The big footprint is the tyrannosaurus and the small ones are little dinosaurs (we can't remember their name). The little ones are running away from the tyrannosaurus.
In Winton there is a wonderful museum dedicated to A B (Banjo) Patterson where the displays are extemely well done.
This one tells the story of Waltzing Matilda
From Winton we travelled to Longreach where we visited the Qantas Founders Museum, the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, and had the pleasure of brolgas wandering around the caravan park.
The original Qantas hanger at Longreach
A DC3
The first Qantas Boeing 707
The name says it all!
Lower left hand corner, Helen inspecting the handiwork on this beautiful quilt
The actual building is quite a work of art in itself
From Longreach we drove to Sapphire where Brian is fossicking for sapphires (surprise)
This was at a place called Monique's Mine where we had limited success, but found a few gem quality stones
On the way to Carnarvon Gorge we went through Barcaldine, the home of the Tree of Knowledge. The actual tree died from poisoning some years ago, and what stands now is the original dead trunk surrounded by a square timber structure somewhat like a giant wind chime. The hanging timbers actually represent the blades on the shearer's handpiece as this is where the big shearers' strike took place and supposedly this is where the Australian Labor Party was formed. No-one knows who poisoned the tree!
A little bit further on in Emerald we came across this giant mosaic of Van Gough's 'Sunflowers'
We drove through to Carnarvon Gorge where we spent three days hiking and enjoying the tranquility of the place.
Helen being very brave crossing the river via stepping stones
Fern Gorge
One of the locals
One of the walks in particular was quite challenging
From Carnarvon Gorge we headed back to the coast to a wonderful spot called 1770.
The caravan park at 1770
Rugged cliffs surround 1770
It's a long haul up if you catch a fish!
The foreshore at 1770 has been very well developed with boardwalks, picnic shelters and interpretive signage
From 1770 we spent a few days at Woodgate Beach (no pictures) but beautiful, before heading down to Coolum Beach where we booked in at the caravan park right on the beach for two weeks. Our good friends, Bob and Cheryle, live at Peregian Springs, just a few kms behind Coolum so we spent most of our time with them and had lots of laughs.
We drove to Noosa one day and had a picnic lunch beside the river
After two weeks at Coolum we took the van up to Rainbow Beach and Bob and Cheryle stayed in a cabin at the caravan park. We had lots of fun over the next four days, fishing and beach walking and eating and drinking.
The beach at Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach gets its name from the different coloured sands along the beach front
Four happy campers
After Rainbow Beach we put the caravan into storage at Coolum ($1.10 per day - what a deal) and stayed with Bob and Cheryle for 10 days. We spent one day at Australia Zoo which was good.
We left Peregian Springs to travel to Brisbane and fly back to Perth for Christmas. It was great to catch up with the family and friends during this busy two weeks. We returned to Bob and Cheryle's for two nights, before picking up the van and heading south to Brisbane.
In Brisbane we had the chance to catch up with Don and Marg for lunch at St Lucia Golf Links which was a great afternoon. The following day we bought two Seniors concession tickets on the Brisbane City Cat service and travelled up and down the river, jumping on and off where we pleased. We had lunch at South Bank and visited the Maritime Museum, then a cold beer at the Regatta Hotel.
In Brisbane we had the chance to catch up with Don and Marg for lunch at St Lucia Golf Links which was a great afternoon. The following day we bought two Seniors concession tickets on the Brisbane City Cat service and travelled up and down the river, jumping on and off where we pleased. We had lunch at South Bank and visited the Maritime Museum, then a cold beer at the Regatta Hotel.
The Diamantina is on display at the Maritime Museum in dry dock.
Brisbane skyline from South Bank
From Brisbane we spent three nights in Ballina where we used to go camping with Helen's Mum and Dad over 40 years ago. The place has certainly changed. We had lunch at the Ballina RSL with Brian's cousin, Helen.
Ballina surf beach from Lighthouse Hill
We left Ballina and headed inland once again to Tenterfield where we did some bushwalking in Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo national parks.
Bald Rock itself
Big granite boulders
Outside Thunderbolt's hideout (a famous bushranger)
In Tenterfield we visited the Tenterfield Saddler's shop made famous by Peter Allen
We went from Tenterfield to Armidale visiting the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
We hiked to McDirty's lookout
The view from McDirty's lookout
Wollomombi Falls
In Armidale we took a free bus tour from the visitor's centre which lasted about 2 hours and was a very informative tour.
At the New England University we visited Booloominbah House the original university building which housed 25 students and 5 teachers
