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Heading north and outback
  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across Oz

Heading north and outback

No idea where we will end up, still unsure about heading to the coast or staying inland. That’s the beauty of not having to be anywhere at a specific time - we can chop and change our minds as we go. Looking forward to seeing more Aussie outback! Read more
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  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Crocs and Beaches

    October 8, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We had brekky outside under the awning with our son and my mum and decided to drive to Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge today. By the time we got ourselves organized it was close to 12 noon before we left.

    First stop was at the gorgeous Ellis Beach where we all piled out to walk along the pristine sand towards the distant palm trees.

    We continued driving north and half way there had a change of plans and we decided to do a crocodile river cruise on the Daintree River instead. We headed there first (over 100km away!) and had a picnic lunch of chicken and salad wraps sitting in the shade while we waited to board the boat.

    We all boarded the solar powered narrow vessel which was whisper quiet, including Cadbury, with only six people on our cruise. Our boat captain and guide was very passionate about crocodiles and the local bird life/environment and he gave us a lot of information. We saw quite a few crocodiles, mostly just their heads bobbing along the shore but we saw a couple of small 1-2 year old crocs up on the bank. One small croc was feeding among the weeds close to shore so we got to see him snapping his mouth open and shut.

    After our tour ended we drove to Port Douglas and had a look around town before heading to the river to take in the sunset. We didn’t stop to eat there as I didn’t want to drive back to Cairns on the windy, narrow coastal road in the dark.

    After a quick stop at the beach we drove back to Cairns, dropping Gadi and Cadbury back at the caravan park - to watch Survivor. The rest of us then went to a local bistro for a steak special.

    Back home and time to chill out and relax. Tomorrow we will take it easy around Cairns!

    Night night from FNQ    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Chill Out Day in Cairns

    October 9, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today we had a quiet day exploring the foreshore in Cairns and the lovely infinity lagoon. We had lunch in a cafe along the esplanade and while Gadi and our son went for a swim in the lagoon, my mum and I picked up some supplies at the supermarket before heading back to our caravan park.

    In the evening we barbecued chicken wings on the Weber (of course) and chilled out.

    That’s all to report for today. Night night from FNQ xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Reef Trip & beach Cafe

    October 10, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today Gadi and our boy headed out for a full day out on the Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, my mum and I had a slow start to the morning, relaxing outside under the awning before heading out late morning for Cairns’ northern beaches.

    We spent a delightful couple of hours at a cafe directly on Holloway’s Beach, enjoying the cooling sea breeze and stunning view and location.

    We stopped to get some groceries before heading back and chilling for a while before having to pick up the others from the reef terminal.

    We had an easy dinner at home using the Weber to barbecue a mustard crusted corned beef and potato salad. We sat outside for a couple of hours chatting and looking at the amazing under water photos from their snorkeling trip, before calling it a night. Gadi decided to head into town quite late and get a massage at the night market. The rest of us headed to bed.

    Night night from FNQ.    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Green Island & Pub Lunch

    October 11, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This morning Mum and I went to Green Island for the day. It’s a tiny sand island with a resort on it and a few shops and restaurants designed to feel like a little village in the rainforest.

    We walked around for a while and then sat in the shade to wait for our glass bottom boat tour. On the boat we saw a variety of coral and quite a few coloured fish and large trevally. We also saw giant clams and a couple of giant turtles bobbing their tiny heads up and down in the crystal clear sea.

    We ate lunch by the pool and then I collected my snorkel and fins and headed to the little beach near the pier to snorkel, while Mum read her book in the shade. The water was warm and inviting and as soon as I’d managed to get on the flippers I enjoyed swimming and looking out for fish.

    The waters around the island are so clear and shallow for quite a long way out that it makes viewing the fish and coral easy.

    At 4.30pm we took the boat back to Cairns and Gadi picked us up at the boat terminal. We picked up a few supplies at the supermarket and headed back to our caravan park where we learnt that the boys had headed into town to eat lunch a pub and then he’d dropped our son back and gone for a drive to the Northern Beaches.

    We made an easy dinner of barbecued chicken (thanks Woollies!), roast pumpkin and eggplant on the Weber and a big salad.

