PHOTO ISSUE

SO I'm sorry about the photos. It's not your computer it is me being lazy and not uploading them properly because it took too long! I will attempt to find another way to share some photos another way or learn to be more patient and retry uploading properly. After all a picture tells one thousand words!

Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach

So here I am again. This time signing on from Airlie Beach (the beautiful whitsundays!) with 2426.5km on the odometer.

So having completed the morning walk at Rainbow Beach I followed the ‘tourist drive’ – my usual choice of route (trust me the Bruce Highway is certainly not my favourite road and poor George doesn’t like been passed by semi trailers travelling 110km/hr on such a skinny road) to Tin Can Bay. As usual the guide books made out a beautiful seaside fishing town apparently with dolphins playing in the bay, but to be honest I was a tad disappointed when I realised dolphins only came at 8am for feeding and the town was dead with about 50 4WDs parked with their boat trailers. The fish and chip shop looked to be a centrepiece of the town so I grabbed a little package for myself and ate lunch in the park and then went back for a take home marinara mix that I cooked up for dinner. Next stop was Hervey Bay to prepare for my trip to Fraser Island. I had a lovely evening swim in the public pool where I watched the sun set behind the palm tress and then did a couple of kms under the stars.

So my Fraser Island experience was amazing! I did a tour with a group called CoolDingos. I was a little sceptical because it was one of the more expensive tours but it was only for young travellers and included more sights and meals than what other company’s offered. After an early start our group caught the ferry across to Kingfisher Resort on the Island. We met our guide Craig and jumped on board our 4wd bus. At the start, the journey was how I imagine riding one of those bucking bull rides would be, but by the end of the second day I found the jerky and bumpy ride through the sandy forests so relaxing I almost fell asleep! Or maybe my 4pm closey eye was due to the days being so jam-packed. From swimming in the clear fresh water lakes, hiking up the mountains and encountering a phenomenal amount of wildlife, cruising at 80km/hr along the Fraser M1 aka the 75 mile beach on the east coast past a ship wreck and aboriginal sights, to lounging in the champaign pools the activities were endless. Aside from the activities the food was great – pretty sure I ate more in two days than the previous 2 weeks, and I met some great people from all over the world with some great stories. So now I have a few more overseas contacts and a couple of travel buddies for other parts of my trip!

Returning from Fraser Island I had another night in Hervey Bay and then headed off for another National Park walk near the small beachside town of Woodgate Beach. Although the town was pretty I am pretty sure the only reason the National Park has gained its credentials is because it is the home of thousands and thousands of insects! Trying to beat the sunset and make it to camp by dark I did not appreciate being covered in mozzies and breaking through at least 3 spider webs across the track every 10m! And by the time I finally set up my tent and started cooking I realised I was next to an ant nest, the mozzies didn’t want to go bed and there were moths swarming around my head torch. After a rather frustrating night I was up, fed and back on the walking track by 7.15 and not in the greatest of moods.

Anyway to brighten up my mood I headed to Bundaberg which I discovered is nothing more than a small country town – with all shops seemingly closed because it was Sunday. I continued driving through the endless sugar cane fields to the beach where I was apparently able to witness Turtle Hatchings on dusk. Arriving at the information centre I was face with a sign informing me that the ‘turtle hatching season’ had ended the previous weekend. A bit over everything I went for a quick dip at the beach (swell height 2mm L) and then made friends with three other vans of backpackers from Holland, Canada, Germany and England. After the typical ‘where to camp for free chat’ we headed back inland through Bundaberg to a cane toad infested campsite. With far less insects however and some good company I had a good night and great sleep until the next morning I realised that my legs were covered in bites. Still not sure if they’re from the National Park experience or maybe the annoying possibility that George has fleas... Just to be sure I went and purchased some new ‘tropical strength’ mozzie repellent, some mortien for my bed and a bottle of stingoes – which I finished in 3 days (consequently walking around with a white paste all over the back of my legs)!

Anyway to turn what has seemed like a rather depressing blog entry so far, I then went on a tour at the Bundaberg Rum Factory. It was actually really fun and interactive and interesting but unfortunately I couldn’t make the most of the free tastes at the end due to the nature of my ‘road’ trip. Nevermind, what I did taste was good and although I’ve never been a big fan of Bundy and Coke I now have a few other mixed combinations that I like.

