The town's name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning either water lily or lagoon, relating to the nearby Dumaresq River and Yelarbon Lagoon. Originally used for cattle grazing, it developed into a small village. Today, you can see parts of the old dingo fence and the distinctive spinifex grass that grows in this harsh but interesting environment.Read more
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Day 10
Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
🌬 17 °C
Altitude: 341 m
Australia Dalby -27.176132, 151.245427°10’34” S 151°14’43” E
Dalby Pioneer Farm Museum
August 8 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 17 °C
The Dalby Pioneer Park Museum, is a heritage attraction that showcases one of the largest collections of working pioneer tractors and agricultural machinery in Queensland. This open-air museum preserves the rich agricultural history of the Darling Downs region through an extensive display of authentic colonial buildings and historical artifacts. Buildings house such things as an old school, colonial cottage, early photos, historical phone exchange, dentist's chair and equipment, hospital equipment, original jail building with antique firearm collection and an old shop building.

The museum features working vintage machinery including late 1800's model working thrashers and elevator, 1950's model reaper & binder, pre war hay baler, early hand and power driven cornshellers, oil and petrol engines, offering visitors a hands-on glimpse into Australia's pioneering past.Read more
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Day 11
Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
🌧 15 °C
Altitude: 440 m
Australia Kingaroy -26.539452, 151.841126°32’22” S 151°50’28” E
Kingaroy
August 9 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
A relatively short drive of 90 minutes today as we move from Dalby to Kingaroy.

It an easy drive and we were in no hurry as the Kingaroy Tourist Park doesn't process check-ins till noon.

We came across a convoy of Caravans and I can see why truckie hate this. Lead van was doing 80kph and a couple of them were bunched up, so overtaking wasn't possible for a heavy vehicle.

Kingaroy is located in the South Burnett region of Queensland and renowned as "the peanut capital of Australia". It originated in 1886 as Kingaroy Paddock, deriving its name from the Aboriginal term kingerroy, meaning "red ant," and was proclaimed a shire in 1912.

The town's development accelerated after the arrival of the railway in 1904, and it became famous for its agricultural output, particularly peanuts grown in the area's rich red soils. The giant white 43 metre tall peanut silos are a landmark for visitors and locals alike and a reminder of the huge part that the industry has played in the development of the district.

Beyond its agricultural heritage, Kingaroy has evolved into a tourist destination, with newly established vineyards that have enabled the area to benefit from tourism, and the first vines planted in 1995 in a climate similar to the acclaimed Hunter Valley, making it an emerging wine region in the South Burnett.Read more
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Day 12
Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 65 m
Australia South Kolan -24.941745, 152.14130424°56’30” S 152°8’29” E
Mystery Craters
August 10 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The Mystery Craters, located just outside Gin Gin in South Kolan, are one of Queensland’s quirkiest natural attractions. Discovered in 1971 during routine land clearing, this cluster of 35 oddly shaped, water-filled depressions has puzzled geologists and visitors alike. The craters, carved into coloured sandstone and surrounded by tropical gardens, range in size and depth, with no single agreed-upon explanation for their formation. Theories have included sinkholes caused by erosion, ancient volcanic activity, meteorite impacts, or even remnants of a prehistoric seabed—but none have been proven, adding to their intrigue. Today, the site is open to the public, combining geological curiosity with a light-hearted tourist experience.Read more
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Day 13
Monday, August 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 107 m
Australia Monduran -24.875704, 151.8508424°52’33” S 151°51’3” E
Boolboonda Tunnel and Lake Monduran
August 11 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
The Boolboonda Tunnel is Australia’s longest unsupported man-made tunnel, stretching 192 metres through solid rock. Built in the 1880s as part of a railway line linking Mount Perry’s copper mines to the coast, it was carved entirely by hand using pick, shovel, and dynamite—no timber or steel reinforcements were needed thanks to the hard granite. The railway closed in 1960, but the tunnel remains a popular local attraction, now part of a gravel road that you can drive or walk through. It’s also home to a colony of bent-wing bats, so visitors might hear fluttering overhead as they pass through the dim, cool interior.

Lake Monduran, just north of Gin Gin, is a large freshwater reservoir created by the Fred Haigh Dam on the Kolan River. Completed in 1978, it was originally built for irrigation and water supply, but it’s now best known as one of Australia’s premier barramundi fishing spots—anglers regularly land trophy fish over a metre long. The lake is surrounded by bushland, offering quiet spots for camping, kayaking, and birdwatching, with picnic areas and boat ramps making it easy to access. Its sheltered waters are ideal for water sports, and the surrounding parklands provide a relaxed, scenic setting for a day trip or an extended stay.Read more
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Day 14
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Seventeen Seventy -24.181608, 151.89535824°10’54” S 151°53’43” E
Seventeen Seventy / Agnes Water
August 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
1770 and Agnes Water are two little coastal towns that sit right next to each other on Queensland’s Discovery Coast. 1770 is famous as the place where Captain Cook first came ashore in Queensland, but these days it’s all about calm waters, sunsets over the bay, and a really laid-back vibe. It’s the kind of spot where you can head out for a quiet paddle, go fishing, or just sit with a drink and watch the sun drop into the ocean – one of the few places on the east coast where you actually get that west-facing sunset.

Just down the road, Agnes Water is a bit livelier, with a long surf beach, cafés, and a friendly holiday feel. It’s also the last surf beach as you head north, so it’s popular with surfers and families. From here you can do day trips out to the reef, head into the national parks for bushwalks, or just take it easy and enjoy the slower pace.