    Now we’ve all had a chance to get out on the water and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef in all its glory!

    Night night from FNQ xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Coffee, Chocolate, Wine & Spirits

    October 12, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    What a day! Today we headed up to the Atherton Tablelands, around Mareeba to do some tastings. Once again we went to Coffee Works and spent a couple of hours tasting various coffees including single origin, blends and local coffee, as well as coffee liquors and chocolate, looking through the museum and the shop. We had to leave Cadbury in the car so we made sure we parked in the shade.

    Buzzing with so much caffeine we set off to do tastings at a mango farm. There were rows and rows of mango trees in the field but the fruit was not yet ripe as it’s too early in the season.

    At the back of their processing plant is their wine tasting room where we tried a variety of mango wines including dry, medium and sweet, sparkling (our favourite - and an award winner) and there were some other fruit liquors to follow - I stopped here as I was worried about driving.

    Next we headed for Mount Uncle Distillery, about half an hour away where we knew Cadbury would be welcome in the tasting room (as we checked out this place last week). Here we were the only people there and we did the full tasting including a vodka made from honey, 3 different gins (one from juniper berries and botanicals, one from stronger berries and botanicals and one smoked gin), a sugar spirit (made from cane sugar but not barrel aged), a 4 year aged rum, an 8 year old whiskey, a marshmallow liquor and a chocolate liquor.

    We literally rolled out the door at closing time and they kindly let us have our picnic lunch in the grounds overlooking a lovely lake. We also had a look at the animals they keep including geese, donkeys, lyre birds and alpacas. By this time we left it was after 5 and we headed beck down the Tableland Mountains, through Kuranda (stopping at the lookout over Cairns) before heading home.

    We were all exhausted and a little seedy...Mum went straight to her cabin to rest and we went back, cleaned up all our lunch things and whiled away some time playing some rummy tiles outside.

    Along with our usual assortment of citronella candles and lights, we put out a new painted candle holder that our son bought for us in the coffee place today. It looked lovely as it glowed a warm orange and red against the night sky.

    Gadi and our boy were hungry enough to eat toasted sandwiches. I felt too nauseated and just went to bed. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll pull up ok.

    Night night, I must be getting too old for mixing so many drinks!    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Day of Rest

    October 13, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Today we all pulled up a little seedy (except for Gadi who drank less so he could drive home) and decided to just rest and take it easy. We ate a late brekky outside and just chilled.

    Early afternoon we headed in to town to Rusty’s
    food market to buy some fruit. Gadi decided to head to thr foreshore and I drove our boy home as he began to feel worse.

    In the evening Mum and I went to a local pub for some calamari, which neither of us could finish. Although we didn’t ask, the waitress kindly offered to bring us a doggie bag to take home the delicious leftovers.

    Back home in time to check in our boy who had come over to our caravan still feeling green. An early night for all. Hopefully tomorrow we’re all feeling better.

    Good night xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Kuranda, Markets & Birds

    October 14, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We had a lovely day today exploring Kuranda, the original market and the food market. We were surprised that it wasn’t busier, as we remember being here a few years ago and not being able to find a parking spot. Together with my boy, I went to visit Bird World, a fantastic free flight aviary where you are inside with the birds. We bought a seed and corn mix to hand feed the birds and we were bombarded from the minute we entered.

    We had many of the large macaws, alexandrine parrots and many other parrots land on our arms and heads almost immediately. We enjoyed their cheekiness, as they ate from our open hands and even tried to eat straight out of the paper bags.

    We made our way slowly through the aviary, enjoying watching the different coloured birds, but of course given we’ve had rainbow lorikeets for many years, they were our favourite!

    We walked through the market, enjoying the colorful little booths and laid back, hippy vibe. We ate the best felafel at an Israeli stand, and although he had run out of fresh pita, he made us felafel salad cups in lettuce leaves. It was absolutely delicious dressed with fresh herbs and a tahini dressing.

