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Travel Australia - by Craig Hill

QLD non metro - Travel Australia

Airlie Beach, Queensland

May 1st 2009 06:58
Australia is home to some of the best holiday spots and beaches in Australia. Amongst the top spots, few surpass Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Islands.

Airlie Beach is a totally tourist town. It exists only for that purpose. It is located about 20° South on the north east coast of tropical Australia, about 1,100 km north of Brisbane. It is in the heartland of the world famous Whitsunday Islands, a chain of 74 islands, mostly holiday resorts, on the Great Barrier Reef.

Airlie Beach


Airlie has the lot: sailing: hiking: swimming: fishing; flights over the Whitsundays and Reef; parasailing, to name but a few. Even in summer, when the beaches are prone to deadly box jelly fish, there is still the beautiful man-made lagoon on Airlie Beach itself, where swimmers can swim in complete safety in the oceans water.

There are weekend markets at the lagoon, the many boutiques, the night clubs (the main street seems to have a never ending stream of them), and getting pampered at a relaxing day spa. There is fishing, where one can just relax, and contemplate.

The Whitsundays have an interesting history. They were discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770. He named them thus because he mistakenly believed he was passing through them on the Christian holy day Whit Sunday, the International Date Line not known about back then . The locals at Airlie have a Blessing of the Fleet each Pentecost (Whit Sunday), to honour Cook’s discovery.

Shute Harbour Sunset
Nearby Shute Harbour at Sunset


The trip between Airlie and Brisbane can be made in several ways. There is a 17 hour train trip on Queensland Rail. The train stops at Proserpine (a sugar producing community nearby), and then a bus shuttles everyone who wants to go over to Airlie. The Jetstar and Qantas flights to Proserpine are much quicker, but if the traveller has the time, go by train.

Airlie is that it is a first and foremost a party town, and secondly it is a retirement place, particularly for retired sailors. There is not a lot in the way of theatre, arts, fine restaurants or the like, so if you are looking for that, forget it

But it's a hell of a good party, and well worth while visiting.

Cedar Creek Falls
Nearby Cedar Creek Falls
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Ipswich

June 18th 2008 23:05
Ipswich


Ipswich is centrally located in the heart of South East Queensland, approximately 45 minutes from the state capital of Brisbane and 90 minutes from the Gold Coast.

Despite being a non-metropolitan city, Ipswich still has plenty to offer visitors/tourists from historic museums and art galleries to markets and craft stores to wineries in the nearby Scenic Rim and plenty of sightseeing. The City also offers many heritage trails on which you will discover grand heritage homes, buildings, churches, pubs and picturesque parks and gardens.

Ipswich


One of the best ways to discover historic Ipswich is the daily 'Grape and Golf Tours' by Hughies. Hughies offers day tours to vineyards, country golf courses, country pubs, markets, gardens, paintball, horse rides and even a lavender farm.

Other places of interest includes the Ipswich Turf Club, a thoroughbred horse racing and training establishment featuring 47 race meetings each year. If your visit to the city takes place in mid-June, it will coincide with the annual Ipswich Cup, a race which has been run at the establishment since 1890.

Scenic Rim


The Ipswich Art Gallery, Workshops Rail Museum, Brighton House and Ipswich Little Theatre are all great venues to visit.

The nearby Scenic Rim boasts rich volcanic soils meaning that Ipswich lies on the doorstep of an award-winning wine region producing both full-bodied reds and refreshing white varieties. Warrego Wines, Ironbark Ridge Vineyard and Normanby Wines are just a few of the wineries within easy reach from Ipswich.

Ipswich Rail Museum


You can learn more about the beautiful city of Ipswich here.
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Caboolture

April 28th 2008 10:19
Mt Mee Caboolture
Mt Mee, Caboolture


About 45 minutes north from downtown Brisbane is Caboolture Shire, a relaxing and peaceful area of rainforests and many other attractions such as the pristine waters of Pumicestone Passage and internationally acclaimed Woodford Folk Festival.

