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Road Trip along the Great Barrier Reef

Caroline Pemberton | October 18, 2012 | 5:16 pm | Comment

It’s the thickness in the air, the engulfing and comforting warmth, the sound of the joyful insects, and the vital green of the landscape… You can just feel you’re in Queensland’s tropics.

Great Barrier Reef road trip, Far North Queensland
On the road

We jump in our hot little Subaru XV, which is my adventure buggy for the next ten days! I’m off on a Great Barrier Reef road trip.

Great Barrier Reef Road Trip

Following the coastline of the Reef, our first stop is Mission Beach, named for the indigenous mission set up in 1912, now home to gorgeous resorts, happy holidaymakers and charming laid-back locals. Ten kilometres of stunning sand sandwiched between World Heritage Rainforest and World Heritage Coral Reef. How can it get better than that?

When we do arrive in true tropical fashion, it is raining and the beach looks a little soggy for sunbathing so we turn to the rainforest where the drizzle is more welcome.

Setting out for a leisurely walk up to a waterfall, we soon realise we are in for a trek, not a stroll. Caroline, our Indigenous guide from Ingan Tours, generously shows us her ‘backyard’ and colours our day with the stories and ways of her people. Six hours in and two river crossings later, we arrive at a clearing in the forest where a torrent of fresh water tumbles over a cliff into a perfect pool of icy cold mountain water. It’s the perfect way to experience this tropical paradise.

Great Barrier Reef road trip, Far North Queensland
Caroline and I exploring the rainforest

It looks ideal for a swim but dipping my little toe in suggests otherwise. (I’ll let you into a little secret, here, I’m not so keen on cold water.) I’m encouraged by the team, and who is going to argue with a cameraman who just lugged fifteen kilos uphill to film this?

I bravely ‘take one for the story’ and leap in with Caroline by my side. It’s fffrreezing and refreshing and invigorating, all at the same time.

When we hop on out, I’m a slight shade of refreshed blue. Ambling back down the mountain, I praise myself for making the most of that perfect little spot in the middle of the rainforest I would have never known existed and smile at Caroline who is slowly thawing out in front of me.

Home Away From Home

Great Barrier Reef road trip, Far North Queensland
Castaways Resort, Mission Beach

Next stop on our Great Barrier Reef road trip, our home away from home, Castaways Resort. This beautiful property sits literally on the sand in the middle of the beach, with the best of both worlds in front of you (the reef) and behind you (the rainforest).

Great Barrier Reef road trip, Far North Queensland Great Barrier Reef Road Trip
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef

From here, we can cruise out to see this incredible natural wonder of the world. I’m diving with Andy, the local dive master from Calypso Adventures. We drop down into the depths and cruise around the incredible coral, watch the fish darting in and out of anemones. Andy even manages to freak me out with a sea cucumber! But you’ll have to watch the show to find out how he managed that. We ascend before our bubbles run out and have a chat on deck with this incredibly optimistic local who loves sharing the local ‘aquarium’ with all who visit.

The pub with no beer

Continuing the road trip south from Mission Beach, Queensland, it’s a change of pace and scenery as we head slightly inland to sugarcane country and the town of Ingham. Very much an ‘Aussie’ township, Ingham is home to the famous ’pub with no beer’, Lee’s Hotel.

Lees Hotel -  The Pub with no Beer Great Barrier Reef Road Trip
Lees Hotel – The Pub with no Beer

Made famous by Slim Dusty, Charles the colourful publican has gone to enormous lengths to preserve the unique history of the area, the pub and the poem that inspired the hit song. It’s understandable if you forget where you are and think you’ve walked into a museum, nevermind the beer in your hand.

Our rendition of the famous song over a XXXX beer is much to the team’s amusement. And you will be relieved to know that when you stop in Ingham, the pub is fully stocked and Charles swears it will never be out of cold ones again.

Sugarcane Country and Waterfalls

Following some delicious brekky rolls from the local Italian fish and chip shop (there’s a huge resident Italian population here) we decide to see the lay of the land from above & head up in a chopper.

Hinchinbrook Heli Great Barrier Reef Road Trip
Up and away with Hinchinbrook Heli

First we fly out to the coast where we gasp at the famous Hinchinbrook Channel and Island. The only National Park protected island in the world, it’s breathtaking from the air. We follow the kilometres of sugarcane farms back inland to another spectacular waterfall, which our pilot tells us is the largest single-drop waterfall in Australia.

Spectacular Wallaman Falls Great Barrier Reef Road Trip
Spectacular Wallaman Falls

When we land, we decide it’s worth more of an investigation, and we jump in the Subaru and cruise the 50 kilometres out to see Wallaman Falls. It’s a powerful, awesome sight no matter where you take it in from.

About Caroline Pemberton

With an insatiable appetite for all things travel, Caroline has spent her life travelling, both on and off camera and is up for any challenge! In fact the more challenging the better!

