Archive for May, 2012

Day 11: Cairns to Cooktown

Never thought I would say this but I love 4-wheel driving! So there.

It took me 9 hours today to get from Cairns to here, Cooktown. I did stop at many places and look around. Port Douglas is too ‘resort-ish’ for my liking but it is a nice holiday destination, I must say. Then, stopped at Mossman, pretty much the last stop before going off-road so I topped up the tank.

Next, I headed to Daintree Ferry to cross the river; then went to Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre for a side trip. It was almost all off-road driving after Daintree. Crossed many little creeks and rivers. Some of the hills are so steep that I swear our ‘dog’ van would not made some of them. It was so much fun and scary at the same time.

Haven’t have much chance to take any pictures today but did take some that I really like. Like the one today 🙂

xox

John @ Cooktown, QLD

Today’s image: Cows Resting Near Diwan, Queensland
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Day 10: Mareeba & Chillagoe

I had a little taste of the outback today. I could see the earth turned from ‘brown’ in Cairns to ‘red’ around Chillagoe. I loved the drive. It was remote and I was alone most of the way.

Many times now that I drove pass places on the highway that I thought “here will make a good photo”. But it is hard to just stop and take the photo when you are doing 100km and cars are behind you. It happened again today!

I saw this stretch of downhill that just go as far as I could see. The dark sealed road and the light yellowish grasses glowing like flames on the road side. I liked the colour and contrast. I thought should I stop to take the picture but before I could make up my mind. What I saw was disappearing because I came down the hill. Damn! I missed it again.

After spending a little time in Chillagoe, it’s time to return. Now, I have to take that shot that I wanted. I drove up to the top of the slope, parked the car on the side of the highway. There were a few 4WDs and trucks came pass. I waited they all passed and I could hear no more sound of coming traffic. Quickly, I stepped to the middle of the highway and Snap! Snap! Snap! I think I got the shot that I wanted.

I was a happy man then.

Afterwards, I went on to Mareeba and checked out its heritage museum. Lots of interesting things in there.

Now, I am so looking forward to tomorrow. Cooktown, here I come!

John @ Cairns, QLD

Today’s image: Road to Chillagoe
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Day 9: Townsville to Cairns

One thing I have noticed in the last few days is that sugar cane farms are just everywhere here in Queensland. It makes me wonder how much sugar do we consumed. The scenery changed quite a bit from Townsville to Cairns and the weather is definitely a bit ‘stickier’. Stopped at a few little towns along the way. Some are like hidden gems.

At the Tourist Info Centre, talked to a most helpful staff. He gave me all information that I need for the Cape York adventure. I am feeling much more confident to tackle the journey.

John @ Cairns, QLD

Today’s image: Townsville at Dusk
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Cyclone Memorial
Lest We Forget

Day 8: Mackay to Townsville

I didn’t blog last night because I was too tired after all the driving yesterday. It was a public holiday in Queensland and everything ‘Shuts’. So didn’t get up to much at all.

Got to Rockhampton and hung around for a couple of hours, took a few pictures. I like the town, it has character and quite pretty. As for Mackay, it was OK. There are many memorials around the city. Got up just before sunrise and snapped a few photos including the one here, the Cyclone Memorial.

Got to Townsville and didn’t feel like driving to Cairns so decided to spend a night. I like Townsville, it has has a little bit of everything. I went up to one of the hill in the middle of town and it is a popular exercise track for the locals at dusk. They were walking and jogging up and down the 3km steep hill.

Tomorrow I will go to Cairns and there I will stay for a couple of days. Mainly to organize everything I will need for the first real adventure of this trip. Going to Cooktown taking the coastal route via Cape Tribulation. After that, I will be heading over to Weipa then up to Cape York if roads are open. Can’t wait!!

Nite all

John @ Townsville,QLD

 

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Day 6: Brisbane, Beerwah & Maryborough

Woken up by the sound of breaking waves and it was dark still. It was time to continue the journey. A destination was needed. Brisbane? No… wanted to cover a bit more distance today. Hervey Bay was one of the choice but then I didn’t want another “beach-y” destination. That’s how Maryborough came to be. Bit more inland, mountains and forest for a change.

