Mike and Trice’s travels | Other

Mike and Trice’s travels

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24.01.2022 Moving further north! We enjoyed 2 nights in Ingham at the Tyto Wetlands. 2 very chilly mornings.nTook in the sights at Cardwell & did the Cardwell Forrest drive, a bit of hiking to see the waterfall at Attie creek, but it was dry....Etty Bay , beautiful little spot. Now in Cairns for a week and have done a few day drives to see all of Atherton Tablelands and yesterday Kuranda Railway and Sky Rail. The rain is with us, but, what else would you expect! We are known as the drought breakers.......

24.01.2022 Week 4 Our 4th week on the road saw camped at Wonga Beach just south of Cape Tribulation. Picture white sand, coconut trees and very quiet and that is where we are. We set off for a full day to Cape Tribulation and saw some spectacular scenery. Emmagen Creek gave us the entertainment with a fast flowing deep water crossing, 1 motorbike didn’t make it. Had lunch at the Whet Cafe, great food and well priced. The Daintree Discovery Centre was great but just to experience the ra...inforest meeting the ocean in this area is beautiful. (Still be Cassowary!) day Trice got to experience her 59th birthday on the road at the Lion’s Den Hotel. Our trip up the Mulligan Hwy didn’t give us anything to remember other than 1 lone Ulysses butterfly, 2 dead boars, 3 dead snakes and dry creekbeds, quite a change to the Daintree. The Lion’s Den hotel was very busy with campers and motor bikes tours pulling in, we left our names on the door frame out the back. A big day of adventure, we wanted to know what the Bloomfield track was all about. Other than dirt, 3 or 4 creek crossings and 2 very steep hills, 32 and 27 degrees, the drive was picturesque. We still believe that we could have come this way rather than the Mulligan Hwy. Coming down the 32 degree hill in low range and hill descent engaged we heard and felt a clunk in the front. We got into Wujal Wujal (the town they say is so good that you have to say it twice) and rang RACQ, CV joint smashed. The car was taken to Cooktown and we got dropped off at the Lion’s Den. Drinks and dinner at the pub that night. With a night’s accomodation everything was sorted the next day which saw us camped up at the amateur turf club on the outskirts of town. Cooktown is a very interesting town with lots of indigenous history as well as some bloke named Cook who dropped in for a 43 day holiday around 1770. Mustn’t have been too good because nobody came back for 100 years. Elim Beach is just north of here so we headed off for a 140klm round trip. The only problem is that when we went onto the beach to drive up the coloured sands, another bang, another collapsed CV joint saw us stranded on the beach. With the help of a young local named Jasmine, she pulled us out and escorted us back off the beach. We limped back to Cooktown, booked the car in the next morning and had it back by 10:30, great service. Markets, historical society general sight seeing took us through to happy hour. Last full day in Cooktown today, Finch Bay, Mt Cook and the Botanical gardens, a bit of shopping, washing and getting ready to depart tomorrow has filled in the day until Happy Hour. See more

20.01.2022 Week 7 26th July to 1st August 2018 Happy birthday Joey, it has now been 8 years. Today is rough roads and dust holes. Finally back onto bitumen as we pull into Laura once again to complete the loop. ...Continue reading

20.01.2022 Week 3 on the Yorke and the journey home. We woke to a beautiful sunrise (well I did).....such a lovely day we’ve decided to drop in another line. I think we were just feeding the little Tommies and Trumpets and then Mike lands a nice Leather Jacket, this fish had a spike and big bucked teeth, (we weren’t sure what it was at first and a fisherman at the end of the jetty told us what it was) he put his order in for it if we didn’t want it. So it fed us and not him..... Another...Continue reading

19.01.2022 We pull in to Barcaldine and choose our caravan park. I notice a lady next to us doing macrame. Got chatting and next thing I’m down at the local saddlery and buying my stuff for my very first lesson in Macrame. Mike is doing his usual and chatting to anyone and everyone that would listen. Mike stood under the Tree of Knowledge expecting to walk away with an abundance of new knowledge.....didn’t work! He couldn’t even find the car. We went through the workers history mus...eum, thought of you Karl Hammant. Some interesting history there. Another interesting night sitting around the fire pit. We meet the most interesting people all doing what we love, fellow travellers exchanging stories. One that will stay with me for a very long time a family of mum, dad, a 16yo daughter and 14 yo son. This foursome rode the coastline of Australia two years ago. 4 bicycles and two trailers packed for their 12 month adventure . 18,000 klms of cycling....... It’s now the eve of my birthday, Mike has been busy in the camp kitchen cooking up a storm. Our neighbours Jac and Kev are joining us for my pre birthday dinner. We were the envy of all that were sitting around the fire with the aroma of this wonderful camp oven Lamb Roast. He even made me a cake! Happy birthday to me . Today we moved on from Barcaldine. We had the best stay there and met some really lovely people. Mike was actually interviewed by a film crew that were there getting footage and info for a virtual caravan show thanks to Covid. Van hitched and off we go . (Being filmed as we leave).... 67klms up the road we arrive at our next destination, Aramac. A very small town, not much here at all. We have parked up at the back of the Aramac Pub. How good is Mikey organising a live musician here for me. Uncle Pete is his name, Adam Brands uncle, checked in just before us. Guess where we are having my birthday dinner ?? Aramac pizzas at the pub. Apparently they are better than what you get in Italy.....I will Let you all know All set up and head off for a 5 minute walk around town. Yep that’s all it took... Now we go for a drive. Just a quick 80 clicks up the road to yet another very small town. Muttaburra, the centre of Qld. A local farmer, found a fossil in 1963 and this was then named the Muttaburrasaurus. A relatively local artist Melinda Rogers from Jericho has made all of the metal art . The Muttaburrasaurus in the park is made from 3 klms of barbed wire donated by local farmers. Now for the drive back to Aramac for my birthday celebrations.

