tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76541515873874277172024-02-06T17:56:07.424-08:00Travels of Karen and MarkKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-76452985205062557242011-09-11T06:18:00.000-07:002011-09-12T04:55:39.128-07:00Weipa - Bramwell Station - Seisa - Cape York (The Tip) - Thursday IslandWeipa was a lot nicer than expected, we had a really nice grassy campsite on the beach front and the sunsets were lovely. We were also lucky enough to see a dingo that came within 3 mts of our tent.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Weipa is a mining town , Bauxite is mined to produce aluminium. We took a tour of the mine which was quite interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hospitality in Weipa was interesting ................ we were greeted at the bowls club bar with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "wadda yers want"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After Weipa we headed to Bramwell Station where we had a nice meal with a bonus as they had satellite TV and Mark got to watch Geelong thrash Collingwood .......... (sorry Michael & Leah, had to mention it) Not long after we left Bramwell Station we came across this large snake on the road. He wasn't happy about us checking him out and was rearing up at the car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All through our travels of the Northern Territory there has been controlled burning but we were surprised to see so much burning going on in such isolated areas of FNQ , this photo was taken along the Old Telegraph Track, the fire was vey close to the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the highlights of the trip was Eliot Falls and Fruit Bat falls, spectacular waterfalls that were safe to swim as the crocs can't climb the rocks to get to those areas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv8lhXjIKiCtqaZ3q8wIuN5LkANFkYVuMkWfjFDvT6HJw8fKh8q7speYBCb_jfUG1uKvUTJLe0CUuGp2fYSpwKyIA3N4LtWaISna9tVHsYDdZlwt9foCYWrM8YeoRAu6ApbL-iYqO4QVQ/s1600/Eliot+Falls+%2526+Fruit+Bat+Falls+%252826%2529_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv8lhXjIKiCtqaZ3q8wIuN5LkANFkYVuMkWfjFDvT6HJw8fKh8q7speYBCb_jfUG1uKvUTJLe0CUuGp2fYSpwKyIA3N4LtWaISna9tVHsYDdZlwt9foCYWrM8YeoRAu6ApbL-iYqO4QVQ/s320/Eliot+Falls+%2526+Fruit+Bat+Falls+%252826%2529_crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a welcome relief this was to wash off some of the dust and cool down, with no showers at this campground we were glad to be able to have this swim.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seisa was the next stop, a really windy spot, very warm and once again a campground on a lovely beach but it was a no go zone, apparently a large croc patrolled the beach most days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were almost there only 35 klms to "The Tip" .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Early the next day we headed off early for the last part of the trek.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We made it !</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before we headed back down we decided to do a trip to Thursday Island........... we had lunch at the most northern pub in Australia and there were some lovely views but it was all a bit underwhelming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We headed back down the next day ................ it took us ten days to get to " The Tip " but only two days to get back down !!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next couple of days were spent at Wonga beach cleaning red dust from everything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will now start heading south along the coast ............Cairns (again - 4th visit ) .......then on to Bowen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-75032129048907968372011-09-10T00:20:00.000-07:002011-09-10T00:20:18.281-07:00Cape Tribulation - Bloomfield Track to Cooktown - Archer RiverWithout power for 2 weeks . I have a bit of catching up to do.<br />
Before we left Wonga Beach we had a visitor that made the rounds of the rubbish bins ........ it gave us quite a fright to stumble across him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWlhXNLJ9QAocv8129Tqm-oPqiHHlEnO4FYgN7hVYZkGw7RQTdfnMfLPkDjv0NDdKR2TuRhl6LrFOI-S0ziL1fK5sSity3yyJXj55xvW7TLzl77MB_VAX3C9ZJOGpkMmgMYcfyuJb2rUl/s1600/Wonga+Beach+Goanna+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWlhXNLJ9QAocv8129Tqm-oPqiHHlEnO4FYgN7hVYZkGw7RQTdfnMfLPkDjv0NDdKR2TuRhl6LrFOI-S0ziL1fK5sSity3yyJXj55xvW7TLzl77MB_VAX3C9ZJOGpkMmgMYcfyuJb2rUl/s320/Wonga+Beach+Goanna+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Well, we headed out with great expectations......at every opportunity we spoke to travellers about the trip to Cape York.......we were getting responses of "great adventure.......it's a different world up there......you'll love it ". We now think that the people we spoke to were possibly on drugs or there is something in the water that is making them delusional. <br />
Reflecting on the 1600 klms of dirt road, bad corrugations and red dust, it's not a trip that we will be doing again ..............but, it is something that we can tick off our bucket list.............We reached "The Tip". <br />
On one of our pre trip discussions with fellow travellers they were telling us about the 35 klm trip on a narrow bumpy road from Seisa to the tip.............I was thinking to myself "gosh these people are ve<span style="background-color: yellow;">ry</span> environmentally aware to be going to all that trouble to get rid of their rubbish" .............fortunately I didn't say anything as I would have looked like a real dill as they were talking about Cape York , also referred to as "The Tip".........I wasn't on my own, Mark was also thinking along the same line as me.<br />
Our first stop was Cape Tribulation, a lovely caravan park right on the beach (another beautiful beach with lovely warm water that you can't swim at because of the crocs) our first night in the tent..............we are very pleased with our 30 second Oztent .....it really does take only 30 seconds to put it up !<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next stop was Cooktown via the Bloomfield track , a good drive through the rain forest , a few creek crossings and steep mountain climbs. On this road we came across a cyclist who waved us down, he had broken his chain , him and his mate were riding from the southern most point to the northern most point of Australia in 38 days fundraising for prostate cancer. What a gruelling ride, they certainly need to be commended on their dedication...... their blog <a href="http://www.upunder2011.com/">www.upunder2011.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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On the way there were some nice boardwalks through the rainforests.<br />
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Cooktown was smaller than we expected and as we were there on a Sunday most tourist destinations were closed ( tourism in FNQ leaves a lot to be desired ) The James cook Museum was open and we found it very interesting, it is housed in the original mercy convent , a beautiful building that has been restored.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next destination was Kalpowar crossing via Battlecamp road ..........our first creek crossing took us to Isabella falls a very pretty spot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Old Laura Homestead was an interesting stop, living in such isolation must have been tough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our camp spot for the night was a national park bush camp, dust and cold showers and lots of little rocket frogs , we were tempted to paddle in the nearby waterway until the rangers came along and told us some horror stories about croc attacks........a cold shower to cool down was a much better choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rangers suggested fishing from behind a tree as it would give you some protection if a croc came at you.................fishing at this location wasn't exactly relaxing !</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our way to the next stop Archer River Roadhouse we came across White Lily Lagoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Archer River Roadhouse have a good grassy campground but they let the cattle graze there to keep the grass down so before you can set up the cow pats have to be shovelled from the area ........ahhh the joys of camping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-60659744295640261872011-08-22T23:14:00.000-07:002011-08-22T23:17:25.885-07:00Bramston Beach - Cairns (again) - Wonga BeachHeading back north again and decided to check out one of Sue's recommendations - Bramston Beach. It would have been a lovely caravan park years past but the land has been sold for a housing development so there has been no maintenance carried out for a long time and it's a free for all, no rules .......so many of the campers were interesting characters. We were there over a weekend so lots of families with screaming babies that took it in turns to make a racket !<br />
Mark did a bit of fishing but only caught a small brim and a puffer fish......big crabs were eating his bait but would drop off before he could pull them in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSoIe5TKVlHXDcS_D6kfOKP8DJEERJxzHNnhxwo1U1e87qsPdnvUyqRyKGjzNweOI2TxNHf2r-BtAagDv_nSJWy188OE0VMqcHFzOGkc1dof7j2WyK_3zb1jCS50Er65AZpkax_GHZRna/s1600/Bramston+Beach+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSoIe5TKVlHXDcS_D6kfOKP8DJEERJxzHNnhxwo1U1e87qsPdnvUyqRyKGjzNweOI2TxNHf2r-BtAagDv_nSJWy188OE0VMqcHFzOGkc1dof7j2WyK_3zb1jCS50Er65AZpkax_GHZRna/s320/Bramston+Beach+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the view from our caravan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7rS8HqdREdb2hqxBCq085F4bza05y7rDUf31B60o3mMNgk8PCQmT_IPY4hSt4kdLqB4oDBzUHLVvxe8uI3ld7jVNVS0SmibtD3ONZoyKh1tn4pp4dGduhh8jewcWMYq1TnkHyk_bzwAr/s1600/Bramston+Beach+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7rS8HqdREdb2hqxBCq085F4bza05y7rDUf31B60o3mMNgk8PCQmT_IPY4hSt4kdLqB4oDBzUHLVvxe8uI3ld7jVNVS0SmibtD3ONZoyKh1tn4pp4dGduhh8jewcWMYq1TnkHyk_bzwAr/s320/Bramston+Beach+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O0rehyJfIAcCinE3Xe-es7UuU2M90DhHB-ccFyUdE-zoNW_T34eLA2l2orvo5OL8tbRptW9jP17GnNbLf3ptgcTkyweChmDyoq26wnVDTYjlQCxBN4z89upduF-YK4psq4pECxKu1Rhs/s1600/Bramston+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O0rehyJfIAcCinE3Xe-es7UuU2M90DhHB-ccFyUdE-zoNW_T34eLA2l2orvo5OL8tbRptW9jP17GnNbLf3ptgcTkyweChmDyoq26wnVDTYjlQCxBN4z89upduF-YK4psq4pECxKu1Rhs/s320/Bramston+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Back to Cairns for a couple of nights and a chance to re stock. We have just arrived back at Wonga Beach .......... the weather is much nicer this time (25c and sunny) , it rained off and on most of the time we were here last time.........it 's taken us a while but we have wised up to the fact that if we go unpowered we can get away from the annoying caravan sitting, cackling, grey nomads and its much nicer surrounds.....you are not so crowded in. As long as we are getting some sun on the solar panels we don't need to be on a powered site and we can also still have TV.<br />
