Steve The Wandering Aussie

Day one: Friday

I woke ten minutes before the alarm, collected a six pack of beer from the fridge and headed out to collect Mike from Brisbane airport. The Air Canada flight was due at 6.30am and I had allowed an hour and a half to get there. Typically, the Highway was blocked with traffic and I was late. Fortunately, Air Canada was also late so I managed to be waiting as he staggered through the immigration gates. It’s a long flight non-stop from Vancouver.

Back to the coast, chatting like school girls, the Friday morning traffic was easy. We stopped at the Golf Course at Palm View to unload gear, drink beer and stretch our legs. Great to be walking instead of sitting.

We headed to Woonum Road to see some of the kids and Lyn then into Maroochydore to see Jakes office. We stopped for beer and a pie at the Banana Bender pub before heading back to the van for a Senior Citizen Afternoon Nap (SCAN)

Dinner was at the Mooloola Valley sports club followed by an early night.

Day Two: Saturday

Morning Coffee, and a sit on the golf course rear deck watching the bird life and hoping for a ‘roo sighting. No luck again.

We spent the afternoon at Woonum for my Grandsons first birthday party. A quiet-ish affair with about 15 babies Noah’s age. Mike, Caleb and I set up the pergola and swags to be sure all was in order. Overall a quiet day.

Day three. Sunday 7th

Finally the kangaroos came to see Mike. A couple of does and the big buck who live on the golf course. It’s really cool on the veranda here feeling like we are living on a private estate in the bush.

Today is the big day Mikes been looking forward to. A game of AFL at the Gabba in Brisbane City.

Fortunately, we left early for the game. Traffic was tight but we for to Brisbane with just over an hour to spare. We parked the Ranger in town and caught a taxi to the Gabba stadium as there is no parking near it. Our seats were easy to find as was the beer concession and food stand. Hot dog and beer. Cool.

The Mighty Brisbane Lions kicked a 52 point lead by half time then the other chaps kicked five goals straight (30 points) which gave us a short panic before the Lions fought back. Man, it was tense!! We yelled and screamed and let ‘em know we were tthere. Final score was a comfortable (114 v 81) 33 point victory for the home team. Happy days for us.

An uneventful return trip and an eight o’clock bed time. I’m sure Mike had the time of his life. ✅ for me and his bucket list.

Day four. Monday 8th Aug

My throat hurts from the yelling. Mike too. That’s a sign of a great game.

We packed the truck then headed to Woonum to mount the roof basket and load our camping stuff. Said goodbye to the family and had big hugs with my grandson, Noah.

We went west over the range and through the Obi Obi valley. A brief look at Kennilworth then headed to Hervey Bay via Gympie and Tin Can Bay. Stayed the night with mate Dave and his partner, Trish. We had dinner out at the local pub before returning to their home for beers and talking til late. A good night.

Day five. Tuesday 9th Aug

We left Dave’s early. Mike and Dave got on like old mates. Dave, I must add here, and I have been friends for nearly 50 years. That’s mighty cool.

From Hervey Bay we went to Bundaberg and a stop at the Bundy Rum factory. (Hey Fish!!)

Some grocery shopping in Bundy then off north. I tried to get a night at Baffle Creek – a remote fishing spot – but no vacancy available for two old men in swags.

Further north to Tannum Sands where we have pitched our camp for the first time. Everything we need, we have. Except firewood. We had to buy some as we’re not allowed to scavenge through the bush (National Park).

Tonight is porterhouse steak in garlic butter and potatoes and eggs. Great camping food. I volunteered Mike to cook. Great work on my part.

We talked about Mikes Uncle Bob who was a soldier until his forced honourable discharge.

Day Six. Wednesday 10th

It took us 25 minutes to strike our camp site and off we set in a generally northward direction. Tannum Sands is a beautiful spot bet there is much to see.

