Australia Working Holiday MAY 2014 - May 2015
STRAYA
AustraliA WORKING HOLIDAY MAY 2014 - MAY 2015
Table of Contents New South Wales 13 Sydney 19 Blue Mountains 22 Sydney Harbour National Park 24 Vivid Sydney 2014
Queensland 37 Brisbane 42 XXXX Brewery 46 Queensland Modern Art Gallery 53 Fraser Island 59 Lake McKenzie
61 Indian Head 63 Champagne Pools 65 SS Maheno 67 Eli Creek 69 Lake Wabby Bundaberg 70 Bundaberg Rum Distillery Rockhampton 78 Rockhampton YHA Hostel 81 Great Western Hotel Bull Riding 83 Archer Park Station & Steam Tram Museum 85 Bull Statues 89 Work at Aussie River Turf
92 Work at Helena Cleaning Services Brisbane 98 Brisbane Festival 2014 102 Getting my Ford Falcon Forte Wagon Bundaberg 107 Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Rockhampton 109 Ascot Stonegrill Restaurant Wycarbah 112 Mt Hay Gemstone Gemstone Tourist Park
Anakie 115 Fascination Self-Drive Tag Along Tour
Alpha 149 Searching for Petrified Wood
Winton 121 Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum
Rubyvale 151 Little House of Gems Fossicking DIY Tour
Opalton 127 Noodling for Opal 130 Lark Quarry Dinosaur Stampede
Eungella 155 Eungella National Park
Winton 132 Arno's Wall Richmond 138 Kronosaurus Korner 141 Fossil Hunting Sites Hughenden 144 Flinders Discovery Centre 146 Porcupine Gorge
163 The Whitsundays 164 Boat Cruise New Horizon Townsville 171 Troy Emery Into the Wild Exhibition 175 Magnetic Island 181 Forts Walk Ingham 185 Wallaman Falls
Etty Bay 190 Etty Bay Beach Bartle Frere 193 Josephine Falls Millaa Millaa 195 Ellinjaa Falls 197 Zillie Falls 199 Millaa Millaa Falls Babinda 201 Babinda Boulders 205 Cairns 208 Boat Cruise Ocean Freedom Mareeba 225 Coffee Works Tolga 227 Rainforest Gems
Atherton 229 The Crystal Caves
Katherine 253 Nitmiluk National Park
Yungaburra 233 Curtain Fig Tree National Park
Batchelor 257 Litchfield National Park
Mount Suprise 237 Undara Volcanic National Park
265 Darwin 267 Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Georgetown 239 Agate Creek Gemfields
Jabiru 272 Kakadu National Park
Northern Territory Mataranka 250 Elsey National Park
299 West MacDonnell National Park 304 Kings Canyon Yulara 312 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
South Australia
Katherine 285 Katherine Hot Springs
Coober Pedy 332 The Breakaways 334 Tom's Working Opal Mine
Tennant Creek 288 Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles
Port Augusta 341 Flinders Ranges National Park
295 Alice Springs 297 Ewaninga Rock Carvings
347 Adelaide 353 South Australian Museum
357 Christmas Riverbank Display 359 Art Gallery of South Australia 363 Adelaide's Elder Park New Year's Eve 2014 367 369 373 374 376
Kangaroo Island Seal Bay Hanson Bay Remarkable Rocks Admirals Arch
Mt Gambier 381 Blue Lake 383 Umpherston Sinkhole
Port Campbell 401 The Great Ocean Road Geelong 416 Baywalk Bollard Trail Longford 424 Tomato Picking Job Emerald 428 Emerald Backpackers Hostel Gembrook 434 Work at Glenara Nursery Alexandra 445 Doof
Victoria Halls Gap 390 Grampians National Park
451 Melbourne 459 Graffiti Street Art
Tasmania Queenstown 485 Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park 493 Hobart 495 Mt Wellington Port Arthur 499 Tasman National Park Swansea 504 Freycinet National Park Binalong Bay 507 Bay of Fires Scottsdale 512 Mt William National Park
Australian Capital Territory 523 526 532 535 540
Canberra Australian War Memorial House of Parliment Royal Australian Mint National Gallery of Australia
New South Wales Sydney 559 Bondi Beach 564 Vivid Sydney 2015 573 World Press Photo 15 Exhibition
Darwin
Kakadu NP Jabiru
Litchfield NP Nitmiluk NP
Katherine Mataranka Cape Tribulation
Cairns
Millaa Millaa Innisfail Normanton Mt Surprise Undara Volcanic NP Georgetown Magnetic Island Townsville
Tennant Creek
NT
Mt Isa
Porcupine Gorge NP
Cloncurry
Richmond
Airlie Beach
Hughenden
Whitsunday Islands NP Mackay
Eungella NP
Winton Sapphire Gemfields
Boulia West Macdonnell NP
WA
Watarrka NP
Alice Springs
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
Opalton
Rockhampton
Emerald
Alpha
Agnes Water
QLD
Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP Yulara
Bundaberg
Fraser Island
Rainbow Beach
Noosa
Brisbane
Surfers Paradise
Coober Pedy
Byron Bay
SA
Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie Flinders Ranges NP
Newcastle
NSW
Port Augusta
Blue Mountains
Adelaide
Canberra
Hahndorf
ACT
Kangaroo Island
AIRPLANE TOUR GREYHOUND BUS FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Grampians NP Mt Gambier
VIC Melbourne
Warrnambool Port Campbell NP
Geelong
Emerald
Great Otway NP
Golden Beach
BOAT HYUNDAI I20 RENTAL CAR
Sydney
Cradle MountainLake St Clair NP
Devonport Mount William NP Launceston Ben Lomond NP
TAS Hobart Freycinet NP
Tasman NP
Businesscards I made to hand out at home and in Australia
8
Trying out my backpack in Alblasserdam
The group of Australian Backpackers with which I'll travel to Australia with
Departing from home, which I wouldn't be seeing anymore for a year, with all the possesions I'll take with me in two bags
Me with my family at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
9
Fackin' Cockroaches
THE PREMIER STATE
h t u o S New Wales CAPITAL CITY
SYDNEY
AREA
809,444 KM²
POPULATION
7,500,600(2014)
Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie
NSW
Blue Mountains
AIRPLANE TOUR GREYHOUND BUS
Newcastle
Sydney
y e n d y S Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the most populous city
POPULATION
in Australia with the biggest natural harbour in the world, Port Jackson.
2,238,394(2013)
The city was found in 1788 by British settlers as a penal colony, though before that the area was inhabited by Aboriginals for at least 30.000 years. Well known attractions include the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and, just outside the city, the Blue Mountains.
DATE(S) VISITED
29-05-2014 till 01-06-2014 & 25-05-2015 till 28-05-2015
Arriving in Australia, view of Sydney from inside the airplane
Sydney skyline
14
Stamp in my passport on arrival at Sydney Airport
Sydney Opera House
Manly beach
Guy with bare foot and a surfboard in the bus
Surfer at Manly beach
15
Manly Bunkhouse, the hostel I stayed in the first week in Australia
Dinner with the group in Darling Harbour
16
"Goon", the cheapest alcohol in a bag inside a box
The Australian white ibis walking around in the park
Greyhound Australia bus, I bought an "Hop On Hop Off" ticket from Sydney to Cairns (QLD)
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park
17
Goon, t u b g n i t s u g s i d ! h e , s a cheap
SYDNEY
BLUE MOUNTAINS 31 MAY 2014 Lincoln's Rock
Pulpit Rock Lookout
19
Pulpit Rock Lookout
Three Sisters
20
Three Sisters
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
Wentworth Falls
21
SYDNEY
SYDNEY HARBOUR NATIONAL PARK
North Head
01 JUNE 2014
North Head
22
View of Sydney from the Fairfax Lookout
North Head
North Head
23
SYDNEY
VIVID SYDNEY 2014 30 MAY - 01 JUNE 2014 Intrude
Cellular Tessellation
24
Gamma World
Gamma World
#VividSydney
Lighting The Sails, a projection on the Opera House
25
Lighting The Sails
Play Me
26
Urban Tree Project
Play Me
My first week in Australia was all arranged and I was with a group of people. But then the end of that week would come and we had to go our own way! Panic was setting in, travelling alone was not imaginable so I teamed up with Anita and booked an Hop On Hop Off Greyhound bus ticket from Sydney to Cairns.