We are expecting Pip and Liz to arrive tomorrow afternoon ......we will spend a couple of days here then off to the Tip ( Cape York) Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-81134479469876680162011-08-18T05:59:00.000-07:002011-08-18T06:05:20.811-07:00Townsville - Charters Towers - LucindaWe were not impressed with Townsville and found that there was very little to look at. So , when you have time to kill the Museum is generally a good option. There was a large exhibit on the sailing ship "The Pandora" which was sent out from England to find The Bounty ......it hit a coral reef and sunk, the wreck was only discovered in the 70's .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXFw7gdVGxqIFk_U0E8QYDvV4UzfKLUTYXR5jsDquq0ftu1MCBbndNWDf4dQUCOczJKxUk4tgnvXF10mzTlsfkS0g9Pt8GtHmPkgS6-igW71iKwRqQ0-4nUvxKMKamo8LehMsFBM-34Cu/s1600/Townsville+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXFw7gdVGxqIFk_U0E8QYDvV4UzfKLUTYXR5jsDquq0ftu1MCBbndNWDf4dQUCOczJKxUk4tgnvXF10mzTlsfkS0g9Pt8GtHmPkgS6-igW71iKwRqQ0-4nUvxKMKamo8LehMsFBM-34Cu/s320/Townsville+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A number of the houses around the city were built into the side of the mountains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Charters Towers was next and we found North Queensland marketing in overdrive, they certainly like blowing their own trumpet and will endeavour to make a tourist attraction from almost nothing. It is a Gold rush town therefore they have a number of very elaborate buildings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETCPmAUjgh5iUFTQajffzv3AhL40VVqV4cPfGudBLNpa2tut5UtCtQ7YHgS9R-Z2xGUpHfw5Pr_SoirsXdFqVan1eo3DK0ouuNrv2Nj81d1jsa78DFOLF1KmfrKNEBvesJY0EMz1ZlfPh/s1600/Charters+Towers+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETCPmAUjgh5iUFTQajffzv3AhL40VVqV4cPfGudBLNpa2tut5UtCtQ7YHgS9R-Z2xGUpHfw5Pr_SoirsXdFqVan1eo3DK0ouuNrv2Nj81d1jsa78DFOLF1KmfrKNEBvesJY0EMz1ZlfPh/s320/Charters+Towers+%25288%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This arcade was designed by the architect that designed some of Melbournes famous arcades.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-m8u7T1ywRzl-n-wBfAwwYzhyskgdAKsE9t-tM43oErfphO37m763e7JD0N2f39NdXA4-yQbN05NY_1nVUWgRRJ13wQGLvgBzrSpyYt6mTO2b7Y2BpzFDE9tutdFrQVNsTjMLY9YH3MB/s1600/Charters+Towers+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-m8u7T1ywRzl-n-wBfAwwYzhyskgdAKsE9t-tM43oErfphO37m763e7JD0N2f39NdXA4-yQbN05NY_1nVUWgRRJ13wQGLvgBzrSpyYt6mTO2b7Y2BpzFDE9tutdFrQVNsTjMLY9YH3MB/s320/Charters+Towers+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcNxeGPRMrMxWzbx_ekP8mBvEyAd2BcoQ7dk6Ni9rVGBSLiUztwEvl3SWiIymoHbxTl7R6DorD7L7jD7g8HQQwXcyS-TK0uqqcqydo6narpIteCbqtIOfi_bsDMGwGd30zqf5nPxbmoM8/s1600/Charters+Towers+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcNxeGPRMrMxWzbx_ekP8mBvEyAd2BcoQ7dk6Ni9rVGBSLiUztwEvl3SWiIymoHbxTl7R6DorD7L7jD7g8HQQwXcyS-TK0uqqcqydo6narpIteCbqtIOfi_bsDMGwGd30zqf5nPxbmoM8/s320/Charters+Towers+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark did find something that interested him ...... a fully restored Indian Superchief</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took a tour of the Gold Battery which was very interesting the manual labour that was involved in process must have been backbraking certainly no OH&S in those days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdYuvD0_IFQ3xaDwZ7Pi2BFrizyc0cjOArv5V97j-Ej6QD1D9PjBnTZvybJeN5ZMpv0pYmx166pSk3q7-C5Lh76aKMolW_6h29gi5oZF7WqqOnor3Ix9_LwGd03NNpQe1URTglhGBsfNb/s1600/Charters+Towers+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdYuvD0_IFQ3xaDwZ7Pi2BFrizyc0cjOArv5V97j-Ej6QD1D9PjBnTZvybJeN5ZMpv0pYmx166pSk3q7-C5Lh76aKMolW_6h29gi5oZF7WqqOnor3Ix9_LwGd03NNpQe1URTglhGBsfNb/s320/Charters+Towers+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURwRLopx1BYJjzZlZRGTCIqLrA5QgVy2aO9oqLGEMGR2gdnIYnkUQuU02m0XvRNjHvU3oBhyvApS0PRr94DNPjvopjE1YoWs1wjllpGgoYY3UspF5VzW7zRpDjgsho-_GrEXamqAJYcBN/s1600/Charters+Towers+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURwRLopx1BYJjzZlZRGTCIqLrA5QgVy2aO9oqLGEMGR2gdnIYnkUQuU02m0XvRNjHvU3oBhyvApS0PRr94DNPjvopjE1YoWs1wjllpGgoYY3UspF5VzW7zRpDjgsho-_GrEXamqAJYcBN/s320/Charters+Towers+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is also a town where ghosts apparently reside, a couple showed up for us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started to head north so Lucinda was our next destination. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucinda has a large sugar mill and the longest jetty in Australia - 6 klms - sugar was sent along the jetty by conveyor to the transport ships until Cyclone Yasi which damaged the jetty and put it out of alignment , the sugar is now transported by truck until the repairs are undertaken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucinda is a very popular fishing location and most of the old blokes in the caravan park have been coming here for years and most have a boat, apparently the fishing is not very good this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNCuCmxdzqM38G8OBxRVAiCpjT1c5MTm0AVreiB-yJWGfPmqIZATnPgqr1GtdZ4TD9PEs5V6yCxtnGHQCU8YLeNggYB61OZtGk-3yzBGA_ogX4zdYCrW2olOM4jB137X13RRd9DHoQ5qQ/s1600/Lucinda+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNCuCmxdzqM38G8OBxRVAiCpjT1c5MTm0AVreiB-yJWGfPmqIZATnPgqr1GtdZ4TD9PEs5V6yCxtnGHQCU8YLeNggYB61OZtGk-3yzBGA_ogX4zdYCrW2olOM4jB137X13RRd9DHoQ5qQ/s320/Lucinda+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucinda is the closest access to Hinchinbrook Island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXfxoJb5-iKVz1LGnFukCAfDwLo83w0oB_I_pOIuk2hp77-RwsAv3V_ZtwuRK6ucKF1IOhHgnHL1sBXV8fpbPPVe3FGQH6QLnr3J-qkYKyA9usy0KbXAR5TdxII34ZsyphnE0erzMP2Xs/s1600/Wallam+Falls+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXfxoJb5-iKVz1LGnFukCAfDwLo83w0oB_I_pOIuk2hp77-RwsAv3V_ZtwuRK6ucKF1IOhHgnHL1sBXV8fpbPPVe3FGQH6QLnr3J-qkYKyA9usy0KbXAR5TdxII34ZsyphnE0erzMP2Xs/s320/Wallam+Falls+%25284%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wallaman Falls about 75 klms west of Lucinda is Australia's longest sheer drop waterfall....305 metres........quite spectacular.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-16849517427221285012011-08-11T05:05:00.000-07:002011-08-11T05:05:00.470-07:00RollingstoneWhat a lovely location, best caravan park so far , our caravan is about 6 mts from the sand and Mark can fish from the beach close to the van..........no fish yet but at least he has been able to get the rod out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiET1QgDwVbC4deJexZBG7Uu_oYYxCaVaQtA2UkvX7Io2g1KIfJ0a4iNDx7T9StzAQjf0UP5KeL23ta37MvJNvg-3p4Gj8ZRGNyPbE-5iyLqwOOYV6QMBJ0gXIkcmGt2SAFJs_NMX4-IXEq/s1600/IMG_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiET1QgDwVbC4deJexZBG7Uu_oYYxCaVaQtA2UkvX7Io2g1KIfJ0a4iNDx7T9StzAQjf0UP5KeL23ta37MvJNvg-3p4Gj8ZRGNyPbE-5iyLqwOOYV6QMBJ0gXIkcmGt2SAFJs_NMX4-IXEq/s320/IMG_1948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The tide goes out a really long way , we went out looking for bait in the rock pools unfortunately no bait but loads of interesting hermit crabs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNGdwMtmFFwKuFxuC9Rt9dFCwEH1a_2nxLvaAKgqKXt44k8DKupdMYnL8DZYbdsKyvpVqXTjDEFs6UHHOfwdSoao2e2SobNuCrK1wuxbPGXpravG8poB6JAflkp3CnY1FB3b3SNTajKLO/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNGdwMtmFFwKuFxuC9Rt9dFCwEH1a_2nxLvaAKgqKXt44k8DKupdMYnL8DZYbdsKyvpVqXTjDEFs6UHHOfwdSoao2e2SobNuCrK1wuxbPGXpravG8poB6JAflkp3CnY1FB3b3SNTajKLO/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06_JCskwiP119MfQPgE-K5e7dkdJSaVnOnRdo6sGyTFMOd2oEtfLoSnKofhR5uSAAhgwKVATSaOg26PZA9aBYUibkI6ncKMgSJZFiZrx5lTWpHUTfXeU8mZadViXO0Wtb6d2CymRcf9tD/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06_JCskwiP119MfQPgE-K5e7dkdJSaVnOnRdo6sGyTFMOd2oEtfLoSnKofhR5uSAAhgwKVATSaOg26PZA9aBYUibkI6ncKMgSJZFiZrx5lTWpHUTfXeU8mZadViXO0Wtb6d2CymRcf9tD/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The photo below is just in front of the van , the tide was on the way in and the sun had just gone down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvZjgy3-mtUWNWfbazxFgmTgfaR1rE5fXM5D6JMmK3IH92HuHBri_WbQHHF2EgRVhxM6GDNYEHBJDc0SXLPqkrmN7hB7951LuHYJ2syjsjGHkj6ZgTnEnLGwlAawOjbGzIwv29QN8jLKQ/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvZjgy3-mtUWNWfbazxFgmTgfaR1rE5fXM5D6JMmK3IH92HuHBri_WbQHHF2EgRVhxM6GDNYEHBJDc0SXLPqkrmN7hB7951LuHYJ2syjsjGHkj6ZgTnEnLGwlAawOjbGzIwv29QN8jLKQ/s320/IMG_2028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We drove out to the Paluma Region today..........but we should have known Queensland marketing at work again..........The brochure gives a recommended itinerary which suggests lunch at the Paluma Village .........unfortunately , it was like a ghost town .......not one cafe or shop open.... the smoke from the fires at Townsville meant that there was nothing to see from lookout ...........also two of the main sites to visit were closed ......probably due to cyclone Yasi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aside from that there was great scenery of rock formations , gorges and waterholes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBMhPIQsACaX1NW1kh__HjpZ6T78v2Ndvvwb3BY16dITSU34_PQJnX_hTbGCDVQnpS44OAw4pyFlmX6ZpLN_njqdsBYjuQrm-K3B08-m1-GwoK72qrcINnaGCa8z07qIGmUvf_WETW5l7/s320/IMG_1991.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MKy670xFoy9jfGBRfNzKq2FclpfY-dcJ4wTY3gOjG0rhQNUh8CwMvj7Hj1WD82BcHcVDdb3af0GruTJs0cuFCnWnnokuA5nFp4HL9DSordIqC_DujyAwL9gY_BJG5gXxl4WpSqV1Ex64/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MKy670xFoy9jfGBRfNzKq2FclpfY-dcJ4wTY3gOjG0rhQNUh8CwMvj7Hj1WD82BcHcVDdb3af0GruTJs0cuFCnWnnokuA5nFp4HL9DSordIqC_DujyAwL9gY_BJG5gXxl4WpSqV1Ex64/s320/IMG_1995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIzBTSZGhQtq1Q0fv6M4egfNj0AvLmLMid2y7M8jhso8q9oS6Pot3dPXAz8uJKs_WDPShSEFTzqTfT6FAli1JfDwCEhGO0vdxOHee1QJkES3DBmrjZc65fRRLVFAE9TXbU9wisDvO-UXz/s1600/IMG_2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIzBTSZGhQtq1Q0fv6M4egfNj0AvLmLMid2y7M8jhso8q9oS6Pot3dPXAz8uJKs_WDPShSEFTzqTfT6FAli1JfDwCEhGO0vdxOHee1QJkES3DBmrjZc65fRRLVFAE9TXbU9wisDvO-UXz/s320/IMG_2005.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-77015537122265592152011-08-09T06:26:00.000-07:002011-08-09T06:26:33.950-07:00Back to CairnsChange of plans............... from Wonga Beach we headed back to Cairns for a couple of days, yesterday we had lunch at the waterfront then to the movies to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes.<br />
