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!

Savannah Way Part 2...1night Borroloola, 1night...Somewhere?

The next part of our Savannah Way Adventure was between Lorella Springs and Lawn Hill National Park.  Our lunch stop on the first day was at the "Heart Break Hotel" at Cape Crawford.

Savannah Way Part 1 - Butterfly Springs and Lorella Springs Station

The Savannah Way stretches across the whole north of Australia from Broome in the West to Cairns in the East. Most of it is bitumen  but as we seem to have some strange attraction to the rough stuff we hopped on the off road (1200km) section from Mataranka in the Northern Territory to Karumba in the Queensland Gulf.

Last stop in the NT....Mataranka

How long can you spend in a thermal pool?  If its anything like Bitter Springs in Mataranka,then as long as you can stand feeling shrivelled up like a prune!  We couldn't get enough of Bitter Springs.  We went back every day we were there, even packing up camp early on our last day so we could have one last swim before moving on.

Kaka...du or Kaka...dont?

There is a lot of talk about Kaka...du or Kaka...dont!  We heard many other travellers whinging about how expensive it is bla bla bla (it costs $50.00 per adult to enter the park and some campsites are expensive if you choose to stay at them). Although it wasn't as spectacular as some of the places we've been our vote is still Kaka...du!  The thing is you need time.  Its a huge park and if you only have a couple of days you will see a tiny portion and probably come away disappointed. 

Ben and Hannah's Darwin favorites

 Swimming with Croc's, Free water slides, catching Barra,  markets and concerts.....

Litchfield National Park....from the Southern Access Track!

Normally the Litchfield National Park is accessed by the bitumen roads from the North.  As we were in the Daly River region we decided to take the Southern Access Track, called the Reynolds River 4WD and loved it!

Douglas Daly and The Daly River - Hot springs and fishing for Barra'

After Edith Falls we made our way north into the Douglas Daly area where I spent the morning of my birthday relaxing in the hot springs. The thermal springs bubble out of the ground at 60 degrees Celsius, so you have to be careful where you sit!

Nitmiluk National Park...Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls

Canoeing on Katherine Gorge was one of our trips must do's.  We had a great day, making it to the end of the 2nd section of the gorge, although only just, due to a really strong headwind plus current to test our fitness levels! 

The Bungle Bungle....Purnululu National Park

It took us 2hrs to drive the 56km track into Purnulul National Park.  The road itself was in pretty good condition but its narrow, windy and hilly with lots of creek crossings....actually we counted 20!

Road block on the Gibb...by a cute El Questro Cowboy

Who said shopping isn't interesting! Due to our lack of food situation, we decided when we got to El Questro we would take the hour plus trip into Kununurra to stock up.  Little did I know our trip back would be more exciting than expected!

El Questro

Ellanbrae and Home Valley stations

After packing up our King Edward River camp, we had an early morning swim in the river before making our way back to Drysdale Station, timing it perfectly for one last hamburger lunch.  Our friends Tex and Julie spotted us coming in the station gates, they had been camping there for a few days waiting on a spare part for their camper, so they joined us for lunch too. It was great to catch up as we had lost contact and weren't sure if we'd see them again.