Inskip Point

What a well kept secret this place is!
We met up with friends Russ and Win Meares and set up camp next to the beach. This was ,
'roughing it' as there was no power or water but we felt like we had won the lottery. Sparkling ocean, white sand, dolphins aplenty, sunshine and, in the evenings, our own campfire! We planned to stay 3 days but extended to 7. Eric tried fishing and although he wasn't particularly successful, enjoyed it. Every evening about 4:30 he would grab his fishing gear, a chair and Tilly and try his piscatorial luck. He often brought the line in when the dolphins got too close. We will certainly be back and next time we will stay longer.

Two Days Here

Now this is what we were hoping for. We spent a couple of quiet days here all on our lonesome. The creek has been panned for gold for many years and this site is for fossickers. We did some bushwalking and just listening to the unusual bird calls........ The days were warm - about 21 degrees C but..... the nights......were a tad chilly......-2 degrees. Now, that doesn't sound too bad from where you are sitting but here in the bush we had no power for heating. Suffice to say we had early nights and even earlier dinners. We felt recharged after the two days and headed north, searching for warmer nights in particular. More later......

Winter 2011 - Heading to the sun

On the day we left rain drenched Sydney in July, inexplicably, the sun came out. Of course. Still, our plan was to head north and so we headed north. The day was perfect for a leisurely drive up the New England Highway. Not too much traffic, a few big rigs/trucks and apart from the dreadful state of one of the nations most used highways, we had an uneventful run to.......

Burning Mountain Reserve, just north of Scone. We set up for the night with only one other caravanner in sight. Ah, serenity...... until about 7 pm when the truckies started their overnight shift. We had a cozy (read cool) night of 3 degrees celsius. More tomorrow - when we defrost.

Moving away from the coast

We left Mission Beach and headed inland to the Atherton Tablelands. We drove through sugarcane fields to Mena Creek and visited Paronella Park. This is an old concrete castle ruin built by a Spaniard immigrant for his bride in the 1930s. Very romantic although the night time walk was rather eerie.

The drive was very scenic and here are just a few photos to whet your tastebuds.

Ravenshoe

Up on the tablelands we visited a lovely old town named Ravenshoe. We 'free camped' at the railway station.................Have a look.

I did mention it was an old town didn't I?

Heading Home

As we head homeward we reflect on a wonderful adventure. This is such a big and varying country. The people we met were as diverse as the country through which we travelled. Aussies still have an exploring spirit - just like their ancestors.

We travelled on seventeen different highways in our 3 month trek. 17!!

They include

Pacific Hwy

New England Hwy

Kamilaroi Hwy

Canarvon Hwy

Matilda Hwy

Warrego Hwy

Landsborough Hwy

Kennedy Development Road

Flinders Highway

Gregory Development Road

Herveys Range Development Road

Bruce Hwy

Captain Cook Hwy

Kennedy Hwy

Palmerston Hwy

Pacific Motorway (Brisbane)

Bruxner Hwy

17! We have travelled about 7,500 km and saw the rugged outback of Queensland, tropical rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef and all the country in between. BUT we haven't seen it all and, yes, we will be back...............

Early in the new year we head to Tasmania and Victoria for a few months......... we will keep you posted.

Green Island

We are in the tropics and the main attraction up here is the Great Barrier Reef. We couldn't miss the opportunity of snorkelling so we boarded an island ferry and headed for Green Island.

The water was the perfect temperature and the tropical fish were truly abundant and as impressive as ever. Maureen and Richard were with us and we made a day of it. Words can't really describe what we were lucky enough to see. Simply memorable.