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The peacock at Wonga Beach put on a show for us before we left.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3doG4G3a6VTqsNlCfoik6fghC0_Hpx5Rkt5zobx00k0t1wWnvQQzi_JRJuvCv5H6vK2uFIVdmiv3iCz69FICacw2SWAHZ2dWX33SRl28MaLy-1BVOcVwetBw03f1mWC21SnQ_-y135lA/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3doG4G3a6VTqsNlCfoik6fghC0_Hpx5Rkt5zobx00k0t1wWnvQQzi_JRJuvCv5H6vK2uFIVdmiv3iCz69FICacw2SWAHZ2dWX33SRl28MaLy-1BVOcVwetBw03f1mWC21SnQ_-y135lA/s320/IMG_1926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQyrGONx-DQPjzzfbKvjvRVIaDV2LFJytvbwaPKLmgEmWElvsEgrX6K1WCo1tLCeqKdT639OQJy9qpxu5QfaMsy7hPsSLU4CZVcZLq0mAA8ODgFKZ8-BHy6rMhFqo0EjnKK7VG_gNbJBA/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQyrGONx-DQPjzzfbKvjvRVIaDV2LFJytvbwaPKLmgEmWElvsEgrX6K1WCo1tLCeqKdT639OQJy9qpxu5QfaMsy7hPsSLU4CZVcZLq0mAA8ODgFKZ8-BHy6rMhFqo0EjnKK7VG_gNbJBA/s320/IMG_1928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These unusual birds ... Curlews.... were at the caravan park at Cairns nesting ,of all places in the kids playground under one of the climbing towers, the male had the kids totally bluffed , they can be quite aggressive and put on a show with wings flapping when they felt threatened and during the night they make a high pitched wailing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Due to Tiger Airlines still being grounded unfortunately Rachael wont be joining us, she will travel later in the year to spend time with Kate at Trinity beach. We are meeting Pip and Liz around the 25th August , so rather that just hand around Wonga Beach we thought that we would head to Townsville and Charters Towers then head back north to get ready to head to Cape York.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwi3HtwhwBN40fbGij31Oiyu2NwYurUHCPk7EBGalfXsc_YCTopNIbtQCD8AAw2zVFp_-6kfLWza1MfSBi-dA5vtmtY-HGMfK0o2P12sXCbMbcsj4_zEVlwk95u0ZiIdEzCflQRGgyhK-/s1600/rollingstone+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwi3HtwhwBN40fbGij31Oiyu2NwYurUHCPk7EBGalfXsc_YCTopNIbtQCD8AAw2zVFp_-6kfLWza1MfSBi-dA5vtmtY-HGMfK0o2P12sXCbMbcsj4_zEVlwk95u0ZiIdEzCflQRGgyhK-/s320/rollingstone+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_9s0Aw0a60vCB-jvIImbK4WmqCtZvgyM2-4H_0VGOGgX7t5mzDXykJiw5p3O2y8GndOk6I7IdnTDci1RcucbVxSnkaxT7jWVwEgepaLkzJzXqxXmcEaAmOGfg4kasp9qYGpd6s5SLfvW/s1600/rollingstone+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_9s0Aw0a60vCB-jvIImbK4WmqCtZvgyM2-4H_0VGOGgX7t5mzDXykJiw5p3O2y8GndOk6I7IdnTDci1RcucbVxSnkaxT7jWVwEgepaLkzJzXqxXmcEaAmOGfg4kasp9qYGpd6s5SLfvW/s320/rollingstone+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
54 klms north of Townsville is Rollingstone, what a lovely place, our caravan site is beachfront, we put some lines in but nothing......the guy next to us caught a couple , so with the right bait we give it another go tomorrow. The weather has been lovely here today ....about 26c and sunny.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-81189910842776644792011-08-06T03:26:00.000-07:002011-08-06T03:26:21.719-07:00Mossman GorgeWoke up this morning to find that we had a few visitors, there are about 15 peacocks and hens that roam the caravan park , they don't like to be out in the rain so they often take shelter under the caravan awnings<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWW9hlSu-3FBSbQhG6zOjumvLNOGjk8KlVrouL6SDUq7Dm_XlxB1cUgnKEXqHTVJ2KW5QJ7GbAb3yExUThTmMky0FOTxRqkE4BGe0LspuniL8MM62FHgXVZdAab9sH8GoJxd1ZvFfHiaE/s1600/Wonga+Beach+CP+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWW9hlSu-3FBSbQhG6zOjumvLNOGjk8KlVrouL6SDUq7Dm_XlxB1cUgnKEXqHTVJ2KW5QJ7GbAb3yExUThTmMky0FOTxRqkE4BGe0LspuniL8MM62FHgXVZdAab9sH8GoJxd1ZvFfHiaE/s320/Wonga+Beach+CP+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Mossman Gorge today, really lovely rainforest .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdP0jsD36m3IW8Az_GQop0EL-uPDzlLzFtIjbK605TDVbhq6VWlH3pRdOxccNP6JNC_BXTvdRRpq2sC-JFd8I2N7PfmmBDvYTI7xFTjAkfgEwwJFNFiVoB26emXgTlDmPPLxs-xqoO_iJ/s1600/Mossman+Gorge+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdP0jsD36m3IW8Az_GQop0EL-uPDzlLzFtIjbK605TDVbhq6VWlH3pRdOxccNP6JNC_BXTvdRRpq2sC-JFd8I2N7PfmmBDvYTI7xFTjAkfgEwwJFNFiVoB26emXgTlDmPPLxs-xqoO_iJ/s320/Mossman+Gorge+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are huge fig trees with massive root systems in this rainforest </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NI29rFnWO0RESA85NNVdJ6wLiOHoOmFLYGkrU_H0rvOWmR-wqGmKAOT6uONXL_k4flaehGrcBwQUIItmYcawxLwbzWkzkN0a3HSyykg4yEp2wNYyaAXYV4hgyObup19s0i4bwrqMh2kC/s1600/Mossman+Gorge+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NI29rFnWO0RESA85NNVdJ6wLiOHoOmFLYGkrU_H0rvOWmR-wqGmKAOT6uONXL_k4flaehGrcBwQUIItmYcawxLwbzWkzkN0a3HSyykg4yEp2wNYyaAXYV4hgyObup19s0i4bwrqMh2kC/s320/Mossman+Gorge+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-14748555375807754462011-08-04T05:01:00.000-07:002011-08-04T05:01:31.092-07:00Cairns to Wonga BeachAfter 10 days we left Cairns and made the short trip to Wonga Beach. As soon as we arrived Mark being the good provider found us a coconut. Michael and Leah, I hope that you can come up with some coconut recipes, we have coconuts dropping all around us and a few will be making the trip back down south.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEeloNp79KFeOhfGDNx370vcw3fUs5-0yzrdnbtZBkHNlvJTBdBuq9w-jVjfr59Ubx2gVXMiV-oLrenguDCOFcnanenCrb0UOr0-efcVqJnkpaLEhzgFmCYBQqQU7bSziEiJa9pw-lMTc/s320/Wonga+Beach+%252825%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wonga Beach is about 40 klms north of Port Douglas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">its a beautiful beach and also deserted , we felt like Tom Hanks in Castaway yesterday, Mark even found a wilson on the beach which got kicked along for our marathon walk .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrca2fb6jWqQVpd9qCRu8HvFVgIkXE9cGPWM0LBMIf8IYYnKoiMGcAigzD-BdYqtduqs-_UNzjM-HooGE5xfG9xIvaotLWgIjAnblhq-N6xp3oMxr43B_MLIU-EuHiNx9Yq8aw8nsOeos/s1600/Wonga+Beach+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrca2fb6jWqQVpd9qCRu8HvFVgIkXE9cGPWM0LBMIf8IYYnKoiMGcAigzD-BdYqtduqs-_UNzjM-HooGE5xfG9xIvaotLWgIjAnblhq-N6xp3oMxr43B_MLIU-EuHiNx9Yq8aw8nsOeos/s320/Wonga+Beach+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlMVDksLz9_CE7xZdFSs-_8HV6ze78IL-gdmuAlpcINxIA9EUG7YBfBQkXF4kgQq8yESaOWdmll0flz6iWqkN7BvZjigr_PUdZUa2x4oB36I6vPG6Gd4WHaASqNpQQTh6w9pH2lWx_skm/s1600/Wonga+Beach+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlMVDksLz9_CE7xZdFSs-_8HV6ze78IL-gdmuAlpcINxIA9EUG7YBfBQkXF4kgQq8yESaOWdmll0flz6iWqkN7BvZjigr_PUdZUa2x4oB36I6vPG6Gd4WHaASqNpQQTh6w9pH2lWx_skm/s320/Wonga+Beach+%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Someone in this area has way too much time on their hands , we came across one thong tree yesterday and further up the beach today we came across another.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomcB-P2w8hSzA4UYEfC5fSifUEHDGpfenrHm774a-v2kedjQMt4rs1OfWBxg0oalpRr23zQohF8bL6DU5bAUhKn3ps3ksuDFl5W3_lDdKDCXJUWnYgi-Z3yFyjxejg5hrvgoNjeMA8zCw/s1600/Wonga+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomcB-P2w8hSzA4UYEfC5fSifUEHDGpfenrHm774a-v2kedjQMt4rs1OfWBxg0oalpRr23zQohF8bL6DU5bAUhKn3ps3ksuDFl5W3_lDdKDCXJUWnYgi-Z3yFyjxejg5hrvgoNjeMA8zCw/s320/Wonga+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4AEzP8KR7a8i5QhPcPGhN-dYD5hSqCVvOpebu_mKOFN2XbjKj-yOymWO_SzwOk1WwlmSeD7kfEoGU74teR1183zjo6kABeAlEBEJxiYgVemv7yyvKbW9XTAuzQlmWcA6w8LWhEmm7Wge/s1600/Copy+%25281%2529+of+wonga+beach+%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4AEzP8KR7a8i5QhPcPGhN-dYD5hSqCVvOpebu_mKOFN2XbjKj-yOymWO_SzwOk1WwlmSeD7kfEoGU74teR1183zjo6kABeAlEBEJxiYgVemv7yyvKbW9XTAuzQlmWcA6w8LWhEmm7Wge/s320/Copy+%25281%2529+of+wonga+beach+%252828%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>There are lots of creatures up here, Geckos are usually on the roof of the shower block but Mark found this baby one on the floor of the mens toilet, I don't think that he would have lasted very long there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCitfq6clD9bdFOuk4ziFgg_ECgQgimAsyEE47PPHU7W_baiMHscrMfPgfpJOQvBDxchfnuMVxjidDZ6HMND7Je9xHV0PUhkIJcyH0bZXbpZHuYGFAbntAzyI0SSzLaJxq5YCgopZ-UdjS/s1600/Wonga+Beach+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCitfq6clD9bdFOuk4ziFgg_ECgQgimAsyEE47PPHU7W_baiMHscrMfPgfpJOQvBDxchfnuMVxjidDZ6HMND7Je9xHV0PUhkIJcyH0bZXbpZHuYGFAbntAzyI0SSzLaJxq5YCgopZ-UdjS/s320/Wonga+Beach+%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a look around Port Douglas today and decided that it's not really for us, lots of shops, restaurants and cafes, the weather was a bit ordinary today, but the beach was also unimpressive. We've decided to stay put at Wonga Beach until we head to Mt Carbine to put the caravan into storage while we travel to Cape York.<br />
Off to Mossman Gorge tomorrow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-65873784556887530472011-08-01T05:07:00.000-07:002011-08-03T05:44:27.937-07:00Observations after 2 months on the roadI thought that it was time to report on what we have observed after being on the road for 2 months , this post is sure to grow , so if it interests you,check back from time to time, as this will be a work in progress.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I unintentionally have a caravan haircut </li>
<li>Not fond of long drops</li>
<li>There <strong>are</strong> a lot of "Old Farts in Caravan Parks"</li>
<li>We have found out that we can survive several days without tele,Internet, power and phone .....but Mark adds not grog</li>
<li>Almost anything can be cooked in a Weber Baby Q</li>
<li>Winter in the north is like Melbourne's summer</li>
<li>A man past his prime shouldn't wander around a caravan park bare chested in his baggy shorts.</li>
<li>A woman past her prime returning from the showers in a towel only is not a good look</li>
<li>Steer clear of caravan parks that accept pets.............nothing wrong with the pets but their owners are nuts.</li>
<li> Camping close to a Slider is to be avoided...............A Slider is usually a rental combi van type vehicle that are accessed via a sliding door which makes a loud slide .........bang to open ..........slide bang to close.............several times a night. Sliders sneak into the camping area of a National Park under the cover of darkness , use all the facilities , then take off at dawn to avoid the camping fees.</li>
<li>Motorhomes are monstrous slow moving vehicles that have a certain breed of old fart that as a hobby modifies the manufacturers specifications of his motorhome to its detriment then stands around with similar old farts who do the same discussing their problems.</li>
