• Tanya Simmons
  • Tanya Simmons

Around Oz 2023-24

Päättymätön seikkailu — Tanya Lue lisää
  • Cape Hillsborough NP

    6. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    Our last day here, has been a great stop. But the road show must roll on 😂
    Drove to Cape Hillsborough NP this morning. Lots of very interesting rock formations carved out by the water. Lovely walk along the beach.

    If you get there at dawn you can see the kangaroos on the beach. They do feed them to make sure they show up.

    A love spot. But pleased we camped where we are. Was a bit to busy up there.
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  • Lake Proserpine

    7. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Doing an overnight stop at Lake Proserpine- Peter Faust Dam. Whitsunday Region.
    We were going to stay here 2 or 3 nights but very windy. Was sitting outside and thought my chair and I were going to get blown away.

    Going by the photos in the office there are some really big fish to catch here. A bit out of ours league 🤣.

    Heading to Bowen in the morning.
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  • Passionfruit & Bananas

    8. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Graham picked up a massive bag of passionfruit for $3 at the Seaforth Markets on Sunday. Then a couple of days ago we got a huge hand of lady finger bananas for $2 From a road side stall ... yum.

    Time to get creative.
    Yesterday we had passionfruit & Banana smoothes.
    This morning we had them on crumpets for breakfast.
    I promised his Lordship to bake him a date loaf this arvo...thinking date passionfruit & Banana loaf. Yes 😊
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  • Glen Erin Farm Stay

    9. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Today finds us just on the outskirts of Bowen. A change from beach camping.
    Very peaceful here at Glen Erin Farm Stay. More our speed than a crowd van park in Bowen.
    Will be here for another 2 nights.

    Heading into Bowen today to play tourists. Check out the sites. Have a fish and chip lunch and go snorkeling on the reef when the tide comes in this arvo.
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  • Bowen

    9. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We had a fun day in Bowen. Started with taking in the views from Flagstaff Hill. Stunning views of the turquoise waters to North Heads lighthouse (over 150 yrs old).
    A stroll along the Bowen Jetty built in 1865 was next on our list. Then into town were we stopped the view the Bowen Quilt in the local library. Made with love by local quilters to display the history of the area. Lunch was next ... yummy fish and chips at Bird's Fish Bar. Swimming at Horseshoe Bay filled in our afternoon. Meet 2 lovely Canadian ladies. To top off the day we stopped for Mango Sorbet on the way back to our camp. Not forgetting the 2 kilo bag of delicious tomatoes we picked up for $5 @ a roadside stall. I think a big pot of Tomato Soup will be coming up.Lue lisää

  • Tomato Soup

    10. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Love picking up fresh local produce when travelling. Then whipping up a yummy van cooked meal.

    We picked up a 2 kilo bag of delicious tomatoes yesterday only $5. Today they are being turned into a pot of Tomato Soup. Plus saving some for salads.

    Some soup I will freeze for quick meals on traveling days.
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  • Tully Gorge National Park

    13. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We took a left turn at Tully yesterday and headed up through banana country to the Tully Gorge NP. As one would expect in a rainforest in Tully it is a bit wet. Mainly a fine misty drizzle. Adds to the atmosphere.

    So beautiful here. We have the river running behind us. A couple of nice short walks. Including the butterfly walk. Not butterflies spotted. Hoping to spot a Cassowary while here 🤞
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  • Exploring Tully Gorge

    13. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Had a wonderful day exploring Tully Gorge yesterday. Within a short drive of the campground is some great lookouts, Ponytail Falls with covered picnic area and at the end of the road a hydro power station.

    We had planned a BBQ dinner but changed it to a late lunch while the sun was out. Proved a very wise move as the drizzly rain rolled back in about 4pm.

    Off on move adventures today 😊
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  • Babinda Boulders

    14. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Just south of Cairns we found this treasure. Free camping just very short walk from the Boulders.

    There is a wonderful place in the river that is perfect for swimming. The water was very fresh and invigorating. Meet Tony the local there...Also swimming. Was very informative on the must do's. Including the local bakery. Will pay them a visit tomorrow.

    Went for a dusk walk to Devils Pools. Definitely not a place to swim. Very stunning. Was had to believe that just a short distance up river it was calm enough to swim to the Devils Pools were a number of people have lost their lives.
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  • Kicking back in Mareeba

    16. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Did a big bypass of Cairns. Decided that at $65 + a night there was nothing we wanted to do that we haven't already done.

    Scooted up the range to the Tablelands. Camped at Kerribee Park Camping ... The local rodeo grounds at Mareeba. Just been chilling out. Took the beast to get new tyres. Stock up on supplies and planning the next leg of our adventures. Will have a day out exploring tomorrow. Our 3rd time here so it's more a stopover for us.