    Next we checked out Barron Falls - not a lot of water at this time of year and found another viewpoint over the mountains, with Cairns far in the distance. Here we had a lot of fun taking photos of each other doing yoga poses with the serenity of the stunning view in the background, even my mum had a go. And then Gadi fell backwards in the bushes, and we laughed until we nearly wet our pants!

    We headed back to Cairns to chill out for the evening. I cooked some prawn spring rolls and a deboned peri peri chicken on the Weber with grills veggies, which was delicious paired with our sparkling mango wine we purchased the other day in the Atherton Tablelands.

    G’night from the far north!    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Beach fun & Last Dinner Together

    October 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We had an awesome last day together in Cairns today, enjoying a lazy late brekkie outside under the awning before heading off early afternoon to the northern beaches. We spent a couple of hours at the gorgeous Trinity Beach, where even my mum, who never usually swims, swam in the warm, crystal clear water. Our boy tried Gadi’s kayak but found it difficult balancing in the waves. I had a go (and I never go out on the kayak although Gadi always asks me to) and I was really surprised I managed to keep afloat through the waves...for a little while anyway!

    We packed up and headed to Holloway׳s Beach to our favourite beachside cafe where we managed to order coffee and scones (we rang through the order on the way) just before they closed. We sat beachside for awhile, enjoying our lunch/afternoon tea and the stunning view.

    We headed home and went to a local pub (steak night) for our last dinner together. Steak followed by New York baked cheese cake!

    Night night from Cairns xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Bye Family, Fitzroy Island

    October 16, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    This morning I dropped Gadi to the reef terminal early to go to Fitzroy Island where he enjoyed a day of hiking, exploring as well as a three hour guided kayak tour.

    Meanwhile Mum and our boy’s plane was delayed so I got on with some washing while they finished their packing. I drove them to the airport (all of 7 minutes away) and we said a quick goodbye.

    Back to the caravan to hang out all our sheets and towels and then it was time for a rest as the humidity here in Cairns is becoming unbearable.

    Late afternoon I picked up Gadi and dropped him back to the caravan where he started packing down the van, putting away all the outside furniture and awning while I went to do a supermarket shop.

    We went out around 8 for a bite to eat at the pier, ending up eating burgers and tacos at a bar with loud music where I’m sure we were the oldest ones there.

    After dinner we had a last stroll around the foreshore and lagoon area before heading back.

    Tomorrow we begin our journey south.

    Night night from the humid tropics!    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    A Castle, a Waterfall & Fireflies

    October 17, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We finally left Cairns this morning, driving South 90 minutes to Mena Creek and Paronella Castle where we are staying for the night.

    Many years ago, in 1992 on a holiday in FNQ we discovered this castle off the beaten track. It was built in the 1930s by a Spaniard named Jose Paronella who missed his European heritage. It became a well loved place for locals for ballroom dancing, weddings, picnics by the lake, games of tennis or lawn bowls, movies and more. Unfortunately, some years after all the hard work in building the castle and gardens, floods destroyed a good portion of it. Although it was rebuilt, it ended up in disrepair until the current owners fell in love with it and bought it in 1993. When we first saw this place it was in total disrepair, which added to its charm as we wandered around the ruins, for free and without a guided tour.

    Today we each did a guided day tour (separately because of the dog) and then Gadi did a tour of the hydroelectric plant on site. The day tours gave the history of the park and showed how it once looked in its prime. We explored the ruins of the ballroom, cafe, dressing rooms, theatre and gardens with tennis courts and lawn bowls for the genteel folks in the 1940s and 50s.

    In between the tours we chilled out (literally) in airconditioned comfort inside the caravan. In the evening we both did the night tours, a totally different experience where you get to walk through the forest with torch in hand and see little yabbies in the creek, millions of fireflies in the high branches of a tall tree and of course the spectacular finale where they light up the castle slowly in all the colours of the rainbow and with soft music playing adding to the fairytale setting of a castle set in a forest next to a waterfall.

    All up a lovely day re-exploring and tripping down memory lane. Makes it much easier that they happen to have a small caravan park on site, so we didn’t have far to go when our tours were done.

    Now to relax for the evening with our aircon!