<li>The more remote the more that they can get at you.............3% surcharge for eftpos ??? Same as credit card.</li>
</ul><br />
We have also come across some sayings that are gems<br />
<br />
<ul><li>While as Carisbrooke Station , one of the guests was questioning the station owner why he was still struggling considering the drought was over he replied " Well, it doesn't rain money"</li>
<li>While discussing the high price of a particular caravan park a fellow camper said "well i've never seen a coffin with pockets"</li>
</ul>That's it for now ................i'm sure there will be more to come...............watch this space.<br />
<br />
<br />
Some travellers also like to name their caravan, motorhome or camper..............here are some that we have come across.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Adventure before Dementia</li>
<li>Ye Old Bull (that one belonged to a boring old man who was an expert on everything travel)</li>
<li>awayagen</li>
<li>Groovy Anns Ban</li>
<li>Lost Forever</li>
<li>Living the Dream</li>
<li>Just us 2</li>
<li>Peels on Wheels</li>
<li>Slopoke</li>
<li>Lucky Pigs</li>
<li>Tellembuggerem</li>
<li>Steve and Karin's Aussie Adventure</li>
</ul>On the lookout for more ................will update this listKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-88072770059058338822011-07-30T04:42:00.000-07:002011-07-31T04:29:36.604-07:00Cairns - Atherton TablelandDid quite a few klms travelling around the sights of the Atherton Tableland, the caravan park told us there was a great market on at Yungabuura on Saturday morning but ommitted to tell us that it was only the fourth Saturday of the month, this was the fifth Saturday ! We have decided that Nth Queenslanders are great marketers......they often over promise and under deliver, we travelled around with this glossy map with many sights marked...most of them were a disappointment....we were told by the nut man ( local nut producer) that they do a good feed at the smoke house.......so another 40 klms we came to this amateur tourist park with a very loud bloke decked out like Steve Irwin doing dodgy tours ...platypus sightings etc while his Thai wife worked the cafe .......then questioned with much concern, why we didn't eat certain elements of our lunch (we were the only ones there for lunch) ..........couldn't get away from there quick enough. We ordered some of the smoked products for lunch and it was pretty good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-Zo3N3IurMxoibUtlLgjzi5Z7nnIOzWaKQ8G0xnGBIL8MII4Yn53TALNbZmLWLRG3gjqkewi08ZtbRgCku1TZgRXcWEvmDbzPvrPOkjA-JRU1-6fGbPuoFOch1LiTVErnJQz9tJgMyf9/s1600/atherton+tablelands+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-Zo3N3IurMxoibUtlLgjzi5Z7nnIOzWaKQ8G0xnGBIL8MII4Yn53TALNbZmLWLRG3gjqkewi08ZtbRgCku1TZgRXcWEvmDbzPvrPOkjA-JRU1-6fGbPuoFOch1LiTVErnJQz9tJgMyf9/s320/atherton+tablelands+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was the view as we were heading up the mountains, it was like Melbourne weather up there 17c and drizzly most of the day, we were unprepared in shorts and thongs .......... when we left Cairns it was around 26c. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxMaUyn81Qd0NfmPbBZmdG89pF0bEoxHPEifErPlH9-VxWdgcwScCJ_WU43-asn-u32ppb8DlFyCxG6zrmq5xNZ98QjnCiVLEy6t5DYg2uDa7LnLyFcbJS3wqfMh2Vh1DKXGc2mYjLK5j/s1600/curtain+fig+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxMaUyn81Qd0NfmPbBZmdG89pF0bEoxHPEifErPlH9-VxWdgcwScCJ_WU43-asn-u32ppb8DlFyCxG6zrmq5xNZ98QjnCiVLEy6t5DYg2uDa7LnLyFcbJS3wqfMh2Vh1DKXGc2mYjLK5j/s320/curtain+fig+tree.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>This was unusual sight , it's called the curtain fig tree, it's huge , this photo doesn't do it justice.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-21485827178270870342011-07-28T05:09:00.000-07:002011-07-28T05:13:25.607-07:00Cairns - KurandaWe went to Kuranda today which is a town in the mountains that has a seven day a week market, as well as many Art Galleries and Tourist wildlife parks. The lookout on the way up there gives you a great view over Cairns to the ocean<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJKCPzF2ajpPzM4n3ceVJFbb0nZ84H7jdEo1lb1_ruBGPSKaF715v2e18A8knb4ZkdDEqPP8R3xMxl3ZZH5tATxosp_xbYyLY295Qo1IjwZZRKf6K1lF0qyAOjmaFYlMErfNydjUd2_jx/s1600/cairns+-+kuranda+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJKCPzF2ajpPzM4n3ceVJFbb0nZ84H7jdEo1lb1_ruBGPSKaF715v2e18A8knb4ZkdDEqPP8R3xMxl3ZZH5tATxosp_xbYyLY295Qo1IjwZZRKf6K1lF0qyAOjmaFYlMErfNydjUd2_jx/s320/cairns+-+kuranda+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTRpYhP4gGxAbOnoC4p7RQ01TjZafqysCEkb_o6NneUVziI76TRitA_NmPInepruoCa-wzIw-tOzqxn0-2aNhAZCTKdvWF5QhgSJoaxO_cnPfc96y4KVWhJr6AAwdyDNaBvcbsr5BRMDC/s1600/cairns+-+kuranda+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTRpYhP4gGxAbOnoC4p7RQ01TjZafqysCEkb_o6NneUVziI76TRitA_NmPInepruoCa-wzIw-tOzqxn0-2aNhAZCTKdvWF5QhgSJoaxO_cnPfc96y4KVWhJr6AAwdyDNaBvcbsr5BRMDC/s320/cairns+-+kuranda+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I came across this and couldn't resist it........a real stuffed cane toad which is a fridge magnet ........ I bet you all can't wait to find out who the lucky recipient of this will be.............. have to wait till we get home (no Sam, I won't make you put this in your new kitchen)</div>There is every type of Australian souvenir available from the markets and some good food spots, we had lunch at the German Tucker Wurthouse......delicious.......not surprising but most of the cafes are cash only !! There were a few tax agents up there but no surprise that they didn't seem busy at all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCtz8uuHjqBe7kcyuQh9OBxZkvdrEdaXGO2NQY4dDVs-SLYQlCnBUqX9c2NpF56h2DaoEQzGeQFTYHO02KYswwrfWCpCZgFP85Y1A_elH5Dr_1dyG1JG_u2VqtfF8W1jvaWV2KBO3c4PM/s1600/cairns+-+kuranda+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCtz8uuHjqBe7kcyuQh9OBxZkvdrEdaXGO2NQY4dDVs-SLYQlCnBUqX9c2NpF56h2DaoEQzGeQFTYHO02KYswwrfWCpCZgFP85Y1A_elH5Dr_1dyG1JG_u2VqtfF8W1jvaWV2KBO3c4PM/s320/cairns+-+kuranda+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The caravan park that we are currently in must also supply alarm clocks..........every morning we have been woken at 8.15 (sorry to all the workers) by a small dove sitting on the top of the van near the hatch making a very loud cooing sound..........odd.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-85994772994350580232011-07-27T04:58:00.000-07:002011-07-27T04:58:12.935-07:00Tully.......Etty Bay .........CairnsWe took a drive from Mission Bay , Tully has a large sugar mill and also the highest rainfall for the region therefore (of course) they have the Big Gumboot <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX42-GGY8cP9Ia-R6nJhFqUTxbTAf8xGiZ831x4dNkgYClOmdqfSznI83mgoL9sZBt4DA5CDhnWnQlAhuv8KR2Cb318tq6ZEw6iU0NgC02kdrrFXdh9Ui9TvPmVFIGgoSXIZOUp-XwGyLP/s1600/Sugar+mill+Tully.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX42-GGY8cP9Ia-R6nJhFqUTxbTAf8xGiZ831x4dNkgYClOmdqfSznI83mgoL9sZBt4DA5CDhnWnQlAhuv8KR2Cb318tq6ZEw6iU0NgC02kdrrFXdh9Ui9TvPmVFIGgoSXIZOUp-XwGyLP/s320/Sugar+mill+Tully.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgNgMEoTegdLp2uJwts8Mhy4RnE0fiDOD-597Lv3CmRrI9lKLx4n625oImGMxvcC3hXWSvkKEundUONcqvcnqh9AvKb2Md_YGMqVpQjuA4z7dBdDBnVxrWCsLNshmyaH913_PyFdGeEX/s1600/Tully.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgNgMEoTegdLp2uJwts8Mhy4RnE0fiDOD-597Lv3CmRrI9lKLx4n625oImGMxvcC3hXWSvkKEundUONcqvcnqh9AvKb2Md_YGMqVpQjuA4z7dBdDBnVxrWCsLNshmyaH913_PyFdGeEX/s320/Tully.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>We were also on a mission to see a Cassowary, there are signs everywhere indicating that a Cassowary had been sighted in a particular area, they are very elusive, but we were in luck and came across one at Etty Bay wandering along the beach. They are a very large bird , can grow to 2 metres and have big claws .......so I didn't get too close.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKXbbJyggVSFoL1AH6cpHxZmHKFWRF2oniepfTI336s9C1TetoXKsXESuGNEK6xIrA_XLkY-ilFOIDZmI41BXPMlO2JEJg4QnyEHoRZ4FY51wce6-yzep_9SW8VoRBDI9xzqcj9BQRdz1/s1600/Etty+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKXbbJyggVSFoL1AH6cpHxZmHKFWRF2oniepfTI336s9C1TetoXKsXESuGNEK6xIrA_XLkY-ilFOIDZmI41BXPMlO2JEJg4QnyEHoRZ4FY51wce6-yzep_9SW8VoRBDI9xzqcj9BQRdz1/s320/Etty+Bay+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cairns has been a service stop for us , we are staying in a really nice caravan park at Woree , about 7 klms from the CBD. After the last river crossing at Jim Jim falls , Mark thought that it would be a good idea to have a snorkel fitted to the car before we headed to Cape York, so along with a service, that will be done next week. Cairns has developed quite a bit since we were here about 11 years ago, at the waterfront close to the marina is now a large public pool surrounded by sandy beach.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4INL0zWIgaGHs54HXI2aIPHxk1Lx4VquCMnFEW0p4kMukYTi4E9jyUOvT4EvCW-EWSYBpY7ivinMS_V7PdZ2WQHJsibmWKHINq5P891IgspvNl6mJVafIqcIDeObaAb8FDEL62m5X5gj/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4INL0zWIgaGHs54HXI2aIPHxk1Lx4VquCMnFEW0p4kMukYTi4E9jyUOvT4EvCW-EWSYBpY7ivinMS_V7PdZ2WQHJsibmWKHINq5P891IgspvNl6mJVafIqcIDeObaAb8FDEL62m5X5gj/s320/IMG_1795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We are going to Kuranda tomorrow and will also check out Lake Tinaroo , we may spend some time there before we head up to Port Douglas where Rachael will spend some time with us and some time with Kate at Trinity beach.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-74685562148372884462011-07-22T04:54:00.000-07:002011-07-22T23:14:57.562-07:00Karumba to Mission BeachThe trip from Karumba was fairly uneventful apart from the unfenced cattle that wander on to the highway, you are never sure which way they will run, so you have to be very aware of them.<br />
Well surprisingly we did get a spot at a free overnight camp, we also meet a couple Coline and Doug there who were from Perth and are travelling for 3 years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4uFgKxa-mBKgzKnOr2twDgFr_smM1Fj4ZasMMZbtWU9zOQQnFBowl27UeYpcKRio3Y02sVMdonyMl5hYWjDkY36IULk-aG8LEPqTpn7O5sPBJEY5UW-gma-TWrm7Jw7giwSmtihaMq0T/s1600/Mission+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4uFgKxa-mBKgzKnOr2twDgFr_smM1Fj4ZasMMZbtWU9zOQQnFBowl27UeYpcKRio3Y02sVMdonyMl5hYWjDkY36IULk-aG8LEPqTpn7O5sPBJEY5UW-gma-TWrm7Jw7giwSmtihaMq0T/s320/Mission+Beach+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After almost 7 weeks we have left the red dust behind and have hit beautiful tropical Queensland.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2ray_r8B0LMp87J3zvOLetO3PItAXxBpZd_VtCD9uxJPN115BQ64pqe-OPUyQLeHMkmVKN-XzTYlWl3bN6nIxQyJYjaq9bIMJFScPZjPCoB02KZ690SXZipA5eot53lPJTk3PWcnnZxE/s1600/Mission+Beach+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2ray_r8B0LMp87J3zvOLetO3PItAXxBpZd_VtCD9uxJPN115BQ64pqe-OPUyQLeHMkmVKN-XzTYlWl3bN6nIxQyJYjaq9bIMJFScPZjPCoB02KZ690SXZipA5eot53lPJTk3PWcnnZxE/s320/Mission+Beach+%252816%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mission Beach .............beautiful one day ............perfect the next...............it;s been around 25c every day. <br />
