go-see-do guide for adventurous travellers
Discover the best of Australia - where to go, what to see and things to do - with experienced Aussie traveller Red Nomad OZ!
With an official population of two, tiny Toompine is barely a blip on the radar! And yet, all roads seem to lead there in the western Queensland Outback. A simple distance measurement between the outback towns of Eulo, Thargomindah and Quilpie yields Toompine’s coordinates almost exactly. Is that enough reason to visit? Of course not! But finding out why the[…]
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When the 200-year-old Tree of Knowledge was poisoned shortly after being included on the National Heritage List on Australia Day 2006, I was appalled. Yet another historic Aussie landmark fallen victim to the disregard sometimes shown for our heritage. But although the tree’s demise was disappointing, I was also resigned to its fate. Because when a tree dies, it’s gone for[…]
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Outback Road heading west from Windorah, Queensland If you liked ‘My FavouRED OZ Things #1’, you’re going to LOOOOOOOOVE My FavouRED OZ Things #2!! But … you won’t find it here (although there’s a teaser photo above …) I’m guest posting over at Jim’s wonderful blog Holes in My Soles! But wait! There’s more!! My guest post introduces Jim’s ‘Magnificent Monday’ –[…]
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What is it about the great Australian Outback’s magical aura that inspires – actually, compels – visitors to attempt to capture its essence? Is it the amazing colours and contrasts? Perhaps the unique light artists spend a lifetime trying to capture?? The spectacularly varied subject matter??? Whatever it is, it’s almost impossible to take a bad photo. So photographers like[…]
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Those nostalgic for the ‘good old days’ would do well to consider the enduring legacy of Townsville’s ‘The Saint’, a 1962 student prank that continues to generate controversy. A tragic reminder (!) of the lawlessness and anarchy characterising 1960’s society degeneration (!) from the wholesome family values of the 1950’s, the James Cook University students responsible have left North Queensland’s[…]
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Lake Pamamaroo Sunset #1 Ever wondered what happens when an amateur photographer points an automatic film camera directly at the sun and presses the shutter? Well, wonder no more! It might be amateurish, but I kinda like it … although I would, wouldn’t I?! Yes, I’m the photographer, and this amazing sunset on the first night of my virgin visit[…]
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The silence intensified the colours. Cool greys melded with ochre, rust and purple; rock layers folded and blended in harmonious tranquillity as evening shadows lengthened. Then ringing from the rocks and echoing around us, a wild, sad cry. Again and again, the air reverberated with a sound so pure and perfect unshed tears brightened my gaze. Falco peregrinus, Peregrine Falcon[…]
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We Arrive on Green Island Although it was 20 LOOOONG years since our last Green Island National Park visit, Pilchard’s first action on our return just MAY have been a little bit extreme. I mean, propelling a perfectly good hat into the sea wasn’t some kind of superstitious ritual, was it? Did he perhaps think it meant we wouldn’t have[…]
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Swanvale Jump-Up, Outback Queensland RED Outback sunsets; and Julia Creek, Outback Queensland RED Windmill vanes, Cawnpore Lookout, Outback Queensland Rugged RED Ranges that turn into plains! Poetic Public Toilet, Gunnedah, New South Wales RED-roofed Public Toilets – The Red Devil, Minlaton, South Australia and RED Devil Wings … The Big Park Bench, Broken Hill, New[…]
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Cockroaches, cane toads and camels are generally considered physically and/or temperamentally unsuited to commercial racing. But here in OZ, the absence of animals traditionally raced, such as horses and dogs, is no hindrance to holding a race meet… Although all these races are held in Australia, I’ve yet to experience the pleasures of cane toad or cockroach racing. But …[…]
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