Karumba to Cobbold Gorge

A Barramundi Centre has recently opened in Karumba. They have displays about the species and actually breed millions of fingerlings to restock the local water ways to help support the industry. Aquaculture has become very sophisticated. 

Sunset involved a boat trip down the Norman River hearing about the industries, good times and less good times experienced by the community.  Having fed their favourite cormorants and spotted one crocodile on the way past we headed out into the Gulf to position ourselves for the sunset which did not disappoint. They managed to feed us despite the wide range of dietary restrictions that a group of 20 people provide. 

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Wednesday

An early start had us bumping our way back to Normanton then on to Croydon for lunch. An excellent museum and park full of sculptures entertained us while we waited for our all terrain bus to take us to Forsyth and then Cobbold Gorge.

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Cobbold Gorge is on a property called Howlong, a mere 140,0000 acre remnant part of Robin Hood Station.  After bumping along for many miles dinner and bed were very welcome. 

Thursday

Our new friend Graham took us on a fabulous walk around and over the Gorge. He told us everything you need to know about the land, the vegetation and bush tucker. One of our party was suffering from tooth ache and a special leaf was found to be chewed and held against the gum.  This tided her over until the Flying Doctor medicine chest could be raided a day later at Mount Surprise. 

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A glass floored bridge has been installed across the Gorge. Soft “booties” are donned so that you don’t scratch the glass and across you go. Jann opted out of this particular adventure!

A full inspection of the Gorge is made in specially designed boats. Our voyage took about an hour  and was a genuine hands on experience as you fend away the rock walks as you pass the tight points.  Being in the Gorge was quite serene. 

A tour of parts of the station allowed us to meet young Brahman calves in the cattle yards and classic bush cuppa at the homestead.  The rail and the Gorge accommodation close for the wet season at the end of October so they were winding down their activities. 

Cairns to Karumba

I finally have civilisation and I am able to access the internet. Sooooo here goes.

Sunday 11 October.

Well we spent the day in Cairns. The  aquarium was first on the list and out of the extreme heat. It was great, well done and very impressive and although expensive, seniors get a discount. We spent two hours inside until we were invaded by school children. We walked down to the Esplanade to view the mud flats and bird life.  Helicopters were landing at the Marina. Tourism is back. It was hard to find a sandwich for lunch but we managed and had to have an ice cream on the way back to the hotel. I have never seen so many ice creamery shops in a small area. A little hint if you are visiting Cairns in summer put your ice cream in a cup as it melts very quickly. 

Cairns has been hit hard with no overseas visitors. Backpacker accomodation has closed signs and for lease. Hotels and resorts back from the esplanade have for lease signs. Accomodation closer to the water is open but not full. We stayed at the Novotel Oasis Resort which was very nice. King room but maintenance is noticeable due to the long uninhabited time.

I was nearly tempted to  go for a swim in the pool while Andrew went for a walk  but the shallow end was full of children. NSW still on school holidays so had a nana nap and read. Love holidays. 

We had a welcome dinner with the members of the tour. Dinner was great and the group are a lot of fun. We have a few good drinkers so hope the outback pubs have restocked after the Pegler’s and Mathieson’s visit. 

It looks like it will be a lot of fun a very interesting crowd I even found some champagne drinkers but alas no champers, so shock horror I am sipping beer.

Monday

Early start.  Breakfast at 7.30 and then on to Normanton in a small plane. We had the last seats in the row 11B and 11C. We have to wear masks before you get on the plane and leave them on until we get off.  The land is very dry and barren and everyone is hanging out for rain. 

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On landing we walked like little soldiers across the tarmac and no photos until the plane filled with fuel. You could take a photo after the plane was refuelled. 

We then hopped into a very small coach to head to the pub in Normanton. A very nice lunch on a large verandah. Hot and muggy in this part of Australia.

We then hopped onto the bus to head for Karumba Point. Dry, dusty and hardly any vegetation.

Our accomodation was very nice and our room was closest to the water.   We had strict instructions not to walk on the beach or go near the water.  They take their crocodiles seriously!

