Adventures in 2023

Brisbane Valley rail trail "At 161km, this is Australia’s longest rail trail.Gently undulating through mostly farming land in the southern section, with steeper sections and bushland in the north." ref https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/brisbane-valley-rail-trail/

Back in 1983 I visited Great Keppel Island. The catch cry slogan was "Get wrecked on Great Keppel Island". Times have changed, what has changed ? I had to visit to find out.

Cape York is close, so it seems. On a spurred decision I decided that I am going there - to the tip. Cape York tip, traditional name Pajinka is a mere 860km away. The roads have been graded, it is early in the season, why not ?

Kite Surfari has been on my radar for a number of years. My off-season visit was in no way short-changed for wind and experience. Why keep it a secret ? Because I want it all to myself !

The last time I visited the town Seventeen Seventy was back in 1983. Then the road in was probably the worst I have ever encountered. Nothing but ruts and pot holes on a dirt road for hours. How times have changed, it is a popular seaside town and there is a nice bitumen road in.

When I spoke to a fellow rider at Rowallan park about my intent to explore the mtb parks in Queensland as I travel south, he said with excitement that I should visit the ones at Rockhampton and Gladstone.

Rowallan Park in Mackay is a fantastic mountain bike park.  It is great for riders of all levels. It is right next to a scout campground, which is also available to the general public At. $10 per person it was a bargain. 🙂 

Camping for a few days on an island in the Whitsunday passage. Getting there by kayak and languishing in the moment whilst I am there. Does South Molle Island fit that idyllic notion ?

You see those signs,  warning cassowaries, koalas etc, and nothing presents itself.  It is exciting when a wild animal is spotted, even more so when you get to see a rare one. In my child's road trip boredom game I scored 5 for a kangaroo, 15 for an emu, the cassowary and Australian Bustard a 100.   I won the lottery ticket on this road trip, scoring them all !

" Hinchinbrook Island   is renowned for its range of habitats including misty, heath-covered mountains sandy beaches, paperbark and palm wetlands, and extensive woodlands. " I am in Queensland, it has been on bucket list a while, and now it's time to visit.

Carnarvon gorge was a real delight. The walls based of the floor of the canyon, and are quite easy.  The white cliffs,  and cool streams and lush vegetation leads to the feelings and descriptions akin to "oasis", "eden"or "paradise". It is a rightly popular park, but none-too-busy when I was there. 

Western NSW and Queensland has many outdoor hot water pools fed by hot water from artesian bore baths. What a pleasure it is, after a long drive on the road to pop by and have a soak.

Baiame's Ngunnhu is the Aboriginal name for a fish trap complex on the Darling river in Brewarrina. It was interesting to drop by and visit to marvel at the ingenuity of its design. Fish were herded into various dry-stone rock weirs and holding pens and then subsequently caught as they migrated along the river. 

The Valley of the Eagles walk is a pleasant short (about 6km) walk up a ridge in the  Gunderbooka National park.

The mighty Darling river flows from Queensland through Western NSW and into the Murray river on the border of Victoria. Teeming with life, it is a vital resource for animals and plants as well as farmers for irrigation. I have paddled on the Darling - a childhood dream partially filled.

The outback is vast and certainly not boring. It is full of life and has a magic caused by its serenity and timelessness.

Mungo national park, famous for being the home of the ~40000 year old remains of Mungo man and woman. A beautiful region to visit in western NSW.