    Night night xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Skywalk and a Swim

    October 18, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Of course the Zohars were the last to leave the caravan park at Paronella Park this morning. By the time we left at 10am visitors were already exploring the park.

    We drove out and parked just outside so we could walk on the suspension bridge over the waterfall. Then we ate some yoghurt, fruit and muesli for brekky as we hadn’t eaten yet, before heading off to the nearby Mamu Skywalk, also owned by the current owners of Paronella Park.

    The drive to the skywalk was gorgeous, full of rolling green hills, sugar cane and banana fields, cute little towns and the ever present green-clad mountains all around.

    Again we did the skywalk separately. Lucky for us the day turned out less hot and humid than we have had for the last couple of weeks. It made walking through the forest and out on to the cantilevered walkways much more pleasant. We both felt the skywalk was a fantastic way to see both the forest floor as well as its canopy.

    By the time we both did the skywalk and then ate lunch in our caravan it was getting late so we decided to find somewhere to free camp nearby before heading back to the coast tomorrow. Given the cooler weather we felt we would cope without air conditioning for tonight.

    We found a lovely camp beside a gorgeous fresh water bubbling river complete with small rapids. We parked alongside facing the river and enjoyed the late afternoon by the river, even sneaking in a swim after some locals came by and told us it was fine to swim in. We both braved the water and ended up sitting in the rapids - which made a great spa pool. Cadbury enjoyed frolicking in the water fetching stones and burying his head in the water to pick up the stones.

    We ate an easy dinner sitting outside enjoying the cool night air until the twilight turned to blackness all around us.

    Time to head inside and make a cuppa and find something sweet to go with it.

    G’night from our river rapid camp xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    From River to the Sea- We Found Paradise

    October 19, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We enjoyed breakfast sitting outside by the river this morning, enjoying the relatively morning cool air in the hills. We headed towards the coast and decided to go straight to Mission Beach to see which caravan park would be best.

    We tried the council park first, as despite having old facilities, it’s the only park directly on the beachfront. This park has just been taken over by new lessees and big changes are planned. I have been ringing the last few days but no luck at getting a site. This morning we were really lucky that someone was leaving an absolute beachfront site, and we moved in, no hesitation despite it being a non-powered site. We took one look at the palm fringed beach, with white sand path directly in front of us leading to one of Australia’s best beaches - bonus of Dunk Island straight ahead! We booked to stay for the next week.

    We spent the morning setting up and realizing that the sea breeze and tree canopy above would help us with the heat and humidity. One of our neighbours had picked up a coconut off the beach and kindly let us drink the coconut water and coconut flesh.

    So far today it’s been difficult to drag ourselves away from our magnificent view and beach, so we will leave exploring the area until tomorrow...and the day after...and so on.

    Night night from the magical Mission Beach in FNQ xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Exploring Beaches & Giant Gumboot

    October 20, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    We ate our yoghurt and muesli outside the caravan today, drinking in the beautiful palm-fringed beach behind us. After, we decided to drive to the beaches just south of here, via the town of Tully.

    In Tully we walked the Main Street and ended up eating at a local bakery. Then we took the obligatory photos at the giant gumboot, testament to Tully’s status as the town with the highest rainfall in the country.

    Next we tried to head to Tully Gorge but in the end realized it was too far. So we headed to the southern beaches instead, including South Mission Beach, Tully Heads and Hull Heads. At both Heads, huge rivers meet the sea and we were wary of crocodiles. The beaches at the Heads are almost undeveloped and feel like they are still in a time warp - kind of how Mission Beach itself was a number of years ago. Older, fibrin homes still line the esplanade, as they once did in many seaside towns across Australia.

    Late afternoon we headed back to our caravan at Mission Beach, devouring some fresh sourdough bread we’d just picked up. Then we headed to the beach, enjoying the afternoon breeze, soft white sand and the white capped water l
    Q    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Sunrise, Market & Beach Day

    October 21, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today we had a quiet day starting with me being awake early enough this morning to see a beautiful sunrise on the beach a few feet from our caravan.

