Travelin' South

Since leaving the awesome Cape York Peninsula, we have ventured south....way south. Here's a few of the sights and delights we have enjoyed over the past 2000 km.

Big Crystal Creek swimming hole is about 1/2 an hour north of Townsville. It offered a welcome cool down on a hot day and despite the dust haze and a nearby bushfire billowing smoke, we had a great dip and picnic lunch here.

Jon's new best friends. Actually there were four cute kookaburras who swooped in and stole half of his sandwich straight out of his hand near Finch Hatton Gorge (an hour from Mackay). As you can probably guess, Kirsty was the only one who thought they were cute.

We really liked the two swimming holes in the gorge, especially Wheel of Fire at the end of the walking track. But this place does rate as 'winner' for having the coldest water we have swum in during the whole of our trip. FREEZING! It was fun to sit on the warm rocks after our quick plunge and watch everyone else's face as they either tentatively dipped their toe in the water or unsuspectingly, dove straight in...only to surface spluttering and sprinting back to the edge to make a quick exit.

Eungella National Park.....home of the elusive platypus. Sadly, they were so elusive you'll just have to enjoy these little critters instead. Plenty of turtles, lizards, birds and goannas....but NOT even a ripple in the platypus pond. Which has done absolutely nothing to help me in my quest to prove to Jon that Ornithorincus anatinus are not just a figment of peoples' imaginations.....they DO exist. Really!

That dust haze was becoming a real bore after 5 days traveling in it. But this view down through the Pioneer Valley from the campground at the top of the Eungella range was still pretty special. For an even better one make sure you check out www.eungella.com.au You'll even find a platypus pic there too.

You just gotta love Queensland!