Due to its close proximity to Brisbane, the majority of visitors to the shire are day trippers and from Brisbane.

Caboolture


There are a myriad of attractions and places of interest in Caboolture and these typically include the Abbey Museum, Caboolture Historical Village, and Caboolture Warplane and Flight Centre. The Pumicestone Passage is a must-see either by cruise boat or hire your own vessel and the scenery of the D’Aguilar Mountain Ranges must be admired on a drive through.

The adrenaline junkies out there will not want to miss the chance to try skydiving, joy flights or gliding in the area.

Pumicestone Passage
Pumicestone Passage


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Bribie Island

April 18th 2008 07:52
Bribie Island


Located just 50 minutes drive North of Brisbane city, the beautiful Bribie Island gives you the opportunity to connect with some of Brisbane's most fascinating history or just a fun-filled day out with the family amongst the dolphins and dugong.

The island is arguably the most famous for its beautiful beaches boasting calm and crystal clear waters. At Woorim Beach, on the eastern side of the island, there is usually small surf while the western side of the Bribie Island has lots of parks and facilities for picnics and barbeques.

Bribie Island


Popular activities include ferry cruises, birdwatching, game fishing, reef diving tours and a tour of the Bribie Island National Park. Camping on the beachfront is allowed in the National Park, as is taking your 4WD onto the beach, with a permit. There are sealed roads available for driving around the island and there are also driving paths along the beaches, accessible only with 4 wheel drive vehicles.

There is also bus transportation around the island so you are never stranded!


Bribie Island


As you can see, Bribie Island offers the perfect getaway from the big city hence its popularity with tourists and Bris Vegas locals. Within only an hour, guests can leave Brisbane and find themselves in a secluded island holiday destination - it just doesn't get any better than that!


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Whitsunday Islands

April 10th 2008 08:33
The Whitsundays


The Whitsundays is a collection of 74 islands in the heart of Australia's beautiful Great Barrier Reef and are cradled by the calm waters of the Coral Sea.

The islands are the perfect holiday destination for those after a private and peaceful environment, well away from the hustle and bustle of city life - the fact that only eight of the 74 are inhabited gives you a clear idea of how secluded they are.

Whitehaven Beach


The eight inhabited islands are:

Dent Island
Hamilton Island
Hook Island
Long Island
Whitsunday Island
Lindeman Island
Daydream Island
South Molle Island

The Whitsunday Island is the largest and most popular island in the Whitsunday group of islands. Boasting magnificent pure-white sands on its Whitehaven Beach, a myriad of ways to enjoy the island awaits you in the form of bush walking, scuba diving or sailing.

Whitsunday Island sailing


Accommodation on the island includes a selection of fully self-contained apartments with stunning views, caravans and camping spots. A unique accommodation on the island is an overnight sailing charter on one of the famous Whitsunday Tall Ships.

The island is accessible by boat from the mainland tourist ports of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour with plenty of great holiday packages available online.

Whitsundays sailing


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Bedarra Island

April 2nd 2008 22:00
Bedarra Island


Bedarra Island, located off the tropical coast of Queensland, Australia and approximately half way between the city of Cairns and Townsville, is a great escape from the grinds of daily life to a place where you can unwind and experience the finer things in life.

The Bedarra Island Hotel is a beautiful resort featuring secluded, individual and well maintained villas with private balconies, separate living and sleeping areas, and beautiful bathrooms. Hidden away in the rainforest for maximum privacy, the villas provide guests with magnificent views of the area.

Bedarra Island


Peace and relaxation is the main focus of this Island so if you had retail therapy in mind, then you can forget it. Getting the active and adventurous types to sit around all day reading a book might not work, so you will be pleased to hear that there are plenty of other activities on the island to keep you entertained.

