Thursday, October 29, 2009

The last week in October


We made a second trip to Fraser Island in October. This time we were able to borrow a friends truck and see the east side of the island. Only 4 wheel drive trucks are allowed on the island because of the rough terrain. The visit to this island turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year.

Everyone on the ferry was lowering their tire pressure to 20psi or lower to prevent getting bogged in the sand and we were advised to do the same.


The roads consisted of very deep, soft sand with pot holes 3 to 4 ft deep.







We spent Saturday exporing some of the island on foot.







Sunday morning about 6:30 we stopped for coffee and some breakfast before exploring the east side of the island




75 miles of beach and not a lot of traffic.


Scenes from the east side of Fraser (Pied Oyster Catchers, Dingo, fishing)











Maheno Shipwreck
















This ship, which was an outdated hospital ship from World War One was being towed to Japan for scrap metal, when a cyclone caused it to run ashore on Fraser Island in 1937.

Enjoying the View
















Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The last 2 weeks in September.


For the last two weeks in September we flew to Darwin in the Northern Territory, explored the town then rented a campervan and headed south. Our destination was Ayers Rock but it was more about the trip than the destination. ( a good chance to see what the Outback looked like ). We drove too the middle of the country then slowly worked our way back to Darwin over the two weeks. Temperatures varied between 35 and 40 degrees, dropping to the high 20's overnight so the heat took a little getting used too. Very humid with billions of flies.

Outdoor movies







We decided to take in a movie on the first night in Darwin. Really nice setting...on the beach, home cooked food and under the stars on a beautiful summer evening.

Seriously...you've got the wrong guy!




Another Sunset


Before we headed south on our adventure we went to a Sunday afternoon market in Darwin, then sat on the beach and watched the sun set over the Timor sea.

Destination - 4 hrs past Alice Springs



Man, is She strong!


Devils Marbles







On our travels to the middle of the country we stopped at a (strange pile of granite rocks) called the deviles marbles. It went on for miles and was very bizzarre.

Gas Prices


Gas prices were as high as $1.80/gallon. Oh no, sorry ...thats $1.80/liter. They were as high as $1.93 at one station.Very long distances between petrol stations and not a lot of traffic. A very strange part of the country. Wild horses, wild buffalo, wild camels, dingos, snakes... you don't really want to run out of gas :(

Uluru







Cave Art (that's my shadow in the corner)

Kings Canyon











Kathrine Gorge ( in the 1st and 5th picture here) the sandy beach areas were off limits to tourists. Croc's were laying their eggs in the sand.