27
Wild pelicans in Port Macquarie
Beach in Newcastle
28
Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie
Falling palm fronds sign underneath a palm tree in Coffs Harbour
Blue-faced honeyeater in the Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour as seen from Muttonbird Island
29
My first Bundaberg Ginger Beer I got in Byron Bay and I loved it!
The most easterly point of the Australian mainland with fltr Anita, Lianne, Vera, Me (NL), Fabienne and Evgenia (CH) in Byron Bay
30
Sea full of surfers in Byron Bay
Byron Bay Lighthouse
Beach in Surfers Paradise (QLD)
Bench in the shape of surfboards in Surfers Paradise (QLD)
Bought an aboriginal t-shirt in Surfers Paradise (QLD)
31
32
The beach in Surfers Paradise (QLD)
33
Fackin' banana benders
THE SUNSHINE STATE
d n a l s Queen CAPITAL CITY
BRISBANE
AREA
1,852,642 KM²
POPULATION
4,750,500(2014)
Cape Tribulation
Cairns
Millaa Millaa Innisfail Normanton Mt Surprise Undara Volcanic NP Georgetown Magnetic Island Townsville
Mt Isa
Cloncurry
Porcupine Gorge NP
Richmond
Airlie Beach
Hughenden
Whitsunday Islands NP Mackay
Eungella NP
Winton Boulia
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
AIRPLANE
Opalton
Sapphire Gemfields Alpha
QLD
Emerald
Rockhampton Agnes Water Bundaberg Rainbow Beach
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Noosa
Brisbane
TOUR GREYHOUND BUS
Fraser Island
Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
e n a b s i Br Brisbane is the state capital of Queensland and Australia's third most
POPULATION
populated city. It started out as a penal colony for secondary offenders
2,274,600(2014)
of the Sydney penal colony in 1824. Attractions include the Wheel of Brisbane, the XXXX Brewery, the Roma Street Parkland, the South Bank Park Lands and Mt Coot-tha.
DATE(S) VISITED
11-06-2014 till 21-06-2014
City Hopper, free ferry in the centre of Brisbane
Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane
38
Little church in the centre of Brisbane which looks weird between all the high buildings
City Roos by Christopher Trotter
City Botanic Gardens
Sushi at Hanabishi Sushi Train at The Barracks with fltr Evelien (NL), Me, Evgenia (CH) and Fabienne (CH)
City Roos by Christopher Trotter
39
Highways running over the river in the centre of Brisbane
The Wheel of Brisbane
40
World Championship Soccer 2014, Australia vs The Netherlands, in the La Dolce Vita Restaurant
The Netherlands won
onship Soccer 2014
Champi from Australia, World
Down Under Bar, most popular backpacker bar in Brisbane
View of Brisbane from Mt Coot-tha
41
BRISBANE
XXXX BREWERY 16 JUNE 2014 The XXXX Brewery building
Back entrance to the XXXX Brewery
42
Collection of old bottles and labels of XXXX
The mascot of XXXX
Ingredients of the XXXX Beer
43
Old XXXX barrel
XXXX Gold
44
Old XXXX barrel
XXXX Bitter
XXXX Summer Bright Lager
Me with the XXXX logo
XXXX Ale House
Me with King Wally Lewis, a famous Australian rugby league player which appears in XXXX advertisements
45
BRISBANE
QUEENSLAND MODERN ART GALLERY 17 JUNE 2014
Painting by Karel Appel
46
Painting by Kayleigh Templeton called 'Souls'
Painting by Jasmine Whybird called 'xCrossing Over'
ni
Guitar by Rudi Mantofa
Tea bags by Madison McNaughton
47
Aboriginal memorial pole
48
Aboriginal memorial poles
Aboriginal dot painting
Aboriginal dot painting
Aboriginal dot painting
49
Coastal walk in Noosa
Pandanus tree in Noosa
50
A common house gecko in the Dolphins Beach House hostel in Noosa
Rainbow Beach
Traffic sign on the beach in Rainbow Beach
Panorama at the beach in Rainbow Beach
51
Cape Tribulation
Cairns
Millaa Millaa Innisfail Normanton Mt Surprise Undara Volcanic NP Georgetown Magnetic Island Townsville
Mt Isa
Cloncurry
Porcupine Gorge NP
Richmond
Airlie Beach
Hughenden
Whitsunday Islands NP Mackay
Eungella NP
Winton Boulia
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
AIRPLANE
Opalton
Sapphire Gemfields Alpha
QLD
Emerald
Rockhampton Agnes Water Bundaberg Rainbow Beach
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Noosa
Brisbane
TOUR GREYHOUND BUS
Fraser Island
Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
d n a l s I Fraser Fraser Island, or K'gari in Aboriginal, is an UNESCO listed island on
POPULATION
the coast of Queensland and is the largest sand island in the world
194(2011)
with a size of 120x24 km or 1840 km2. Known for the presence of dingo's (wild dogs), the island can be accessed by ferry from Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay but also by small plane which lands on the beach. Attractions on the island include Lake McKenzie, Indian Head, Eli Creek, the Champagne Pools and the SS Maheno shipwreck.
SIZE
1,840 KM2 DATE(S) VISITED
26-06-2014 till 28-06-2014
Waiting for the ferry from Rainbow Beach to Fraser Island
Driving on the beach which is a road but also a runway for small airplanes
54
Our car for 3 days, a Toyota Landcruiser, on the ferry to Fraser Island
Taking turns in driving
the car
A wale in the distance
The group I shared my car with and the tour guide Muza (fltr Stefan (CH), Samuel (UK), Amy (UK), Me (NL), Evelien (NL), Tessa U. (NL), Tour guide Muza (AUS), Melanie (DE), Tessa de J. (NL)
Offroad driving
55
A dingo on the beach
56
Our tents at the Badtjala Nation Thoorgine Centre campground
The general area, kitchen, tables and campfire
The campground was fenced to protect against dingoes
Maxibon Caramel ice cream, delicious!
57
At the start we got an esky with groceries which we could use to cook every day
The lads cooking steak and potato wedges
58
Dinner with our group
FRASER ISLAND
LAKE MCKENZIE 26 JUNE 2014
59
The sand is so fine that you can use it to scrub your skin and polish jewellery
60
FRASER ISLAND
INDIAN HEAD 27 JUNE 2014
Indian Head as seen from the Champagne Pools
Indian Head, named by explorer Captain Cook because he saw some Indians (Aboriginals) on top of this rock
61
View from Indian Head downwards
Gathered on Indian
Head
Panorama from on top of Indian Head faced inland
62
FRASER ISLAND
CHAMPAGNE POOLS 27 JUNE 2014
The stairs towards the Champagne Pools
63
These pools were used to catch fish, they would get into the pools with high tide and get trapped with low tide
Waves breaking on the rock and filling up the pools
64
FRASER ISLAND
SS MAHENO 27 JUNE 2014
65
66
FRASER ISLAND
ELI CREEK 27 JUNE 2014
The water is filtered by the sand and is that clean you can drink it straight out of the creek and so I did
Access point into the water, access is not allowed into the water past this point further inlands
67
Eli Creek ends on the beach where it flows into the sea
68
FRASER ISLAND
LAKE WABBY 28 JUNE 2014
69
BUNDABERG
BUNDABERG RUM DISTILLERY 1 JULY 2014
70
Logo next to the entrance
Train bringing in the remains of sugar cane from surrounding sugar mills
Large Bundaberg Rum bottle in front of the distillery
Various Bundaberg Rum packaging
71
Various Bundaberg Rum packaging
Various Bundaberg Rum packaging
72
Bundy R. Bear, the mascot of Bundaberg Rum
From left to right, all Dutch: Me, Evelien, Tessa de J., Tessa U.
