Queensland – July / August, 2009

For our annual escape from the rigours of a Canberra winter we headed north to Queensland, checking out some places in NSW we hadn’t been to before  (Orange, Hill End, Mudgee, Coolah, Lightning Ridge, Angledool, Goodooga). After a rather cold start in NSW, and cold nights but lovely days in inland Queensland, the weather became warm and sunny, beautiful one day, perfect the next. Among the highlights of the trip were Carnarvon Gorge, where we hiked overnight to Big Bend and thus had much more time to appreciate the beauty of the gorge; Hinchinbrook Island, where we did a day trip by boat, including a 5.6km hike along beaches and through bush; lovely rainforest in various parks; the Central Queensland Gem Show at Monto (for Kath) and Australia Zoo (for Pete) which despite all the “Crikey” moments is beautifully presented and deservedly popular.

Our plans to do lots of hiking were somewhat shattered when while walking at Jourama Falls, Kath twisted her foot, which took two weeks plus to return to normal. So there was a bit of reading on beaches, looking at parks and gardens and the sights of Townsville (very nice, we decided!) and generally not straining oneself, which is what a holiday should be about anyway! We finished with visits to a friend, David, who generously showed us around his permaculture farm near the Bellinger River and the surrounding area, and cousin Shirlie and husband Ian, who once again regaled us with good food and fine wine.

photo Photos

Click any photo to enlarge. While enlarged click the left/right side of the image for the previous/next image, or use the left/right arrow keys for the previous/next image. ESC or clicking "close" closes the enlarged view.

Japanese garden, Cowra. 25/7/2009 Cottage at Hill End, NSW 26/7/08 The silo at Cryon, where Pete and Kym worked at the end of 1971. 27/7/09 The shed at Cryon, where Pete and Kym lived and worked at the end of 1971. 27/7/09 Anglican church at New Angledool, where Pete's Nana and Pop were married in October 1914. 28/7/09 Setting off on our overnight hike to Big Bend, Carnarvon Gorge, 30/7/09 Carnarvon Creek, hike to Big Bend, Carnarvon Gorge, 30/7/09 Outside the Amphitheatre, Carnarvon Gorge, 30/7/09 King ferns at Ward's Canyon, Carnarvon Gorge hike, 30/7/09 Indigenous art at Cathedral Cave, Carnarvon Gorge hike, 30/7/09 Boowinda Creek Gorge, off Carnarvon Creek. 30/7/08 Last sun before the long night. Carnarvon Gorge, 31/7/09 Hiking back along the gorge, Carnarvon Gorge. 31/7/08 Emerging from the Art Gallery, Carnarvon Gorge. 31/7/08 The Moss Garden, Carnarvon Gorge. 31/7/08 Magnificent old buildings at Charters Towers, 2/8/09 Stock Exchange Arcade at Charters Towers, 2/8/09 View from the road to Hinchinbrook Island. Pity about the wires! 2/8/09 Trip to Hinchinbrook Island from Cardwell, 3/8/09 Mt Bowen from the beach. Crab in the mud, Hinchinbrook Island , 3/8/09 Walk on Hinchinbrook Island - beach patterns. 3/8/09 Walk on Hinchinbrook Island - back into the forest. Leaf litter, fungi and blue quandongs. 3/8/09 Sunrise from Cardwell - view to Hinchinbrook Island. 4/8/09 Wallaman Falls, inland from Ingham, possibly the highest in Australia (there is some disagreement). 5/8/09 Cassowary on road to Wallaman Falls, near Ingham. 5/8/09 Creek at Jourama Falls (between Townsville and Ingham), 5/8/09 Ow. Kathy's sprained foot, 6/8/09 Reef HQ, the aquarium at Townsville. 7/8/09 Reef HQ, the aquarium at Townsville. Stunning array of corals and colourful fish. 7/8/09 Alligator Creek, Bowling Green Bay National Park, south of Townsville. 8/8/09 Twisted vine at lunch spot near Shute Harbour, 9/8/09 Flying foxes on  Long Island, where we went on a day trip. 10/8/09. Weird bird (bush stone curlew) at resort on Long Island, 10/8/09. Sunset - beach at resort on Long Island, 10/8/09. Hungry goanna near lunch spot at Finch-Hatton Gorge. 12/8/09. View to the coast from Eungella National Park near Mackay. 13/8/09. Light through palms, Mapleton Falls, 12/8/09. Campsite at Forest Glen, note the new tent! 17/8/09. Cute otter at Australia Zoo, 18/8/09. Petie enjoyed feeding the elephant. 18/8/09.  Jumping tiger at Australia Zoo. Great show! 18/8/09. Photogenic koala at Australia Zoo. 18/8/09. At the Bellinger River. Had a lovely day with a family friend David checking out his permaculture property and environs. 19/8/09.

Posted on September 16th, 2009, tagged with travel

Comments are closed.