Cyclone Yasi certainly did some damage here, most of the trees had the foliage stripped from them and many snapped in half. There is good regrowth now but the area is still struggling to recover.<br />
Dunk Island is only 4 klms away but unfortunately is closed as it was badly damaged and there is doubt that it will ever be open for business again, they are unable to get any future insurance cover.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_j2sCcVFrNsIZGwPE9tImVl4hqOS9ph8d-XPt-sRjZgZohtAfigjJ2gb8G5vLyCvwJnMZEV499fzNp7A3fqSERJ2BCTo-uhFWcMjPCHBzUy_7mH-TLtD69O5IW9XUgR7vplnXoWz0w3Y/s1600/Mission+Beach+%252836%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_j2sCcVFrNsIZGwPE9tImVl4hqOS9ph8d-XPt-sRjZgZohtAfigjJ2gb8G5vLyCvwJnMZEV499fzNp7A3fqSERJ2BCTo-uhFWcMjPCHBzUy_7mH-TLtD69O5IW9XUgR7vplnXoWz0w3Y/s320/Mission+Beach+%252836%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>" Jump the Beach" must be on top of the list of every backpacker that travels to Queensland. They drop groups of them on tandem jumps about every couple of hours, they jump from the plane at 22,000 ft and once the parachute opens you can hear the excited squeals, whooping and cheers.<br />
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Next destination Cairns.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-24111489607455011452011-07-19T05:26:00.000-07:002011-07-19T05:34:28.239-07:00Lawn Hill to KarumbaAlmost 300 klms of dirt road, some of the road had been well maintained by the mine between Lawn Hill and Gregory Downs but when one of their large trucks passed us going the opposite way we totally lost any vision because of the dust.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9Vc9WxXcjR_YtkWS4NrjtazKVGnAmhhyWPnYuyIoh7dIgmJ97g5-xtXcpzKSLVqyIA6so1cSXGz77GzF5Zg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Apart from the dust we saw lots of bird life, flocks of green budgies, cockatiels, galahs , cockatoos and finches.<br />
We found it very difficult getting a caravan site at Karumba and ended up in a caravan park in town (not at the beach where we would have liked to have been) the site was almost on the road , no shade and right behind the toilets , when I say right behind I mean you can here the flushing !!!!! We also seem to be surrounded by industry, with trucks coming and going all night and the constant buzz of machinery. We were here 11 years ago and nothing much has changed............. we're wondering why we came back.............Karumba attracts a lot of tourists for the fishing but you need to have a boat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEoM0Tk0JzuESkbM5TATMnGwhOUxpoGWcD3lQwhIrdzBNkB6FXvN_PmcOUFgYRWduWNmN-r8Euj20WT0y-2Uevma_kzxdqyjLwS95W2ylRqDdsv7IZbpmN9PMspG-c-I4_mDxQqV2w2qw/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEoM0Tk0JzuESkbM5TATMnGwhOUxpoGWcD3lQwhIrdzBNkB6FXvN_PmcOUFgYRWduWNmN-r8Euj20WT0y-2Uevma_kzxdqyjLwS95W2ylRqDdsv7IZbpmN9PMspG-c-I4_mDxQqV2w2qw/s320/IMG_1682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Karumba does have beautiful sunsets over the water, this was taken from the sunset bar while enjoying a Sav Blanc for me and a beer for Mark.<br />
Leaving tomorrow heading to Mission Beach but will need to stop over night somewhere, we are hoping to free camp about half way............free camping is a designated rest area , some are day use only but others are overnight stops, unfortunately some of the annoying grey nomads use them like caravan parks and race to get the best spots and are all set up by lunch time, then just sit by their van all day............so when we get to them later in the day the rest stops are packed.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-31046748211502777322011-07-18T05:43:00.000-07:002011-07-18T05:43:16.708-07:00Camooweal to Lawn HillAfter approx 300 klms of dirt road we made it to Adels Grove - Lawn Hill.<br />
The caravan survived its first creek crossing ( the deepest about 600mm) with no problems. <br />
It now certainly is living up to its name " Bushmaster" , it's covered in red dust and caked in mud.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneRNHyl7SjBYcoWQnmS8Vxl4PS_R14RFJ2dDS9utpMhimuk7bXhDVBTEtpbUUOvu-hSPa35YbO5ADTer3p3SahKPYlAU6SGEbHphLioO_O8aNQWi5UjMRb-n7veHtMWhYPSa5qedVZL-I/s1600/Lawn+Hill+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneRNHyl7SjBYcoWQnmS8Vxl4PS_R14RFJ2dDS9utpMhimuk7bXhDVBTEtpbUUOvu-hSPa35YbO5ADTer3p3SahKPYlAU6SGEbHphLioO_O8aNQWi5UjMRb-n7veHtMWhYPSa5qedVZL-I/s320/Lawn+Hill+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're bush camping again, but have had no problem for power as the solar has kept us almost fully charged.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEMMQNQee6P3D7Nmow-FiCT4G8TPawip86-LH3E_xEv4tYj5LbrF35DgXQTVwMJpkoPvUMOCCwatf4lMLqt8AAL6tqv20_m6C5XIfxFyiplhetlY8NzNsJjdEaUuq1a3nM8HSoa0hIAzg/s1600/Lawn+Hill+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEMMQNQee6P3D7Nmow-FiCT4G8TPawip86-LH3E_xEv4tYj5LbrF35DgXQTVwMJpkoPvUMOCCwatf4lMLqt8AAL6tqv20_m6C5XIfxFyiplhetlY8NzNsJjdEaUuq1a3nM8HSoa0hIAzg/s320/Lawn+Hill+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>More gorges today, we walked or should I say climbed like mountain goats to the look out over the Lawn Hill Gorge, beautiful views with a bonus .........a weak mobile signal.<br />
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Next on the agenda was to canoe down the gorge to the falls. Mark voted himself captain and sat at the back steering with his double paddle while I did all the work moving us forward. <br />
That's my recollection anyway , Marks version was that I sat in the front giving a few token paddles and slowed us up by putting my hands in the water while he did all the work.<br />
It wasn't just a leisurely cruise it was much more strenuous than we expected. Unfortunately no photos, I was worried my camera could end up in the drink.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8QieHbJGc-rXu6OPakyD9DNFjtPTvnH2JNvA2wvN-cMylwwxMwWBzO4cH4toJkCgA9-h8odsZbIligALIA7-Rv5X9q40kcIozBN7EUNN70wkkNeh-HSiWuxBToLQdcSpCZn-rAK6w_DZ/s1600/Lawn+Hill+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8QieHbJGc-rXu6OPakyD9DNFjtPTvnH2JNvA2wvN-cMylwwxMwWBzO4cH4toJkCgA9-h8odsZbIligALIA7-Rv5X9q40kcIozBN7EUNN70wkkNeh-HSiWuxBToLQdcSpCZn-rAK6w_DZ/s320/Lawn+Hill+%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This most commonly sighted lizard is this Gilbert's Dragon , also called the Ta - ta lizard as is has a habit of waving a front limb when it stops running.<br />
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We have walked , climbed, rock hopped and trekked through enough gorges and photographed enough waterfalls to last us a while. We're ready for a sea change ........... next stop KarumbaKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-29473098317514647962011-07-15T06:57:00.000-07:002011-07-19T04:28:41.671-07:00Kakadu - Jim Jim Creek Crossing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I had planned to video the creek crossing but due to operator error it didn't happen , luckily Sue to the rescue she filmed us going in and coming out.<br />
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</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-63452279435669916372011-07-15T05:02:00.000-07:002011-07-15T06:06:39.048-07:00Kakadu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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There is a lot to say about Kakadu you may want to settle back with a cup of tea.<br />
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Tony and Sue (SA) were also heading to Kakadu and Tony was particularly well researched , so we tagged along and took advantage of all his forward scouting. (Thanks Tony)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QmeAU3Q9lwniaGEUIdqAFOXQQPHTy_4J2itbMQLKWRkeLWxjcJ9wtx1xaI-w8JWXL8ti7NAwIT_pxulpPsWV_S6GnkrLlTKrZSRaGelo4Fld9o_PCGmTUXgiRUsuS3UM9GcTyyQ_Qpwd/s1600/IMG_8411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QmeAU3Q9lwniaGEUIdqAFOXQQPHTy_4J2itbMQLKWRkeLWxjcJ9wtx1xaI-w8JWXL8ti7NAwIT_pxulpPsWV_S6GnkrLlTKrZSRaGelo4Fld9o_PCGmTUXgiRUsuS3UM9GcTyyQ_Qpwd/s320/IMG_8411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We bush camped in the National Park at Mardugal, Mark and Tony became native and entertained us and all the camp with their didgeridoos.<br />
After the fellas went out hunting and returned with sausages , Sue and I went off gathering bread and sauce......................... then Mark and Tony made made fire.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYKiBNG0K1xwA1kxel6gxn6opkvERkw2DOyt9OyQ777UNxamuj0Ayxu3FuH-8xq3nNmCqKQYb5SZE2JULT-B_nPXPUe7FhyphenhyphenMeQSJEHI1cwFtPBa9zCOIsKp5Csa-QKK_Aa2gl85HpKRKv/s1600/Mardugal+NP+Camp+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYKiBNG0K1xwA1kxel6gxn6opkvERkw2DOyt9OyQ777UNxamuj0Ayxu3FuH-8xq3nNmCqKQYb5SZE2JULT-B_nPXPUe7FhyphenhyphenMeQSJEHI1cwFtPBa9zCOIsKp5Csa-QKK_Aa2gl85HpKRKv/s320/Mardugal+NP+Camp+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Not so successfully at first , but the sausages were delicious when we got them, we ate very late that night, after a long day out walking, rock hopping, exploring the sites.<br />
There are a lot of fantastic things to talk about in Kakadu, but the down side were the midgees and mozzies, we all got bitten but poor mark was eaten alive. He spent a couple of nights up scratching, his legs were covered in angry red bites.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNphncm9DoTwugg77ow97-ZEHzfRChm8wHa-DZgUDX8s2as1iUKsHoVCeOrK2NSwFQgl6RNd9a2dNTXrWp-Vv2KqIt2eS_UlgL6WOtVtmZxmlgqKLdwjRGFE3HkwJ9rY2rDEcaY_c-mKHb/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNphncm9DoTwugg77ow97-ZEHzfRChm8wHa-DZgUDX8s2as1iUKsHoVCeOrK2NSwFQgl6RNd9a2dNTXrWp-Vv2KqIt2eS_UlgL6WOtVtmZxmlgqKLdwjRGFE3HkwJ9rY2rDEcaY_c-mKHb/s320/IMG_1399.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>We thought that we would see crocdiles in Kakadu but were surprised about the number of them, the day we arrived we walked down to the boat ramp , about 200mts from where we were camped and saw a large salt water croc cruising just below the water line.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryYkSozOLnYKjXAmMT7JI9HzX3391H-51nKckaXaW8Vq-1e4eOeWSzHPvTYectHcSgiyjCOPHXyUeS26o6dQ3PzRRpvUWHn35X5Jw64Ky-IDqajfUT3Z3rWhAYsgxQgz_rasvKvqHo6Re/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryYkSozOLnYKjXAmMT7JI9HzX3391H-51nKckaXaW8Vq-1e4eOeWSzHPvTYectHcSgiyjCOPHXyUeS26o6dQ3PzRRpvUWHn35X5Jw64Ky-IDqajfUT3Z3rWhAYsgxQgz_rasvKvqHo6Re/s320/IMG_1412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These signs are at all waterways, check out the last symbol on the sign.<br />