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MUNGO NATIONAL PARK IN FOCUS WHERE IS IT? South-w MUNGO NATIONAL PARK IN FOCUS

WHERE IS IT?
South-western NSW

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?
Drive, if you can! Approximately 11 hours from Sydney, 6 hours from Melbourne and 7 hours from Adelaide, or alternatively fly into Mildura and drive the two hour journey from there!

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY?
Ideally 2-4 days, although you can do a day trip if time is an issue. 

WHAT DO WE LOVE ABOUT IT?
Despite being one of the country's most remarkable natural wonders, it remains relatively unknown. 

Untouched, starkly beautiful and unlike anywhere else - the park's landscape is one of dry lake basins and sand formations, spanning some 278 square kilometres. 

The region holds great spiritual importance for local indigenous communities who have inhabited the land for thousands of years, and is famously known as the burial site of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man - the most important human remains ever found in Australia - dating back some 42,000 years. We're talking some of the earliest anatomically modern human remains discovered anywhere in the world.

Globally significant, Mungo NP is rich in beauty, culture and history, and is an absolute must-see! 

X 

📷 Tourism Australia #MungoNationalPark #AustralianWonders #NaturalBeauty #CulturalHeritage #AncientCivilizations #GeologicalMarvels #IndigenousCulture #WallsOfChina #SandDunes #ClayFormations #ExploreNSW #NaturePhotography #LandscapesOfAustralia #WildernessWanderlust #HistoryUnearthed #SpiritualSignificance #AustralianOutback #BucketListDestination #DiscoverAustralia #OutdoorAdventures #TravelInspiration
Have you heard of the world heritage listed Bungle Have you heard of the world heritage listed Bungle Bungle Range in Purnulu National Park in WA's Kimberley region? 

Well if you haven't, let us introduce you! 

The first of the two photos are the banded domes synonymous with the region, made of sandstone deposited some 360 million years ago. Which is mind boggling when you think about it. Over time the sandstone was eroded by creeks and rivers that carved out these signature domes, along with gorges and chasms. It's seriously gorgeous.

The second photo is of Cathedral Gorge, which is a fairly spectacular natural amphitheatre located in the heart of the park. 

We would love to hear from you, have you been? Do you want to go? Message us in the comments below x

📷 Tourism Australia 
#BungleBungles #PurnululuNationalPark #OutbackAdventures #NaturalWonders #ExploreAustralia #HikingTrail #WildernessEscape #RockFormations #AncientLandscapes #photography #UnescoWorldHeritage #WesternAustralia #RedRockCountry #LandOfContrasts #BucketListDestination #CampingLife #RemoteExploration #OffTheBeatenPath #IndigenousCulture #SunsetViews
We think you'll find this interesting (we certainl We think you'll find this interesting (we certainly did) but did you know the first public zoo opened in New South Wales in 1884 on a site known as Billy Goat Swamp in Moore Park, Sydney?

After visiting Germany in 1908 the zoo's secretary, Albert Sherbourne Le Souef, returned with a new vision. He wanted to create a new zoo that had bar-less exhibits like what he had seen at Hamburg Zoo. The site at Moore Park had become too small, so to realise this vision he had to go in search of a new location.

Then in 1912 the NSW Government granted an allotment of land to a trust that later became the Taronga Zoological Park Trust.

In total 228 mammals, 552 birds and 64 reptiles were moved from Moore Park to Taronga, with many crossing the harbour on a barge! 

Taronga Zoo Sydney was officially opened on October 7, 1916 and has become a top bucket list item for travellers from all around the world!

Would love to know if you've been to @tarongazoo or whether it's on your list of places to visit? 

ABL x

📷 Tourism Australia #TarongaZoo
#ZooAdventures #WildlifeWonderland #giraffe
#AnimalLoversParadise #ZooLife #ExploreTaronga #ZooVibes #ZooEscape #NatureEncounter #WildlifeConservation #FamilyFunAtTaronga #ZooKeeperForADay
#AnimalEncounters #ConservationEducation
#ZooExplorer #TarongaWild
#RoarWithExcitement #WildlifeSafari
#ZooPhotography #UnforgettableTaronga
EXPERIENCE IN FOCUS. @awmemorial #Canberra This EXPERIENCE IN FOCUS. 

@awmemorial #Canberra

This revered institution holds a significant place in the nation's identity and pays homage to the brave men and women who served in the defence of their country. 

As you step through its grand entrance, the stories of heroism and resilience are highlighted through exhibits, memorials, and interactive displays. It's a moving experience, and one that is enhanced by beautifully considered architecture. 

The Roll of Honour, littered in vibrant red poppies, will evoke a profound sense of reverence, while the Anzac Hall displays artifacts, from military vehicles and weaponry to personal letters and momentos. 

A cause for reflection, the Australian War Memorial is a must-see if you're ever in our nation's capital. 

If you've ticked this #bucketlist experience off your #abl we would love to hear from you in the comments below! X 

📷 Tourism Australia #canberra #australianwarmemorial #warmemorial #bucketlist #australianbucketlist #travel #experiences #bucketlistexperiences #travelphotography #traveler #explore #canberraphotographer

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