Bowen

Up and at it this morning with a early morning walk from Horseshoe Bay to Queens Beach along the waterfront walkway with beautiful views of course and lovely parklands.
We have done the touristy things today looking at all the pictureque little bays and up to Flagstaff Hill Lookout with its 360 deg. views over Bowen and the northern Whitsunday group of Islands. Visited the new "Catalina" monument at Port Denison. We got talking to a lady who was a volunteer on the set of the movie "Australia". She was very informative. It was filmed on the foreshore of Port Denison.

Of course we then had to call into the Co-op for Barra and green prawns for dinner tonight. 

Not only does Flagstaff Hill Lookout have surpurb views it also has devonshire teas!!!!

This is where "Australia" was made.  They built the set and pulled it down when they had finished.  The building in the distance with a small dome on top is all that remains except for the jetty that Nicole Kidman walked along.

Lucinda - Alva Beach (Ayr) - Bowen

Would you believe I did not use my camera yesterday - sorry - no photos
We stopped off in Townsville to have morning tea with a work colleague of Harry's and she suggested we stay at Alva Beach which is about 17ks east of Ayr.
Today we have arrived in Bowen.  We are staying at Horseshoe Bay beach for a few days and it is just magic.
Harry has had his prawns for lunch and is planning a beef and reef for dinner tonight. yum!!

Alva Beach, Ayr

Horseshoe Bay beach, Bowen 

Millaa Millaa - Paranella Park - Lucinda

We love the countryside around Millaa Millaa and all it's beautiful waterfalls.
Paranella Park is fantastic.  We did a day and night tour and wandered around both yesterday and this morning. Jose Paranella, who was a pastry cook by trade built this incredible park in the early 1900's. He was a visionary.
Now Mark Evans the owner has a dream to return it as much as possible to it's original glory.  Watch Gardening Australia, ABC, next Saturday 31/8 at 6.30.  Paranella Park is on.
We are now in Lucinda slowly working our way home:(

Milla Milla Falls - what a change to the landscape we have been through the last few weeks!!

Paranella Park. This is where everyone stands for their photo opportunity!! So many photos where do you start??

Devonshire Tea overlooking Mt. Bartle Frere at Mungulla Biodynamic Dairy

Lucinda Jetty is 5.76ks long and transports sugar on conveyor belts to ships

Undara National Park - Millaa Millaa

What a difference a day makes!!!
We started the day with a walk around the rim of the Kalkani crater which is in the drought stricken Undara National Park. Today we have driven to Millaa Millaa along a beautiful scenic drive through a lush rain forest.
We are actually camped on green grass and have pulled our jumpers out of the bowels of the camper.

   

Undara National Park

Millaa Milla scenic drive

Undara National Park

One more thing to cross off my Bucket List - Lava Tubes. We did the tour this morning - what more can I say but AMAZING.  It is an incredible natural wonder.
This afternoon we have done a circuit walk to the Bluff to take in some fabulous views.
Heading off tomorrow to who knows where -watch this space.

My camera just does not do justice to the lava tube.

The view from the Bluff with the resort in the left of the photo.

Croydon - Cobbald Gorge - Undara

After travelling on a very corrugated road for 80ks with sharp rocks on a very hot day we arrived at Cobbald Gorge to a WOW factor.  A beautiful infinity pool with bar and restaurant overlooking a dam which unfortunately is a bit low on water at the moment.  We, of course, spent the afternoon at the bar and pool.
The following day we did the tour of the Gorge on a special motorized boat - another Wow factor.Today we have arrived at Undara ready for our tour of the Lava Tube tomorrow morning.

Freshwater croc in Cobbold Gorge

The boat that took us up the gorge was especially designed for the narrow width of the gorge.

Post swim drink at Cobbald Gorge 

What a beautiful oasis in the middle of the dry Aust. bush.  This photo does not do it justice.

We have been out of phone range for a couple of days and were surprised to be able to do the blog here but here it is.

Karumba - Croydon

Saturday morning was an early start to travel from Karumba to Normation to catch the Gulflander train at 9am for a 3 hour round trip to Critters Camp for billy tea and damper, before heading off to Croydon.
We arrived in Croydon just in time for Beer & Bullshit at 5pm at the Caravan Park.
Today we had a rest day (remember Harry doesn't travel on a Sunday!).  We took a picnic lunch to Lake Belmore about 3 ks out of town.
Off to the pub for dinner tonight - with a view of the sunset - that is after Beer & Bullshit at 5pm. As I type this at 3.50pm it is 37deg. Hope it cools down as we get closer to the coast!!

The Gulflander at Critters Camp

This is a photo I took of the sunset over the gulf the second night.  I was not happy with the last sunset photo 

This shop is incredible inside.  It is 120 years old next year and still operates as a general store selling hardware, souvenirs, groceries, electrical appliances and a museum, 

Bill Tea and Damper - we even got to keep the mug!!