The day started with a visit to Hastie’s Swamp – a small national park wetland minutes from Atherton with thousands of birds and a two story bird hide. A local twitcher brandishing a new 100-400mm lens told me here were about 5000 magpie geese at the swamp. There were just as many whistling ducks. Mount … More FNQ 2016 Day 10 – Tablelands to Savannah

Rain and cooler temperatures made for a misty mountain hop across several sites in the ranges west of Innisfail and on the Atherton Tableland. This is the Nucifora Tea Plantation growing in one of the wettest parts of Australia. The tea bushes were flowering – tea is a type of camellia and the small flowers … More FNQ 2016 Day 9 – Misty Mountain Hop

The day started with a muted sunrise and a search for the local crocodile on the foreshore. A local heron was also on the lookout for Bismarck but to no avail. I was excited to find some green tree ants having made their acquaintance before – they defend their nest with vigor – even climbing … More FNQ 2016 Day 8 -The elusive chook

The day started in Townsville with a visit up Castle Hill. After our previous failed attempt due to the mass of exercise walkers. (Not content to walk up the constructed paths, Townsville people walk up and down on the road). A drive through coastal lowlands saw our arrival at Ingham and a visit to the Station … More FNQ 2016 Day 7 – Waterfalls and Butterflies

Ville to Ville – Collinsville to Townsville! The weather is warming up – all back in shorts and quickly discarding  pullovers by 9am. We stopped by to say hello to the Pit Pony at Collinsville – in memory of Mr Ed and Warrier – the last two working pit ponies in an Australian mine. They … More FNQ 2016 Day 6 – Ville to Ville

The day started with further reminiscing around Clermont including visits to the silos, past residences, racecourse with cricket pitch, Copperfield historic mine site and school. We took the road to Moranbah and Nebo passing through more volcanic landscapes with extensive sorghum fields interspersed in grazing land. The peak above is Wolfang Peak. Sorghum with bottletree … More FNQ 2016 Day 5 – Central Highlands

We were greeted to a classic Queensland winter’s day as we left Blackwater for Blackdown Tableland. We asked some locals about the road, ‘Hey guys what have you herd?” Passing through grazing country, we made our way to the tableland and up the narrow winding road to the top of the range. We were warned … More FNQ 2016 Day 4 – Blackdown Tableland to Clermont

A very wet morning with 2 hours driving through steady rain in heavy traffic. This is the Miriam Vale Hotel Rockhampton’s famous greeting was a welcome sight after the wet drive. After a quick lunch and drive through Rockhampton memory lanes, we drove west. The highway and train line are never far from each other. … More FNQ 2016 Day 3- Bundy to Blackwater

Bundy – home of Bundaberg Sugar and Bundaberg Rum as well as the home and birthplace of some of the nicest people in my life. This is the Bundaberg rum distillery factory. While not a patron of the product, it is still worth a visit for bear admirers and lovers of big things. The fields … More FNQ 2016 Day 2 – 26 June – Bundy

This particular plant is the Leichhardt Bean – a native cassia named after the 19th century explorer Ludwig Leichhardt who explored much of central and northern Queensland. It is a striking tree found in much of the area we hope to travel through. The drive from the Sunshine Coast along the Bruce Highway is mainly … More FNQ 2016 Day 1 – 25 June – Heading North

The Big Oyster at Taree – now a car yard Yet another bridge on the Pacific Highway Another cemetery to visit and pay our respect to loved ones. Driving by the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour The Big Prawn at Ballina Under the runway at Coolangatta Airport sees us soon safely return to Queensland.

Wind power outside Gunning The Big Merino at Goulburn St Bartholomew’s Church and Cemetery – another family history site Castlereagh Uniting Church – yet another family history site. Late drive to Taree