Surfing Kangaroos, Cape Hillsborough National Park

We really enjoyed our stay at the Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park. located 47kms north of Mackay on the Queensland coast. The caravan park is right on the beach front was a fabulous place to relax and rejuvenate. There are some great walks around the Cape Hillsborough National Park with plenty of wildlife to be seen. On a walk out to the point we spotted many different birds, and a snake (see picture below) The walk back along the muddy banks at low tide was fun too.

One of the main attractions are the Kangaroo's on the beach in the early morning. Makes for some great photography as with the sun rising in the background! 

Little Lucinda with a very Long jetty

We didn't really know what to expect from Lucinda, but ended up having a great time in this little town, especially fishing off the jetty! Ben is showing off one of our unusual catches....a Remora fish, sometimes referred to as a sucker fish, the ones that are found attached to sharks, manta rays, whales....or boys!

An Ancient Landscape - Australia's Daintree National Park

Yes we are home and most of you are aware that I've been a little preoccupied,  but I hope you don't mind receiving the last few posts so I can make this 2011 Big Trip Blog complete!

I've heard a lot of people say its not worth driving all the way up to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, but when you understand a little of what you are experiencing it really is something special.  Its also very beautiful and dramatic the way the steep mountain ranges are blanketed by dense rain forest that make their way down onto the white sandy beach at Cape Tribulation.

Snorkeling with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef - By Hannah Lindsay

Hi, Hannah here.  So far we've had an amazing trip. One of the things I've been looking forward to most is snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. It was hard knowing it was going to be right at the end of our travels and having to wait nearly 5 months, but I've been kept  busy doing some pretty  cool things and other unexpected experiences.  Anyway finally the day arrived and it was sooo much fun and something I will never forget!

Cairns and Wonga Beach - Snorkeling, Horse riding, Port Douglas and much more

We were looking forward to hitting the East Coast again and checking into the much talked about Cairns Holiday Coconut  Resort. Unfortunately I ended up in the Cairns Hospital Emergency Ward instead!

Two different worlds in one day!

It was a bizarre feeling to leave the remote, flat, dry coastal town of Karumba in the QLD Gulf  to arrive in Malanda later that afternoon amongst rolling green hills and lush rainforests of the cairns hinterland. We really did feel like we'd been in two different worlds in the one day even though we were still in the same state of Queensland.

Karumba - Queensland Gulf Fishing Mecca

Karumba is a mecca for fishing enthusiasts.  It provides great esturary fishing for Barrumundi and saltwater for many varieties including Blue Salmon and Mackeral.  I think we were the only ones in the caravan park who didnt have a boat.  But thats ok, there are a few charters to pick from and on a recommendation from a fellow traveller we booked ourselves on Kerry D's Fishing Charter. Oh and the sunsets are amazing too!

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park a tropical oasis in the QLD Gulf

Boodjamulla National Park (formally known as Lawn Hill) is definitely a surprising contrast to the vast expanses of flat dry plains that surrounds it.  Its bright emerald green waters and banks lined with lush pandanus and Livistonia Palms makes it a real oasis in the central gulf region of the QLD outback!