After four hours travel, endless highway, we pulled up at BarraCrab by the Sea. BarraCrab is a tourist caravan park right on the Coral Sea. And I mean Hard Up beside the Coral Sea. We walked out on the rocky shore to more rocks then started looking for sea life in the rock pools.

We had dinner at the local van park restaurant, which was surprisingly good. Mike met a couple who were ex- Australian Air Force (RAAF) and we talked for an hour. Denice and Roger. Brisbane folk. Travelling Queensland after seeing their son in Mount Isa.

Parked next to us are a couple with a racing dune buggy and an eight seater 3500 GMC Denali. About $AU750K at least. Nice to be some. The dune racer is something special to behold.

Bed is calling at just past 8.30 and I’ll write more tomorrow.

Cheers and beers 💕👍

Day Seven. Thursday, Aug 11

We left BarraCrab at sparrow fart. Mike slept in and left me all the hard packing up work (no he didn’t …lies!!). All good. We got our shit in a pile and set off for Dingo Beach in the Whitsunday district.

Rather than heading just north, we took a detour out to Finch Hatten Gorge and up the range to Eungella for a beer an a look over the valley. Straight up the highway then and to our campsite at Hydeaway Bay. I was glad to park and relax. About 700km today

Day eight. Friday August 12

It rained last night and both swags got water in them. Bugger. Wet beds are no fun. We packed early, showered and headed into Airlie Beach which it a straight tourist town. We went to The Lagoon in town. About an acre of fresh water public swimming pool. Mike loved the scenery so we continued around to Shute Harbour for a look at the islands.

We caught up with Daryl, an old friend of mine, who invited us for a test flight in the sea plane he is training on. Daryl flies sea planes on scenic flights around the Whitsunday Islands and out over the Great Barrier Reef. What a gig!!

We did a quick touch-and-go at the airport then followed the (Crocodile laden) Proserpine River out to the ocean so Daryl could practice some water landings. Flying Altitude 700ft. Except for the touch and go moments, of course.

After our final touchdown we bid our new friends farewell and headed north to Bowen where we are booked for two nights to dry our gear and take a load off. Both feeling bruised and tired. Mike is really quiet. I hope I haven’t upset him.

The Brisbane Lions are on TV and winning and it’s just too hard. Must sleep now.

Day Nine. Saturday 13 Aug.

The Lions won by 18 points

Bowen turned on a magnificent day for us. Endless blue sky, about 26 degrees (83F) and two Old Mates just looking around.

We started with a drive up Flagstaff Hill for coffee and a look over the Whitsunday Passage, just drinking in the serenity. What a glorious place this is.

We visited Queens Beach, Greys Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Kings Beach and Rose Bay. And we had a four pub crawl with one beer at each. This leaves us with two more beaches and three more pubs to visit tomorrow. Don’t ya love it when a plan comes together? We visited Bui, who had to work so we missed her, but her Sister, Ma, helped us with our laundry. Bui is home tomorrow.

Most important part of the day: we saw an emu. Mike was enthralled with it. We were driving out on the road where I worked 40 years ago building the coal rail line. We stopped where my house was then. It’s just an overgrown ruin on the side of the road. Beautiful Bougainvilleas growing wild was some joy at least. A quick drive down the rail line then back to town. Dinner was Asian takeout in our room before watching the football. Perfect end to an excellent day. We decided to stay an extra day here. Five days camping takes its toll.

Day Nine. Sunday August 14

We left the motel heading for the lookout by the town water tank but noticed a strange cloud on the water between the mainland and Gloucester Island. Very cool.

We visited Bui, my gracious and graceful Fijian friend. Two hours of talking then out to the Merinda Pub. This was closed last time I was here but now counts as the eighth pub in this town of 10,000 people.

A drive through the dry river bed of the Don River (Queenslands fastest flowing river) and we graced the doors of the Queens Beach Pub to watch the AFL game (Richmond Tigers v Hawthorn). Mike is hooked.

