mikeinoz

This has been an amazing trip... After 2,839 miles (and counting) on the bike... After Melbourne, Jindabyne, Kandos, Tenterfield, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Mackay, Cairns, and countless in between... After feeling the splendor and trials of the Barry Way through the Snowy Mountains and Australia's amazing Alpine Country... After cruising through the peaceful Hunter Valley in New South Wales... After the lush rain forests of tropical Queensland with walls of green on either side... After sleeping in hotels and hostels, motels and motor inns, under the stars, and sharing the homes of others... After walking through the most impressive beach I've seen on Cape Woolamai... After seeing emus and echidnas, koalas and kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles, of course the little penguins, and many more... After hiking through the lushest rain ... read more

Got back from my 3 day scuba trip last night. All I can say is, WOW! It was truly remarkable. I had some reservations as I heard how damaged the reef has become due to pollution, warm waters, shipping, etc. But I was not let down. The weather was perfect, the water was a great temperature at about 79 degrees. Didn't need a wet suit but wore a stinger suit due to the possibility of jelly fish. Didn't seem necessary though, but I guess better to be safe. Don't need an Irukandji stinging you! The pictures barely do the place any justice. The videos are better, but too big to upload right now. So many fish, so much coral. Sea turtles, reef sharks, nurse sharks, barracudas, eels, you name it! Amazing place!... read more

Today was day 2 of the long haul up to Cairns. Took a bit longer than I had hoped due to stupid road work. Boo! But, I'm here! It's quite hot and humid, but the city seems pretty cool. Checked into the hostel and got all settled. Globetrotters International. Place seems pretty chill. First home cooked meal in a while!! So it will be nice to be settled in a place for a couple days before going on the boat. Well, that's about it for now!... read more

Hey all! Here's a short video of my visit to the Reefworld Aquarium in Hervey Bay. Turtles!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkvzDmA_HD0... read more

Boo! So today was supposed to be Fraser Island day. But, when I got there, I quickly realized the bike couldn't handle what the island had to offer. The roads are all like beach sand. I knew that going in, but the dude at the hostel said I'd be fine. He takes dirt bikes there all the time. Dirt bikes... The Tenere (you know, Beatrice) has tires suited for the road, not the sand. So, I still gave it a go, but in the end ended up playing it safe and only going a few kilometers to what's called Central Station and parked it, took a hike, and waited for the ferry back. Bummer because I was all set to camp out on the island with the rest of the hostel folks... They were in 4x4s... ... read more