- Bundy & Hervey Bay -

Our initial plan was to stop in at Bundaberg and see if we could pick up a few weeks work before heading down to Brisbane. We spent three days combing the newspapers, Internet and dropping our name into Harvest recruitment agencies. However it seemed we’d arrive at the end of the main Harvest and the beginning of the town’s quiet season. So the only thing we could do was jump back on the tourist trail and visit the Bundy Rum Distillery!






For $25 ea we took an hour tour of the Distillery, learning the processes and stages of creating Australia most loved Spirit. It was amazing… the tour was really well constructed with showing us the brewing process, the use of molasses, the HUGE American white oak vats, the bottling and finally the best part by far… the Tasting!!






Unfortunately for us, we were unable to bring cameras onto the tour… as they were eliminating the risks of a spark igniting the rum vapours and causing a massive fire. Which did happen once back 1907 putting rum production on hold for 4 years, could you imagine if that happened in today’s day and age? The country would be in uproar, considering Australia consumes 96% of the products, allowing only 4% to be exported. Talk about being Patriotic!!

Our next stop was the Bundaberg Barrel, home of Bundaberg Ginger Beer. This was also and interesting tour showing the process of making the famous brew. We also got the chance to taste a variety of different drinks at the end, including ones we hadn’t come across in the west.

(The Barrel, @ the Ginger Beer Factory.)

The following day we left Bundy, visiting the unusual and unidentified craters on our way out to Gin Gin. We then called in at Woodgate Beach and found a little park to have lunch… and it was filled with relaxing kangaroos! After plenty of photo’s and a stroll along the beach we pushed onto to Hervey Bay. Here was our second choice to stop and look for some work.

After a few days of searching, Bren got a job working for a 4WD Hire Company. However the conditions and hours were unfavourable so he decided it wasn’t for him and we began to plan our trip out to Fraser Island.

Big thank you to Herko & Wendie for letting us stay with you while we got ready for Fraser Island. It was so good to catch up with you both, remember there is always a place for you should you decide to come over to the West.

(The Unusual Craters on the way out to Gin Gin...What's your theory?...)

(Beautiful Woodgate beach... great spot for lunch!)

- Coastal Drive Continues... -

After a rainy night at Paronella Park we headed back towards to the coast for a morning rainforest walk before exploring Mission Beach. Our morning highlight was stumbling across our first wild sighting of a Cassowary! It was so exciting! However couldn’t get the best photo as the bird was closely guarding a young chick!







Mission Beach was a lovely place with weekend markets, beautiful beaches and islands scattering the horizon. We continued on through Tully and explored the coastal towns near Hinchinbrook Island before taking advantage of the FREE council camping at Balgal Beach for the night.

(Bren up in the "Golden Gumboot", Tully. Known for its sugarcane and high rainfall.)

(Belgal Beach, Perfect place to end the day with a cold beer.)

The following morning we headed off up into Paluma Range National Park. The drive was very steep and the car was struggling as we wound our way up Mount Spec. Half way up we stopped off at Little Crystal Creek, a beautiful spot complete with a photogenic stone arch bridge over the gorge. We pushed further up into the mountain to reach the Paluma Township with an excellent lookout spanning out the coast, on a clear day you can make out Hinchinbrook and surrounding Islands. After a quick drive out to the lake we mad our way back down the mountain and onto Townsville.

(Little Crystal Creek bridge on the Paluma Mountain Drive.)

(Castle Hill Lookout, Townsville. View over to Magnetic Island)

We spent 2 days in Townsville visiting Bessie & Shannon, (Thanks for letting us stay guys) and continued on to Airlie Beach, choosing to stay out at Conway’s Beach.

(There were MILLIONS of these Soldier Crabs, Conways Beach.)

Apart from being the gate way the Whitsunday Islands the area didn’t have much to offer the “Budget Traveller” so we continued on down the coast exploring over the next few days the towns of Beautiful Mackay, Rockhampton, the mining export town of Gladstone, unique Agnes Waters and 1770. We finally decided to stop for a while in the Cane growing, Rum making, and ginger beer town of Bunderberg.