From the Queens Beach to the North Australian pub where our Pub Crawl ended. After two more beers and watching the end of the game. Enough beer for today. We headed ‘very quietly’ back the the Bowen Arrow motel for a home cooked dinner of steak and eggs then watched another Australian football game before sleep. What a great day!

Day 10. Monday 15 August

An early start this morning. Packed our bags, including our clean laundry then packed the truck we had rolled and packed our formerly wet camping gear yesterday so it was Al ready to go. We headed to Flagstaff Hill for their excellent coffee, admired the view one more time then headed north. One more trip through the dry bed of the Don River and out onto the highway. Then the phone rang. We had left our pillows. BOTH pillows – at the motel. A quick U turn and we’re back. Thanked our host, Ed, and headed north. Again.

In Townsville we drove up Castle Hill and admired the magnificent view over Magnetic Island. The clean air and the turquoise waters gleamed back at us. I do love this vista and Mike was gob-smacked with the whole deal. Success for the Poor Boy.

Onward north through endless road works til we decided to turn off to Lucinda. I’ve never been here to Lucinda so it’s new for both of us. A short distance into the detour off the highway we saw a lone and people-less pub. Which meant we had to stop to share the love with some dollars with our new friends Doug and Sue. The pub was founded in 1833 and they have owned it 32 years. Mike loved being there.

Lucinda caravan park ( we need a bathroom and a shower so we stay in these) assigned us spot one. Great. The site is about 25 square yards. Tops. The place is FULL and I should be happy we have a spot to camp.

There is a jetty for the sugar export industry. It is 3.65 MILES long. Tomorrow we are going to ask for a tour. Mike cooked us steak and eggs for dinner. The young neighbor boy (Angus) came over to talk shit and Guinness and travel with these old guys. Again, a great day. (PS. Mike is snoring a storm). G’night 💕😎👍

Day 11. Tuesday 16 August

The bird noise this morning was a cacophony. Loud and brash and delightful.

The sugar mill, meanwhile, made loud noise half the night complete with the Cane Trains blasting their horns as they approached with their carriages of sugar cane. Bastards.

An early start – we are getting good at packing and setting up our camp site – and off to Mission Beach to find a Cassawary for us both.

Only about 150km (90 miles) to Mission Beach. We hung around, traveled the side roads, had a terrible lunch at a pub then searched some more. No Big Birds for us.

We decided to try our luck at Etty Beach some 100km further north. Couldn’t get accommodation so stayed in Innisfail at an amazing park. Our camp was right on the river with fresh grass all around and in the shade of the rainforest. Sounds good til you know it’s the South Johnson River and is filled with salt water crocodiles. Some splashing overnight but no tracks.

Day 12. Wednesday 17 Aug

A slow lazy start. We considered staying another night here but we have booked at Etty Bay so figured we should keep our commitment.

It’s only 54km (37 miles) to Etty beach. We bought a new swag pole ($5) and some groceries. We’re told Etty is a shoe-in to see cassowarys and we are happy to give it a shot.

What an amazing place Etty Bay Beach is. Straight off Gilligans Island. Coconut palms and rainforest to the beach. White sand. Clean water. Not a cloud anywhere. I reckon we’ll stay two nights here. Both ends of the beach have small mountains covered in rainforest leading straight into the water. Magic.

Then the wind started, and got stronger. No stupid birds so we call it quits. As we drive out there is a male cassowary and his chick. On the road. What an experience! It was better when the big guy started pecking and head butting the other guys car.

We’re ecstatic. This is what we wanted. A first for both of us. We returned to our campsite, set up, had a pizza for dinner (yum) and an early night.

Day 13. Thursday 19 August

An early departure from Innisfail and westward to Undara. I have tried to book on line but to no avail but I’m kinda useless at that.

480km (300m) later we are at Undara Volcanic National Park. And can’t get a tour booking for three days. My bad.

We walked up the Kallari volcano caldera as a cancellation prize.

On our way back we saw a Daddy emu walking his three chicks. This was hugely cool and worth the trip.