eur, a rum with coffee
Bundaberg Royal Liqu
& chocolate flavour
only available at the
distiller y itself
Trying the Bundy rum, as this is how the locals call Bundaberg rum
73
Watch out for kangaroos traffic sign in Agnes Water
Surfing lessons in Agnes Water
Trying to surf in Agnes Water
74
Saleyards in Gracemere, home of the biggest cattle auction in Australia
Mt Morgan Railway Station building I visited when I stayed in Rockhampton
A Dodge Ram, the van of Kite aka Boomer from Western Australia that I met in Rockhampton
A trip to Mt Morgan with Kite when I stayed in Rockhampton
Mt Morgan open pit gold mine flooded with water with in front a grey rock with pyrite aka "fool's gold"
Went to Yeppoon from Rockhampton to drive on the beach with my Colombian colleague Efrain
75
The second wild kangaroo I've seen in Rockhampton, this one has a little "joey"(baby kangaroo) too
Rock formation in the Fitzroy river, these rocks, together with the traditional English word "hampton" for village, makes Rockhampton
76
Some Aussies fishing in the Fitzroy river in Rockhampton
A male cockatiel in Rockhampton which is native to Australia
View of Rockhampton from on top of Mount Archer
Drive thru Bottle-O(bottleshop) in Rockhampton
A male galah aka rose-breasted cockatoo in Rockhampton, endemic to Australia
TimTam, a famous biscuit brand in Australia, had a new taste coming out, Peanut Butter flavour, in Rockhampton
77
ROCKHAMPTON
ROCKHAMPTON YHA HOSTEL JULY 2014 The entrance to the hostel
Area to chill out with a pool in the background and the reception on the right next to the van of the hostel
78
The room I stayed in for a while, my bed was the one on the bottom right
The kitchen with ovens, a luxury in a hostel
Drying my clothes outside
A common house gecko
79
The free food or community shelf, a common occurrence in hostels for people to not trow away food
My Iranian brother in the hostel, Mo!
Lucky, the dog of the hostel
I stayed in room 4 and 5 the most during my stay
80
ROCKHAMPTON
GREAT WESTERN HOTEL BULL RIDING
The arena in which they do bull riding
4 JULY 2014
An adult bull that knocked off his rider
81
Younger bulls and riders, they sit down on the bull and then open the gate by pulling the rope
The Great Western Hotel
82
A young rider on a young bull
ROCKHAMPTON
ARCHER PARK STATION & STEAM TRAM MUSEUM
The beautiful building of the old Archer Park Railway Station
13 JULY 2014
Went for a ride on this rare steam tram
83
Vintage train seats in an old train that now serves as a museum
Interior of an old train with a sink that could be stowed into the wall
84
The operator of the steam tram poking the coals
ROCKHAMPTON
BULL STATUES JULY 2014
Bull #1 Braford - Six bull statues representing the main breeds in the area
Bull #1 Braford
85
Bull #2 Romagnola
Bull #3 Brahman - The bull statues are typically placed at the entrances to Rockhampton
Bull #3 Brahman - "Welcome to Rockhampton" on one side and on the other "Farewell from Rockhampton"
Bull #4 Santa Gertrudis - Rockhampton is also known as "The Beef Capital of Australia"
86
Bull #5 Droughtmaster - This statue is located at the Rockhampton Airport
Bull #6 Brahman
Bull #6 Brahman
87
In Rockhampton I got a job through the hostel I stayed at. The company was called Aussie River Turf where my job was laying down grass in gardens and parks. Due to not enough work being available I stopped working here after about 2 weeks.
88
ROCKHAMPTON
WORK AT AUSSIE RIVER TURF
The truck in which I got picked up by in the morning with in the back wheelbarrows and sometimes pallets with rolls of grass
JULY 2014
Me in front of the truck wearing an high visibility shirt of the company
89
My French backpacker colleague rolling the grass
Finished laying grass at this house
Bernies Pies, a food van that comes by to sell meat pies and sausage rolls amongst other things
A couple of houses in a row where we worked at
90
After Aussie River Turf I got a job through the hostel at Helena Cleaning Services. Before I could start I needed to get a Construction White Card. My job was to keep a new wing of the Rockhampton Hospital clean that was still under construction. The last few weeks I got free accomodation and food too. I worked here for a good month.
91
ROCKHAMPTON
WORK AT HELENA CLEANING SERVICES
The expansion of the Rockhampton Hospital that needed to be cleaned
AUGUST 2014
My Construction White Card, I needed this to be allowed to work on a building site in Australia
92
The Cancer Care Reception
By law I had to wear an helmet, the sticker on it was proof that I passed the induction of the building site
The empty hospital that needed to be cleaned
Steel cap boots I had to wear which I got from the hostel I stayed in
93
We cleaned the roof, the building was the highest in Rockhampton with a great view on Mt Archer
Device we used to polish the roof
94
Ghostbusters! Portab
le backpack vacuum
cleaner I cleaned the
stairs with
The house the company, originally from Brisbane, rented at George Street 84
The BBQ was used quite regularly
Everyone cooked, I made this huge lasagna
My bed
95
On the 4th of September I left all my stuff in the hostel in Rockhampton and flew in just over an hour to Brisbane. There I checked out a Ford Falcon Forte Wagon, dedicated LPG and with 358.130 km on it. I bought the car and drove it back to Rockhampton where I made a bed in it and bought cooking gear.
96
Me in the airplane to Brisbane
Holland Park West bus station where I met Tim to check out his Ford Falcon Forte Wagon in Brisbane
The only luggage I took with me on my flight with Virgin Australia from Rockhampton to Brisbane
The McDonalds close to Brisbane Airport where I spend the first night after I arrived in Brisbane
97
BRISBANE
BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2014 6 SEPTEMBER 2014
98
Brisbane Festival flags hanging all over the city
Pink and purple coloured Wheel of Brisbane during the Brisbane Festival 2014
The pink and purple coloured Wheel of Brisbane and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
99
Do Do Land by GRUPO PUJA!
100
Do Do Land by GRUPO PUJA!
Do Do Land by GRUPO PUJA!
Do Do Land by GRUPO PUJA!
Do Do Land by GRUPO PUJA!
Do Do Land by GRUPO PUJA!
101
BRISBANE
GETTING MY FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Front of the car, photo taken in Holland Park West after the test drive
8 SEPTEMBER 2014
Back of the car, the specific shape of the back of the car and the window make it instantly recognisable
102
Advertisement on Gumtree, I paid $2425.- for it eventually
Advertisement on Gumtree, the car had 358.130 km on it when I picked it up
103
The only key of the car, had to break in a couple of times later on because I left the key inside and locked the door
Falcon Forte emblems, I took these off and send them home at the end of my holiday
The evening of the pickup in front of the McDonalds close to Brisbane Airport
Queensland - Sunshine State number plate, I wasn't allowed to keep them but I did so anyways
104
A Portuguese man o' war aka blue bottle marine stinger at Dicky Beach in Caloundra
The SS Dicky on Dicky Beach, which was named after this boat, in Caloundra
The SS Dicky on Dicky Beach in Caloundra
105
Tanking LPG in Caloundra
Tanking LPG in Caloundra
106
Automatic shift knob in my Ford Falcon Forte Wagon
BUNDABERG
BUNDABERG BREWED DRINKS
The Bundaberg Barrel, one of Australia's Big Things
10 SEPTEMBER 2014
Bundaberg Ginger Beer advertisement on the building
107
One of the interactive panels in the visitor information centre
The Bundaberg Brewed Drinks store
Tasted the whole range of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, all brewed the old (more expensive) way to create the best taste
Bought some brewed drinks and send them home, my sister loved them
108
ROCKHAMPTON
ASCOT HOTEL STONEGRILL RESTAURANT
The Ascot Stonegrill Restaurant with it's owner passionately telling me all about the different steaks
15 SEPTEMBER 2014
Rockhampton is The Beef Capital of Australia and so just before I left I felt obligated to get a steak there
109
In Rockhampton I discovered and followed the Dig The Tropic trail. This is a trail along all sorts of interesting geological attractions taking me, and ending, all the way in the outback, specifically in Boulia.