(The BIG MANGO in Bowen,

apparently the Council spent $20,000 to boost tourism for the area)

(Enjoying the northern beaches of Mackay)

(Beautiful Inlet at the historic town of 1770)

- Mossman to Paronella Park -

On Thursday night we joined Col, Vanetta, Chook & Eddie at the Bowls Club for a lovely farewell dinner and drinks. It was lovely to have spent some time with you all and a big thank you opening up your homes for us, it is very much appreciated!

So we set off the next morning, beginning our adventure south past Cairns and back into the unknown. We decided on the coastal drive, also dubbed “The Great Green Way” down to Townsville. It was beautiful country, with high rain forest mountains, rolling cane fields, hidden waterfalls and untouched beaches.

(The Boulders just south of Cairns.)

After exploring in amongst Innisfail we headed slightly inland to a place called Mena Creek also home to the famous Paronella Park.

Paronella Park is a wonderful unique place, built in the 1930’s by Spanish man, José Paronella. Who’s dream was to build a beautiful garden and reception centre for the enjoyment of the public. We decided to stay and take the opportunity to explore both during the day and taking the night tour.

He certainly left nothing for the imagination! He built by hand a castle, yes a CASTLE! This once housed a museum complete with Ballroom/theatre off to the side. From the castle, The Grand Staircase guides you down to a picnic area at the waters edge, looking out to the beautiful Mena Creek Falls! In the lower garden another smaller castle was built for refreshment tearooms complete with two tennis courts, water fountain and view of the waterfall! However José didn’t stop here! He planted over 7000 plants on the property including magnificent Kauri Trees, lining Kari Avenue. Water features, tunnels, bridges were all constructed presenting the property as a marvellous secret garden waiting to be explored!

It was certainly well worth it and the night tour certainly added another dimension to the dreamy atmosphere with the water fountains and castle lit up, it was truly magical!

(The Kauri Avenue... just as spectacular at night!)

(The Tearooms in the lower gardens)


(Mena Creek Falls were beautifully lit up.)

(The Tearooms and water fountain in all its glory on the night tour.)

- Snorkelling @ The Great Barrier Reef -

(Map from Aristocat, our destination, the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs)

Yesterday we headed out on a Snorkelling trip to the Great Barrier Reef! It was the best weather we could ask for as the last few weeks have been rather overcast and patchy with rain. I also took the opportunity to hire a digital camera, wanting to capture more than a standard disposable underwater camera. So we were set for a day of adventure!! The sun was shining, the water was flat and calm, what more could we ask for?

In Port Douglas at 9am we bored the vessel “Aristocat” and begun the 1 ½ hour journey out to the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The trip out was amazing! The mountains of the Daintree lined the horizon and we enjoyed soaking up the sun on the front deck, watching the water roll past.

(Looking back at the Daintree coast.)

The day consisted of three separate snorkel sites, with about 45 minutes or more spent at each site. The water was reasonably warm and we set off exploring the amazing corals and colours of the reef. I was surprised not to see many large fish; however the fish we did see were certainly colourful and interesting to look at. Our favourite site would have to be the second spot, where after lunch we jumped in and had more time to explore. We came across 2 large fish with big lips and wonderful black & white markings, they were territorial and this made them easy to find again and again!

(One of the largest fish we saw while out on the reef.)

The third spot was also special with a large number of the corals being of the Plate variety. They tend to fan out like plates in different levels and colours providing some interesting photos! And the small fish seemed to be in larger schools here!! Amazing to look at, however extremely difficult to capture on camera!

(Plate coral)

By the end of the 3rd dive we were exhausted and just realising how burnt we had become from lying face first in the water all day! It was a fantastic day out on the water however a smaller group would’ve been more ideal. Next time I think I’ll head out for a dive or two or three!

(Clam shell)

(Brendon, off exploring the reef.)

(Large boulder coral were amazing!)

(The back of the boat was easy to get in & out of the water.)