Life is good

We set up camp and conceded this one as a fun defeat. We had a fire and a guest joined us. Mike cooked pork chops. Excellent 😃

Day 14. Friday 19 August

An early pack up and departure from Undara. Our destination is Charters Towers, about 430km (270ish m) south west of here simply because it’s a cool place. Apart from me needing to sleep for 10 minutes about four hours in. Long drive.

We were lucky to get a hotel room (really lucky!) so we could watch the Brisbane Lions play against the Melbourne Demons. We’ve been looking forward to this all week.

We went up the town hill lookout for a view in all directions across the vast plains. Ruins of the gold mining era and tales of murder and mayhem. Cool place but so far from everything.

Dinner was at Irish Mollies, a pub in town. Chicken breast with Swiss cheese and asparagus and I couldn’t eat it all. Big feed.

Anyway, back to our room in time for the game. Cracked a beer and settled in. Melbourne kicked a goal in the first 15 seconds. And another. And another. By half time the Lions were 60 points down and our hopes dashed. I turned the TV off and went to sleep broken hearted.

Such is football.

Day 15. Sunday 20 August

So nice to sleep in a bed. Don’t need three motel nights this time and I’m ready to move on. At last after two weeks we are now heading south through the inland. Our road is called ‘The Great Inland Way’. 1863km in total. Today, so far, we have done 400km of them. Same yesterday. More to go later.

We saw a dam with at least 200 Brolgas on it. They are large crane-like bird with gray shimmering plumage. I’ve never seen more than two in any one spot.

We had a short rest break at a spot that looked so much like the real Outback. Red sand and rocks and little else. Most of the country is green as we are in our third year of La Niña.

Mike is fascinated with the road trains. Three or four dog trailers long with no slowing down for anything. I haven’t had to get off the road for one yet but the rune is they have right of way and cars move over, slow down or stop. Might has right (of way).

Clermont for Chinese lunch and a couple of beers the. Off on the Huntley Road towards Dysart.

We saw an echidna. As we were driving, there he was crossing the road, minding his own business. A quick U turn and Mike got a couple of shots. I saw two echidna about a year ago. Before that maybe I was 14 last time I saw one in the wild.

I have a cunning plan 😈

We have parked up under ‘the Lords Table’ a mesa between these two towns. (Dysart and Clermont) There’s a camping area, which we took, and set out our swags and stuff and are looking for ‘big sky’ tonight. No clouds, no ambient light. No campfire. Tonight the Milky Way is ours.

It’s 6:20. The kookaburras are calling as they finish the day. Crickets are chirping and the sky is darkening slowly. We each had a little ‘Grandpa nap’ earlier and are now ready for the evening. I could not be happier than I am now. Here in the Aussie outback with my Old Mate and nature. This moment is the epitome of life being good. I will never forget this evening and night. Maybe one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

Day 16. Sunday August 21

Arrived in Dysart. Only 40 minutes from where we camped. Jenny made us a wonderful breakfast as we sat talking. Suddenly is 3 o’clock and we’re still talking rubbish. Jenny has located a couple ‘most probable’ sites to see a Koala.

No koalas for us, sadly. We did see more kangaroos at the golf course. Most of the day was passed talking rubbish and drinking beer. We did see galahs and cockatoos but no larger wild life. Had a fun day with three friends shooting the shit.

Day 17. Monday August 22

We left Terry and Jenny about 8am on our way to Carnarvon Gorge. About 600km. We stopped at a creek I know to show Mike dinosaur footprints, then on to the next dry creek bed where there are corals from a reef millions of years ago when this part of Australia was an inland sea. I’m really pleased to show these two rarities in the Outback which very few people knows about.

Driving down the dirt road – everyone needs 50 miles of dirt road in the early morning – toward the next town we saw two bustards (or plain turkeys) and two camels in a cow paddock.

True to form we stopped for beer in Springsure and in Rolleston. The towns are 120 miles apart so no judgment. Thanks.

