http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/LeeandSandy/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from LeeandSandy en-us Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:57:08 +0000 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:57:08 +0000 Lee and I have always wanted to go to the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation. Believe me we were not disappointed.We left Cairns along with Trish Mat and Paddy who decided they would come with us to try out their new car top camper. It was great to have the locals with us as they knew exactly where to go. We drove through the Daintree and Cape Tribultion and were lucky as Trish http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/blog-424301.html We arrived in Cairns about 10 days after leaving WA. As we had seen most places on the way over we decided to high tail it to Cloncurry from where we headed North to Normanton and Karumba in the Gulf.Normanton is a lovely old town with some lovely old buildings that have all been restored beautifully. This is also home of the famous Gulflander train which runs from Corydon and then returns to http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-422909.html From March to October each year there is a natural phenomenon caused by the rising of a full moon reflecting off the exposed mudflats in Roebuck Bay creating the illusion of a staircase reaching for the moon. We along with many other people went to the Mangrove Hotel where some locals had told us was the best viewing spot. As the moon started to rise above the water they played the didgerid http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Broome/blog-417990.html We had been told by almost everyone we must go to Cape Leveque which is 300 kms north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. It is made up of a series of small Aboriginal communities and outstations. We stayed at two different campsites one at Munget and the other at Kooljaman campgrounds. Phil and Robyn came with us as Ross and Alice had already been before. Munget was amazing. A beautiful b http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/blog-416823.html Itrsquos a long way from the East coast of Australia to the West coast we have driven roughly 5000kms. Perhaps that is why Broome is such an idyllic little town. Last time we were in Broome was the day Australia won the Americarsquos Cup. It was a small town with a beautiful beach back then now it is a big town with a beautiful beach but luckily still has that wonderful laid back rela http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Broome/blog-416656.html Our trip to the Horizontal Waterfalls left us all feeling very relaxed and not really ready for any more camping and dirt roads however we still had one more gorge to see and that was Winjana.After sunset drinks on the jetty at Derby where we saw the sun set over the ocean for the first time on this trip we were ready to head off the next day. Winjana Gorge is only a 2 hour trip from Derby and http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/blog-414696.html After such a wonderful time in the Bungles we headed off to Derby. The main reason for us going there was to go to the Horizontal Waterfalls. Everyone we spoke to who had been there told us how good it was.This was the highlight of our trip. Words cannot describe this place. We left Derby about 2.30p.m. on a float plane. Flew over some of the most spectacular scenery and landed on the w http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-413549.html Heading off to our next adventure Purnululu National Park Bungle Bungles only took us a dayrsquos drive from Kununurra.We left the vans at a free camp site and drove for 2 hours 53kms on more dirt road into the park.The last time we were through this way the Bungle Bungles werenrsquot even on the tourist track. They were only discovered in 1987. By 2003 the 239723ha national park and http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-411739.html We are back in Kununurra after 7 days off road on some of the worst roads we have every travelled.Our adventure commenced on the infamous Gibb River Road which kept up to it reputation. Our first stop was Emma Gorge where we hiked up the creek bed to a beautiful waterfall and cooled off in the pristine waters.Then onto the famous El Questro which is renowned for it's many gorges. After having http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-409014.html Because we were waiting for Kevan and Marion to catch up with us in Kununurra we took it slowly driving from Katherine to Lake Argyle.Had some lovely free camp sites along the way. We went through Victoria River which has to be one of the most spectacular landscapes we have seen this trip. Wanted to do the escarpment walk however it was closed. We stopped at Keep River National Park which i http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-406365.html We drove from Katherine to Kununurra taking our time as we are waiting for Kevan and Marion to catch up.Unfortunately the internet here is quite slow so I can't upload any photos right now will have to do so some other time.We are heading off to El Questro Mitchell Falls and Kalarambiu which will involve around 1200 kms of dirt road. We are all excited and looking forward to leaving the vans b http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-406071.html We arrived at Daly Waters Pub around midday. As well as being a good place to catch up with Phil and Robyn at last it was also our first big night out in 5 weeks We had been told by my sister Patsy as well as lots of other people that we must stay at Daly Waters Pub and see the Chook Man. What a fantastic place. The caravan park was only 20 a night. We had a great dinner and the http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-403414.html Leaving Gregory River campsite was a difficult thing to do. It was a lovely spot and we could swim all day long however there was more to see of this vast country of ours. The road to Camooweal was mostly dirt and although not too bad we did manage to get a flat tyre.Upon arriving in Camooweal which is on the border of Qld and NT we headed to the garage to do some running repairs. There are http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-403409.html From Townsville we drove or should I say Lee drove about 450 kms to a free camp west of Hughenden. We then decided to head straight up to Gregory Downs about 600 kms where we were to meet up with Ross and Alice. When we arrived they were sitting on the riverbank with a group of friends having an afternoon cocktail. What a wonderful sight it was. They were very excited to see us as th http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-400962.html Our first stop was only 4 hours north of Brisbane one of our favourite places Woodgate. After a relaxing couple of days we slowly headed north stopping at a lovely free camp on the Calliope River where we had a swim then onto Yeppoon.We took the fast cat over to Great Keppell Island and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and fantastic water. We walked over the hill to a deserted beach then back a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-398167.html After many months of preparation we have finally hit the road again for the wide open spaces. This time our destination is the Kimberleys. We travel as far north as Townsville and visit some friends whom we have known for 26 years take in a Cowboys game then head west up to Lawn Hill National Park where we will meet up with Ross and Alice and Robyn and Phil. The next leg of our journey is no http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-398164.html We have just returned from a wonderful time in Cambodia accompanied by cousin Ross and his wife Alice. What an amazing place. When you think it was only in 1975 the city of Phnom Penh was completely evacuated and remained empty until the Khmer Rouge defeat in 1979. We spoke with a waiter in Siem Reap who had fled his village in 1990 because of the Khmer Rouge soldiers. The people are wonder http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Cambodia/blog-346031.html After travelling an enormous 9264 kms here we are back where we started. It's always nice to come home. We have had a wonderful time seeing more of this beautiful country. Many thanks to our 4 wonderful fun filled travelling companions Pedirka Circus members for a wonderful 2 months on the road. I think we all agreed that the Flinders Ranges particularly our beautiful campsite at Koolim http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/blog-293497.html Longreach is the home of the Stockmanrsquos Hall of Fame. What a wonderful tribute to normal everyday Australians. It took us over 4 hours to go through the hall. It has been extremely well presented with so much history. Well done Longreach. They also have the Qantas museum at Longreach and the first Qantas Boeing 747 which you can have a look through we decided to give this one a mis http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/blog-292243.html We are now down to 4. Robyn and Phil and Lee and I. We drove from the Alice up the track towards Tennant Creek. Many kilometres of straight road with a bend thrown in every now and then to keep you awake. We stopped at the Devils Marbles which was a wonderful sight especially the green grass. It is amazing how the countryside changes every couple of hours.We camped at another free camp sp http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-292241.html