Stopped over at Brisbane and drove around for an hour or so as nothing really opened yet at 8 in the morning. It was time to move on and decided to do a detour when I saw the “Tourist Drive” sign to Glass House Mountain. The name grabbed me for some reasons. It was kilometres after kilometres of parkland. An unexpected visit to Australia Zoo about 50 minutes into the detour. Still hard to believe that Steve Irwin was killed almost 6 years ago. Hope the zoo can get going on…

Finally arrived today’s destination, Maryborough, just before 2pm. Staying in a motel here after sleeping in the cars for 2 nights. Checked in, made a chicken and avocado sandwich, cleaned myself up and now writing this. Think will have an early night tonight.

John @ Maryborough, QLD

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Day 5: Byron, Tweed Heads to Lennox Head and back to Byron

Have you ever found yourself driving around without a real destination? That’s what happened to me today. I drove to Tweed Heads, then got myself to the QLD border. Spent a little time wandering around then drove all the way back to Lennox Head. I took the costal route for a change of scenery; and I swear I would move to this part of the country if only I was a beach junkie.

The drive was quite long and took me back to Byron at the end where I will be staying for  tonight before heading up north. This place is just packed with people and many of them like me, just sitting on the rocks by the main beach doing nothing.

Overall, today was a strange day for me. Didn’t really feel like taking pictures but just drive around and feeling a bit homesick. I knew before starting the trip that I would have this kind of moments; just didn’t know when. I am sure there is something to do with where I am. Not many people,if any, are by themselves. I am sure it will pass 🙂

I thought today I would feature my only company on this journey, my car!

John @ Byron Bay, NSW

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Day 4: Byron Bay

Left Coffs Harbour this morning and next destination: Byron Bay. I took a little detour here; passing through towns like Grafton, Casino and Lismore. I have to say that living in Sydney for too long; have almost forgotten how beautiful Australia actually is after the last couple of days.

Arriving Byron just after 2pm and it has changed a lot. I don’t really recognize it anymore.

Where do you think my first stop here was? Yes, the lighthouse.

Got up there and, of course, the lighthouse was the centre of everyone’s attention. But something else had drawn my full attention. The light show that was performed from up above. I just myself hopelessly snapping away. In fact, I loved it so much… I use a pic that was taken as the featured image of this post.

Not sure if I would stay tomorrow night here… really want to get further up north asap. We’ll see. Can’t wait what’s coming next!

John @ Byron Bay, NSW

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Day 3: Coffs Harbour (Part 2)

Since my last post, I have backtrack a little today. Went back to Dorrigo and I love this place. It is just my kind of countryside. Took heaps of pictures.

Also went to a little town called Urunga. It is a fairly peaceful town. The photo in this post was taken here.

Got back to Coffs Harbour late afternoon and it started to rain. Sat at a sheltered BBQ area and processed a few photos.

I still haven’t find myself any accommodation yet. Guess I better get cracking… I really need a shower.

xox all

John @ Coffs Harbour, NSW

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Day 3: Coffs Harbour (Part 1)

Slept in the car last night. It felt like an old aircraft economy seat.

I opened my eye at 5:30 and saw the light from the horizon. I know it’s time to get up and try to get some sunrise shots. This is my first time attempting to capture what they called the magic hour.

Sat down at a cafe having a soy latte and a bacon & egg sandwich. I quickly processed one of the shot to show you guy.

That’s it for now.

John @ Coffs Harbour, NSW

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farm_field
Moonbi_Lookout

Day 2: Tamworth – Coffs Harbour

Woke up quite early this morning. Drove into Tamworth CBD but shops weren’t open yet. So drove to the Golden Guitar and took a few pictures then went on for a drive around the out skirt of town.

Tamworth is not really a very big town and not much to do. So decided to head off a night before schedule. Drove another 300km tonight and just got to Coffs Harbour. However, have no booking for campsite. Guess sleeping in the car for the night and find somewhere in the morning.

Signing off

John @ Coffs Harbour, NSW

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