After a seven hour drive we arrived at Carnarvon Gorge. This is the most magnificent National Park I’ve ever been to and Mike is gob smacked with it. Ancient cliff faces, cycad palms which are so old they were dinosaur food. The kangaroos came up near to us, just six or seven from Mike in his chair.

At around six, after the kookaburras had put the other birds to bed, there came a tremendous screeching like a thousand rosellas. We looked up and saw the bat’s coming in. Thousands upon thousands of bats. They fly in from the surrounding gorge flying in a tornado of bats. They probably took a half hour to roost, screaming the whole time.

Our neighbors car had a flat battery. A panel of experts had been assisting him for the past 14 hours. We loaned them our AGM battery to access the car (a fine piece of British engineering) then a jump start and he’s good to go. So instead of taking it for a decent run he lets it idle beside us for an hour. Successfully keeping us past our usual bedtime. Fun to watch, just the same.

Day 18. Tuesday August 23

The bats left their roost just before dawn and screeched their way off to their feed grounds. I guess we will see them again tonight.

The Land Rover started this morning and our neighbor left after goodbye’s. Mike and I went up the nearby hill to the best point (that I know of) to view this spectacular gorge. It’s millions of years old, isolated from any similar by hundreds of miles and is humbling in its expanse. We explored down to a walking track, keeping as quiet as we could, in search of Platypus but no luck. Finally we went to the visitor center to read what we could about this area.

No shortage of wallabies here. They’re just everywhere here. Mike love watching them.

We have new neighbors tonight – Wendy and Glenn – and we spent a lazy hour talking cars and travel. They’re from Victoria and drive the same model car as us. The bats were not as noisy or prolific tonight. I think they knew what the night was going to bring. (Ominous music plays).

Day 19. Wednesday 24 Aug

It was 4 degrees overnight (39f) and a little brisk in our swags. Huge wind gusts had come in as we went to bed and destroyed our collapsible pergola/tent. We ignored it til this morning when we managed to fold it and bin it prior to departure. I owe George a new one.

We left just after seven, heading 40km (25miles) out of the park (we saw a Wedge Tailed Eagle)then south through Injune (coffee), down further to Roma to see the Bottle or Boab Trees that the town is famous for.

Then East on the way home to the Sunshine Coast. Wow it’s a long drive. By two o’clock we had driven 7 hour days. Four more hours to home. Looking forward to seeing my family. Lyn is working presenting her first Dancing with Wisdom course to 10 paying customers. The start of her reinventing her career. So proud of her.

We parked up at Dalby, booked into a motel, grabbed a bite then a small SCAN.

Dinner at the local Rugby League Club then an early night.

Day 20. Thursday 25 Aug

Thankful of the motel room. It was 3 degrees outside overnight and we didn’t have the right equipment for that. Could have been in a world of frozen pain.

Coffee and an early departure saw us on the road across the plains before hitting the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range near Toowoomba. We turned off the Highway to take the scenic trip through Esk and Kilcoy. Green and lush.

Home!!

So good to see the Family. Noah had big, big hugs for me. He missed his Grandie.

Lyn is facilitating a course she has written. Dances with Wisdom. That leaves us pretty much to our own devices for the weekend.

Day 21. Friday Aug 25

I forget. I forgot to write and now it’s gone. We did have shitty chicken burgers at the Maroochydore Hotel but I forget what else we did.

Day 22. Saturday Aug 26

Lyns away doing her thing. We headed out to Opal World to have a look at their collection of gems and stones. I bought some for grandson Ty and Mike bought some gold and a pair of earrings. North up Mount Ninderry to see a couple of houses I built long ago followed by a quick glance at the 40 acres Lyn and I tried to buy last year. (FAR too much government regulation).

Then we set off to Terella, a local brewery for a couple of refreshing ales. For a change. And then we called in to see Cameron who had just finished a joint and was silly as a wheel. Mike and Cameron exchanged shirts – Magpies for Kraken while we talked rubbish. We called into Woonum to talk to the kids for a couple of hours then headed back to Big Col’s house via RayJays where we collected fish and chips for dinner.