    Today was also market day in the park right next to where we were staying, so after a delicious brekky of roasted capsicum and scrambled eggs on sourdough with avocado and cherry tomatoes, we strolled through the market. We bought papaya, pumpkin and a mint plant.

    The heat was getting to us both, so we walked back to our little home on wheels and spent some time under the awning with a slight sea breeze looking at maps and working out where we want to camp in the next couple of weeks.

    We ate fruit and my banana walnut cake for lunch, not really feeling like anything more substantial. Eventually we headed to the beach and we both enjoyed a swim in the warm, shallow and clear water.

    In the evening we went to the local fish and chips and then walked around the almost hidden restaurant/cafe street, all lit up with coloured lights checking out all the menus.

    That’s it for now. Night night from FNQ xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    More Beaches & Innisfail

    October 22, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today we decided to drive to some of the nearby beaches to the north including the gorgeous Bingil Bay, where there is also a small caravan park (with only seven sites) each directly on the pretty, coconut palm fringed beach.

    At Bingil Bay we met a family I’ve been following on Facebook who travel permanently with their two small children. It was very interesting to have a chat, and while we did we got our first look at an ugly cane toad!

    We came back to our little home on wheels to make some lunch and relax under our awning. After lunch I went to nearby South Mission Beach to get some groceries and later in the afternoon we went for a swim in the warm shallows with our blow up body board ready to take on the small waves.

    As I was walking in the shallows I suddenly noticed a stingray in front of me, lying in barely a couple of inches of water. Before I could move, it had scuttled away.

    In the evening we shared a bottle of wine with our new neighbour and I cooked some tortellini pasta with barbecued chicken fillet, asparagus, zucchini and toasted pine nuts.

    Time to shower and wash off all the beach sand and salt and chill out for the evening.

    G’night xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    More Exploring

    October 23, 2018 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Today there wasn’t much breeze so we decided to explore a few more beaches to the north. We were disappointed on finding after driving quite a long way to Etty Bay, only to discover the whole area is dog free so we couldn’t even let Cadbury out of the car. Gadi had hoped to see Cassowary birds as we’d been told there were a lot in this area, but there none at the beach. On our way out we were very lucky to see a mumma and her chick and got some good close up pics.

    Next we decided to explore the inland town of Innisfail (only 4km inland from the sea) a bit more and found a table with shade in a park to eat some cold fruit and homemade cake for lunch.

    Give the heat we did a drive than walk by of the old impressive heritage listed buildings in town and ended up stopping at the junction of the North and South Johnstone Rivers to see lots of boats docked on either side.

    We drove back to our little home on wheels via Kurrimine Beach, again no dogs allowed, and we checked out some of the caravan parks there.

    Late afternoon we headed to the beach for a swim, with Cadbury happy to stay next to our towels and keep guard. I didn’t last very long in the water after someone called out they could see a large stingray nearby. Gadi was happy to keep on swimming for a while.

    We made an easy dinner of heating up a quiche on the Weber with some roasted pumpkin, corn on the cob and salad. We sat outside for a long time, with our multi coloured candle holder, enjoying the sight of the white capped waves as they washed up to shore in front of us, highlighted by the bright moon above.

    We tore ourselves away eventually to shower away the sand and salt and chill out indoors.

    Night night, just another day in paradise!    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Day of Rest

    October 24, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Sounds strange to need a day of rest when you’re on the road, or even when you’re in one place for a week or so. But some days it just makes sense, especially when your view is of a white sandy path framed by swaying palm trees leading to an insanely soft white beach and beyond that the warm gentle lapping of the green blue water.

    So today we just enjoyed that gorgeous view, sitting under the awning with a lovely sea breeze keeping us comfortable.

    I started the day with an early morning sunrise on the beach - a great way to wake up. There are always at least half a dozen people on the beach at that time, all waiting for the magic to begin and light up the sky.

    Yesterday there was barely a whisper of a breeze so we hopped in the air conditioned car for a drive to keep cool.

    We spent a couple of hours today playing cards, chatting and of course eating brekkie and lunch outside. Eventually Gadi went off for a quick walk with the dog and then later took the car down to South Mission Beach to walk there. Cadbury and I went to walk and then sit at the beach, enjoying the changing colours in the sky as the afternoon got later. We chatted (yes Cadbury too!) to some people sitting on the beach and some guys who were tinkering with an old catamaran.