110
Bought a gas stove at Bunnings in Maryborough
Bought plastic containers for all my stuff
Bought crockery at the Target in Bundaberg and the rest at Big W and K-Mart in Rockhampton
Made a bed in the back of my car in Rockhampton using an air mattress
111
WYCARBAH
MT HAY GEMSTONE TOURIST PARK
All the rubbish taken out of the mine is deposited here where I could go through and search for thunder eggs
16 SEPTEMBER 2014
I had to look for bubble looking rocks, those would be thunder eggs
112
The thunder eggs I found, I was in doubt about the big one
A couple of thunder eggs were cut for free by this guy
A little card I got with a description of what thunder eggs are
The thunder eggs that have been cut, the big one turned out to be a thunder egg and beautiful one too!
113
The Big Easel with a sunflower painting of Van Gogh in Emerald
The Big Sapphire in Anakie, together with the other big things part of Australia's Big Things
114
Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve in Rubyvale
Entrance sign of Sapphire, the signs at the entrances of the towns Anakie, Sapphire and Rubyvale look like this
ANAKIE
FASCINATION SELF-DRIVE TAG ALONG TOUR
Officially a 4WD track but my Ford Falcon made it without problems
18 SEPTEMBER 2014
The Glenalva Fossicking Area, about 20 km from Anakie
115
My digging site was an old riverbed, which is a layer of some bigger stones, that is where the sapphires would be
Hard work with pick and shovel, the tools to use as there are restrictions on what is allowed to be used
A trommel sieve which gets rid of the fine sand and the big stones and deposits everything in between in the bucket
A willoughby in which the remaining rocks get washed and the heavy sapphires drop to the bottom of the sieve
116
Turn the sieve upside down in one smooth move and check if there are any sapphires, do you see the sapphire in here?
Me looking for sapphires
The sapphires I found
that day
117
Dead kangaroos everywhere, between Barcaldine and Longreach
Dead kangaroo on the side of the road between Barcaldine and Longreach
118
Dead kangaroo on the side of the road between Barcaldine and Longreach
Camping close to Barcaldine
a s ’ t a th m u k n i d fair ! e i s s u A
A massive roadtrain in Longreach with 4 trailers
The 19th of September, I bought a pint of B&J to celebrate my birthday all by myself in the outback
120
Brolga or Australian Crane, these birds were next to my car when I woke up in Longreach Riverside Park in Longreach
WINTON
AUSTRALIAN AGE OF DINOSAURS MUSEUM 20 SEPTEMBER 2014
121
All dinosaur bones displayed are found around that area
Dinosaur bones stored at the lab
Dinosaur bones stored at the lab
Dinosaur bones stored at the lab, the names, year and which bone it is are written on the outside
122
Volunteers removing rock from a large dinosaur bone in the lab
A dinosaur bone that I was allowed to touch
Volunteers working in the lab
123
On the way from Winton to Opalton, 100 km dirt and gravel road with nothing in between
Spinifex grass, typical in the outback of Australia, between Opalton and Lark Quarry
124
Kangaroos, curious as always, between Opalton and Lark Quarry
Termite mounds between Opalton and Lark Quarry
A red kangaroo between Opalton and Lark Quarry
Dawn and dusk is the time when the kangaroos are active, this is between Opalton and Lark Quarry
Two western grey kangaroos between Opalton and Lark Quarry
Camping in the outback at Lark Quarry
125
Sundown, red sand and the intruder, a backpacker with a Ford Falcon between Opalton and Lark Quarry
126
OPALTON
NOODLING FOR OPAL 21 SEPTEMBER 2014 Opalton, designated fossicking land by the Queensland Government
Noodling or specking for opal, meaning look through waste of opal miners for small pieces of opal
127
The entrance to Opalton, a mining town which would appear in one of those movies in which travellers, get killed and are never heard from again
128
People can rent an area from the government in which they are allowed to mine
Spinifex pigeons, birds that can survive in these arid areas
Bigger stones with non precious pieces of opal and some so-called fairy stone that I found in Opalton
A mine shaft I was allowed to look into by two miners
Stones with tiny bits
l that of multicoloured opa
I found in Opalton
129
OPALTON
LARK QUARRY DINOSAUR STAMPEDE
The dinosaur stampede was found here and the building was build on top of it
22 SEPTEMBER 2014
The dinosaur stampede containing 3 different fossilized footprints of dinosaurs
130
Tracks of smaller sized dinosaurs coelurosaurs (chicken size) and wintonopus (emu size)
Tracks of a theropod australovenator
The footprints are believed to be a record of a theropod hunting some smaller dinosaurs
131
WINTON
ARNO'S WALL 23 SEPTEMBER 2014
Arno's Wall is a wall build by a German miner incorporating all sorts of discarded objects
132
133
My Ford Falcon, that took me on over 300 km of dirt and gravel roads without problems, branded with a NL sticker now
Middleton, a village so small, this picture features the complete village
134
On the way from Winton to Boulia, single lane highways are common in the outback
A camel in Boulia with which they do camel races
The Stonehouse Museum in Boulia, a private collection
Camels roam freely in the outback though this one is in captivity
The Stonehouse Museum in Boulia, a private collection
135
A fossil of an ichthyosaurus in the Stonehouse Museum in Boulia, a big part of the outback, as dry as it is now, used to be an inland sea
After getting stuck in a dry riverbed trying to find a place to sleep, I slept hiding behind this roadtrain in Mt Isa
136
Fire danger rating sign close to Mt Isa, though they are common throughout Australia
Dinosaur sculpture in Richmond
Rubbish bins in Richmond, they also look like this in Hughenden
Australia's Dinosaur Trail traffic sign in Richmond, the trail consists of the towns Richmond, Hughenden and Winton
Dinosaur sculpture in Richmond
137
RICHMOND
KRONOSAURUS KORNER 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 A giant sculpture of a kronosaurus In front of the Kronosaurus Korner
One of the rooms inside the Kronosaurus Korner with a sculpture of a plesiosaur hanging from the ceiling
138
Minnee, a fossil of a baby ichthyosaurus
A kronosaurus tooth
Big fossilised ammonites
Fossil of a fish
139
A pliosaur skeleton and a sculpture of how it would have looked like
A fossil of a fish
140
An almost complete fossilised skeleton of a pliosaur, only some small bones in their fins are missing
Minmi, an ankylosaur discovered near Richmond in 1989
RICHMOND
FOSSIL HUNTING SITES 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 Richmond's Free Fossil Hunting Area consists of 2 sites
The fossil hunting sites are about 12 km away from Richmond
141
The area to dig, look and find some fossils
The area where I've been looking through to try to find some fossils
Found these fossils of inoceramus shells
Found some fossils of aucellina shells
142
Junkasaurus in Hughenden made by Sam Brown and Terry Lindsay depicting the muttaburrasaurus found there
Muttaburrasaurus sculpture in Hughenden
A sculpture of a pterosaur in Hughenden
The Federation Rotunda in Hughenden, a monument that commemorates the centenary of federation
143
HUGHENDEN
FLINDERS DISCOVERY CENTRE 27 SEPTEMBER 2014
144
Thunder eggs from Mt Hay and Agate Creek
Agate from Agate Creek
Opalised wood
Hughie, a replica of a skeleton of a muttaburrasaurus found in the area
145
HUGHENDEN
PORCUPINE GORGE 27 SEPTEMBER 2014
Porcupine gorge as seen from the lookout
146
Inside the gorge with the small quiet river, in the wet season this transforms into a raging cascade
The depth of the gorge is about 40 m
Sandstone in the gorge which is shaped by the water
147
A short-beaked echidna or anteater that was crossing the road in front of me between Hughenden and Alpha
Flock of budgerigar parakeets between Hughenden and Alpha
148
My addiction and lunch in the outback, iced coffee!
