09/22 - 09/24
With Taxi to the airport (70 Dollar), than flight to Sydney. Transfer to the backpackers is free, just need to call them. 2 pm I can start at first day, Means I have 2 1/2 days.
The way to the botanic garden is only 5 minutes, so the hostel is quite central.
a lot of walks in Sydney. Botanic Garden with some good views, Harbour bridge to the other site. good spot for skyline pictures. I was there after sunset. ferry to Manly and the 10 k walk "The Spit to Manly", Darling harbour, Hyde Park and Chinatown. Most of the time it was rainy and windy, sun shows up every now and than. on the last evening I took the spontaneous decision to go to the musical Everything goes in the opera. :-)
09/21
Brisbane is close, so i am at the Hotel at 1. Washing, empty the Van and than to the Company For Drops of. Last 2 k i went wrong and I may need to pay toll.
With taxi to the city, walking around a lot, cruise for free on the Brisbane River and walk around again.
09/20
walking along Coolum beach which is a nice one, Windy, warm day. Booked Sydney stay at Mc and than swimming and sun. Drive in direction of Brisbane and stay at Beerwah Sportground, already close to Brisbane.
09/19
not to many things happen. plan was to go to Noosa, around 250 k. a little bit more on the tourist drive. One stop was for shopping and some amazing old timer. Noosa was not so fascinating and I went further to Coolum beach. Also very touristic. furthermore school holidays started and so the site cost 49 Dollar. first time with Internet. Well. theroretically. it is not really working ... Mc. Donald is nearby...
09/18
05:30. never saw so many sunrise as this holiday. By far not my time. but here the rythmus is different and it works. Pick up at 06:20 and up to the wale whatching in the morning. wait for the pictures, even I will need some time to sort them out.
in the afternoon just walked around along and on the beach.
09/16 and 09/17
two interesting days on Fraser Island which I add to my Top 5. swimming in two of then hundreds of lakes of this sandy island, some walks thru rain Forrest and dune. Tour was with a 4WD Bus. Second day I had the opportunity for a 15 minutes sightseeing fly which was amazing. Furthermore there was a lookout where we so whales, turtles, a shark, manta and lots of fish.
09/15
Raining in the morning which persuade me to stay in bed for a while. so I left the camping ground at 10 and reached Hervey Bay at 4 pm. It was 250 k and I stopped several times for information and WiFi. In Hervey just looked around, some interesting chats and booking of several tours for the next three days.
09/14
about 180 k to Agnes Water and 1770. as I started at 8:15 I reach Agnes before noon and after shopping and two nice lookouts on the top of 1770 I join my site on the camping ground at 2 pm. so I walk around at the beach, partly in the water and enjoyed sunset while sitting on the beach in my camping chair.
09/13
Much more k today. short breakfast and nice chat with two Germans I left the camping ground at 10. again then brown signs leads me to leave the way and so it came that I visited "Capricorn Caves" for a guided one hour tour. Interesting - in one of the caves they celebrate weddings and opera concerts. guide said that some people gave feedback that it is better than Sydney Opera.
next was Rockhampton where I had longer stop for two tall coffee and WiFi at Mc. Cafe. I am not a fan - but for coffee and WiFi I - temporary - change my mind :-)
one of the activities was to install the wikicamps app which was recommended several times and to download offline maps for it - which takes about 20 minutes (thanks Donald). I decided that I don't want to see Rockhampton and around and drove further south to stop at a camping place directly nearby the road and less than 200 k to my next stay which is 1770 (Agnes beach).
again a Short way. Up to Sarina where I got some good information and drove a circle way to some lookouts and great beaches.
than up to Sarina Festival, again with good life music.
next recommendation was Carmilla beach, another 70 k. that's my first free camping ground. nice place directly at the beach.
Raining all over the day. Late breakfast with toast, eggs and coffee. Washing and use the dryer for everything which is allowed for it, other clothes again in the car for dry.
Organise, delete and sort some fotos, a short walk. that's it for the day. lazy. it was time for it.
met some interesting people.
Latest possible start at 10 and slowly drive further south. I stop and one of this great Information houses and got some good information about the area around Mackey. I decide to go back about 40 K and stay in "Cape Hillsborough". Lovely place and the first which is really directly at the sea. Can see water when I look thru my sleeping room window :-)
It is said that you can see kangaroo and wallaby during sunrise time and share the beach with them. and I see some all over the place and in front of the laundry.