    We walked down to one of the restaurants on the beach for dinner and on the way home we walked along the beach, with a full moon lighting up the water bright as day.

    Time to head indoors, chat to one of our kids on the phone, shower away the sweat and sand and chill out.

    Good night xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Last Day in Paradise!

    October 25, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    I have no idea where the time went today. We ended up pottering around the caravan and spending time at the beach, sitting under the palm trees in the shade, enjoying our last day in this lovely location.

    We were lucky to see sky divers parachuting down to the beach. They looked like little aliens following each other as the zigzagged and tacked their way down to the ground using the wind to their advantage - very much like sailing a boat on the water.

    We swam in the clear warm water, although we again saw stingrays which made me nervous. Then I brought out my foot spa products and we made a foot bath and soaked and scrubbed our feet, with skin hardened from wearing thongs every day.

    We made chicken burgers on the Weber for dinner and sat outside under the awning eating by candlelight, watching the small waves hit the shoreline.

    After dinner we headed out to South Mission Beach to stock up on some supplies at Woollies and see if we could swap our gas bottle. I got my groceries but the petrol station was already closed.

    Time to pack up a bit (mainly the outside area) when we got back to camp to make it easier tomorrow morning.

    Good night from Mission Beach. How wonderful to hear the ocean from my bed!    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Cardwell & Saunders Beach

    October 26, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    I saw my final sunrise at Mission Beach this morning...well, sort of. I didn’t sleep very well because of the heat and was awake at 5am so got up to admire the pretty dawn colours. I went to sit on the beach to wait for sunrise...except I fell asleep in my chair and missed the magic moment! It was pretty funny, especially as someone else had arrived and I must have looked weird sitting there fast asleep!

    We packed up and left Mission Beach this morning, feeling ready to leave our little paradise. We had two new neighbours arrive on either side of us, both of whom were noisy and up til all hours of the morning. Not so easy not to hear noise around you when it’s hot and you are not on power so need to keep all your windows open.

    There is always a feeling when you’re ready to move on, and today we both felt that urge to get on the open road again, our little home on wheels following behind us. We felt ready for new adventures.

    We bypassed Tully going south and stopped in the pretty town of Cardwell and parked along the foreshore to admire the gorgeous blue-green colour of the ocean and the view, also of Dunk Island. We explored some of the eclectic mix of shops including taking a photo of the giant crab on top of the seafood shop, and of course picked up some supplies for lunch from the local bakery.

    Next stop was a stunning lookout across to the nearby large island, Hinchinbrook, so close it felt like you could almost reach out and touch it. Then we decided to have a look at one of the free camps before Townsville. We picked the closest one, only half an hour away. We arrived at Saunders Beach mid afternoon and decided since the beach was lovely and there was one ‘legal’ spot left where we could pull in, that we would stay the night. It is only a small camping area that is probably meant for about 6-8 caravans, with toilets and outside cold showers (no problem in Queensland where it’s either hot and humid or hot, humid and wet!) but after dark the backpackers come and fill up the area, parking where it clearly says ‘no camping’. Perhaps they can’t read...

    We spent the afternoon chatting to other campers, Gadi went to the beach for a while and we cooked chicken burgers (again because when I opened the freezer I found the chicken mince had defrosted as we are having trouble with our solar setup, so I put the steaks on hold!) on the gas barbecues - to save taking the Weber out of the car for the one night stop.

    As we sat outside to eat we got swarmed by mosquitoes so dashed inside as quickly as we could to get away from the little buggars.

    Time to chill out now and hopefully get up early and move on to Townsville early tomorrow.

    Night night xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Arrived in Townsville

    October 27, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We drove in to Townsville this morning and got to our caravan park by 10am, which was great as we had the whole day ahead. We unhitched the car, washed all the linen and hung it on the line, ate some lunch and chilled out for a while.