The pub was amazing and the sunset beautiful. At night hundreds of white hermit crabs invaded us on the lawn at the beer garden. The getting to the real start of the trip is finally here.  Covid restrictions are very regimented out here because of the fear of fines.

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Tuesday

 We drove to Normanton to embark on a trip on the Gulflander, an historical remnant of rail between Normanton and Croydon. This whole area was opened up by mining which encouraged the construction of rail and the need for a Port. Covid restrictions meant that the capacity of the train was halved. We were given a three hour there and back trip to Critters Camp instead of a proper journey all of the way to Croydon. The train part was great, being able to talk to the driver as we went and hear the tall tales and true about the places that we passed. The down side is that we had to go all the way to Croydon the next day on the little bus!

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Brisbane to Cairns by Rail

Yesterday at 3.45 pm we left Roma Street station for Cairns after a harrowing trip with speedy Mohammed in a taxi. Our last train trip was in Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer. We have very fond memories that will last a lifetime.

Booking in was no problem, as I left it to Andrew while I sat under a ginormous fan to stay cool.

The Spirit of Queensland pulled in and we were suitably impressed.  Andrew walked the platform twice checking through the window where we would be sitting,  I sat under the ginormous fan.

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The staff for Queensland rail were exceptional and served a cool drink to us while we waited for everyone to board. No champers. Ginger beer with mint and lime. Very Refreshing.

Our seats were amazing so we played with all the buttons and settled back for the trip.  

Due to Covid we were not allowed to sit together and  I was impressed with the cleanliness of the carriage and the little gift bags with hand sanitiser, hand cream, lip balm and a face washer.

The trip is half price for seniors dare I mention that word. You must take any benefits you can at our age.

First stop was Caboolture followed by Beerwah and the important thing was that the bar opened after Beerwah. Sirromet Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc or XXXX or Carlton Mid were on offer. All containers are small and low alcohol. 

We ordered breakfast and dinner and sat back to enjoy the scenery. 

The night sky moved in after Nambour and dinner was served with a complimentary small bottle of wine.  A typical heated meal but OK not very nutritious..

Watched a movie on our very large screen and then our seat was transferred into a bed.

The bed was amazing and built in Adelaide great to see Australian made.

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10 October

Morning bed changed Back to a seat and breakfast served. Continental breakfast was OK and coffee not bad.

The sun is up and the countryside looks very dry.  Lots of smoke as they burn the cane.  Towards Bowen the mangoes appeared. Some pickers were evident on the farms but not many.

Last train trip it was spot the bear, this time wildlife was replaced by cattle and the occasional horses.

We passed lots of crops and some pickers.

Typical Australian Gums. Love the country. You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl.

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We were running half an hour late but a competing train from the north was not running today so we don’t have to wait to pass it. This put us back on schedule.

We arrived Cairns station no taxis as the train usually runs late.  So in 38 degree heat we dragged our cases to the hotel where we were staying.  Not happy Jann.

Queensland Rail

The staff and cleanliness was five star.

The train tracks Were absolutely disgusting and we found out later parts haven’t changed since 1935.  No wonder freight is trucked. Although looking at the A1 highway it is also due for an upgrade.

The narrow gauge of the rail makes the ride very bumpy and rough. It was like driving on outback corrugated and stony roads.  In parts the train has to crawl through tracks that are slowly being repaired.

Food was poor and reheated.

All extra food and beverages have to be paid by card but the internet service repeatedly showed no single so one had to wait until we got two bars on the signal to pay for your purchases. Queues were long due to this problem. The food at the cafeteria  was good.  

They need cash transactions on the train!!!!!

It was an interesting experience and one we can cross off our bucket list.

Travelling North

We are off again. Travelling north to the Gulf this time by train, bus and plane.

Robe, Port Fairy and The Great Ocean Road

What a wonderful town Port Fairy is, a hidden gem with a great folk festival in March.

Great accomodation

The Great Ocean Road

Apollo Bay

Our view from the Motel room in Apollo Bay

Queenscliff

We arrived at  Queenscliff and stayed At the Grand Vue before we left on the ferry.