ALPHA
SEARCHING FOR PETRIFIED WOOD
My attempt in finding some fossilised wood in the dry riverbed of Alpha Creek
29 SEPTEMBER 2014
A piece of fossilised
wood, how I found it
in the dirt
149
The road where I found a whole bag of fossilised wood just on the side of the road
A piece of fossilised wood, how I found it in the dirt
150
Fossilised wood I found in Alpha
RUBYVALE
LITTLE HOUSE OF GEMS FOSSICKING DIY TOUR
A fossickers licence I had to get when I rented all the stuff to try to find some sapphires by myself
1 OCTOBER 2014
The Reward designated fossicking land
151
My working area to try to find some sapphires, all this stuff I had to fit in my car
My set up with all the gear I've rented
The pit I was digging in
Didn't find any sapphires unfortunately but I did find a zircon
152
Bought a GoPro Hero 3+ Silver Edition at Dick Smith in Emerald
Huge dump trucks that are used in the mines, this is in Clermont
A Queensland bottle tree, known for their wide trunks, in Capella
153
Rail Wagon Murals in Clermont which show the industries that use the railways
Small railroad cars in which they transport sugar cane, near Proserpine
154
Camped at Lake Elphinstone
EUNGELLA
EUNGELLA NATIONAL PARK
Broken River, home of the platypus
6 OCTOBER 2014
A platypus, special is that it is one of only a handful of mammals that lays eggs instead of giving birth
155
On top of the Ring of Fire Falls in the Finch Hatton Gorge
Finch Hatton Gorge
156
Me at the Ring of Fire Falls in the Finch Hatton Gorge
Ring of Fire Falls in the Finch Hatton Gorge
Araluen Falls in Finch Hatton Gorge
157
we’ll o k o m s have at 10
Various iced coffees in Proserpine, my addiction in the hot parts of Australia
Camping at the Broken River Bush Camping near Eungella
The Big Mango, one of Australia's Big Things, in Bowen where the Kensington Pride mango was first grown in Australia
159
After my trip through the outback, first time back at the coast again, Airlie Beach
The lagoon in Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach
160
Painting at xBase Airlie Beach Resort in Airlie Beach
Drinks for my trip to The Whitsundays I bought in Airlie Beach
Trying the didgeridoo, an Aboriginal musical instrument, for the first time in Airlie Beach
161
Cape Tribulation
Cairns
Millaa Millaa Innisfail Normanton Mt Surprise Undara Volcanic NP Georgetown Magnetic Island Townsville
Mt Isa
Cloncurry
Porcupine Gorge NP
Richmond
Airlie Beach
Hughenden
Whitsunday Islands NP Mackay
Eungella NP
Winton Boulia
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
AIRPLANE
Opalton
Sapphire Gemfields Alpha
QLD
Emerald
Rockhampton Agnes Water Bundaberg Rainbow Beach
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Noosa
Brisbane
TOUR GREYHOUND BUS
Fraser Island
Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
The s y a d n u Whits The Whitsundays, named that way by Captain Cook in 1770, is Australia's
POPULATION
largest group of offshore islands with a total of 74 islands. The biggest
1570(2014)
one is called The Whitsunday Island, with on it Whitehaven Beach, known for it's fine white sand. Another iconic place at The Whitsundays is the Heart Reef, a reef in the shape of an heart.
SIZE
282,82 KM2 DATE(S) VISITED
10-10-2014 till 11-10-2014
THE WHITSUNDAYS
BOAT CRUISE NEW HORIZON 10-11 OCTOBER 2014 The New Horizon, the boat I went on a cruise with to The Whitsundays
Whitehaven Beach, one of the whitest beaches in the world
164
Whitehaven Beach
165
Whitehaven Beach
My bed on the boat, not a lot of room
166
Feeding the fish
A beach filled with pieces of dead coral
Surrounded by fish
167
A clownfish
Snorkelling, stalking a hump headed Maori Wrasse
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
168
Sculptures "Bazza and Shazza" in Townsville by Jan Hynes (2004) representing stereotypical Australians
"Bazza" sculpture in Townsville by Jan Hynes (2004)
Camping at Saunders Beach not far from Townsville
169
View of Townsville, and in the distance Magnetic Island, from Castle Hill Lookout
Aboriginal painting on the public toilet building at Castle Hill Lookout in Townsville
170
Had to try the Townsville Bitter, a beer brewed in Townsville
TOWNSVILLE
TROY EMERY INTO THE WILD EXHIBITION
The Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in which the exhibition was held
12 OCTOBER 2014
Inside the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery where the exhibition was held
171
172
173
Cape Tribulation
Cairns
Millaa Millaa Innisfail Normanton Mt Surprise Undara Volcanic NP Georgetown Magnetic Island Townsville
Mt Isa
Cloncurry
Porcupine Gorge NP
Richmond
Airlie Beach
Hughenden
Whitsunday Islands NP Mackay
Eungella NP
Winton Boulia
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
AIRPLANE
Opalton
Sapphire Gemfields Alpha
QLD
Emerald
Rockhampton Agnes Water Bundaberg Rainbow Beach
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Noosa
Brisbane
TOUR GREYHOUND BUS
Fraser Island
Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
c i t e n g Ma Island Magnetic Island, named by Captain Cook this way because the island
POPULATION
appeared to have an magnetic effect on his ship's compass, is located
2,107(2006)
about 8 km offshore of Townsville in Queensland. During World War II it was an important defensive position with an observation post, command
SIZE
post and two gun emplacements.
52 KM2 DATE(S) VISITED
15-10-2014 till 16-10-2014
176
A rock wallaby
A rock wallaby close to where the ferry arrives
Hoop pine, a common tree on Magnetic Island
177
One of the beaches I past during my walk to Bungalow Bay Koala Village YHA hostel in Horseshoe Bay
Male red-tailed black cockatoo, native to Australia
178
A bush stone curlew, endemic to Australia
Rainbow lorikeets
Sundown at the beach in Horseshoe Bay
Blue tiger butterflies
179
Claudi(DE), Christine(UK) and Me on a small hike on Magnetic Island
Two rainbow lorikeets eating an apple
180
A rainbow lorikeet on
my head during the
feeding
MAGNETIC ISLAND
FORTS WALK 15 OCTOBER 2014
Command Post, during WW2 it was camouflaged to look like the surrounding rocks, the camouflage is gone now
181
A WW2 bunker with in front one of the two gun placements that are present on the island
Command Post, a bit of the camouflage left on top of the drainpipe
182
View of the gun placement from inside the bunker
Panorama from one of the bunkers with the gun placement
This was on top of one of the WW2 bunkers
The Signal Post on which I could almost see all of the island
183
The only snake I've seen in Australia was a roadkill on the way to Ingham
Cheapest coffee and so effectively backpackers coffee at Coles Express at Shell fuel stations, this is near Townsville
184
A roadkill dingo on the way to Ingham
INGHAM
WALLAMAN FALLS 17-18 OCTOBER 2014
The Wallaman Falls as seen from the lookout, it is the highest single-drop waterfall in Australia with an height of 268 m
185
A goanna I tried to catch, but it can run quickly and climb into trees as this one did, twice
On the way to the rock pool where I had a swim underneath the waterfall
186
Met Chrissi, a German girl travelling by bicycle, in Ingham which I visited the Wallaman Falls with
We made it to the top of the Wallaman Falls, well worth it, such an awesome view!
