National Parks Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Australia by Red Nomad OZ

Hikers at Joffre Gorge, Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Mind over Madness … Joffre Falls, Karijini National Park

November 14, 2012 Red Nomad OZ Joffre Falls, Joffre Gorge, Karijini National Park, National Parks, Oxer Lookout, Pilbara, Travel, Walks, Western Australia

The edge of the gorge was no place for a recovering acrophobic*. Despite its well-made viewing platform with solid handrails, the lookout overhung the sheer drop to the Joffre River far below, many more metres than I wanted to count**. I don’t think I’ll EVER get used to being on an overhang … But weirdly, the scare-factor just added to[…]

Mt Sonder from Ormiston Gorge and Pound trail, West MacDonnell National Park, Central Australia

The Best Shots I Never Took … Ormiston Gorge, Central Australia

September 25, 2012 Red Nomad OZ Central Australia, National Parks, Northern Territory, Ormiston Gorge, Red Centre, Walks, West MacDonnell National Park

‘If it’s a choice between my camera and the family jewels, you know what to do,’ I instructed Pilchard as I plunged into the thigh-high frigid water flowing through Ormiston Gorge. Despite the hypothermia warnings on the Ormiston Gorge fact sheet, it was either that or return the seven km (~4.5 miles) we’d already come over a cross section of[…]

Afloat in the Sky – The Land Locked Island of Mt Buffalo

September 11, 2012 Red Nomad OZ Australian Alps, Bakery, Bright, Lake Catani, Mt Buffalo, Mt Buffalo National Park, National Parks, Things to do, Victoria, Victorian Alps

Approach south eastern Victoria’s magical Bright region Victoria from any direction, spot Mt Buffalo’s impossibly scenic bulk dominating the skyline and you’ll swear you’re not in Australia! It’s difficult to believe the soaring granite cliffs and outcrops leading to the extensive plateau more than 1200 metres above sea level were once much higher. Right at the end of the Aussie[…]

Charles Knife Road Gorges, Exmouth, Western Australia

What Does a Frenchman wear under his Sarong?!

September 6, 2012 Red Nomad OZ Cape Range National Park, Charles Knife Road, Exmouth, Exmouth Gulf, Gorges, National Parks, North West Cape, Things to do, Western Australia, World Heritage

Most people know what a traditional Scotsman wears under his kilt*. But far fewer people know what a Frenchman wears under his sarong! I’d never given this tragic gap in my knowledge any consideration whatsoever – I mean, who associates Frenchmen with sarongs? But if this vexed question HAD been keeping me awake at night, I certainly wouldn’t have expected[…]

Mirima National Park, Kununurra, Western Australia

Good morning from … Kununurra, Western Australia!!

July 9, 2012 Red Nomad OZ Kununurra, Mirima National Park, National Parks, Things to do, Travel, Western Australia

A good morning in Kununurra starts really early. That’s because this town in the East Kimberley is just west of the Northern Territory border and the Central Australia time zone. Crossing the border into Western Australia means you gain 1½ hours so what was 7:30 am in the Northern Territory is now 6:00 am! And the sun is well and truly up[…]

White Cliffs Waterhole, Outback New South Wales

7-and-a-half Minutes in Paradise! White Cliffs, New South Wales

February 10, 2012 Red Nomad OZ Bird watching, National Parks, New South Wales, Opal, Outback, Paroo-Darling National Park, Random Adventures, Things to do, White Cliffs

Think of ‘Australia’ and ‘Paradise’ in the same sentence and I’ll bet you’re thinking tropical. White sandy beaches, palms and and clear blue sea. Colourful fish, corals and lush rainforest. Balmy, moonlit nights and cocktails under the stars. But that splendid vision – while undeniably fabulous – is only one of many versions of utopia in this country of diverse[…]

The 3-Car, 2-Beach, One Fine Day!

December 8, 2011 Red Nomad OZ Innes National Park, National Parks, South Australia, Things to do, Travel, Yorke Peninsula

Sometimes, not planning turns out best. And sometimes the planets align and fabulous weather, bizarre experiences, brilliant destination and perfect moments all come together on one fine day … Fine in every sense! And the sky! The glorious sky!! Yes, Innes National Park at the very southern end of South Australia’s York Peninsula was already one of my favourite places.[…]

Walk Mount Zero!

November 28, 2011 Red Nomad OZ Bakery, Grampians, Mt Zero, National Parks, Scenic Public Toilets, Travel, Victoria, Walks

Hollow Mountain and Mt Stapylton from the Mt Zero Summit, Northern Grampians, Victoria Hauling myself up the rocky drop-off towering above my head, I desperately clung to the cold hand rail, slippery with drizzle, hoping like hell my arms wouldn’t give way. Vertigo kicked in as I scrabbled for a foothold. Looking neither to the right (dizzying drop off) or[…]

Favourite Place #7 – Halls Gap, Grampians, Victoria

November 2, 2011 Red Nomad OZ Bakery, Grampians, Halls Gap, National Parks, Travel, Victoria, Walks, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Halls Gap, Lake Bellfield and surrounds from Boroka Lookout What do you call a town set amidst a 360ºpanorama of staggering beauty? A town with not only a clutch of Australia’s most scenic public toilets in and around it, but (arguably) the most spectacular caravan park and bakery settings in OZ?? Not just ANY old bakery, but (arguably) the best in[…]

Green Island from the Jetty, via Cairns, Far North Queensland

Return to Green Island – via Cairns, Far North Queensland

August 15, 2011 Red Nomad OZ Cairns, Far North Queensland, Green Island, National Parks, Queensland, Rainforest, Random Adventures, Things to do, Travel, World Heritage

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[…]