Day 23. Sunday August 28

Up early and off to Maryborough to meet Sally Henderson. Mike has been reading Sally’s books-Silent Footsteps and Ivory Moon – as his homework for the trip. We spent two delightful hours with her. She really is the most wonderful person. Her late husband,Jeramy was my friend years ago.she signed Mikes copies of her books. I had planned to come back via the beach bud had managed to read the tides wrong so we missed out.

It was a long trip back. Two hours driving each way and I needed a SCAN kinda badly.

Lyn got home from her shin-dig. She’s bubbling with joy. It worked well and needs only a little tweaking. So happy for her.

Big Col fell off his wheelie walker but seems to be minimal damage. Just blood and band-aids.

Down to Ten Toes for T Shirts for Brad and Steve then out for dinner with Big Col and Lyn. Chinese food it is.

Day 24. Monday 29 August

Crossed the beautiful Maroochy River to wash the truck (I washed, Mike supervised) then over the river again to Zaraffas for Mochas and a bag of African Masai coffee beans for Mike to take home.

Mochas in hand we headed into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, looking for an area suitable for the ‘retreat’ Lyn wants to own and run. Sounds like buying a job to me but it’s what she wants so…….

We took a little detour down to the Baroom Pocket dam which is our water supply reservoir. It’s full to the brim. The surrounding rain forest is lush and full and there are flowers in full bloom everywhere. An early spring and lots of water. Everything grows here.

Palmwoods Pub for a beer and food then off to Woonum to put beer in the fridge and move a chest of drawers over to Kirsten’s house. She asked us to do it last week and the dementia twins forgot. Heavy bastard thing. We got it into the ute and delivered it then went to buy Bugs and Prawns (shrimp) for dinner. We saw a blue tongue lizard on the road as we left so we stopped and shoo’ed it out of harms way. Cool. Really cool.

Best part of the day: whole family met at the park in Buderim. Kids played, Jazz protected Pop, Katie announced her pregnancy and I presented Ty with the rocks Mike and I had collected for him. He’s a happy wee chappy. Success, she is mine.

Dinner with Big Col and Lyn then the three of us just talking in the sun room.

Life is good.

Day 25. Tuesday August 30

Lyn has been talking about her retreat. Again. Mike and I volunteered to scout out Ridgewood and surrounding areas for a likely site for us to build her centre. We went through Gold Creek Road to Eerwah Vale to Black Mountain district, west of Pomona. Some nice sites but not ringing my bell at all so we headed east to Cooroybah for a look closer to the water. Cruising about we found an established ‘eco-park’ which may work for Lyns training courses. I’ll bring her back here sometime to check it out.

Task complete, we headed to the Apollonian hotel where we met with Greg Dinsey. Greg once owned the beach house we had use of for 18 years and he owned Cooroy mountain. Times change. A couple of beers with Greg then south towards home. We had a quick stop for Mexican lunch then back to Buderim for a SCAN.

Georgie was caught in traffic so we had to wait at Woonum for an hour to say goodbyes. Fortunately the beer was cold and plentiful.

We got back just as Lyn was finishing work – 8pm – another 12 hour day. Big Col sat up talking with us til late. Last night in Oz drinks with Mike. Kinda emotional but also very cool. We’ve had the best time.

Day 26. Wednesday Aug 31

Up at five AM, washed and ready for a 5.30 departure to Brisbane Airport. Traffic was mostly OK with only a few clowns behaving badly. After nearly four weeks together, laughing and drinking beer, it was a little difficult to say goodbye. We made it quick and Mike walked through the sliding doors without looking back.

And so it ends. The trip of a lifetime for lifetime friends.

We saw Mikes Old Man cassowary with his chick on the road just around the next corner.

**************

They thought we were having fun, goofing off and drinking beer (all of which may be true)

Really, we were out making lifetime memories.

We did 6530 km (4057 miles)

108 traveling hours