On top of the Wallaman Falls, no access normally, but I got there by swimming through the river and climbing over rocks
On top of the Wallaman Falls, we took a shower underneath the small fall in the background
187
Sign to a cyclone shelter in Tully
Free public BBQs are common on rest stops, beaches and parks, this is on a rest stop near Innisfail where I spend 2 nights
188
The areas around Tully and Innisfail are filled with fields of banana trees
Small unmanned banana store, $1,50/kg ($2,89 or more in the supermarket) in Innisfail
The Big Gumboot aka Golden Gumboot, one of Australia's Big Things, in Tully
Self service in Innisfail: take your bananas, weigh them and drop the money into the honesty box
189
ETTY BAY
ETTY BAY BEACH 20 OCTOBER 2014
A southern cassowary, a beautiful and rare flightless bird which lives in northeastern Australia
190
Etty Bay is well known as a place where a couple of cassowaries regularly visit
191
Watch out for cassowaries, the cassowary will fall on the ground and your car will be trashed
Their claws are very powerful, the cassowary is capable of killing dogs and people when they feel threatened
192
Roadkill is a big part of the decline of their numbers, there are estimated to be about 1.500 a 2.500 left
BARTLE FRERE
JOSEPHINE FALLS 22 OCTOBER 2014
The waterfall on the left is a natural water slide, not as smooth as a normal one, but it is much cooler!
193
North Johnstone River Lookout between Innisfail and Millaa Millaa
One of the lookout points on the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk
194
Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk, a walk amongst the tree tops
MILLAA MILLAA
ELLINJAA FALLS 21 OCTOBER 2014
195
On top of the waterfall
196
MILLAA MILLAA
ZILLIE FALLS 21 OCTOBER 2014
197
Me on top of the fast flowing waterfall
I've been crossing the creek and climbing over the rocks to get underneath the waterfall
198
MILLAA MILLAA
MILLAA MILLAA FALLS 21 OCTOBER 2014
The most famous of the 3, the Millaa Millaa Falls, I took a swim in the rock pool underneath the waterfall
199
The overhanging rocks with plant growth underneath
200
The plant growth underneath the waterfall
BABINDA
BABINDA BOULDERS 22 OCTOBER 2014
The three people in the back shows the size of the boulders
201
A blue triangle butterfly
202
u o y w Ho ? e v o L n doi
Cape Tribulation
Cairns
Millaa Millaa Innisfail Normanton Mt Surprise Undara Volcanic NP Georgetown Magnetic Island Townsville
Mt Isa
Cloncurry
Porcupine Gorge NP
Richmond
Airlie Beach
Hughenden
Whitsunday Islands NP Mackay
Eungella NP
Winton Boulia
Lark Quarry Conservation Park
AIRPLANE
Opalton
Sapphire Gemfields Alpha
QLD
Emerald
Rockhampton Agnes Water Bundaberg Rainbow Beach
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Noosa
Brisbane
TOUR GREYHOUND BUS
Fraser Island
Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
Cairns Cairns, found in 1876, is well known as a starting point to visit
POPULATION
The Great Barrier Reef but it is also close by the Daintree Rainforest
156,169(2011)
and the Atherton Tablelands. It is Australia's fourth most popular tourist destination after Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
DATE(S) VISITED
24-10-2014 till 26-10-2014
Trees completely filled with fruit bats, they get active during dusk when they start flying around and make a lot of noise
Fruit bats sleeping in a tree next to the library of Cairns
206
Sugar cane juice at the Cairns Night Markets
The lagoon in Cairns, early in the morning
The Outback Jacks is a chain of restaurants with multiple locations throughout Australia
Crocodile burger at the Outback Jacks
The crocodile burger, the meat is very white, tastes like chicken and is extremely tough
207
CAIRNS
BOAT CRUISE OCEAN FREEDOM
The Ocean Freedom boat
25 OCTOBER 2014
Me diving at The Great Barrier Reef, totally freaking out when I went underwater at first!
208
Fish underneath the boat
Standing on a cay, a small low-elevation sandy island in the middle of the sea
A giant clam that closes when you get close with your hand
209
A clownfish, they all start out as males, the most dominant one in a group becomes a female
It's about a 1-hour cruise at 23 knots to the Upolu Cay Reef, part of The Great Barrier Reef
A bluespotted ribbontail stingray
Two reef sharks underneath a big chunk of coral, they were bigger than I expected!
210
A cay, a small low-elevation island, in the middle of the sea
211
Me diving at the Upo
lu Cay Reef, I was sea
sick which resulted in
me diving alone with
A clownfish, there was a tiny one of only about a cm big hiding in there as well
212
the instructor at the
A couple of bright coloured clownfish
end of the trip (normal
ly 2 people per instruct or)
The Upolu Cay Reef, part of The Great Barrier Reef
The Message Stick Vehicle near Cairns, which has driven around Australia and is painted upon by over 200 Aboriginal artists
The Message Stick Vehicle near Cairns, a symbol of unity and peace for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people
Ellis Beach, a couple of days before I arrived there was a crocodile spotted here
213
Kuranda, the village in the rainforest
Kuranda is surrounded by rainforest which gives it an unique vibe
214
Beautiful flowers in the main street of Kuranda
Aboriginal art at Doongal Aboriginal Art & Artefacts in Kuranda
Doongal Aboriginal Art & Artefacts, an aboriginal art and didgeridoo store in the shape of a ship
Wall painting next to the Doongal Aboriginal Art & Artefacts store in Kuranda
Aboriginal art at Doongal Aboriginal Art & Artefacts in Kuranda
Barron Falls in Kuranda with a total height of 125 m and 4 drops
215
Rex Lookout on the coast between Cairns and Port Douglas
Rex Lookout on the coast between Cairns and Port Douglas
Barron Falls in Kuranda
216
Flagstaff Hill Lookout overlooking Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas
The Newcastle harbour(NSW), in PortAustralia Douglas
217
Camped at the Daintree River in Daintree and went fishing in the evening
At the Daintree River in Daintree, a river where saltwater crocodiles are common, didn't see them there though
218
The ferry from Daintree to Cape Tribulation crossing the Daintree River with my car
Mount Alexandra Lookout or Walu Wugirriga between Kimberley and Cow Bay with a beautiful view on the Daintree River joining the sea
Where rainforest meets the beach, Cow Bay
Cassowary territory so drive carefully in Cow Bay
219
Cow Bay, isn't this one of those images you used as your desktop background as a kid?
220
Cape Tribulation
I saw a cassowary with chicks in the morning and this one in the evening near Cow Bay
Mangrove trees, that can handle the salt water, not far from the beach in Cape Tribulation
221
A tree with buttress root near Cow Bay, these roots are shaped like this to prevent falling over and to gather more nutrients
A strangler fig near Cape Tribulation, this tree grows on top and around another tree which in this case has died
222
Strangler fig near Cape Tribulation, the hollow space indicates where the host tree used to be
The Australian fan palm in the Daintree Rainforest
A tree with buttress root, common in the Daintree rainforest
223
SexyCat Marshmallow Liqueur, at the Mt Uncle Distillery in Walkamin
224
SexyCat Marshmallow Liqueur, sweet and delicious at the Mt Uncle Distillery in Walkamin
MAREEBA
COFFEE WORKS 31 OCTOBER 2014
Coffeeworks has 21 different types of coffee to try from different countries and different flavours
Besides coffee, there were some interesting flavours of chocolate and also tea and coffee liqueurs to try unlimited
225
Coffee Works has got a museum with an enormous collection of items related to coffee
226
Interesting chair
TOLGA
RAINFOREST GEMS 1 NOVEMBER 2014
At Rainforest Gems they could polish stones so I asked to polish a piece of petrified wood I'd found in Alpha
227
Polishing the stone in 3 stages from rough to fine
The polished piece left and an unpolished piece on the right
228
The finished piece, a hole has been drilled into the stone and it has been made into a necklace
ATHERTON
THE CRYSTAL CAVES 2 NOVEMBER 2014 Front of The Crystel Caves
Inside, the look and feel of a cave with a collection of fossils and minerals in the walls to be discovered by the visitors
229
An ammonite from Madagaskar
Aragonite crystals from Mexico
230
Pyrite
Amethyst geode from Uruguay
Agate nodules cut into bowls from Brazil
Pyrite
Geode with quartz crystals from Brazil
Little cave with slices of agate embedded in the wall
Spoonfish fossil from Brazil
231
Giant agate geode with quartz from Brazil
Worlds biggest ame Magical fountain
232
thyst geode (3,27 m
tall and 2.500 kg), The
Empress of Uruguay,
truly astonishing to
see!