Next destination was the town of 1770 and Agnes Waters. I came into town crossing my fingers and praying that I wouldn’t run out of petrol and thank goodness George made it with 2.3L in the tank! I saw a magnificent sunset on the bay at 1770 then headed back to Agnes Water to stay the night next to the surf beach – the last place with waves on my journey – and as I now realize the last place where you can swim without wearing a stupid stinger suit! However my time in Agnes Water was not so ideal as there was no waves and I arrived in time for a massive downpour of rain where everything got wet – sheets, towels, pillows grrrrrr! The following night I camped in the bush camp down the road having spent a day twiddling my thumbs and actually watching a movie (in the day!!) because I was bored due to the endless rain. I did managed to get out to the 1770 lookout and see the cairn for the first place that white man (Captian Cook) set foot in Queensland in 1770. This was also the first and only day I have not worn shorts and have felt cold in my whole trip!!

Setting off from Agnes Water I had a big few days of driving ahead through ‘nothing’ towns ie towns that have nothing of interest on the tourist guides and maps. Although some brochures somehow manage to make even the most boring (in my opinion) towns/cities seem appealing. After stopping off in Gladstone for a picnic in the park and a swim I then proceeded on to Rockhampton and stayed in a caravan park by the river. Traveling alone and arriving in towns/cities looking for a campsite is frustrating, there’s a constant weigh up of whether to risk a fine/local hoons or paying to go to a caravan park where you get decent sleep and a hot shower – not that I’ve even been bothering to turn on the hot water with this humidity! I’ve decided that when I’m not with other campers that I should opt for the caravan park option and so I’ve been doing that in all the recent towns: Rocky, Mackay etc. With another long drive ahead I woke feeling a bit over it all and upon looking at the map and discovering Rockhampton airport there was a thought in the back of my mind to throw the towel in and just fly home! – I hate to admit! But after a morning watching of Gossip Girl I gained motivation and drove to Mt Archer National Park where I did a walk hoping to get views out to the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef where that Chinese coal ship was apparently anchored. Unfortunatley there were too many trees in the way, nevertheless it was a really nice walk and good source of motivation for the few hundred kilometer journey to Mackay.

Having arrived in Mackay at dusk I had a quick drive around town, contemplated camping in the foreshore carpark but then once again for security opted for a small caravan park on the highway out of town. Like Bundaberg, Gladstone, and Rockhampton I didn’t really find much to keep me in town so I headed off the next day for Airlie Beach where sure enough I would find heaps of backpackers and other campervans. Pulling up in the foreshore carpark yesterday afternoon there were 14 campervans, all different types, colours and filled with different nationalities. On my way to Airlie however I did go to the Cape Hillsborough National Park – a beautiful untouched peninsula looking out to the islands south of the Whitsundays. After lunch in the picnic groud I did the main walk thorugh rainforest filled with butterflies although slightly wrecked from the recent cyclone.

Anyway here I am in Airlie Beach, 8 days away from meeting Harriet in Cairns! Until next time, goodbye.

More random photos

Going for a run at sunset on North Stradbroke Island

Easter Sunday - lounging around in the Noosa Coles Carpark eating chocolate with Swiss and Israeli friends

At the Buderim Ginger Factory

Playing cards in the Coles Carpark again before we headed out

Photos2

Ok round two hopefully able to do a few more now...

BBQ by the river in Noosa. With my Swiss and Israeli friends

Cecil looking nice and comfortable in my tent on one of my hikes

Another timer-photo on my walk in the Lamington National Park

I got bored running so decided to cartwheel instead on the the deserted Rainbow Beach

The inside of George from the back door all set up for bed (with a towel trying to dry)

Photos!

So they're taken ages to upload because I'm trying to do them bigger than last time.

They're in no particular order just a few randoms from different parts of the trip so far.

Enjoy!

On the Carlo Sandblow looking down onto Rainbow Beach.

The view of sunrise from Mt Warning with the clouds in the valley below

Jumping off a bridge in Noosa on our boat trip - I think the Swiss girls thought I was crazy!

Mooloolaba to Rainbow Beach

Ok so a quick catch up on my busy and not so lonely movements in the past like 10 (wow) days. Firstly thanks for all the messages of concern about my lonely time, I laugh a little but am grateful when my phone beeps and I get a cheery message from home. Fear not though, I am definitely mastering the art of starting conversation with any decent (as in not over 35, not in a winnabago, not with young kids, and not with all the vans windows blackout with some strange smelling smoke drifting from the window) campervaners! Just last night for example in the carpark of this pretty little beach just out of Bundaberg I approached two guys sitting next to their van playing guitar and within 15mins we had a 4 van convoy heading to the closest free camping spot – where I now lie having watched the sunrise waiting for my new found friends to wake up.