    👀 keep watch some great places coming up.
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  • Lake Barrine

    17. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    There is something about us visiting the volcanic lakes on the Tablelands. We always get a cloudy day. At least it's not raining like it was last time 😂.

    Such a lovely spot. We did the cruise on the lake was a bargain at $15. Spotted lots of Atherton Pythons, Snapping Turtles and eels. The rainforest surrounding the lake is stunning. As are the kauri pines over 1000 yrs old.

    What a better way to end the morning but tea & scones at the magnificent old tea house on the lake.
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  • Lest we forget

    17. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    The Avenue of Honour at Tinaroo Lake remembers our brave soldiers that served at Afghanistan.
    A very moving reminder of those who lost there lives. Including the dogs. Having Grahams oldest son serve in this conflict it is so meaningful for us.

    A family of Curlews we a fitting guard of honour standing watch.
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  • Curtain fig tree

    17. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Last up on our morning outing was to revisit the curtain fig tree. We visited this amazing tree on our very first trip north. So long ago...in our old soft floor camper being towed by the Camry 😊

  • Talaroo Hot Springs

    20. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    We did the hot springs tour this morning. Was lead by Tanya a lovely local Ewamian woman. Her stories of the county, people and traditions bought the whole area to life. It was an honor to listen and learn from her.
    We then spent a relaxing hour soaking in the pool feed from the hot springs water.

    This is a beautiful place. Well worth the visit. Sadly they cannot get the staff to run at its full potential. Just a few older Ewamian women left to keep the stories and place running.
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  • Cobbold Gorge Trip

    22. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

    Cruised up Cobbold Gorge this afternoon. Was very different to other gorges we have visited. Very narrow in places with towering cliffs on either side. Spotted a few fresh water crocs ... one attacked our boat which is most unusual. I think we were blocking it's escape route.
    We then did a walk up the top of the cliffs and across the glass bridge. Stunning views. Our guide was fantastic. With heaps of info on bush tucker and the native trees.
    I was glad we had thought to wear our swimmers. Has a nice refreshing swim in the infinity pool. Was very hot this afternoon.
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  • Quartz Blow Lookout

    22. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    After getting back from our gorge trip this afternoon we did the drive out to the Quartz Blow Lookout for sunset.

    Picked up a cheese platter and wine from the bar ... Was yummy. There is something special about being perched on a massive pile of quartz drink wine and tucking into a cheese platter in what feels like the middle of

    There were 2 other couples. We all made lots of jokes about getting back down again. Am pleased to report we all made it down in one piece.
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  • Elinsleigh River

    23. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Left Cobbold Gorge this morning after a very pleasant 2 days.
    Missing the infinity pool already😪 is hot today.

    Headed to Forsayth then onto Einasleight. Visited the Copperfield Gorge. Now heading to Hughenden.

    Stopped to overnight on the banks of the Einasleigh River (free camping) ... shit gravel road was very slow driving. Graham scored well with the driving today. I did the Cobbold to Forsayth stretch all gravel. Graham did Forsayth to Einasleigh sealed road with a tiny bit of very good gravel in the middle. Then I got the last bit of really yucky road.

    FUN FACT - we are currently travelling through the Etheridge Shire QLD.
    - it's 2/3 The size of Tassie
    - has approx 900 permanent residents.
    - known for its beef and gold. Seen lots of steaks on legs, but sadly no gold.

    Main photo - view from our van tonight.
    2 extra photos Copperfield Gorge
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  • Red Dirt

    24. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Graham decided we would leave early and stop at The Oasis Roadhouse at The Lynd for breakfast. Only to find they don't open weekends
    As the van was still damp with overnight dew all the red dust has stuck to her 😥... guess who will be washing the van? Plus making breakfast 😂Lue lisää

  • Hughenden

    26. kesäkuuta 2023, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We are currently in Hughenden inland from Townsville on our way to Mt Isa. Part of the Dinosaurs Trail. Unfortunately the Dinosaur display is closed for renovating.

    Lots of great street art. A lake for water sports, were we plan to go swimming this arvo. Has been stinking hot ... around 33° the last few days. Lots of laying around in the shade and drinking water.

    Gave Graham the slip for some girl time.
    Got a much needed haircut. She did an excellent job. Cut, shampoo and blow dry for only $35. She has been running her salon for 40 yrs.

    Camped at the RV site. Donation only. Need to be fully contained to camp here. Gets about 50/60 van per night.

    Head to Richmond in the morning ☺
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