YUNGABURRA
CURTAIN FIG TREE NATIONAL PARK 2 NOVEMBER 2014
This is a strangler fig tree that grew around a later collapsed tree and made a curtain with it's roots
233
A sign with an explanation of how the curtain fig tree came to be
234
A ringtail possum
Traffic sign, watch out for tree kangaroos close to Yungaburra
A lumholtz's tree kangaroo in Malanda, this type of tree kangaroo can only be found in the Atherton Tablelands.
A lumholtz's tree kangaroo with a little joey at the Nerada Tea Plantage in Malanda
235
Bromfield Swamp close to Malanda
Millstream Falls, close to Ravenshoe
236
The Mt Hypipamee Crater between Ravenshoe and Mt Surprise with a diameter of 61 m and 82 m deep
MOUNT SURPRISE
UNDARA VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
A collapsed section of the lava tube
5 NOVEMBER 2014
Inside the lava tube, the child is an indication of how big the tube actually is
237
The wall of the lava tube
Liquid lava has been flowing through this tube for quite a while
238
GEORGETOWN
AGATE CREEK GEMFIELDS 6 NOVEMBER 2014 Agate Creek fossicking area sign at the entrance
The area where I found pieces of agate
239
Various pieces of agate I found
A common pattern
240
Pieces of agate I found
Interesting pattern
A bigger piece with an interesting pattern
Nice swimming pool, but more interesting, there's a shower available, in Georgetown
Changing the tyre close to Forsayth using a jack and a brand new spare tyre I had with me in the back of my car
Flat tyre between the Agate Creek Gemfields and Forsayth
Yes, changed the tyre, luckily I could do this myself as I did not see anyone on this road near Forsayth
241
Oldest store in Australia in Croyden
Beware... of destroying your car around the head of a solid cow in Croyden
242
A big grasshopper at Lake Belmore in Croyden
The oldest building of Burns Philp, once a major Australian shipping line and merchant company, in Normanton
Went fishing in Normanton in the evening and caught a couple of these catfish
Statue of Krys, a huge estuarine crocodile of 8.63 m captured in Normanton by Krystina Pawloski
The Big Barramundi, one of Australia's Big Things, in Normanton
243
Road train route, you'd better get off the one lane highways because they won't, between Normanton and Cloncurry
Check the toilet before taking a dump, you might have company in Cloncurry
An Australian green tree frog in a toilet at the visitor information centre in Cloncurry
244
A wedge tail eagle eating a dead wallaby close to Cloncurry
Entrance sign on one of the roads to Australia's Rodeo Capital & Premier Mining City, Mt Isa
My Ford Falcon at the border of Queensland with the Northern Territory
"Welcome to Nature Territory" sign with, by the looks of it, bullet holes at the QLD-NT border
Me at the border between Queensland and the Northern Territory
245
Fackin' Top enders
246
AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
n r e h t Nor y r o t i r r Te CAPITAL CITY
DARWIN
AREA
1,420,970 KM²
POPULATION
243,700(2014) 247
Straight forward advertising with "No belt, No brains" and an image of a bloody front window
Pauls Iced Coffee, the Territoy's own in Threeways
248
New sticker on my car; "Do Adventure. Do It Now. Do the NT."
Small abandoned airplane in Daly Waters
A roadtrain in Barkly Homestead, by the looks of it, it hit something on it's last journey
249
MATARANKA
ELSEY NATIONAL PARK
The Thermal Pool is a man made natural heated pool
15 NOVEMBER 2014
The Rainbow Spring, the source of the warm water which is about 34 degrees
250
Underwater in the Thermal Pool
The Bitter Springs
A group of flying foxes aka fruit bats hanging in a tree
251
Most likely an agile wallaby with a little joey
252
A red flying fox or frui
t bat hanging in a tree
KATHERINE
NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Katherine Gorge with a canoe on the water that shows the size of the gorge
15-16 NOVEMBER 2014
Most likely agile wallabies, the little joey is eating the grass from within the pouch
253
Katherine Gorge Lookout
254
Most likely a young agile wallaby
Panoramic view close to the Edith Falls
Bemang Lookout at the Edith Falls
Me near the upper pool at the Edith Falls
The upper pool at the Edith Falls
255
Me near the upper pool at the Edith Falls
zone, you're allowed codile management
Cro
256
to swim but there's a
odiles being present small chance of croc
Found a geocaching treasure box by accident and added my cards to the box near the Bemang Lookout at the Edith Falls
BATCHELOR
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
Bamboo Creek Tin Mine, an abandoned mine
17 NOVEMBER 2014
Me in front of one of the waterfalls at the Cascades
257
The Cascades
The Cascades
258
Wangi Falls, it's a crocodile management zone, so there is a small chance of saltwater crocodiles being present here
The water at the bottom of the Wangi Falls where I had a little swim in on the sandy part
On top of the Wangi
Falls, officially I was
re
not allowed to be the
On top of the Wangi Falls
259
A mertens's water monitor at the Wangi Falls which dropped itself into the water when I got closer
260
Tabletop Swamp
Tolmer Falls
Buley Rockhole
261
Buley Rockhole
Fish in the plunge pool underneath the Florence Falls
262
The Florence Falls
Magnetic termite mounds, they are thin and all build in north-south orientation
Cathedral termite mounds
263
Darwin
Kakadu NP Jabiru
Litchfield NP Nitmiluk NP
Katherine Mataranka
Tennant Creek
NT West Macdonnell NP Watarrka NP
Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP Yulara
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Alice Springs
Darwin Darwin, capital city of the Northern Territory, is one of Australia's
POPULATION
most modern and fastest growing capital cities. Unlike other areas of
146,245(2014)
Australia, there are roughly 2 distinctive seasons, a dry season with dry sunny days and a wet season with rain, storms and increased humidity. The temperature is remarkably similar all year round. Destinations for trips from Darwin include Litchfield National Park, Kakadu National Park and Nitmiluk National Park.
DATE(S) VISITED
17-11-2014 till 18-11-2014
The harbour in Darwin, one of not many photos I have of Darwin, the humidity was so bad that I left after 1 day
A water dragon near the Adelaide River
266
Installed a fly screen on my window, the humidity was so bad that I had to be able to open the window
DARWIN
ADELAIDE RIVER QUEEN JUMPING CROCODILE CRUISE
The Adelaide River, a river with a lot of salties ("salties" is an Australian abbreviation of saltwater crocodiles)
19 NOVEMBER 2014
267
The crocodiles jump high out of the water to grab food
These crocodiles can jump out of the water by pushing themselves up using their tail
268
A crocodile is a born hunter, this one was sneaking up and came out of nothing to grab the meat
I remember that the skin and green eyes look very impressive, even prehistoric
269
Even their back legs are coming out of the water when they jump!