I do a 3 k walk with some good lookouts and met some interesting people.
09/09
Boat Trip with the Big Fury cruising very fast around some of the Islands, snorkelling and two hour stop at famous Whitehaven beach,
09/08
early morning bird. 06:30. yongala dive centre at 07:30. get ready and start at 08:30. short drive with small 4WDm where the 11 guests hardly find place. small boat, it really funny goes 30 minutes to the dive spot. Two dives at this great spot where I saw collared wreck reef and many fishes, both dives are too short (30 minutes, back with 90 bar) but good. return to the dive centre we had barbecue and I started at 3, arrived - again late, but reception open - at campground in airlie beach at 7 pm (nothing booked, just short plan to go their cause it should be a good start point for whitsundays Islands trips).
09/07
Less than 10 k to Billabong Sanctuary where I see lot of animals which I already saw in the wild but also can feed kangaroo and wallaby again, pet a koala and got a picture with koala in my arms. so cute! saltwater crocodile is not new to me. this time they feed them and I see a jumping crocodile. amazing.
following that only 70 k to come to the yongala dive team, book for tomorrow and go to a campground nearby. it is said that is on top 10 spots of the world.
Short way. Only 70 k to Townsville where I decide to go to magnetic island. on the island I do a good walk with great view where you, if lucky, met Koala. I haven't seen any. Walk to one of the plenty beauty beaches and than back to ferry, it is already few minutes to 6 and I drive short way out of Townsville and - with some luck, cause reception already closed - got a place on a camping ground.
I went North cause of several information that daintree nationalpark is worth to see. well. not bad. some beautiful beaches, a very nice walk of 2.7 k and good lookouts. especially to see one of the points where rainforest meets the great bareer reef.
next day back to the rental company caused by fed lamp which came out as known issue and was solved with compi connection. so not really solved, just turn off the lamp. used mc. cafe (and normaly I avoid mc. but it is good for cofee, toilette and now for Internet) for some recherché about south coast. on the road I decided spontaneous to go to a billabong which was nice and caused by the Internet information I went to Mission Beach which is a phantastic beach and stayed there for a night.
next day a short break at the beach and than further south. extra 90 k for the wallaman falls and joint a camping ground some minutes past 6 not to far away from Townsville. had some luck again. reception closed since 6 but found house keeper who was very kind and friendly. very good and clean place.
with Camper to the harbour cause reception opens only at 8 and I need to be there at 8:15.
cruise about 1 1/2 hour to the reef, time was mainly used for paper work and briefing, I did two dives and one snorkel trio. interesting, but not so amazing as my May dives in Egypt. sure cause the best spots are more outside in the coral sea.
got a place on same camping ground and used time with organising my luggage, cooking and nice chat with a young German couple which did the east coas from Brisbane to Cairns, so other way round than I will do.
keft the Hotel at 10 a cab to the Camper. procedure takes a while and caused by water dropping down in front of the car I drove back one hour later. the water thing is not serious but only from air condition. okay - all good so. Then up in direction of not to Port Douglas. Arrived there after 6 pm caused by some stops at beach and lookout, the long procedure and police stopping all traffic for about half an hour only 200 metres from camp ground. walking around to the more than one kilometre distance city centre and booked a boat and dive tour for the next day. hopefully I can stay another night. it is main season here.
08/31
early start for pick up, then train to Kuranda. In Kuranda walk in the rain forrest and a short cruise on the river. this time again with fresh water crocodiles but also with turtles. Great.
walking around in the small city, eating and coffee.
the way back was spectacular. It is with the sky rail which goes up to the hill over the rain Forrest, up and down again. two stops in the Forrest, one of them with heat view to Barron Falls.
Eat prawns and bugs in the evening and had a good 30 minute massage at the night market.
08/30
almost lazy day. Breakfast in Hotel, looking around in Cairns esplanade and harbour. Washing. Swimming in city pool near harbour and enjoying several live music acts at Cairns Festival nearby the pool.
08/22 to 08/29
on
Sunday I went to Lichtfield National park , saw some Magnetic Termite
mound, swam with the crocodiles and did some great walks.
