Dad programmed the in-car GPS to take us to Montville, in the Blackall Range. First, let me explain about the GPS. It has a very prim and proper English nanny voice, and was long ago christened Katie. Katie is unfailingly polite, enunciates her vowels beautifully, and does her best to pronounce all those weird Australian […]

Well it is certainly living up to its name – clear blue skies, no wind, mid 20s. Sorry to those at home suffering through rain and cold.  We spent the day exploring the nearby coastal towns of Mooloolooba and Caloundra.  Moolooloba is very trendy, full of apartments, cafes, and fit young things left over from […]

I left the rest of Dipidydoo back at home (Ipidydoo?) and headed north for a quick visit with family, my parents and brother already being here on the Sunshine Coast.  So far living up to its name, and it’s so good to be wearing shorts again. The thing I dislike about travel is, um, the […]

My final day in Cairns has been just like the previous ones – clear blue skies, no wind, mid 20s. Perfect.  Today we headed up over the range at Kuranda, where the rainforest gives way to savannah forest and the rich red agricultural soils of the tablelands.  There are still remnant pockets of rainforest here, […]

A beautiful day spent at Mossman Gorge and Port Douglas.  My memory of the walking track at Mossman Gorge was of a very narrow rough and muddy path covered in tree roots, with vegetation of the clingy kind lying in wait to pounce.  Everyone made a quick stop there on their way to the Daintree.  […]

First full day in Cairns.  After a leisurely start to the morning, we headed north.  First stop was Crystal Cascades, a lovely rainforest walk along the same creek that backs the caravan park.  The track climbs gently to a very pretty waterfall.  The creek gorge is lined with huge trees with twisted roots, all competing […]