A nest of a saltwater crocodile
270
a n n o G I'm f l e s y m get y b b u t S a
JABIRU
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
A painted rock with an explanation of the seasons according to the Aboriginals at Bowali Visitor Information Centre
20-21 NOVEMBER 2014
A saltwater crocodile with a fish in its mouth at Cahills Crossing
272
Overhanging rock with rock paintings at Ubirr
A saltwater crocodile at Cahills Crossing, was looking for crocs in the water till I discovered this one right under my nose
Rock painting at Ubirr
273
Rock painting at Ubirr
Rock painting at Ubirr
274
Rock painting at Ubirr
Rock painting at Ubirr
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Shelter
The flies were so annoying, attacking my eyes, ears, nose and mouth
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Shelter
275
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Gallery
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Shelter in Nourlangie, by the looks of it a kangaroo hunting story
276
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Gallery
Rock painting in the Incline Gallery
277
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Gallery
278
Rock painting in the Anbangbang Gallery
Rock painting at the Nanguluwur Gallery
Handprints in the Nanguluwur Gallery, notice the way they hold their fingers in some of the prints
A painting of a ship, probably the first sighting of Europeans by the Aboriginals in the Nanguluwur Gallery
279
Rock painting at the Nanguluwur Gallery
280
Rock painting at the Nanguluwur Gallery
This style of painting is called the X-ray style, reason for this is that the organs of the animals are included in the painting, this is in the Nanguluwur Gallery
281
Aussie fishing at the rock pool of the waterfall at Maguk
282
Gunlom, a scene of Crocodile Dundee has been recorded here
Panorama of the view on the top of the waterfall at Gunlom, the road towards Gunlom was a 4WD track that I went on with my Ford Falcon, big rocks hitting the bottom of my car all the time, but this place was well worth it
Me at the top of the waterfall at Gunlom
Me in the rock pool on
ll at Gunlom
the top of the waterfa
283
A feral water buffalo in Dunmarra, this guy tried to attack me when I came too close
Slept next to the highway and although it was a fair bit away from the road I woke up with these cracks in my windscreen
284
A young feral water buffalo in Dunmarra
Between Katherine and Threeways
KATHERINE
KATHERINE HOT SPRINGS 22 NOVEMBER 2014 The source of the hot water
Me at the first pool next to the source
285
The first pool with in the back the source
The water is quite clear as you can see
The last pool is occupied by a group of Aboriginals
Typical characteristics of the Aboriginals, big forehead, wide nose and round cheeks
286
Me with some Aborigin
als An Aboriginal woman with her child
Aboriginals in the last pool
Aboriginals have a low tolerance for alcohol which results in them being drunk much faster
287
TENNANT CREEK
KARLU KARLU / DEVILS MARBLES
The huge boulders are balancing on top of each other which suggests that an higher power has been involved
24 NOVEMBER 2014
Karlu Karlu is the Aboriginal name, Devils Marbles is the English name
288
The boulders are still eroding because of the weather and so some of them split like this one
Karlu Karlu is a sacred site to the Aboriginal people
The outer layers of the rocks are falling off due to water getting into the cracks, this is called onion-skin weathering
A crack in the boulder made this small piece fall off
289
Devils Marbles has come to be because of cracks in a giant piece of granite which have been eroded further by water, turning the big chunks of rock into round boulders balancing on top of each other
290
291
that's s e i r r o No W Mate
On the way from Katherine to Alice Springs
I could test my car, legally this time, on the way to Alice Springs and I found out my car was limited to 180 km/h
Drive to conditions sign, had to stop to read this
293
Darwin
Kakadu NP Jabiru
Litchfield NP Nitmiluk NP
Katherine Mataranka
Tennant Creek
NT West Macdonnell NP Watarrka NP
Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP Yulara
FORD FALCON FORTE WAGON
Alice Springs
Alice Springs Alice Springs, also known as the Red Centre or Mparntwe in the
POPULATION
Aboriginal language, is a hub for Aboriginal art. Located in the middle
28,605(2012)
of the outback it is surrounded by natural attractions like the West MacDonnell Ranges, Devils Marbles, Kings Canyon and the most famous rock in Australia: Ayers Rock/Uluru.
DATE(S) VISITED
25-11-2014 till 27-11-2014
Welcome to Alice Springs, the centre of Australia
Went to the Overlanders Steakhouse and got the Stuart's Tucker Bag, a sausage of kangaroo, emu, crocodile and camel
Bought an Aboriginal painting by Reg Pengarte at the Iranti Art Gallery, it's painted in the so-called X-hatch style
Free exhibition of Aboriginal paintings and objects in the Mbantua Aboriginal Art Gallery
296
ALICE SPRINGS
EWANINGA ROCK CARVINGS 27 NOVEMBER 2014 The carvings in sandstone are only to be seen by men, it's a men's place for the Aboriginals, no women allowed
These are animal tracks, most likely of an emu
297
Extensive carvings, as this was a popular camping place due to availability of water and food in the area
The carvings have been made ages ago and have degraded by the weather since then
These are abstract carvings as the meaning is only known to the local Aboriginals
The meaning of the circles could be to indicate a water hole, campsite or a meeting
298
ALICE SPRINGS
WEST MACDONNELL NATIONAL PARK
Spotted a dingo
28-29 NOVEMBER 2014
My Ford Falcon, very dirty but still going strong
299
Ellery Creek Big Hole
The Ochre Pits are layers of rock in various colours
Ochre Pits, the Aboriginals make paint using these rocks to paint on their bodies or make rock paintings
The ochre was traded with other Aboriginal tribes and so made it's way to other parts of Australia
300
Ormiston Gorge with a small and very cold water hole
Glen Helen Gorge
Spotted this long-no sed
water dragon at the Orm
iston Gorge
301
The view from the Mt Sonder Lookout
Tylers Pass Lookout
302
Camping at Redbank Woodland Bush Camping Area by filling in this envelope and putting it in a so-called "honesty box"
Redbank Gorge
Redbank Gorge
303
ALICE SPRINGS
KINGS CANYON 29 NOVEMBER 2014
The walk was closed officially so I had to jump the gate and did the steep climb in the background called "Heartbreak Hill"
304
Beautiful layered rock formations
View over the Garden of Eden, a small river in the gorge, around which a lot of plantlife grows
A small lake at the end of Kings Creek
305
A truly magnificent view of the gorge with the Garden of Eden
306
307
Beautiful layered rock formations
Me on a small edge above the Garden of Eden
308
The Garden of Eden with Kings Creek in the middle
An orange coloured lizard with a piece of it's tail missing
309
A zebra finch
Plant life is growing in little cracks in the rock
310
Beautiful layered rock formations
Trying to play the didgeridoo, an Aboriginal wind instrument, in Yulara
Kangaroo tails in the freezer in Mt Ebenezer, apparently it is a delicacy for the Aboriginals
An emu in captivity in Erldunda, an Aboriginal said that they put the fat of an emu on their legs to run faster
311
YULARA
ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK
Welcome sign to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
29 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2014
Saw at least 3 of these lizards cross the road, they are fast and I could only get a photo of this one unfortunately!
312
Entrance ticket to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, valid for 3 days
At the Uluru Car Sunset Viewing Area, that day I've driven over 15.000 km with my Ford Falcon!
Uluru Car Sunset Viewing Area, Uluru or Ayers Rock is one of the most famous things in Australia
313
314
315
Uluru has many shapes from different angles
There's a road all around Uluru so I could check it out from all sides possible
316
Teaching cave during the Mali walk at Uluru
Old people's cave during the Mali walk at Uluru
Kantju Gorge on the Mali walk, the black part is where the rainwater is flowing down from Uluru
The family cave at the Kuniya walk at Uluru
The family cave at the Kuniya walk at Uluru
The hunting teaching cave on the Kuniya walk at Uluru
317
The Mutitjulu water hole on the Kuniya walk at Uluru
318
Uluru, though sacred to the Aboriginals can be climbed, but is closed a lot due to the weather conditions
Due to the fact that there is not much chance to do the climb and the amount of people already climbing Uluru I did it too
Climbing Uluru is offensive to the Aboriginals, so I was in doubt if I would do the climb to see the amazing view
On top of Uluru there are white stripes marking the path to the top
319
Me at the top of Uluru with Kata Tjuta on the background
On top of the 348 m high Uluru, everything around Uluru except Kata Tjuta is so flat that the view is really impressive
320
A little gecko on the top of Uluru
The Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta
Kata Tjuta, meaning "many heads", as seen from the dune viewing area
321
The Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, an amazing view!
322
323
Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta
324
Kata Tjuta
Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta, quite impressive to see these huge rocks on both sides and the small opening at the end
Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta, reflecting in the small water pool
325
Fackin' s r e t a e w o r C
326