17.01.2022 After leaving Ncbr, we drive and find a free stay at Warra . Up early next morning and head off to Neil Turner Weir in Mitchell. 3 nights here , with absolutely freezing mornings. Our lowest temp that I recorded was -5.5 deg. The publican told us that his gauge read -8......eeek! We head off up to Augathella, a pub stay. Very interesting chatting with this publican , very big change for him. Packed up his family from Wollongong on the beach ! And come out here . Do you think his teenage kids were happy about that ? ? Next stop Lara Wetlands, about 40 klms sth of Barcaldine. Beautiful place to camp.

17.01.2022 Our first week on the Yorke Peninsula . We spent our first night at Port Julia. Great spot on the oval with a great happy hour with our camp hosts Claude and Tricia. We went down to the jetty in the morning and spoke with a few locals to get the low down on fishing, squidding and crabbing. welcome to Stansbury! We have set up camp and joined our good friends John & Kathy Smail for the next 3 weeks. Also connecting up with friends that we had met on our Oz lap 7 years ago , K...el & Patty Kraatz. The town of Stansbury is definitely a small fishing village, a quaint little town with lots of Murals to depict times gone by. Our first couple of days took in some sight seeing, Mike and Johnny going out in Johns boat crabbing. Brought in their quota and Mike also jagged 4 squid. That afternoon found us cleaning , cooking and freezing their catch . Big day out sight seeing down through Wool Bay, Edithburgh, Wattle Point Wind Farm and Yorketown. Wool Bay is an old exporting port for Wool bales initially, hence the name but later expanded as a wool , grain and lime exporting port (1940’s). The kilns were built between 1900 & 1910. There were 6 lime kilns built over looking the Bay. 5 of the 6 were demolished in the 1970’s. The one kiln left and the jetty are now heritage listed . Yorketown was established in 1872, and is known for its 200+ salt lakes in the surrounding area. Weather has been rather random with anything from sunny and calm to gale force winds and of course the chill factor had to raise its horrible head. At least the rains have not taken over (as yet) . Adventuring further afield, we’ve visited the town of Minlaton ( the home of the Red Devil) a young pilot born in Yorketown by the name of Harry Butler, who brought this plane out from England. A young world war 1 pilot and his Bristol Mono Plane, the Red Devil is on display in the Main Street of Minlaton. Raking? What is this? So, we go and buy a rake, take our bucket and wade our way out into the southern ocean (only the fore shore). They tell us to look for the grey patches....so out we go, the first crab caught us, well caught Patrice. Screams and squeals as this crab was nipping all around her ankles, so we get the rake and scoop up this little blighter, All going great and we nab ourselves another two. Gumboots next time we venture out, no more nipping at my ankles!...... Another day trip takes us further south to Innes National Park. Absolutely stunning. Stenhouse Bay, Chinamans hat island, Spensor lighthouse and Inneston Historic Village. Great day ending with Mike having a roll up at the Bowlo and having a win at the mini bowls later in the night ...winner ! See more

17.01.2022 Well we have awoken in the town of Aramac and are ready for our sculpture trail experience. WOW! I have no other words. Today was just awesome. Milynda Rogers is such an outstanding local artist. I am in awe of her works of art. For someone that can create such wonderful works of art from farm junk is just truly amazing . The 7 hours of discovery was both interesting and just plain stunning. Her talent is something not to be missed. Along this trail you come across Gray Rock ...which was a pioneer meeting place for stage coaches. Many names and dates are engraved on this rock . The earliest date we found was 1922. And now there is a new one, Potter’s 2020. If you are ever in the vacinty of Barcaldine, it is well worth the extra 1 hours drive north to Aramac to experience this sculpture art trail. Ps. I haven’t put in all the sculptures. You will have to go to see them all........ After an early night, off we go. We stop at the town of Jericho and take a look around. We have been here before but had never noticed the drive in with canvas sling chairs. Jericho is also the home of the crystal trumpeters sculpture which was a Bicentennial Project in 1988 and tells the Biblical story of the Israelites who marched around the walls of Jericho for 6 days and blew their trumpets on the 7th day and watched as the city walls collapsed. Stopped for lunch at Alpha to find some more of Mylindas work . We arrive at Bogantungan. A very small town with 3 houses and a railway station, I believe the town has 1 permanent resident and another couple that just come and go. February 1960 there was a train derailment caused by excessive rain which killed 4 passengers (2 of which were children) and 3 railway workers . We enjoyed yet another happy hour with other travellers including Rita and John that we keep running into. (Met in Barcaldine, caught up in Aramac and again here). Now packed up and heading to Emerald

16.01.2022 Week 2 We are travelling slowly towards Cairns hoping to be there tomorrow. Staying in a freestay at Babinda tonight and is packed.

