Australia by Red Nomad OZ

OZ Top Spot #2 Frankland Islands, Cairns, Far North Queensland

We marked our 2009 return to Cairns after 10 years by finding a patch of ‘absolute virgin territory’ – no mean feat given the many attractions we’d seen on several previous visits. BUT … a tour to the sensational Frankland Islands – arguably the most misspelled place name in these parts – was a superb reminder of why we keep coming back to Far[…]

Read more

Signs #2 – Huh???

Other Australian signs may have more punchy graphics and wording, but this sign, found on a fence in Cooktown, definitely wins the ‘Huh???’ award. The fence surrounds a plot of land with an unremarkable building next to a service station on the outskirts of town, from which the sign is clearly visible.  At first glance, it looked like a pretty standard ‘keep[…]

Read more

Only in OZ #3 – The World’s Largest Deckchair, Winton, Queensland

World’s Biggest Deckchair, Winton Outdoor Cinema, Queensland You don’t visit outback Queensland expecting to see the world’s largest deckchair do you?  Of course you don’t!  BUT whether you expect it or not, Winton, smack bang in the middle of Queensland is home to this record breaking construction! Yes, it really IS the world’s largest deckchair – apparently authenticated in the Guiness[…]

Read more

Only in OZ #2 – A Point of Interest, Outback Queensland

Somewhere west of Windorah (Outback Queensland) en route to the little Public Toilet at the End of the Universe where the track heads south to Birdsville, a tantalising tale unfolds. The first hint of something weird afoot is a sign – ‘A Point of Interest – 5 km’.  What a tease!!  As it didn’t actually state what you’d see at the end of 5[…]

Read more

Signs #1 – Fast Flowing Water

The graphics on this sign leave the reader in no doubt as to what will happen to the car if the road ahead is covered by water!  Signs like these are probably Australia’s way of making up for being largely monolingual – although not all sign ‘art’ is so clear cut!!  These signs are fairly common in the Wet Tropics[…]

Read more

Only in OZ #1 – The Golden Gumboot, Tully, Queensland

The Golden Gumboot, Tully, Queensland Yes, this is the fabulous Golden Gumboot in Tully, Queensland that my blog devotees will recall from previous posts. As it was pouring with rain both times we passed it on our 2010 trip, here’s some photos I prepared earlier!  Yes, that is a frog crawling up the side.  Sadly, the photo doesn’t show the[…]

Read more

Hinchinbrook LITE or How we walked the Thorsborne Trail …

As Hinchinbrook Island virgins, the caravan park day cruise deal – $50 per person instead of the usual $99 – was mighty attractive!  Especially when it transpired that accomodation pick up and lunch was the only difference between the two tours … hell, even I can make a sandwich to save $49!  The package was really just a teaser for the[…]

Read more

Australia’s Scenic Public Toilets #4 – The Little Public Toilet at the end of the universe … Outback Queensland

Last year, my partner and I took a drive west of Windorah, near Cooper’s Creek in SW Queensland, to the start of the Birdsville road.  We’d never been on the Birdsville track, so thought we’d scope it out from the Queensland side for future reference! Imagine our surprise to find this little gem at the junction of the Windorah/Bedourie Rd[…]

Read more
View from Baldy Top Lookout, Quilpie, Outback Queensland

Why Quilpie is a TOP Aussie Town

  Spending a fun filled week in Quilpie is easy.  In the photo above, this Outback Queensland opal mining town is visible way off in the distance from landmark lookout ‘Baldy Top’ just out of town.  But just because it (almost) disappears into the distance from any vantage point doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do there. About 955 km (593[…]

Read more