So from Maloolaba I went to the Buderim Ginger Factory – the biggest in the world and oh so tasty! As some of you know I love ginger (sweet, savoury, in lollies, icecream, stir fries etc) and so this was heaven. I went on a tour and sampled some amazing and random produce from ginger jam and ginger scones, to ginger dip and best of all I bought a huge ginger icecream – I am in love!! And I also bought a 1kg bag of crystallised ginger for nibbling in the car which I think you will be happy to know I haven’t finished yet.

So next stop was Noosa, my destination for Easter. Partially because I wanted to be somewhere a bit familiar and because there was the Great Noosa Campout on which was a music festival for campervaners! I didn’t end up attending however because I drove past and it looked like a flop (and all the media said it was!) and I made new friends in Noosa.

Hating every moment of my first night in the town (or more like at the only available campspot 20km out, in some mozzie infested paddock) I headed to the over crowded but absolutely buzzing Eumundi market where I purchased some stickers for George – see the photos (when I finally put them up!) I met a van of 3 Israeli guys, 2 Swiss girls and 2 Swiss guys when I got back to the beach, yay! We went out that night to the pub which was fun and then Easter Sunday we had an Easter egg hunt in the Coles Carpark – our local sleeping position for the week. To all those wondering if I got an easter egg, trust me I wasn’t going to forget this excuse to eat chocolate before breakfast and so I finally allowed myself to eat the block of Old Gold (my fav) I had been ‘hiding’ from myself till then!

It was weird being in Noosa as a backpacker. Walking down Hasting st having not showered for the past 6 days among all of the ‘college mums’ in their white linen pants and crips blonde bob haircuts… But very fun nevertheless. I did a few walks (ie runs) in the National Park, swam down to the rocks each morning and pretended I have a surfboard as I cut surfers off body surfing (the Israeli guys think I am crazy!) On one of the days we hired a boat and went in and out of the river systems, which was fun, and very funny watching them trying to steer the boat.

Following five days in Noosa I once again set off on my journey north. This time to a small town called Rainbow Beach, famous for its rainbow sandy cliffs, which certainly didn’t disappoint. I checked in to the caravan park here and did a huge load of washing which was very satisfying and gave George a general internal clean and tidy. The following day I ventured along the walking trail in the Natioanl Park to the Carlo Sandblow. It was this most incredible sand dune stretching from the cliff tops above the rainbow sands for well over 1km inland. Hard to descrbe but it looked awesome, like a sandy desert surrounded but forrest and the cliff tops to the ocean. From here the walking track actually continues down the coast to Noosa making up the Great Cooloola Walk – something I would love to do sometime.

Ok written enough for the moment and my battery is about to run out. Still to come is Rainbow Beach to Bundaberg including Fraser Island - photo selection may be a struggle!

Bye for now!

Quick update:

Hello again! I'm back from an amazng few days on Fraser Island. Just sitting having a late lunch and about to head off on a walk/camp in the Burrum Coast National Park. Hopefully I'll have a chance to upload photos and write some more soon!

NOTE:

Sorry that it's been ages since I last posted. I haven't been able to activiate my internet till today. But I am officially online now. Which means (thank goodness) that there will probably be shorter and maybe more regular posts. The post below was written in a few sittings and doesn't have the last fews days - I will get to them tomorrow or maybe saturday as I'm going to Fraser Island for a a few days. Oh and there will be pictures too! I have many!

By now.

The journey from the Coast of Gold to Sunshine!

Ok here I am again signing in, this time sitting at the dining room table enjoying a beautiful dinner I whipped up, just across from the beach at Mooloolabah. Well almost… my dinner isn’t all that spectacular (vegies, lentils, chilli – the usual but with no canned tuna tonight!), the table takes up pretty much the whole interior of the van (and converts to my bed), but yes I am just across from the beach, tonight staying in a caravan park – I have have a powered site every two to three days to recharge everything ie the battery that runs the fridge and lights, plus when I plugged into 240V (mains power) I can use George’s kettle, microwave and power points to charge camera, phone, laptop etc.