    Early afternoon we headed out to explore, starting with Kissing Point Fort and Jezzine Barracks, a heritage listed fort built on a rocky outcrop that divides two bays in Townsville with the barracks at its side. It was built in 1891 as part of the coastal defense scheme to protect the colony of Queensland. The view from the fort over the bay out towards Magnetic Island is magnificent.

    After this we continued along the Strand to see the rock pool, a salt water pool behind a rock wall that is continually refilled from the sea and is designed to keep swimmers safer from stingers. We were lucky to get a parking spot and we spread our towels on the shaded grass and took it in turns to swim in the pool (dogs not allowed in the pool area!).

    Once we’d both swum, rinsed off and changed we continued down the Strand until we found a gelato shop to satisfy our sweet tooth craving. Then we drove around checking out places to eat for dinner, including the casino (however the parking was too far for us to feel comfortable leaving Cadbury in the car).

    Then it was time to head up Castle Hill, a huge rock formation that dominates the Townsville skyline and is very dramatic as it is in the Centre of the city. We drove up the narrow, steep and winding road passing many hikers, bikers and runners. Apparently 2,500 locals walk up this monolith every day from before sunrise until well after sunset. Not many drive to the top, which is just as well as there aren’t that many car parks. There are a number of walks from the top, where you can walk and have different vantage points across the city or out to sea. Gadi walked them all and I walked around to find the best vantage to see the sun go down. And what a show we were treated to! The sun sank lower and lower into the mountains to the west, due to the mist covering the peaks, appearing to sink below the horizon. The sky appeared painted a vivid red and orange with a burning sun moving lower and lower. We waited until the sun was gone and the sky continued to be lit orange, pink and red.

    We drove carefully down the mountain and went back to the caravan to feed Cadbury, shower and change for dinner. Then we headed into town to the Cowboys Leagues Club where we were really lucky to score a car park out the front. We ate steak and a Parma before driving around the city a little longer to check out the clubs scene before heading back to our little Home on wheels.

    Night night from Townsville!    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    More of Townsville

    October 28, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Today being Sunday, the day started (as usual) with Gadi watching his favourite weekly show, Insiders.

    After a brekky of roast capsicum and scrambled eggs with cherry tomatoes and avocado on toast, we headed out to Pallarenda, a beachside suburb in the north of Townsville . The houses in this suburb were bigger and newer than we’d seen anywhere else. We headed further into a conservation area that unfortunately was not dog friendly so we headed south, stopping at a dog-friendly beach, only to find the sand way too hot for Cadbury to walk on, and I had difficulty as well walking in the soft, hot sand in my thongs.

    We went back to our little home on wheels via the grocery store to pick up a few supplies. We ate lunch and chilled out, happy to be in air conditioned comfort.

    Around 5pm we drove half an hour west to Mount Stuart, a popular area for running, mountain bike riding and rock climbing. At an elevation of 584 metres, lwe thought it would make another good spot to see the sunset. Unfortunately, the top of the mountain was inside the clouds so visibility wasn’t great. We walked around the rocky outcrop at the top, admiring what we could see, including the city, suburbs and sea in the distance.

    We drove down the steep mountain and returned to our little home on wheels to make some pasta with zucchini snd pesto for dinner. Time to chill out watching the idiot box.

    Good night, sweet dreams xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Off to Bowen

    October 29, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We left Townsville this morning, unsure exactly where we would end up tonight. We made our way south on the Bruce Highway through Ayr and Home Hill and on to Bowen, two hours south, where we decided we would stay the night.

    We pulled in to the marina to make some sandwiches for lunch (with a view!). Then we checked out a nearby caravan park and explored some of the more remote and pretty beaches on the other side of the headland.

    Mid afternoon we headed to the caravan park we had selected and pulled in to an extra long site (with a sea view!) so we didn’t have to unhitch the caravan from the car.

    Gadi went for a swim and later I also swam in the large
    swimming pool, feeling refreshed and cooler. In the evening I pan fried locally bought salmon mackerel for dinner with microwaved potatoes and a salad.

