My appologies for not updating our travel blog. It is a time-consuming hobby and as you can well imagine, it's been pretty busy around here lately. I do plan to get it up to date over the holidays so check back around mid-Jan for further instalments of our travels into the Centre of Aus and to the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast!
Wishing you a very happy and safe Christmas!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
On the Dinosaur Trail
We headed into Cunnamulla via the little town of Eulo. We visited the general store which appeared to sell everything, possibly even kitchen sinks. If you like boulder opal, as I do, surprisingly, this is the place to get it. I am still kicking myself that I did not buy a piece there.
In Longreach we visited the Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Qantas Museum. Both highly recommended. The Qantas museum is a little exy if you want to do anything other than look at the museum. We opted for the tour of the 747 which was quite interesting. We also saw the first Qantas jet which only arrived at the museum a few days before we did.
Next we joined the Dinosaur Trail. Christina is very interested in these extinct beasts, so we visited every dinosaur related attraction between Longreach and Mt Isa. First stop Winton and the Lark Quarry. Check out the website as it is explained there much better than I can. Basically, dinosaur footprints were discovered during a routine geological survey. They are now protected and on display for anyone who can make it out to Winton.
Heading out to the Lark Quarry, we came across a snake. We always carry a snake book and we decided it was a black-headed python. As we were not completely confident with our identification, we stayed in the car. Later, in Alice Springs, we were able to confirm our ID. On our way back into town we were flagged down by the local constabulary. This was seriously right out in the middle of nowhere. You guessed it: RBT. Passed with flying colours and then had a chin-wag about the cost of housing in Sydney compared to Winton. It must get boring out there alone all day.
On to Hughenden for the Muttaburrasaurus and then to Richmond, the home of Kronosaurus Korner. It was very interesting as there were many dinosaurs that I had never heard of. Christina had a fabuolous time, checking out all the displays and topping up her personal dinosaur collection!
Last but not least, we visited the Riversleigh Collection at Mt Isa. Mark and I had been there before and there are fewer displays this time so we were a little disappointed. If you are seriously into fossils, you can go out to the Riversleigh fossil fields. We were out there about 10 yrs ago and found it very interesting. If you do go, you must drop in to Lawn Hill NP We didnt get there on this trip but it is a place we definitely plan to go back to.
In Longreach we visited the Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Qantas Museum. Both highly recommended. The Qantas museum is a little exy if you want to do anything other than look at the museum. We opted for the tour of the 747 which was quite interesting. We also saw the first Qantas jet which only arrived at the museum a few days before we did.
Next we joined the Dinosaur Trail. Christina is very interested in these extinct beasts, so we visited every dinosaur related attraction between Longreach and Mt Isa. First stop Winton and the Lark Quarry. Check out the website as it is explained there much better than I can. Basically, dinosaur footprints were discovered during a routine geological survey. They are now protected and on display for anyone who can make it out to Winton.
Heading out to the Lark Quarry, we came across a snake. We always carry a snake book and we decided it was a black-headed python. As we were not completely confident with our identification, we stayed in the car. Later, in Alice Springs, we were able to confirm our ID. On our way back into town we were flagged down by the local constabulary. This was seriously right out in the middle of nowhere. You guessed it: RBT. Passed with flying colours and then had a chin-wag about the cost of housing in Sydney compared to Winton. It must get boring out there alone all day.
On to Hughenden for the Muttaburrasaurus and then to Richmond, the home of Kronosaurus Korner. It was very interesting as there were many dinosaurs that I had never heard of. Christina had a fabuolous time, checking out all the displays and topping up her personal dinosaur collection!
Last but not least, we visited the Riversleigh Collection at Mt Isa. Mark and I had been there before and there are fewer displays this time so we were a little disappointed. If you are seriously into fossils, you can go out to the Riversleigh fossil fields. We were out there about 10 yrs ago and found it very interesting. If you do go, you must drop in to Lawn Hill NP We didnt get there on this trip but it is a place we definitely plan to go back to.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
From there we headed north into Queensland and Currawinya National Park. This park is noted for two things; their Bilby rehabilitation and the wetlands. Whilst this sounds really interesting, we did not see a bilby - they are in a protected area. Mark and I thought it would have been nice for a Ranger to give a talk and possibly show us a cute little Bilby but it wasnt on offer.
So, off we went to the wetlands. Listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance, we expected to see a lot of birdlife and interesting things in general. Sadly disappointed, we werent even able to get to the waters edge. Didnt see a single bird. Not sure if this is due to the drought or not. The wind blew up and the weather started to look threatening, so we packed up camp and headed for the tar. We did not want to be stranded in a bog, so we didnt risk it.
It's funny how you go to a place like this expecting to see something special and wonderful and dont. Yet, you can be driving along two days from home and see a pair of spoon-bills by the side of the road. You can see australian bustards every few metres along a rail line. It's wonderful to see something special when you least expect it.
So, off we went to the wetlands. Listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance, we expected to see a lot of birdlife and interesting things in general. Sadly disappointed, we werent even able to get to the waters edge. Didnt see a single bird. Not sure if this is due to the drought or not. The wind blew up and the weather started to look threatening, so we packed up camp and headed for the tar. We did not want to be stranded in a bog, so we didnt risk it.
It's funny how you go to a place like this expecting to see something special and wonderful and dont. Yet, you can be driving along two days from home and see a pair of spoon-bills by the side of the road. You can see australian bustards every few metres along a rail line. It's wonderful to see something special when you least expect it.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Corner Country
The next day we headed north west to Tibooburra and Sturt National Park. We booked into the homestead accomodation at Mount Wood. At $60 per night, we had the whole place to ourselves. OK, we had to put up with the occasional passing kangaroo. This is another place I can imagine taking a bunch of intrepid scrapbookers to!
We went for a few little drives and climbed Mt Wood. Having been to this park before we were surprised at how few kangaroos we spotted. Our friendly Ranger informed us that they had lost 95% of the population due to the drought. The Ranger brought in a 9 month old joey on the last night for Christina to have a hold of. He was very cute.
We went for a few little drives and climbed Mt Wood. Having been to this park before we were surprised at how few kangaroos we spotted. Our friendly Ranger informed us that they had lost 95% of the population due to the drought. The Ranger brought in a 9 month old joey on the last night for Christina to have a hold of. He was very cute.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Opal Country
I'm not a big fan of opals, except the extremely expensive ones of course, so couldnt quite understand why Mark had put White Cliffs on our itinerary. We stayed overnight at The White Cliffs Underground Motel where we had an absolutely wonderful time. Even though it was below zero overnight, it never gets below 20 degC in the dugouts. The place is an absolute rabbit warren and Christina had a great time racing around hiding from us and leading 'adventures'. It looks like a great place for a scrapbooking retreat. Now I just have to find a bunch of women crazy enough to go out there for one!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
A trip back to the centre
...where else, I ask you? In june/july 2007 we took a little drive into the NT via QLD and returned via SA. I thought I would set up this blog to share some of our pictures and experiences with our friends, family and whoever else looks in.
Here's Mark setting up the new tent for the first time. We went all out with a new Oztent; slightly larger than the old one. It's a bit heavier and a little trickier to put up but still a dream compared to others we have had. We spent the first night in Warren, NSW. A very, very cold place. Just dont go there. I thought I was going to freeze.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