Anyway I’m seeing this might be a fairly big instalment as I feel like I’ve been a thousand places and seen a billion exciting things since I last updated you. Following my couple of days hiking and camping in the Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland, I decided to take part in Harriet’s Uni’s Exploration Society Walk “Yawning up Mt Warning”. It was incredible experience, we caught a bus at midnight (I slept from 8pm till 11pm haha!) to the base of the mountain – just back across the NSW/QLD boarder and started to walk up guided only by our torches. The difficulty of the walk surprised me at first and we had four hours till sunrise, but sure enough the track became steeper and windier, finishing with a 300m rock climb on all fours to reach the peak. Although it was a nice challenge for me, the rest of our group were slightly shocked and many unprepared. For example the girl walking (stumbling) in front of me dropper her glasses and smashed the lenses so her boyfriend had to hold her hand (her other hand carried the enormous torch she’d brought). To add to this she wore stockings and a tshirt-come-dress with converse’s on her feet! As most of you can imagine I became fairly impatient and eventually stormed past her and about 20 others who were struggling through their own difficulties. In the end I made it to the top with about 1.5hours to spare till sunrise, and instantly became freezing cold in the now sweaty singlet I wore. Nevertheless the wait was worth every second and the 80 odd people who chose to walk rather than sleep (or camped on the peak) plus the many many photos I took are evidence! There is a 360 degree view from 4 platforms with the sun rising above the ocean past Tweed Heads, with Byron Bay to the south, and the Gold Coast stretching along the coast further North.

Upon arrive back on the Gold Coast mid morning, I set about doing some jobs for the rest of the day like replacing George’s battery. The ridiculaous state of tiredness from basically an all-nighter trekking up a mountain, didn’t actually set in until the following day – when I had planned to start adventuring further north – but ended up plonking myself in Harriet’s apartment, feeling sorry for myself and trying to fight the onset of a cold.

Moving on, my next adventure was on North Stradbroke Island. I packed a few days supplies, my tent, sleeping bag and camp cooker into my pack and set off on the ferry, leaving George on the mainland. I caught the public bus right to the northern point and had a picnic lunch at main beach. Following a great swim and bodysurf I started my walk along the coast in search of a camp spot. Following a quick camp set up I headed off on a run to get my bearings. As the sun sets just after 6 I keep having this ‘nothing’ time, where I can’t do activities or exercise and I’m not quiet ready for dinner, unfortunately this is lonely time I’ve decided, as everyone else seems to be sitting round a camp fire, having a beer and enjoying the company of their partner or family – everyone is travelling in couples or families!!

Anyway skipping ahead a little quicker, since Straddie I spent a day in Brisbane – a city I don’t really know at all. I basically just drove in till I hit the river, parked George and got on my bike peddling round for about 3 hrs in and out of streets and all along the river. It was a great way to explore the city without the hassel of public transport playing for parking or the slowness of walking. Speaking of walking I;ve been doing it so much – well a lot for a non-walker. Whenever I just want to have a look around a town however I definitely choose to ride or run (I can sense most of you rolling your eyes right now – but you can see so much more faster that way!)

After exploring the Morton Bay region – I drive along the motorways and then always take a turn off at all tourist drives or beach access points. Which means by the time I reach Cairns I hope I’ve swum at over 100 beaches! Back to Morton Bay (the coast outside Brisbane) I spent one night in a carpark on what looked like a beautiful bayside town. I cooked myself up a steak and vegies on the bbq as I watched the sunset, but little did I realise that after dark this carpark was hoon city. Poking my eye out from behind George’s floral curtains I certainly witness a lot that night and didn’t get much sleep from all the revving cars and abusive language as I lay nervously in bed. It didn’t help that when they finally all went home it started bucketing with rain at 3am (a common occurrence most nights actually) and then the street cleaner came past at 5.00! Grrrrr.

Next travelling up the coast further I swung by Caboolture but was clearly there too early in the morning – the town was dead. Oh that’s another thing my body clock is still set on Victoria time which means I seem to wake each morning at sunrise ~ 6am which means I start getting closey-eye (ie tired) at around 9pm.

So it has now been a few days since I started this and I am now in the carpark in Noosa, listening to the chatter and music of at least 8 other campervaners, pretty much all in the twenties and from a European country. I’ve had a great last couple of days – some awesome body surfing at all beaches up the Sunshine Coast. I am in serious surfer jealousy mode right now. I wish I my board! But yes I couldn’t justify fitting it and my bike inside and most of the rest of my of my trip I wont be near surf beaches anyway. So for now I stick to body surfing, to the frustration of a few surfers when I get in their way, whoops!