Back in Darwin visit of the Sunset market with Food and Music.
next
day up to Katherine, get some place in a backpackers - 6 people room
and then up to a great walk on Katherine gorge in Nitmikuk National
Park. Walk is from easy to medium, well signed, clear to see to signs
missed and hard to see the track. Great way in heat about 35 Grad.
next
day great 4 hour cruise in the first three gorges. For every gorge we
need to walk a little bit and change boat. again swimming with the
crocodile (fresh water crocodile).
afternoon drive to kakadu and stay at Mary River Roadhouse.
next
day on a unsealed road to the Gunlom lookout walk. 30 Kilometer road in
one hour. the car was not happy. the way was hard up on stones with a
great view to the valley and again swimming in a natural pool. back down
a view to plunge pool and waterfall.later on it came out that I missed a
2.5 km return walk to Murrill Billabong and South Alligator River.
way
back and one more stop on Bukbukluk lookout. Stay in Jabiru. Kakadu is
expensive. 149 Dollar one night in a small room in a camping ground.
However. I didn't planned on details. How could I, travelling almost half a year? ;-)
next
time Kakadu, if ever, I would either run some organised trip or rent a
camper which would not only be cheaper but also much more opportunities
to stay,
So
next day Inwent to Ubirr where a ranger run a tour including lot
explanations of culture and the famous art over there. On top of the
hill is a great view, to stay there at sunset is recommended. I didn't.
On my map and also the sign on the street it is said that there is a
hostel. Well, it came out that it isn't since about five years. So back
to Jabiru and booked tha room again, now for my last two nights in
Kakado park. In Ubirr I did a small walk where you can see lot of trees
and plants, flying fox and salt water crocodiles.
next
day back to the crocodiles about 10 when water cames and they most
active hunting for fish. Next was a aboriginal guided 1 1/2 hour boat
trip on East alligator river, again with lot of crocodiles, great views
and good explanations about culture, names, landscape and some other
aboriginal origins.
after
that I hiked the Bardedjilidjii walk and the Sandstone and River
bushwalk. That was estimated with 4 hours but is was ready after two. At
the start of the walk some warning signs about buffalo and crocodiles
might be nearby the track.
the
plan was to have dinner then and wait for sunset. Now I decided to use
the three hours to sit down, make some plans and this report. At the
border store I got my dinner and than went up for sunset. Sunset was
great,
last day I went to Nourlangie for a one hour walk with lookout and lots of aboriginal art from different age.
next was the Anbangbang walk which is a circle walk around a water hole (billabong) where several birds can be seen.
last was Nawurlandja lookout (short climp up) with a great view to Nourlangie and Anbangbang Billabong.
following that was driving the remaining 250 kilometres back to Darwin, just had a short stop for coffee an sausage roll.
now
I also did what I planned to do since days but couldn't due to missing
wifi: I booked a camper for my trip from Cairns to Brisbane. as I have a
hotel booked in Cairns for two night I just need one more night to
clarify.
19/08 to 08/22
not
to much happened, I switched from 130 Dollar Hotel to backpackers
single room for the half. Hotel room was cold but the backpackers room
not, so somehow better, well, toilet outside what is not so good for
someone who needs to go in the cold night... I met some interesting
people, had good chats and hints for my further travel, besides that I
did my washing and some small walks including a guided city walk.
next was my flight to Darwin, rent a car and a small walk for shopping and food in Darwn.
08/16 to 08/18
Short
and cold nights. pick up at 6 so I dropped out of bed at 5. In the both
next nights camping the tour guides gave us a ring at 5:30.
first
day was a long drive, about 450 kilometres, to Uluru (Ayers Rock) with
some stops and lunch (Bread and salad). We did a short walk on feet of
the red rock including good explanation of meaning for the locals and
geologic facts.
Than Sunset with view to the rock and the different colours including a drink.
In camp we got some good food, chat at the fire and choice to go for a tent or swag.
Next morning short coffee and small breakfast and a short walk to a viewing point for sunrise with view to Uluru and Olgas.
Next was a drive to the Olgas and two hours walk there. this was with some great views ( "Valley of the Winds").
Long drive than to go to the next camp midden in the outback. Stop with great barbecue.
In the camp is a shower where the heat is made from fire wood which we collected during the bus tour.
The
hot food for the evening is also made in the fire. the guides are not
only friendly and with lot of knowledge about the aboriginal people but
also in cooking. :-)
the stars in the both nights were fantastic.
next
day was a short drive to kings canyon with a 6 or 7 kilometres walk in
this great area. amazing views and really a lovely hike.
after that a long way back. again with some breaks and lunch in between.
back
in Alice Springs same hotel which was pre-booked. I used the evening to
look for a stay for the three following nights, had dinner and went to
bed early.