    Time to chill out for the night xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Time to Revisit Airlie Beach

    October 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We headed off about 9.30am this morning and drove all the way almost to Proserpine, inland of Airlie Beach, to check out a coffee plantation we visited on our last trip here, three years ago. We had enjoyed a coffee and cake sitting outside the cafe, but the highlight of the trip was meeting resident cockatoo, Boss who terrorized the staff, but took a liking to Gadi and climbed up his leg to cuddle and nuzzle against him. We found sadly that the buildings had been decimated 18 months ago in cyclone Debbie, and the site manager said they were hopefully on track in the reconstruction to open in the next month.

    Next we stopped in Proserpine to fill fuel, only to find the whole area had a power outage. Luckily we had just enough fuel to get to Airlie Beach, where we refueled before heading to our caravan park. We set up and chilled out for a bit, and Gadi had a swim before we ate lunch and headed in to town. We admired the incredible view as we came in over the hill and around the corner to our first view of the bay, with its insanely blue-green water dotted with sailing boats and framed by tree-covered mountains and endless islands.

    We walked around, checking out the Main Street and the lagoon on the foreshore, where unfortunately an international traveler and his little boy drowned on Sunday.

    We bought ice cream and felt it was just too hot to walk around too much. We got back in the car and explored a little more around the other side of Airlie Beach, all the way around to Shute Harbour. We drove up amongst some stunning homes to get a great a great view over the gorgeous blue water and many islands dotted with boats anchored everywhere.

    We came back to the caravan park and I enjoyed a swim in the large tropical pool although I did wish the water was a little cooler. Around sunset we went to the nearby Abel Point Marina to watch the changing colours in the mountain behind the boats. We ate dinner at one of the bars in town and Cadbury stayed in the car.

    Bak at the caravan park it’s now time to chill (literally!) in our air conditioned little home on wheels.

    Night night from the Whitsunday Coast xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Chilling in Airlie Beach

    October 31, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    We took it easy today, with Gadi and Cadbury going for a walk in the morning along the nearby beach. After lunch we headed out for a drive to check out a nearby bistro/cafe on a fairly isolated beach. It was a pretty drive, up densely treed hills, with super steep driveways leading to houses hidden amongst the trees, many with stunning views of the beautiful blue waters of the Whitsundays.

    Unfortunately, the bistro, with its gorgeous ocean frontage, lovely resort style outdoor furniture and even a ‘fake’ marina out the front, is not dog friendly, so after a quick look around we headed back to our little home on wheels.

    I went for a swim in the warm resort style pool and chatted to a Dutch couple about their motorhome travels around Australia.

    Later, we went to a local bistro just up the road for dinner and met up with the Dutch couple again, chatting until the restaurant was closing.

    Back home and time to go to sleep as we hope to get a (relatively) early start in the morning as we continue our journey south.

    Night night from the lovely Whitsundays xx    Read more

  • Zo-Mobil Zooms Across OzHeading north and outbackTraveler

    Mackay, Sarina and All About Sugar Cane

    November 1, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    We got up quite early this morning and left Airlie Beach around 9. We drove to Mackay where we stopped for a coffee and a bit of a look in the main shopping centre. Next we drove to the Harbour precinct and parked at the beach to make lunch - with a view!

    We knew the weather was looking unstable and that rain was forecast, despite the heat and humidity. As we continued our journey south we got about a minute’s worth of heavy rain, then just as suddenly as it started, the rain stopped. But it did start up heavy again as we neared Sarina.

    In Sarina we decided to do a tour of the sugar mill, so as they aren’t dog friendly I went in the afternoon and Gadi will do the tour in the morning.

    The tour took about an hour and we learnt how sugar cane is grown, how it gets to the mill as well as all the stages of processing. Finally, we got to taste fresh cane juice, as well as sample some of the products that they make including chutneys, sauces, ginger beer and several types of rum.

    Following the tour we checked in to one of the caravan parks in town, where it kept raining on and off for the rest of the afternoon. Gadi had a swim in the small park swimming pool and later we barbecued dinner before settling in for the evening.

    Here’s hoping we have a good night’s sleep as we have to get up early again for us as we need to check out before Gadi does his sugar mill tour in the morning.

    Good night xx    Read more

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