- CAPE YORK, Part 3 -

(A section of the OTT)

The following morning we packed up and hit the road heading back south via the Jardine River Ferry. 30km or so past the Ferry we followed a track that links up to the Old Telegraph Track, as we wanted to save back tracking to reach the Elliot Falls for a swim! Just getting there was a little adventure, navigating our way around large pools of water and huge ruts gouged out by countless 4wdrivers throughout the tourist season. It was fun and gave us a little taste of the challenges of choosing to reach the cape via the OTT. Eventually we arrived at Elliot Falls and to our surprise had it all to ourselves!! It was beautiful, rushing water cascading over the rocks. Around the corner from the falls we found Twin Falls which was more ideal for swimming & exploring!

(Elliot Falls)

(Beautiful Twin Falls...)






Another 7km south, we found Fruit Bat Falls, formed by rocks stretching the width of a small river. The water was very cold, however we couldn’t pass a swim under the falls, and it was such an awesome spot!


(Fruit Bat Falls)

Our destination for today was to make it out to Captain Billy Landing, location on the Eastern side of the cape, via a 30km track off the main road. We were excited about visiting Captain Billy landing as we’d seen some impressive photo’s and decided on the spot that we wanted to check it out, although we had heard reports it can be really windy!! The turn off sign also noted that there would be Speed humps for the entire 30km’s!! Great!! It’s going to be a slow bumpy ride!! After about 10km’s down the track the corrugations were bloody shocking and then….

CLUNK!!!

We’d lost all our steering!! We both jumped out of the car to find out what the problem was… and there it was; the idler arm on the left hand side had snapped clean at the joint. So there was no support or pivot point for the steering rods!! BLOODY HELL, here we were with no steering, obviously no spare parts for this kind of break down and the closest roadhouse was about 80km’s away! We slowly turned the car around and we fastened the steering rod up to the chassis to help support it as we slowly drove the car back the way we had come to the main road. Our plan was to get back to the main road, have some lunch and flag down a passing traveller for some advice and some spare wire.

We were lucky enough to have someone call past just as we had finished lunch and surprisingly it was another Toyota 4runner! The kind traveller had some spare fencing wire and we rigged it up underneath to hold the Idler Arm in place! So the next gruelling stage began, crawling and nursing the car 70kms south to Bramwell Junction Roadhouse. It was slow going, and every 10kms we stopped to check we weren’t doing any damage and that our rough bush mechanics wasn’t wearing and tearing! Eventually we arrived at Bramwell, set up camp for the night, had hot showers and bought a few Bourbons to sit and contemplate what our next move would be.

The bush mechanics fastening was holding well and instead of sitting and waiting for a tow truck and paying a hefty towing fee, we measured up that we could still drive the car. Nor did we didn’t have a time issue, so the next morning we headed off towards Weipa, the nearest place to get the car fixed, which was 180km’s away!! A risk we knew, however being school holidays we knew if we needed assistance, it wouldn’t be too far away. So we hit the bumpy road at 7am wanting to make reasonable time into Weipa. The drive was fairly slow and uneventful, still stopping every so often to check that everything was holding well under the car. The corrugations were a lot trickier to navigate and sometimes we had to drive on the shoulder of the road just to smooth out the ride. Finally around 11am we made it into Weipa!! Thank Goodness! We took the car straight to the mechanic and they begun the search for relevant parts while we booked into accommodation. We soon learnt that the only part available would have to be flown in from Cairns, and being so remote the plane came in to town once a week!! We were in for the long haul and thankfully had booked a room with an aircon, it was going to be a long wait!

By the end of the week the car was fixed, the wallet a whole lot lighter and we were back on the road!!! It was certainly a long week, but we managed and put it down to part of the adventure of travelling up the Cape York Peninsula, and we chose the easier way!

(Brendon happy to be back on the road!)

(Weipa Bridge)

(Taken at Musgrave Roadhouse on the way back)


By now we didn’t feel like doing much more exploring so we kept to the road heading south. Just outside Laura, we stopped off to check out the Aboriginal Art at the Split Rock Art site. It was pretty interesting with an awesome view and provided a nice break from the road. From here the bitumen began and we made good time back to our friends place in Mossman.

Back safe and sound, we had a wonderful 3 weeks away. The journey “Up the Cape” reached all expectations and provided us with countless memories and adventure! It was unbelievable and we would definitely consider doing it again! Perhaps with a group of mates and a boat next time!