08/15
15.08
Fish and Wine aus Dinner.
08/14
not
to much to report due to travel to Aloce springs via aeroplane.
Breakfast in Hotel than with car to the airport. Just something stupid.
Yesterday evening I searched for my knife in hand luggage but didn't
find is and thought it is in main luggage. It wasn't. Security find it,
even they needn't long time and got everything out of my small
rucksack.
08/13
Left
the backpackers at 8 and had croissant and coffee in the bakery nearby.
Than I did the approximately 200 Kilometre trip to the sand dunes from
Lancellin. Well, Interesting.
During the trip I stopped at another dune. A walking one, 12 meters the year. Not bad, is it?
Than just back to Perth along the sea and in hotel at 6.
08/12
not
to much to report today as I must see to drive more than half way back
to Perth (and hopefully get a room - asked via email yesterday evening).
Bad start at 8 as engine didn't start. Again some luck. The dolphin
resort maintenance guys gave me a jumper within 15 minutes. So I only
stopped at shell beach and some other place to come to more than 400
kilometres away city Geraldton. there is free WLAN and I read that bed
in pack packers is available. So another 65 kilometres an I now in
Dungara.
(arrived at 4:30). Here I did a nice walk along river and saw a great sunset :-)
In the evening some open fire and chat with Suzie (the owner here) and one of her permanent guests.
08/11
at
7:45 the ranger explained the rules. please don't touch the Dolphins
and other details. Than they went into the water and some Dolphins
arrived. A very few people (Kids) were allowed to feed them. not too
much cause otherwise the Dolphins would loose their knowledge about
hunting, not be able to teach their baby's with negative effect.
After
breakfast with toast I went on the Monkey Mia Trail with shorts and
only beach shoes. Then walked thru the beach (all together 7 Kilometres)
and relaxed in the afternoon. Over all a relaxing day with great
weather conditions (about 22 Grad). Ate some North West fish in the
evening.
Live Music in the evening.
08/10
start
at 9, first buying a ticket for the park and short shopping for
breakfast (Some cracker) then starting with the Coast views. next is
some kilometres away. Road is partly of road - by the way. The natural
window. I start a 8 kilometre hike which should be between 3 and 5
hours. Parts of this hike are quite difficult. However it is a great
walk with good views and I did it 15 minutes under the three hours -
including some foto stops. This is real good as I didn't hike for years
and my knee surgery was in March.
it
was clear from the beginning that it means I will be late in Monkey Mia
and drive thru the real darkness again. But it was worse to do it :-)
so after four hour drive I arrived in the Dolphin Resort in Monkey Mia at about 8 pm.
Also time to eat something. as restaurant closed at 8 pm there was only Pizza in the bar - fine with that.
08/09
left
the Hotel at 10, just a coffee. taking care for fuel. Important als you
can go 200 Kilometres or more without any station. Pinnacles are next
today. Interesting nature were I spent about two hours during sunshine.
Than Long drive, Most of it along the coast and some of it during Rain
to Kalbarri.
08/08
Today
I had breakfast in the Hotel. Outsider was heavy rain. I kept the main
luggage in the Hotel and picked my car up. Big part of the way I did
with one of the free CAT Busses. On the aftternoon I was almost happy.
:-) I went to the Caversham Wildlife Park near Perth were I was able to
feed and pet kangoroos and touch several other animals including a
Koala. Sun and rain all the time - during the Park visit more sun. From
the Park to Cervantes was more than 200 Kilometres and as it was pitch
dark after 6 pm the drive thru the empty roads (Besides some big trucks
called Road Train) and partly in rain was not funny but still
interesting.
The
Backpacker in Cervantes - which was my First - was nice, but Nothilfen
nearby. So this day i had only the breakfast and two bananas during the
day.
08/04 to 08/07 Düsseldorf / Dubai / Perth
on
4th August I travelled to Australia. It was a long trip with a three
hour stop in Dubai. The plane started at 3:30 pm and I arrived in
Perth at 5:30 pm on the next day (6 hours ahead in West Australia). So I
looked around and ate something. The next day I left the hotel later
than planned ( 2 pm ) and went to the Kings Park which was a good start
and from I got some nice pictures of Perth skyline in the aftternoon and
evening.
The next day was for a boat trip to Freemantle. Starting with rain it was nice and sunny later on.
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