The Main Street was closed due to the celebrations for the Winter Solstice. Towns on the peninsula burn icons that are symbolic for the beginning of winter, the shortest day.

 

We entered Sorrento and watched the fog come and go as we drove to Melbourne.

The journey home has began after a wonderful trip.

Leaving  Melbourne we travelled in fog for at least 160 kilometres and I found out we had heated seats in the car.  What luxury and we needed it at minus two degrees.

The fog has lifted

 

Parkes was our first stop, the country was very dry and desolate, rain is desperately needed.

 

Moree our next stop, the country is just a dust bowl, local shops closed in towns and things are tough for our country cousins.

 

Goondiwindi town Centre was buzzing as it is a Regional Centre and we had coffee in a very cute coffee shop.

Silo painting is becoming common in country towns and Victoria now have the Silo Tour. This one was just out of Goondiwindi.

We stopped at this park on the start of the trip with the troupes and Andrew and I stopped on the way home.

 

Finally we pulled into home after about 6500 kilometres travelling through Queensland, New South Wales, south Australia and Victoria, it was a great trip. Thanks for organising it John and Rob and Joan even though you had to return home you were with us in spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McLaren Flat to Robe

New roads, new views, from open plains to the Limestone wine district and on to Robe.

Strathalbyn was our first coffee shop.

Next stop Kingston

Interesting Plaque

We stopped to find the lighthouse at Cape Jaffa only to find it had a memorial in the town.

The next stop was Beachport with one of the longest piers I have ever seen.

We stayed in a great motel at Robe not as much fun as apartments or cottages but had a view of the harbour from our bedroom window.

Robe was a very interesting place with a very rugged limestone coastline.

Heading to McLaren Vale

June 17

Our road trip was on bitumen roads and our car loved this.  Andrew loved the winding roads.

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We stayed in a fabulous cottage in McLaren Flats close to our final destination D’Arenberg..

 

Dary joined us for coffee and related many stories about the beginnings of D’Arenberg.

Thia is the last of our organised tour (Pegler Tours) and we sadly travel home after a wonderful experience. It has been hard to capture it all on a camera and we miss our friends Black Bob and Bubbles but we will go again to new destinations. I am sure Pegler Tours is busy organising the next one.

 

We will travel home via the Great Ocean Road and then inland and Magpie and Bulldog will go via Adelaide and Armidale

 

Over and out on one great adventure……

The next episode starts today.

 

Last day on the Murray

June 16

Today is our last day sailing on the Murray and what an experience it has been. The scenery has been as good as anywhere in the world and each day brings a new image. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful country and with the hum drum of everyday life in the city we forget we have rugged mountain ranges, jewel seas and a wide brown land.

Sunrise and Sunset on the Murray

The river delivers a different view every morning and evening.

 

Cruising the Murray

June 12

We left our mooring and travelled upstream past sheer cliffs, holiday shacks which are rather substantial and very close to the waterline.  Houses on the river front are known as shacks, some shacks.  

 

We even passed a pirate boat in full party mode. 

Bird life was prevalent and came in all shapes and sizes. I am rather partial to the old Pelican. The bird life reminds me of Narelle Oliver’s book, The Best Beak of Boonaroo Bay. 

Rob these photos are for you as we all know how you enjoyed the bird life on the Kimberly Cruise.

We had a very pleasant night after tying the boat up securely. Champagne time seems to be getting earlier. 

 

June 13

What a life sailing upstream on the Murray, relaxing, eating and the occasional drink.

We stopped at Wongulla to say Hi to Johns Uncle and after tying the boat up with the help of Johns 84 year old uncle Don we walked to his house for afternoon tea. 

 

Afternoon tea turned into Drinks and Dinner on board the boat.  What a hoot, great night enjoyed by all……………..

June 14

On leaving Wongulla landing we carried on upstream to see the pink house and houseboat.  This is known by the locals as an interesting house…….I will leave that to your imagination,but there are many ladies who visit from Adelaide and the party begins………

Gangplanks

We continued upstream and turned around at lunchtime to head downstream to Mannum which we will reach Monday morning at 9.30.