13.01.2022 Our latest trip has come to an end. 8,308 klm 58 nights away. An adventure of a lifetime.

13.01.2022 Week 5 They said that phone service was sparse but you are never really prepared to be cut off from civilisation. Let’s go back to week 5, the week we are meeting everyone at Laura. 9th July we headed off from Cooktown out along Battlecamp Road through to Old Laura Town. Mostly dirt from here on. A nice place to pull up on the north side of the river across from the old homestead. Trice nearly stepped on a small brown snake. The only reason she didn’t notice it was that it w...Continue reading

10.01.2022 Our 2nd week on the Yorke. Well more crabbing, more happy hours & more beautiful scenery. Mike and John hit the high seas again. Another haul of crabs, so our afternoon was set. Cleaning, cooking and picking. Time for me to have another go at raking! No more ankle nipping for me. I dig out my gum boots. Great idea for the crabs, not such a great idea when they fill with water and takes us forever to take them off - almost a hip dislocation, but plenty of laughs...... Another... beautiful day, so off to do the 2nd half of Innes National Park. Ethel Beach, West Cape, Pondalowie Bay & Browns Beach . The last 10 or so klms up to Browns Beach is dirt road. The Nat Parks have done a wonderful job of bitumen roads, shelters, boardwalks and history boards. We decide to do the western side of the foot of the peninsula. So up we go to Daly Head, Berry Bay, Corny Point and on to Point Turton. Stunning coastline. Finally got to drop in a line. We set our selves up on the Stansbury jetty , ready to catch a big one.....well, my first catch was the shelter, 2nd, 3rd & 4th , weed, weed and more weed. Finally catch a fish, nope, not the big one. I had to throw him back . But Mikey managed to get a couple of keepers . Another Friday night at the Bowlo with Mike having a roll up and me winning one of the raffles. Let’s see what next week brings. See more

10.01.2022 Week 3 A smooth ride over the Daintree River on the ferry. Then up to Cape Tribulation. Stopped in at various landmarks on the way. Daintree Discovery Centre - fabulous. Cow Bay, lunch at Whet Cafe , Cape Tribulation Lookout and up to the large Fig Tree and Emmagen Creek. After the recent rains, Emmagen Ck had a fair flow of water, needless to say, we were entertained by many attempting the crossing, including 2 motor bikes, 1 which ended dead full of water. The bravest was a young girl in a little Suzuki who just put her foot down and went for it.

07.01.2022 Posted by Mike Week 8 - 2nd August until the End of the trip. Another slow start today.(The 8 nights on an air mattress are fast becoming a distant memory). Trice got behind the wheel again, she is doing really well, We arrive at Fletchers Creek which is about 40 km north if Charters Towers. No internet service again, we have had plenty of days away from internet and phone service....Continue reading

07.01.2022 Well this week has been interesting with 2 CV joints going in the Mazda but we are now all ready to hit Battlecamp Road in our way to Old Laura tomorrow. Trice will put her weekly summary up tomorrow night.

06.01.2022 The rain is still with us periodically, some days more so. Night markets and cairns esplanade, then onto Wonga Beach . Lovely spot. Day drives to Crystal Caves, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge. Today croc cruise and drive up to Daintree Village.

05.01.2022 Week 6 19/7 - 25/7 Mikes post. This week started with. Cruise to Thursday Island. The Island is the government information centre for the surrounding islands and as such is largely public service. Spoke to a young mum who came up with her husband, they love the area so much that they have no intention of going back to Brisbane until the babies are starting school. Went on a bus tour and visited the old fort on Green Hill, the old cemetery and a general look around the Island...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Well, we are on the road again. First stop Neurum Creek Bush Retreat, a lovely few days here catching up with friends.

03.01.2022 After driving for 6 days we have covered 2,111 kms from Brisbane, through places like Goodoowindi, Moree, Nyngan, Broken Hill, Terowie, Port Julia and our final Stop Stansbury. We have been through a wide range of temperatures ranging from 30 degrees when we left Brisbane, 47 degrees in Broken Hill and now 22 degrees with blustery South Easterly winds in Stansbury. We live in a diverse country. The purpose of this trip is to go fishing for Blue Swimmer Crabs, Squid and King George Whiting and of course socialising with a great group of people.

03.01.2022 The mad dash to the Cape is on. Today I have lost count of the number of 4wds with tracks,tents, hilift jacks, big wheels and plenty of other shiny things all over their cars. The Big 4 where we are is filling up fast with these Cape York warriors. Hope they have gone home by the time we get there. Vic and nsw number plates all over the place. Go the Maroons..