Ozmobile Odyssey

Victorian engineering at its best, including  106 cuttings, 25 tunnels, 55 bridges, 98 curves and an ascent of 327 metres over 37 Km. We took the Skyrail up from Cairns to Kuranda  over the lush tropical rainforest. returning by train, to wonder at its ingenious construction and the endurance of the old timers, motivated by gold workings in the 1880s.

Need I say more?

Sugar cane as far as the eye can see in North Queensland, most of it now processed at this huge mill that operates 24 hours (for export to China.) We did a twilight tour and found it really interesting-would be fiercely hot during the day. Here the cane is heading into the rolling mill for crushing-each of the 5 rollers weighs 20 tons.

"Now the stockman rides in With his dry, dusty throat Breasts up to the bar And pulls a wad from his coat. But the smile on his face  Quickly turns to a sneer  When the barman says sadly  'The pub's got no beer." We did consume a coldie at this pub-now 'guaranteed not to run out of beer'. Based on a good Aussie yarn you can read at: www.thepubwithnobeer.com.au

No raindrops or roses (but some royals.) These little bowls from Louise's Auckland flatting days have done a lot of camping miles since then. Pictured with new decor-matched cushions,  plus Charles & Camilla Caterpillar, our Ozmobile mascot.

Cheeky, chirpy Rainbow Lorikeets made a meal of their regular feed time at the palm-fringed holiday park we're staying at. The Aussie holiday park are a huge step-up on their NZ counterparts.

There were several impressive Monitor lizards (over a metre long) at the Whitsunday National Park - they weren't at all interested in the beach goers fortunately.

Fab day cruise out of Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach today, including lunch sitting at a table right here. Paddled in lukewarm waves and decided we'd try the catamarans and standup paddle boarding next time...and there will be a next time!

We enjoyed the last of the afternoon sun over a drink at the newish marina development near Mackay's busy port (exporting sugar & coal.) The lighthouse was the last kerosene powered light in Australia, moved here in 1983.

True to name, we were no sooner set up than we had a nosey visitor. After luring over for a photo opportunity with a shortbread cream biscuit, he wasn't keen to be shooed away.

Captain James Cook and botanists Joseph Banks and Dr Solander stepped ashore here on 13th May 1770. Wonder if they were met by a pelican, after local tribesmen ran off seeing the white-faced ghosts and phantom ship? 1770 and adjoining Agnes Water are nice little seaside towns, with a great little local museum.

Travelling north on the Central Queensland coast, we couldn't miss the much lauded tour of the Bundaburg Rum Distillery. Which was every bit as good as expected, including two samples included in the tour. This particular sample was a white rum liqueur flavoured with mango & passion fruit served with a little ginger beer - delicious!

Craft and sunshine at Hervey Bay. Five shady trees were colourfully crochet decorated (promoting the local fire service apparently) adding a quirky vibe as we had lunch at a waterfront cafe.

We have a 'bad taste' competition going with our Chch friends the Thompsons, who just flew in and have hired a camper for a fortnight touring with us. They were pretty impressed to see Charles & Camilla Caterpillar-the green salt & pepper shakers they gave us for Xmas-resplendent on the table last night. Disappointed they forgot the shark set we gave them previously though (found in a junk shop in Hokitika.)

Forced to spend some hours in Noosa while Ozmobile gets a repair done. As Peter H  would say 'life's a bitch and then you die'!

Beautiful crisp morning and 24 degrees of warmth as we enjoyed our River City cruise.  Loved the Southbank area - Brisbane's cultural centre - including the cafes and show The Bodyguard at Lyric Theatre last night.

You walk a path through this stunning artwork 'Narcissis' - mirror metal globes floating of a shallow stone-lined pool - at the Queensland Art Museum in Brisbane. Beautiful!

Cool and eclectic Byron Bay, NSW North Coast, is a young people's place-hardly a grey  nomad to be seen.  Gorgeous beach, bongo drummers, hippie boutiques and hipsters.   Stunning sunset and  look forward to walking to the lighthouse before we  head off tomorrow.

On leaving Port Macquarie and rounding a bend at 95Km/h, a caravan towed by a ute in front of us lost a good deal of his load. With debris spread over both lanes, it was a matter of running over what we couldn't avoid. A mighty whump followed and on arriving at Coffs Harbour, we found quite a bit of our undercarriage plumbing mising. Handy Mr Fixit has his work cut out tomorrow! (Maybe he can rig something up using this Thong Tree?)

Interesting rocks and lovely walking at Bonny Hills Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW Central Coast.

Tea Gardens, named after an unsuccessful Colonial attempt to grow tea, and Hawks Nest are 2 very nice  villages on the Central NSW coast. Doesn't look like it here , but it was too windy for the ferry to Port Stephens to operate today.

This amazing ancient rock formation is near Katoomba Falls and Leura in the Blue Mountains, elevation 1,000+ meters. At 2-4 degrees, it's chillingly cold at night and a cheap fan heater has done good service in the Ozmobile. 

Arrived at the Blue Mountains heritage town of Katoomba Falls for 3 nights - v cool evenings , but we're comfortable in Ozmobile. Beautiful countryside and the Janolan Caves were marvellous, literally.