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Just as we entered Kakadu we stopped at a lovely wetland area, with waterlilies, masses of birdlife and we saw a whistling kite swoop down and catch some type of rodent , or as another tourist called out "he got a moose" , we were all scouring the countryside for the moose ............he was a pommy and was saying mouse , he didn't see the funny side of it, I think, he thought that we were being rude and laughing at him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxC1zNJCn-XcBZFYH2iTfKhe9PR8wt16uEnpJIp3FO7AkeuYYi0G70VAnF9WP6e5Fmr5ss5u9B9RRXeGGLe_sLqvoVvuhq9eRH6BBeGEVq_4M-odyuEBeLAwHNcEzAGHl0WneemFF2IXqc/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxC1zNJCn-XcBZFYH2iTfKhe9PR8wt16uEnpJIp3FO7AkeuYYi0G70VAnF9WP6e5Fmr5ss5u9B9RRXeGGLe_sLqvoVvuhq9eRH6BBeGEVq_4M-odyuEBeLAwHNcEzAGHl0WneemFF2IXqc/s320/IMG_1269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We saw some amazing rock paintings, the Kakadu National Park is very well run and maintained, throughout the park there are rangers giving talks at various times of the day. The rangers also come to the campsites to do talks at night, we watched a slide show and listened to a talk on aboriginal art.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweBh1saaiDa4t6FTtzdik8KEWSCvMS6K5LdBnvbnh3v8neWVHUATufgQJHKnFcyM4il5A5Ck_tlz6cjg4GGn4A0lOtsHZiEAQdbnkXfJ1hxTFx1xZgIIKiNatvCFSMqj71UHkuMu62_vK/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweBh1saaiDa4t6FTtzdik8KEWSCvMS6K5LdBnvbnh3v8neWVHUATufgQJHKnFcyM4il5A5Ck_tlz6cjg4GGn4A0lOtsHZiEAQdbnkXfJ1hxTFx1xZgIIKiNatvCFSMqj71UHkuMu62_vK/s320/IMG_1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is Nabulwinjbulwinj...............He is a dangerous spirit who eats females after striking them with a yam.<br />
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The road to Twin Falls had just re opened after all the rain from the wet season. It was a fun 4wd into the falls area with a 750mm deep creek crossing, that was to the top of our wheels , with some water coming into the cabin , and then a rock hopping trek into the falls , it was spectacular. Jim Jim falls were next, it was hot and getting late so we didn't do the long walk into Jim Jim , but what we saw was lovely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sDycNE3IcmY5C_qNaaFaLgknmIW1RaaKkIFTLXbenew-7kd2f31pzkdmqWuJVQYqyJP35hBbmeMTshgtSw6Sb3xHrEpVIwo7UjaWVDHnJzdQouLuLzN1ms06WQvh74wjU6_YAethbQjF/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sDycNE3IcmY5C_qNaaFaLgknmIW1RaaKkIFTLXbenew-7kd2f31pzkdmqWuJVQYqyJP35hBbmeMTshgtSw6Sb3xHrEpVIwo7UjaWVDHnJzdQouLuLzN1ms06WQvh74wjU6_YAethbQjF/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>The next adventure our wagon master (Tony) had in store for us was the Guluyambi Cultural Tour . This was a boat tour only the East Aligator River with an aboriginal guide who gave us an insight into his culture. We were amazed by the number of crocodiles that were in this river ...... we were warned to keep our arms inside the boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDm4zH9yvcVrsVfUXER0Xw67JvpRGdA-FPzy6RcOTEs90zKS9CagUJ3BWWEu0mM_nZwiT2fuhE5OQ0-GBCKz6e-lTvqi_s_B9MKe6V0gsI_N5U53LygO2CWxu3U6gpBNlopECkEHnW3opb/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDm4zH9yvcVrsVfUXER0Xw67JvpRGdA-FPzy6RcOTEs90zKS9CagUJ3BWWEu0mM_nZwiT2fuhE5OQ0-GBCKz6e-lTvqi_s_B9MKe6V0gsI_N5U53LygO2CWxu3U6gpBNlopECkEHnW3opb/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Next on the agenda was sunset at Ubirr, this was breathtakingly beautiful, we climbed to the top of masses of boulders........... looking at rock art along the way to reach the plateau which gave you a 360 degree view of the surrounding grass and wetlands.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP8vNX5x-56Xwo9IoTVANxx-F3D02W8Atxhgf96Hr3CLFYQxWNg76Ka1vIMM43SXk0KMT6n4VP0eDk50fM9FM0jNigzHrwLJ1dFdn9WvOuZ569SbO1B6GEIDkURl2LXizAb9B4lpAE7Tv/s1600/Ubirr+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP8vNX5x-56Xwo9IoTVANxx-F3D02W8Atxhgf96Hr3CLFYQxWNg76Ka1vIMM43SXk0KMT6n4VP0eDk50fM9FM0jNigzHrwLJ1dFdn9WvOuZ569SbO1B6GEIDkURl2LXizAb9B4lpAE7Tv/s320/Ubirr+%252822%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMH56ghW3rxUWWK11q-Wn0jIwnjwYW-IajBXY7ehxf2nRhO_EcBNFQfgj_xk7_e4cmFxQySKyjMShSbTHmQ5_-cPtJ_XtgTPLGnFVAszXbnMurON_EUvoRaaGJtO44sUfF5X1StjvagzX_/s1600/Ubirr+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMH56ghW3rxUWWK11q-Wn0jIwnjwYW-IajBXY7ehxf2nRhO_EcBNFQfgj_xk7_e4cmFxQySKyjMShSbTHmQ5_-cPtJ_XtgTPLGnFVAszXbnMurON_EUvoRaaGJtO44sUfF5X1StjvagzX_/s320/Ubirr+%252831%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There is so much more to see in Kakadu but that will have to wait for another trip.<br />
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After 6 nights without power , we are tonight in a caravan park in Camooweal, not much here apart from a pub and a couple of service stations so it's good to be able to charge everything up, do the washing etc.<br />
Off on dirt road tomorrow for a couple of hundred klms to Lawn Hill then over to Karumba.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-91839810609343389572011-07-07T23:48:00.000-07:002011-07-08T06:33:38.374-07:00Darwin - Mindil MarketSpent the day yesterday at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Notrthern Territory. Lots of good displays including aboriginal art and a facinating Cyclone Tracey exhibit. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRNji4LXCiyg6Gt6ovx9NTZfG-Je4waQQ1Qe2GmsTf7rTDDHDskc-qbGaCV6wjjS5x6xT4vPZjz0jiE3_cDHICcrrl4_NILuhqUloeAn90vuar8y9cEttJYahbyM_Y3fKqcjLycpdmKhN/s1600/darwin+cp+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRNji4LXCiyg6Gt6ovx9NTZfG-Je4waQQ1Qe2GmsTf7rTDDHDskc-qbGaCV6wjjS5x6xT4vPZjz0jiE3_cDHICcrrl4_NILuhqUloeAn90vuar8y9cEttJYahbyM_Y3fKqcjLycpdmKhN/s320/darwin+cp+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Today we caught up with a bit of housekeeping, washed the caravan etc , Mark thought he deserved a sit down with a cold beverage after all his work. He certainly has relaxed into this new lifestyle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguEUoGfie0E1jnXm6BYZx8gAVpiZM_B0IdyzGJ9Uxqjo4qXU3yEgDMT8blndfSqmt_Rvc1rBydJnfzNmIhPGM5_5OabK9H_lW4To8xZtTDq6VSGYZHfQMaAMA602tI3f5RDK465LR_R6K/s1600/darwin+cp+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguEUoGfie0E1jnXm6BYZx8gAVpiZM_B0IdyzGJ9Uxqjo4qXU3yEgDMT8blndfSqmt_Rvc1rBydJnfzNmIhPGM5_5OabK9H_lW4To8xZtTDq6VSGYZHfQMaAMA602tI3f5RDK465LR_R6K/s320/darwin+cp+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just kidding.............That good looking bloke above is our neighbour we get to admire his stunning physique every day and he is always dressed the same !!<br />
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Mark relaxing at our tropical shady site at the Howard Springs caravan park.<br />
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Mindil market is a twilight market held on the foreshore at Mindil beach and we couldn't believe how many people were there , hundreds of people go down to the beach to watch the sunset over the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrCE5YaiCZkLKUepzDlHduPqQEviDomg5XqVW6eSdSLPiDMzuRJFZJ9rfSVCUgVq5OWlO92v3Ok7EAQOGom-DdIpNNZleeJbjTF6sxwXjlEz0JCk6n53ocFC-ju-6rwoOhYZuiMY-q6LY/s1600/mindil+market+%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrCE5YaiCZkLKUepzDlHduPqQEviDomg5XqVW6eSdSLPiDMzuRJFZJ9rfSVCUgVq5OWlO92v3Ok7EAQOGom-DdIpNNZleeJbjTF6sxwXjlEz0JCk6n53ocFC-ju-6rwoOhYZuiMY-q6LY/s320/mindil+market+%252819%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is every type of cuisine available , buskers , bands , stalls, aboriginal art and lots more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zqvqZVunsm0uxLkzCbd2lZoYB_j5mUgAE4NjNLnAFIUDTq6S0ZOQK_yOGgu9Wb1aKi-R0-nasxDOH0hipeRjshzdpADjRvkzLfJfDFW7fzK4P1QFLz9USjPzXnXwGo35rucrc6GfTO7_/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zqvqZVunsm0uxLkzCbd2lZoYB_j5mUgAE4NjNLnAFIUDTq6S0ZOQK_yOGgu9Wb1aKi-R0-nasxDOH0hipeRjshzdpADjRvkzLfJfDFW7fzK4P1QFLz9USjPzXnXwGo35rucrc6GfTO7_/s320/IMG_1266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marks purchase from the market, this will wake up some of those grey nomads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Had a look around Fannie Bay Jail today, if you had to be in jail it's a nice location, the prisoners were taken down to the beach every day for a wash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having dinner at Cullen Bay tonight with Tony and Sue (SA) and another couple we met at Daly Waters Norma and Bob (SA)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heading to Kakadu tomorrow, more photos of gorges and waterfalls to come.</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-77814640360180625122011-07-07T06:59:00.000-07:002011-07-07T06:59:46.617-07:00Darwin Military Museum and Cullen Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2Dkwk9nayhHqOVYdk-0Dynm1344R5L70BviWGWJP_Np-WaQgFGld4r3YqNVFfnnXMwi0e5YIIuDp0PpTh5S196AURhxnRACWwfaB-l4xB4Ka2-5epDPn9Na4Z6FMQG_HpikCSkXhI-bP/s1600/darwin+military+museum+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2Dkwk9nayhHqOVYdk-0Dynm1344R5L70BviWGWJP_Np-WaQgFGld4r3YqNVFfnnXMwi0e5YIIuDp0PpTh5S196AURhxnRACWwfaB-l4xB4Ka2-5epDPn9Na4Z6FMQG_HpikCSkXhI-bP/s320/darwin+military+museum+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Off to learn more about the war , the many attacks on Darwin . There was a lot military activity in this area during the second world war. Half the population was evacuated in 1942 anticipating the attack. Many of the city buildings were destroyed, several ships sunk and aircraft shot down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDga_36b-LTmk2XFK18KAuaC8NlrSvmzs2LslCzy5kcO0q4hmL6br8Na2oXGZ65Wzu-4hitL6cR3JgvAhiLmuNgepdS6l35KtQ-WN8uNL1np52BsnYgCJZUEFwkQkaX7VjmTlxpNEahIV/s1600/darwin+military+museum+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDga_36b-LTmk2XFK18KAuaC8NlrSvmzs2LslCzy5kcO0q4hmL6br8Na2oXGZ65Wzu-4hitL6cR3JgvAhiLmuNgepdS6l35KtQ-WN8uNL1np52BsnYgCJZUEFwkQkaX7VjmTlxpNEahIV/s320/darwin+military+museum+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Someone should tell these blokes they can come out