Together, 1770 and Agnes Water feel like a pair of small towns that are still unspoiled, with enough to do if you want to be active but plenty of space if you just want to switch off.Read more
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Day 18
Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 118 m
Australia Livingstone Shire -23.183039, 150.79732823°10’59” S 150°47’50” E
Yeppoon / Mulambin
August 16 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
We have had 3 lovely days catching up with some of Robin's old (of long standing) girlfriends, Kathy Farquhar and Jan Farquhar along with Greg and Vicki Bastin-Byrne.

Yeppoon is a laid-back coastal town with a great foreshore, a lagoon pool, and plenty of spots to eat by the water. Great Keppel Island is just a short ferry ride away for beaches and snorkelling, while Byfield National Park offers bushwalks, creeks, and sand dunes. A short drive south, Emu Park adds its own charm with the Singing Ship monument and quiet seaside atmosphere.

Proximity to Rockhampton makes it an easily accessible holiday and retirement location. Winter days of 21° C are a bonus.Read more
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Day 20
Monday, August 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Australia Isaac Regional -22.123063, 149.53840622°7’23” S 149°32’18” E
Clairview
August 18 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Clairview is a tiny coastal spot on the Bruce Highway, about halfway between Rockhampton and Mackay, best known for its sweeping ocean views and dugong habitat just offshore. It’s one of those places where the highway almost touches the beach, so you get a glimpse of the water even without stopping. Right on the foreshore is Barracrab Caravan Park, a laid-back spot with powered sites, cabins, a pub and bistro, and a big outdoor deck looking over the beach. It’s popular with grey nomads, fishers, and anyone chasing a relaxed stopover with a true beachfront feel.

We took an unpowered site for A$36 and had outrageously splendid views.

The tide here swings about 4 metres every 6 hours and the change in outlook is quite incredible.Read more
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Day 21
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Australia Airlie Beach -20.268514, 148.71005320°16’7” S 148°42’36” E
Airlie Beach
August 19 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We stayed 6 nights at the NRMA Airlie Beach in Cannonvale.

Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday's. Whether it's Daydrean, Hamilton or Whitsunday Island, Airlie Beach has a transfer for you.

It offers plenty of good bars and restaurants and we could easily see ourselves spending a winter here.Read more
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Day 22
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 8:53 AM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Whitsunday Regional -20.294468, 149.05413720°17’40” S 149°3’15” E
Whitehaven Beach
August 20 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Whitehaven Beach is one of those attractions that actually lives up to the hype.

The sandy beach, mostly silica hence the colour, goes for kilometers. We put in a good half hour walking and didn't get close to the end.

The water is crystal clear. When I opened my eyes after diving in I saw dozens of quite large fish right in front of me. The quality of the water reminded me of some of the beaches we visited in Sardinia and the Ionian Islands but with actual sand rather than pebbles.

I'm pleased to report that the state of the beach, despite the high number of tourists, was very clean.Read more
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Day 26
Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Cannonvale -20.25649, 148.67687720°15’23” S 148°40’37” E
A chance visit to "Northerlies"
August 24 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We were set to leave Airlie Beach for Bowen, however we couldn't get 2 nights anywhere, so we decided to have another night at Airlie Beach.

Northerlies is a destination about 15 minutes out of Airlie Beach. It offers wedding venues, 3 eating venues, a grassy knoll and importantly a free courtesy bus from all parts of Airlie Beach.

We had sensational weather, a great table and good food and wine. What more is required.Read more
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Day 27
Monday, August 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 56 m
Australia Bowen -20.014718, 148.2662320°0’53” S 148°15’58” E
Bowen
August 25 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Bowen is a laid-back coastal town in North Queensland, best known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed pace. With eight stretches of shoreline to choose from, including the calm Horseshoe Bay with its fringing reef perfect for snorkeling, Bowen is a great spot to enjoy the water without the crowds. The town has a friendly, old-fashioned feel, and you’ll spot the “Big Mango” on the way in—a nod to its reputation as Australia’s mango capital. It’s also a handy base for fishing, exploring local lookouts, and taking in some of the region’s history and charm.

The town's mural trail, including 2 water Towers, is worth a look.Read more
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Day 28
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 2:51 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Australia Wongaling Beach -17.895054, 146.09626317°53’42” S 146°5’47” E
Mission Beach
August 26 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Mission Beach, QLD, is a quiet coastal town known for its long stretch of beach backed by rainforest. It’s a good base for trips to Dunk Island and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as for walking tracks through the surrounding national parks. The area is also one of the better places to spot cassowaries in the wild. With a small-town feel and a mix of cafes and local shops, Mission Beach offers a relaxed stop for both nature and beach activities.Read more
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Day 30
Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Australia Cairns Regional -16.726649, 145.64689916°43’36” S 145°38’49” E
Ellis Beach
August 28 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We had hoped to stay in Palm Cove however the CP there was booked out until the end of September.

Looking at Wikicamps I found Ellis Beach, called them and secured 6 night to use as a base around the Cairns "Northern Beaches".

Ellis Beach is a 7 minute drive from Palm Cove and 20 minutes from Port Douglas.

Apart from getting used to the nearby road noise on the first night we had a very enjoyable stay here and used it as a base for Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Kuranda. More on those later.Read more
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Day 31
Friday, August 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Australia Palm Cove -16.74954, 145.67096616°44’58” S 145°40’15” E
Palm Cove
August 29 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Palm Cove is 7 minutes South of Ellis Beach. It is a compact holiday resort focussed destination. Offering a number of good restaurants and cafes, boutiques and resorts it is popular with southerners at this time of year.

It has a nice long beach with lifeguards and the inevitable stinger and crocodile warning signs.Read more
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Day 32
Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Palm Cove -16.749754, 145.67096216°44’59” S 145°40’15” E
Nu Nu at Palm Cove
August 30 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
We've taken to having leisurely lunches rather than dinners out as logistics seem to be easier.

Nu Nu was recommended by our good friend Duncan and it did not disappoint.
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