These activities include catamaran sailing, paddle-skiing, fishing, snorkelling and diving day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as motorised dinghies for exploring the island's picturesque, private beaches.

Bedarra Island


The snorkelling and scuba diving trips to the Great Barrier Reef (via Dunk Island) are extremely popular with plenty of guests stopping over at Dunk Island for a game of golf (9 hole golf course), water skiing, skydiving, horse riding, extensive rainforest walks and a range of pampering spa treatments.

Children 12 years and under are not catered for on Bedarra Island to ensure maximum relaxation!

Voyages offers some great tours and accommodation for Bedarra Island.

Bedarra Island


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Lady Elliot Island

March 25th 2008 22:41
Lady Elliot Island


Lady Elliot Island - also affectionately known as "The Lazy Lady" - is situated on the world famous Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. The island has its own airstrip that is located on the eastern side and flights (three daily flights) from nearby Hervey Bay takes just approximately 40 minutes.

The island, which is 100 acres in size, is a true Coral Cay which has evolved over thousands of years and is an important sea-bird and turtle rookery site.

Lady Elliot Island


For those planning their honeymoon, Lady Elliot Island is perfect for rest and relaxation while the more adventurous types including water sport lovers will find the snorkelling and scuba diving facilities offered to be top-notch. It is also likely that you will encounter turtles, dolphins and a large variety of coral, fish and giant manta rays. If you are there for the right season you may see birds nesting, turtle hatchlings emerging from the sand or migrating humpback whales blow and breech.

Lady Elliot Island sunset


Guest numbers are limited on the island and this allows first hand experiences of nesting birds - some 50 species including the unique Red Tailed Tropic Birds. Green and loggerhead turtles come ashore between November and March and lay their eggs and after the incubation period - normally eight weeks - gives you the unique opportunity to see the turtles hatchlings scurrying to the ocean.

Lady Elliot Island wildlife


Shopping online for the best holiday package/tour of the island is easy and you are sure to find something that will best suit you. Try Lady Elliot Island Resort and Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort for some of the best deals.


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Hayman Island

March 17th 2008 21:47
Hayman Island


The Hayman Island is a private continental island situated in the magnificent Great Barrier Reef boasting a unique resort experience of adventure, relaxation, and an abundance of natural beauty.

For those looking for a quiet and thoroughly relaxing getaway or newly-wed couples on their honeymoon, this would be the ultimate destination. The climate is tropical all year round with temperatures sitting in the high 20 to low 30 degrees (c) for more than half a year.

Hayman Island resort


The Hayman Island Resort is surrounded by idyllic coral fringed beaches on the south-western side of the island. Hayman offers 228 guest rooms, suites, penthouses and a beach villa. The accommodation, restaurants, guest service areas, marine facilities and operational plant, have been designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the surroundings. No part of the resort is higher than four stories and throughout, shady ponds and gentle waterfalls thread their way among beautiful gardens, spacious walkways and open air lanais.

Hayman Island


Watersports such as swimming, catamaran sailing, windsurfing or paddleskiing will keep you thoroughly occupied. For those interested in sightseeing and wildlife, Hayman is also home to families of swans and ducks who reside in the resort's lagoons and Proserpine Rock Wallabies.

Learn more about the Hayman Island Resort here.

Hayman Island


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Palm Island

June 20th 2007 11:38
Palm Island is getting some attention at the moment. Unfortunately it is due to the sad death of Mulrunji in police custody. I'm not going to go into the findings today, because my opinion is better voiced by those closer to the deceased. Rather, I am going to write a little about the island.

For starters, it is an island off north Queensland, just under 60 km from Townsville.

palm island


Since European settlement, there have always been recorded numbers of Indigenous peoples on the island, which goes without saying really. Between 1920 and 1960 it was a penal colony, where Aboriginals were sent for all sorts of ridiculous reasons. On top of this, the Queensland Government in the 1990s had to compensate many individuals for unpaid work up until 1986.