now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GUq_MT-Rs40IbB0GVORkT01I-MvD234p4Md8nWcDwD3g0wWXxli6nkJ2hCMcVd221U-Zoek4ZXl4_YqbpTCNnIFoYjPCWaYis3VEjEDZdUhFeOJP4z_QvV4NiFdoc9cfyOczdL0MVvoq/s1600/cullen+bay+darwin+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GUq_MT-Rs40IbB0GVORkT01I-MvD234p4Md8nWcDwD3g0wWXxli6nkJ2hCMcVd221U-Zoek4ZXl4_YqbpTCNnIFoYjPCWaYis3VEjEDZdUhFeOJP4z_QvV4NiFdoc9cfyOczdL0MVvoq/s320/cullen+bay+darwin+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSai9_ui-4sxlYYtveGsFpZqUemIDHhaE0JOqZwhAataTnu4VuTz9EpWRSk5psyi8UYmkpyD_uz-IL7pKC0c9xOIfSb0O2Qwq-DP7xy8mx0dPrT_P2jgU5nlxcfN4eVzYVj17l8WIQriU/s1600/cullen+bay+darwin+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSai9_ui-4sxlYYtveGsFpZqUemIDHhaE0JOqZwhAataTnu4VuTz9EpWRSk5psyi8UYmkpyD_uz-IL7pKC0c9xOIfSb0O2Qwq-DP7xy8mx0dPrT_P2jgU5nlxcfN4eVzYVj17l8WIQriU/s320/cullen+bay+darwin+%252817%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cullen Bay is lovely area with cafes , restaurants and retail around the marina. There is a large croc , I wanted Mark to plank on the croc but he wouldn't be in it , so I thought it would make a good photo ....... I didn't take into account the Irish photographer who shot it from the wrong angle !!!! I wasn't doing it again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA57l4wA_WwwfGOOosSIsHUNJnlveD0IOxRoX0zE7q4jOQ08epx-Vz01gTQ6fhn2T-J2vWgy_Yd40naEALuoRCS0XoZAtBUamP7wsbE1oPQU5uAuE12jjOh7d7FjU2bGjlfU93dNwWLjI/s1600/cullen+bay+darwin+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA57l4wA_WwwfGOOosSIsHUNJnlveD0IOxRoX0zE7q4jOQ08epx-Vz01gTQ6fhn2T-J2vWgy_Yd40naEALuoRCS0XoZAtBUamP7wsbE1oPQU5uAuE12jjOh7d7FjU2bGjlfU93dNwWLjI/s320/cullen+bay+darwin+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-2377839511125839982011-07-04T04:33:00.000-07:002011-07-04T04:33:13.655-07:00DarwinEnjoying lovely days of around 30c here, we are staying about 23klms out of Darwin in a nice park and have got a shady grassy spot. After the last couple of weeks in gorges and at waterholes we are back to museums. The Aviation Museum was first destination and we were asked were we seniors (the cheek of the guy)....... we said....... well we could be ............ he charged us accordingly..............we are going to be seniors for the rest of the trip when it comes to entry fees !!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCzR0eVleioeFDdp4IkNEsFnQRau1C0LimK61RDOT8tWCkURl8MSr9hAOokpvgY8yZSGOiX-DwxQGsCM5yAQYog5Fjp4b8LFvSUdypB638EYuCBfrSp93yPUl454pU_QosarAKmIhxAgX/s1600/darwin+aviation+museum+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCzR0eVleioeFDdp4IkNEsFnQRau1C0LimK61RDOT8tWCkURl8MSr9hAOokpvgY8yZSGOiX-DwxQGsCM5yAQYog5Fjp4b8LFvSUdypB638EYuCBfrSp93yPUl454pU_QosarAKmIhxAgX/s320/darwin+aviation+museum+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This is a B52 bomber that was donated by the Americans to Darwin Aviation Musuem , it was restored in America and renamed "The Spirit of Darwin" . This type of aircraft still operates in updated versions.<br />
Off to the oil tunnels tomorrow ................looking forward to that one (not)Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-34748289962919439312011-07-01T05:18:00.000-07:002011-07-01T21:06:09.743-07:00Berry SpringsMark thought that it was about time he got his fishing rod wet, so we headed off to Mandorah pier after some reliable info from some of the old fishermen in the caravan park. After a long afternoon sitting on the pier being entertained by the locals back and forward on the ferry to get their supplies from Darwin , this is what the fisherman had to show for the afternoon (see below)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9vxni9qPtqBIZf0TV6v22sulwYHZdRFzTdkS-mc8PT9n-mAtjRBrLZ7EpexUxtixgPoPpN5irP2fOo28RQgidFiGL8oUdjqiHlkw-vhcGj-IKrgg4-ZD7GzwpwEoMj2rdWnInQPySgPs/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9vxni9qPtqBIZf0TV6v22sulwYHZdRFzTdkS-mc8PT9n-mAtjRBrLZ7EpexUxtixgPoPpN5irP2fOo28RQgidFiGL8oUdjqiHlkw-vhcGj-IKrgg4-ZD7GzwpwEoMj2rdWnInQPySgPs/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>But you should have seen the ones that got away !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
Dinner at the pub was a good option , Barra burgers , considering we had nothing to cook it was a good choice.Great pub on the water , good company , Sue & Tony from SA, good food, cold drinks .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0b5i9SthAgL8kpPL6AauoNqFKOVU_6r706JjsYo_jfLGee-bXLQj0gjm7MAEb6Cz4VUw942gcMV0SjqThZsgQ35ERd4g5cZ80d98djuFSX6cnJYD53npsrAK5DWQIsA1PK_POIilmWhA/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0b5i9SthAgL8kpPL6AauoNqFKOVU_6r706JjsYo_jfLGee-bXLQj0gjm7MAEb6Cz4VUw942gcMV0SjqThZsgQ35ERd4g5cZ80d98djuFSX6cnJYD53npsrAK5DWQIsA1PK_POIilmWhA/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Berry Springs ........... lovely warm thermal springs , but unfortunately it was Territory Day today and every man and his dog were at the springs, there is a very accessible water fall but we had no chance of getting anywhere near it . We settled on one of the other pools but were soon joined by a group we named the "cackling cast of cocoon" astride their various coloured noodles , we had spotted them at another pool and avoided them, but unfortunately they floated down to where we were.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFLgLF6D83FMMF1fnR1gqUQbnRc3i28R66o7hTAKWPtCE-f9Ww7d6QXMSa_eVblOsY641TDJufjwqKdir5moGrgsG1pX7Vgb6scRPcVWD0Ehkc1rTkc7id9TdcoWohrcJ53CIRgKRcX8j/s1600/berry+springs+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFLgLF6D83FMMF1fnR1gqUQbnRc3i28R66o7hTAKWPtCE-f9Ww7d6QXMSa_eVblOsY641TDJufjwqKdir5moGrgsG1pX7Vgb6scRPcVWD0Ehkc1rTkc7id9TdcoWohrcJ53CIRgKRcX8j/s320/berry+springs+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>What was surprising was the number of fish that were in these pools, we were surrounded by them, unfortunately no fishing here.<br />
Just got back from a fire works display at the local school, before the professional display the locals let off their fireworks , you can buy any amount of fireworks here. It went for a couple of hours and was quite spectacular.<br />
Off to Darwin tomorrow , plan to stay put for a week.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-69432669688440152082011-07-01T00:00:00.000-07:002011-07-01T00:00:05.916-07:00Litchfield National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1OKFy2SFj9PL9QYDAI6w0Dh2LYvxKIym_5Z3G0ps9nq3C4W0WsVTMFp-JbuxjIpmD7mC8fdhHCRstSLfFDyWtGYJXGbKbh7L3qpgUWmDvNTPKtn0V9_Hd06Pt_5p_wV7fjeflSDknKzh/s1600/Litchfield++%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1OKFy2SFj9PL9QYDAI6w0Dh2LYvxKIym_5Z3G0ps9nq3C4W0WsVTMFp-JbuxjIpmD7mC8fdhHCRstSLfFDyWtGYJXGbKbh7L3qpgUWmDvNTPKtn0V9_Hd06Pt_5p_wV7fjeflSDknKzh/s320/Litchfield++%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a nice grassy spot at the caravan park near Litchfield National Park, this was happy hour with Sue & Tony from SA.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERgfo5f0xXTBQLHSckangCMbPC69ySQfVdE3r9QXVN7au53qZXF9Gfgfr8Ddjp2RjqW1xeNkkL7sXMC05DJF4ICPcQwUOP_j4bMziVfHZtQotkk8RZDX0Uy3Fg6ZaRdE4XHwqaouAOwTP/s1600/Litchfield++%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERgfo5f0xXTBQLHSckangCMbPC69ySQfVdE3r9QXVN7au53qZXF9Gfgfr8Ddjp2RjqW1xeNkkL7sXMC05DJF4ICPcQwUOP_j4bMziVfHZtQotkk8RZDX0Uy3Fg6ZaRdE4XHwqaouAOwTP/s320/Litchfield++%25282%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of the Magnetic Termite Mounds, the landscape in this area is dotted with these, not all as large as this one, it looks like paddocks of tombstones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ5zRgPzPy1bKbI0DxaRI6GyY6duQKNV5f4oFQ4Jx5LIAcdcj03vUt-OAq9iH5Q0eq4D1zrJiGW2EZ3gNkeive3mF70_EdEl0gDOQTcNtZf2Nm_637C_DNl0j55LBDqkmRtgh9T6E57hC/s1600/Litchfield++%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ5zRgPzPy1bKbI0DxaRI6GyY6duQKNV5f4oFQ4Jx5LIAcdcj03vUt-OAq9iH5Q0eq4D1zrJiGW2EZ3gNkeive3mF70_EdEl0gDOQTcNtZf2Nm_637C_DNl0j55LBDqkmRtgh9T6E57hC/s320/Litchfield++%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many beautiful spots to visit and waterholes to swim in Litchfield.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hvReXLHjtVgwfLVZu160aJBAroCqzTSJBsOtFfpqArlEcWw7FRSmpaVHRBeS1ef_MxBgiAaz5hHgxXPwtNRHZ1KQQgrvF2wp_qib-dYkJfev08JK8GruNHO8egSgHPX5AAORiCqh_ZJW/s1600/Litchfield+1+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hvReXLHjtVgwfLVZu160aJBAroCqzTSJBsOtFfpqArlEcWw7FRSmpaVHRBeS1ef_MxBgiAaz5hHgxXPwtNRHZ1KQQgrvF2wp_qib-dYkJfev08JK8GruNHO8egSgHPX5AAORiCqh_ZJW/s320/Litchfield+1+%25283%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAs7oJnunx_8t0cIKwfEcinizqLTr9o594ucORO6MXZPwLZp2ZP3GGIEqFNem46Eh6YRgzKYbwQY738qy7aZgpIcvCzx74h15cdvTTzQUTD69oPeGQdDPhUYQpQy7fRjz0KICLvlWRyv6/s1600/Litchfield+1+%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAs7oJnunx_8t0cIKwfEcinizqLTr9o594ucORO6MXZPwLZp2ZP3GGIEqFNem46Eh6YRgzKYbwQY738qy7aZgpIcvCzx74h15cdvTTzQUTD69oPeGQdDPhUYQpQy7fRjz0KICLvlWRyv6/s320/Litchfield+1+%252828%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Tolmer Falls, Greenant Creek and Wangi Falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This last photo is taken from the top of the waterfall at Greenant Creek, we swam at this waterhole and could sit at the top of the waterfall , which was about a 40 metre drop .</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-5396564291669554142011-06-29T05:47:00.000-07:002011-07-03T06:08:25.927-07:00Mataranka - Katherine - Edith Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0h0UhjYN46arNBvRIQ1CeoNsiKwz2gTqLyptJ0orFW1sSYVU5JB_6Q9YlyXP4QG-5wdlDslAwFDz8L9tnkPr3IUDkFLt6NT_BzPHlpmVy-w6-Ux00ZmkpCIb16hhbaqqhYD1q9fDDNzm/s1600/Mataranka+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0h0UhjYN46arNBvRIQ1CeoNsiKwz2gTqLyptJ0orFW1sSYVU5JB_6Q9YlyXP4QG-5wdlDslAwFDz8L9tnkPr3IUDkFLt6NT_BzPHlpmVy-w6-Ux00ZmkpCIb16hhbaqqhYD1q9fDDNzm/s320/Mataranka+%25281%2529.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>Packed our winter gear away after Mt Isa , the weather has been getting warmer the further north we travel , for the last week it has been high 20's to low 30's .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTYcs6Vk5SKSVWaO2txGwkezqWXACqHGu9kJvi-ljProxThyt33n898QAVwi4hJRkv1H1Mj76nAuX1uMzfJ8NR76hrsk55bDRqEf_q-BsrUR-WF1VwpsP7KrJknsUsMBgHLRtXcA4-wgq/s1600/catherine+gorge+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTYcs6Vk5SKSVWaO2txGwkezqWXACqHGu9kJvi-ljProxThyt33n898QAVwi4hJRkv1H1Mj76nAuX1uMzfJ8NR76hrsk55bDRqEf_q-BsrUR-WF1VwpsP7KrJknsUsMBgHLRtXcA4-wgq/s320/catherine+gorge+%252831%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We stayed at the Nitmiluk National Park about 30 klms out of Katherine at the Katherine Gorge. The three gorge tour which took four hours was spectacular and we saw many crocodiles on the banks sunning themselves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jgbigDXokHBvGHT6BKqJ2ez9CA0L6-tlN4UajSPPXQrJbGz6RQ-lZUj8_WaaCimto3OUt8mfvNzPB7vohFHbyB4JuCO0duTx1JE22m7QHIjEDx5-A1ZfucN2mWV8oe4DYigIqLG6zzm8/s1600/catherine+gorge+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jgbigDXokHBvGHT6BKqJ2ez9CA0L6-tlN4UajSPPXQrJbGz6RQ-lZUj8_WaaCimto3OUt8mfvNzPB7vohFHbyB4JuCO0duTx1JE22m7QHIjEDx5-A1ZfucN2mWV8oe4DYigIqLG6zzm8/s320/catherine+gorge+%252843%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There were thousands of bats at Katherine Gorge and throughout the caravan park, at dusk they would fly around screeching, they were really smelly and we were often showered from above which made eating out in the open not very pleasant. The awning on the caravan needed a good scrub before we packed up to move on. The photo below was taken as we were heading down to the gorge for the cruise, that is not foliage on the trees but bats !!