Heading south through the big wet along the tropical coast of North Queensland.
Mission Beach - Penny taking it easy and being careful to avoid the failing coconuts as the water is still too dangerous to go in (stingers and crocodiles). A rare break in the rain along this stretch of the trip.
The Cassowary Coast - just because swimming in the sea is not dangerous enough the birds on the land can pick on you just when you think you may be safe in the car. We never actually saw a cassowary in the wild, there may be more road signs warning of these birds crossing the road than there are birds.
Tully - The Big Golden Gum Boot. The height of the gumboot represents the amount of rainfall recorded in Tully in the year of 1950 - 7.9 metres which is the Australian record. As the sign says "Tully - A pretty wet place". Some rainfall facts about Tully; average yearly rainfall 4490mm; average number of days per year rain falls 150; highest daily rainfall 1140mm in March 1967. No wonder it rained on us, although ironically not actually whilst we were in the gumboot in Tully.
Townsville - On top of Castle Hill a 286m high pink granite monolith standing in the heart of the city overlooking the town and Magnetic Island. We went to the Aquarium and wandered along the foreshore as well as meeting up with some of Fleur and Ellie's school friends who are also doing the big lap but in the opposite direction.
Bowen - the latest in the series of big things The Big Mango. 10 metres high and made of fibreglass. Built in 2002 at the cost of $90,000 some $60,000 over budget, no mention of why they got it so wrong. It was stolen in February2014 but quickly recovered.
On top of Mount Rooper overlooking the Whitsunday Islands, white sands, crystal blue waters though none of which we saw due to the weather. We had plans to hire a yacht and spend 3 nights cruising the island but the 40 knot winds, driving rain and 5 metre seas where perhaps wisely decided to be beyond our sailing ability.
June 11th our 6 month anniversary since leaving home so we celebrated with a meal out at the Rockhampton Leagues Club. All you could eat roast carvary and ice creams.
Like the pic of mark and girls in rain wear reminds us of England ah ah . Every thing in oz very large boots and mangos crocs and fish . Love to all xx
ReplyDeleteShame about the rain. But the ice creams looked very nice! Hxx
ReplyDeleteFirst picture reminds me of the Bounty advert.
ReplyDeleteThat gumboot is different to the one we saw on TV the other day. Ours was more of a yellow colour and had a big frog climbing up the outside.
Nice for the girls to meet up with their friends, bet they had plenty of tips to pass on.
The weather here is hot and sunny,havn't seen rain in ages. Bit like Australia really !
Hope it picks up soon for you.
Love
Mum & Dad
xxxx
Why did the cassowary cross the road?
ReplyDeleteBecause it was the chicken's day off.
How (or indeed, why), does anyone steal a 10 metre high melon?