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWSpTP2uspBdkAE58mRNoIrdX-V5uo4xLiENQOOiry24gLU_c-0BONKYrF1xXm21L3JrobnW7oWaaSlhSB981HSeAUywQHHEU-Erjr_S5anbW4lYGiIU4-GX0CvqYq3O6K_DO-dhygKPL/s1600/catherine+gorge+%252844%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWSpTP2uspBdkAE58mRNoIrdX-V5uo4xLiENQOOiry24gLU_c-0BONKYrF1xXm21L3JrobnW7oWaaSlhSB981HSeAUywQHHEU-Erjr_S5anbW4lYGiIU4-GX0CvqYq3O6K_DO-dhygKPL/s320/catherine+gorge+%252844%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM3md_-7OiAU6sk7rIUn4mXAYX2QezQP630JjBgPS46ahXwXwWoGEo1wad9MM83SjYYCdThe6cJKbvkpXIpR169XyFuhJv0OfUi5w27fUXaHi8DWHA25AyYIHTEVDvLYC94SY06H7VASH/s1600/catherine+gorge+%252838%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM3md_-7OiAU6sk7rIUn4mXAYX2QezQP630JjBgPS46ahXwXwWoGEo1wad9MM83SjYYCdThe6cJKbvkpXIpR169XyFuhJv0OfUi5w27fUXaHi8DWHA25AyYIHTEVDvLYC94SY06H7VASH/s320/catherine+gorge+%252838%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Next destination was Edith Falls , we didn't know much about them but once again stayed at Nitlimuk National Park caravan park at Edith Falls, it was really a lovely location , no power but very organised caravan park , it was like you were in the middle of the bush.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV4Ld-j4En_TqWXZz5KYkP6oIzKZ61OxI4H4Jc3D4QvSMtWEWfRnA4_0BqSi_Sz29u-XCzpGg6Hv9FAyvuiZIdnYQJaGgtgK7EifNxduPadBXsCJzG4FJC6QrgnSRGWZm-bV8Tk1rRvS2/s1600/edith+falls+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRV4Ld-j4En_TqWXZz5KYkP6oIzKZ61OxI4H4Jc3D4QvSMtWEWfRnA4_0BqSi_Sz29u-XCzpGg6Hv9FAyvuiZIdnYQJaGgtgK7EifNxduPadBXsCJzG4FJC6QrgnSRGWZm-bV8Tk1rRvS2/s320/edith+falls+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_yVIC1WMCaa8YljsmhEDIU658B8iXSHCfMTTKh6xdHrtjkQoyvfUNdCXH87yil5ZL1HzMC-GwSpgYwqnR9nb_QOdq2Dd0Cl4e3JWlp-ifunTKy7TEby1zaaNQbiL5PGqMFt7JGzmfbbS/s1600/edith+falls+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_yVIC1WMCaa8YljsmhEDIU658B8iXSHCfMTTKh6xdHrtjkQoyvfUNdCXH87yil5ZL1HzMC-GwSpgYwqnR9nb_QOdq2Dd0Cl4e3JWlp-ifunTKy7TEby1zaaNQbiL5PGqMFt7JGzmfbbS/s320/edith+falls+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There were some good walks and refreshing swims at the waterholes, the water was so cold it took your breath away , the current was also very strong and very slippery rocks , so all in all quite a challenge, but well worth it.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-43430706072190967592011-06-22T23:37:00.000-07:002011-06-22T23:37:17.621-07:00Barkley Homestead - Cape Crawford - Daly Waters - Mataranka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmi9aypRYF3mxC-cDbExOKttIdJ2pDURLO_fKglUSDnHgfXVwKM065HFuEGX66ins0GPbJ3-mHuf7Hjei3yDwzcSaBkKYyE6_21i_cabt6kMDn_pY8_Ox-clYIkNlwkEdvLEsZNJXBoU-9/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmi9aypRYF3mxC-cDbExOKttIdJ2pDURLO_fKglUSDnHgfXVwKM065HFuEGX66ins0GPbJ3-mHuf7Hjei3yDwzcSaBkKYyE6_21i_cabt6kMDn_pY8_Ox-clYIkNlwkEdvLEsZNJXBoU-9/s320/IMG_0943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Have been out of Internet range for a couple of days so I have some catching up to do.<br />
Barkley Homestead was our next stop after Mt Isa, which took us into the Northern Territory,<br />
lots of klms surrounded by wide open spaces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41xHw7mFBwDo2MX5Mh2m_taaaykcmUGXpr8eVOAllawyy1f38R3lhz3rtu3Ty_t38RWOxcw9Cjy_1ZvLkueOKyRqlLyiCkn2n8VB_TjXf_xG8hKxQFK325iVcdFYmS64ey4HrF43q2p8f/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41xHw7mFBwDo2MX5Mh2m_taaaykcmUGXpr8eVOAllawyy1f38R3lhz3rtu3Ty_t38RWOxcw9Cjy_1ZvLkueOKyRqlLyiCkn2n8VB_TjXf_xG8hKxQFK325iVcdFYmS64ey4HrF43q2p8f/s320/IMG_0946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We decided not to go to Tennant Creek but instead travel to Cape Crawford via the Tablelands Highway which is mainly a single lane of bitumen so when the road trains came through you moved right off the road to give them space. At Cape Crawford we stayed in the camping grounds of the Heartbreak Hotel, which were nice grassed sites,it was very cold that night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkoLWSeSzENEXrdXgtUpop5o_d703-SlsFZ_2Kv19SixIPH6KdgNKUAhd58YkMtWp-4eeE79VGsKg8Y45zJDlJwajEWNP6NfDsx8rue6aaBQwq-4_pVjrG0UO4NM_k6rXSe8YqWbL06XJ/s1600/Cape+Crawford+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkoLWSeSzENEXrdXgtUpop5o_d703-SlsFZ_2Kv19SixIPH6KdgNKUAhd58YkMtWp-4eeE79VGsKg8Y45zJDlJwajEWNP6NfDsx8rue6aaBQwq-4_pVjrG0UO4NM_k6rXSe8YqWbL06XJ/s320/Cape+Crawford+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sZU-laX90T8TbhqfZhcfgOL8jdmYJQNvKaOS3oUyuRyYlXcBeAZkbSzEs9IduVJEN9ieuyYtCbNXtoeSKt_CL4zmRatlQxPZxmY20EIyQa3Xdf7dHy01DfTgEkUpjgDSvR-WxMzLCnbs/s1600/Cape+Crawford+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sZU-laX90T8TbhqfZhcfgOL8jdmYJQNvKaOS3oUyuRyYlXcBeAZkbSzEs9IduVJEN9ieuyYtCbNXtoeSKt_CL4zmRatlQxPZxmY20EIyQa3Xdf7dHy01DfTgEkUpjgDSvR-WxMzLCnbs/s320/Cape+Crawford+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>From Cape Crawford we travelled to Daly Waters along the Carpenteria Highway, also one lane bitumen with quite a bit of flood damage under repair. We stayed at the Daly Waters Pub campgrounds, it was a full house, they pack the caravans in one after the other, it is amazing , this pub is in the middle of nowhere but they put on a great night , with a steak or barra BBQ, lots of salads and provide entertainment with a fairly daggy 60's singer with a guitar and backing tape and a terrific bush poet/comedian.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF14-BGHnR8AUDA4tc5NF57goC2gVwZ93R11WwMZsCEXhBBrD-RihyphenhyphenaVhcVJsEMzBTDPV8BzYNszFHaexZE7BzUp5pXMtEjCbyYVfl0YPqW_KG2QPEFALu4SQe84pRavVwnG43yMSGdc0/s1600/Daly+Waters+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF14-BGHnR8AUDA4tc5NF57goC2gVwZ93R11WwMZsCEXhBBrD-RihyphenhyphenaVhcVJsEMzBTDPV8BzYNszFHaexZE7BzUp5pXMtEjCbyYVfl0YPqW_KG2QPEFALu4SQe84pRavVwnG43yMSGdc0/s320/Daly+Waters+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq_oE7dV3bnNBF5sDwRAUbFu5Z0HzA0pznOLt83c9kMiYh5saST31RprUDCS_XSkXp214WR7tlKRipec92YQU7tJO6o-ZOJxs_NoUm46DJCVDuW1V1ymV6Eg_JcWhomvCXelRcR9XFPGk/s1600/Daly+Waters+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq_oE7dV3bnNBF5sDwRAUbFu5Z0HzA0pznOLt83c9kMiYh5saST31RprUDCS_XSkXp214WR7tlKRipec92YQU7tJO6o-ZOJxs_NoUm46DJCVDuW1V1ymV6Eg_JcWhomvCXelRcR9XFPGk/s320/Daly+Waters+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mataranka was our next stop,the caravan park is just a short walk away from Bitter Springs which is a natural mineral spring which is about 35c, a great spot . We hired noodles from the caravan park and float from one end to the other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFAf4C_vQzgNGrYx65g4_f8XxsyuWatyfVEsIEM7pCotKYCUYQenP2yrRIHLPthfZQu2L6mwmVz1F5Vc7iMkPR6Z_0mkToUGiMcIsxT9DNKK5YaOw35RXLF0d4yHNE7_24QxGV3qWkgH2/s1600/Mataranka+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFAf4C_vQzgNGrYx65g4_f8XxsyuWatyfVEsIEM7pCotKYCUYQenP2yrRIHLPthfZQu2L6mwmVz1F5Vc7iMkPR6Z_0mkToUGiMcIsxT9DNKK5YaOw35RXLF0d4yHNE7_24QxGV3qWkgH2/s320/Mataranka+%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Off to Katherine tomorrow.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7654151587387427717.post-312927637885455892011-06-18T01:28:00.000-07:002011-06-18T01:28:56.941-07:00Mt IsaArrived in Mt Isa early in the day and spent most of the day restocking and washing, We were a bit over looking at museums etc so we spent the day shopping, washing and cleaning the dust on the outside of the van. It was nice to see the sun , cold overnight , down to 2c but lovely day 22c.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvxhguMaOKPBrjvc7K4c0ojy3g3Zvj02WWXSmQp6mnYNJYP-R1nTfqwkakQr88-AdIY20Pcplb8EmyF6xJtfKEP1s7PRdbkJKofGmBDH0qvk_KH8kypRzmPhcTcwlX6R6EcFLdaR1y8zk/s1600/Mt+Isa+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvxhguMaOKPBrjvc7K4c0ojy3g3Zvj02WWXSmQp6mnYNJYP-R1nTfqwkakQr88-AdIY20Pcplb8EmyF6xJtfKEP1s7PRdbkJKofGmBDH0qvk_KH8kypRzmPhcTcwlX6R6EcFLdaR1y8zk/s320/Mt+Isa+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a look through the underground hospital today, it was dug in 1942 after Darwin was bombed, as the government thought that Mt Isa would be a target as most of the lead for ammunition came from the mines from this area. It was used until the end of the war and then was abandoned , covered over and left with all the equipment etc until it was accidentally discovered by a developer in the 70's , it was once again left until a group of volunteers restored it 1998. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWMLZ9QIIQiQU0faFiMaZTfrUsnYWO-9HC7YIB7owF-QhgmgYpJhBP93ZYL2yEZHpo7q1OUg87UVHv93ifOcgMscicHzosccAnHYOftlPddynuqNZqqZz3Z1cE2u-wIxgIAmgGWnj0ykh/s1600/Mt+Isa+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWMLZ9QIIQiQU0faFiMaZTfrUsnYWO-9HC7YIB7owF-QhgmgYpJhBP93ZYL2yEZHpo7q1OUg87UVHv93ifOcgMscicHzosccAnHYOftlPddynuqNZqqZz3Z1cE2u-wIxgIAmgGWnj0ykh/s320/Mt+Isa+%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2MobUlYOdYCjHJohTh0PuG_gm_W9M337msxNJEDemdi3eY2_0ZBzT2nN5q0gn4QMxz2BNLaxXWtCT-zyfLcRI1K6S0ETzTg12YhMVpEuyhNlvvt9WdyLtb3zlinijXNctf-prZKRzzXP/s1600/Mt+Isa+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2MobUlYOdYCjHJohTh0PuG_gm_W9M337msxNJEDemdi3eY2_0ZBzT2nN5q0gn4QMxz2BNLaxXWtCT-zyfLcRI1K6S0ETzTg12YhMVpEuyhNlvvt9WdyLtb3zlinijXNctf-prZKRzzXP/s320/Mt+Isa+%252820%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div> They obviously couldn't do much for this guy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kpd2YMo6I_amejY-4EiWwmfnCKhh63hMJH1NIAl6SXanzG8AIpaPVb3Agzxz2czJWp3NJIHR7QJPqjqEakuZhmz96kscv425wO-OyBlLumKvbZxRSsaPG_FJzJxt8rsVHkTFptmrWJae/s1600/Lake+Moondarra+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kpd2YMo6I_amejY-4EiWwmfnCKhh63hMJH1NIAl6SXanzG8AIpaPVb3Agzxz2czJWp3NJIHR7QJPqjqEakuZhmz96kscv425wO-OyBlLumKvbZxRSsaPG_FJzJxt8rsVHkTFptmrWJae/s320/Lake+Moondarra+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a look around Lake Moondarra this afternoon, it is the water catchment for Mt Isa.<br />
Our plan for tomorrow is to travel for most of the day heading to Tennant Creek, we will probably free camp.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14446683820564356135noreply@blogger.com0