In more recent times, there has been a move towards greater tourism with some ventures starting and the proposed upgrade of the airport. The thing is, the people of Palm Island have faced great difficulties and the latest problem will take some time for them to move on from. It will interesting to see how Palm Island moves on from here.
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Beaudesert Cafe

June 4th 2007 09:43
I sometimes wake up listening to Macca on Sunday morning. The man is somewhat of an institution on ABC radio. For those not familiar with him, he takes calls from people all across Australia (hence the show's title Australia All Over) and they fill him in with what is going on in their part of the world, what the weather is like etc.

Now before I mention Beaudesert, I have to say, there is a lot going on in the regional areas of Australia. There are busy folk. There seems to be festivals of every kind running up to ten days in all sorts of locations. Never a quiet moment it seems.

On the Sunday gone, we were lucky enough to hear a jingle for the Beaudesert Cafe. Being the ABC it wasn't an ad, just a song about what must be a great attraction to the Queensland town. One of the lines went something along the lines of, "You can get a steak, a pie, but the special is peace of mind" Brilliant. [Edit thanks to user Bop]

Beaudesert Shire is about 55 minutes from Brisbane. It contains a number of national parks, wineries and townships, ready to explore. Though reasonably close to the city of Brisbane, they really focus on country hospitality.

For more info check out the Shire's tourist website.
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Cooktown, Far North Queensland

April 2nd 2007 11:40
Today, when there was talk of a Tsunami hitting the east coast of Australia, following the earth quake in the Solomon Islands, Cooktown got a mention as being one of the first places in Australia the wave, if it had existed, would have hit.

Australia is probably lucky it didn't lost Cooktown to devastation today. It is a coastal down in far north queensland with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, the Endeavour river (do you see a theme?) and mountainous areas.

Of course this is Great Barrier Reef Territory so snorkling and boating are popular activities. You can also check out some crocs, head on to one of the walking tracks or if that sounds like too much effort just relax on one of the quiet beaches.

I won't go through the range of accommodation options, but Cooktown is big enough to cater for all budgets and tastes. It is getting on towards a good time to be heading up there - still warm enough to enjoy the water, but not too hot or wet as it can get in the middle of summer.

Check out the Endeavour replica below in Cooktown Harbour. James Cook may have struggled in this area in 1770, but he left somewhat of a legacy!

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12 year old pleads guilty to rape

March 9th 2007 05:51
Like many of my blog inspirations, I was listening to the radio today and heard that a Townsville boy has been released on bail, having plead guilty to rape!

The thing is, it wasn't a 12 year old girl raped, but a 23 year old woman. Rape aside, I don't think I would have known what to do at 12!

This boy not only knew what to do, but he grabbed the woman by the throat and dragged her into a stairwell, going through her bag before sexually assaulting her. What twelve year old boy has sex on his mind enough to rape someone? What man-child can overpower and drag a woman of 23 years any sort of distance?

Is this boy some kind of mutant human? Or are we returning to our most simple animalistic natures?

Am I too sheltered?
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Gympie has an International Film Festival?

November 14th 2006 07:38
I was watching Australian Story on the ABC last night and was surprised to discover that Gympie, a town on Queensland's Fraser Coast, has an International Film Festival. It is called Heart of Gold and this year ran in October. From what I can tell it is going to continue to be an annual event, so I expect it will be on again next year.

According to the festival website, "The Heart of Gold International Film Festival showcases well-crafted films that feed us with their thought-provoking, uplifting or simply funny take on life." So they are looking towards more positive film making in this festival, rather than the often black and sullen that film often explores. Although obviously not always.

The festival seems to rely on the dedication of Gympie volunteers. It isn't a place you'd thnk there would be a film festival either, what with it be a moderately sized mining town, but alas there is one. Both the above suggest a different type of festival, one where there seems to be an importance given to the sense of the community.

For budding film makers, check it out at : http://www.heartofgold.com.au
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Brampton Island - Queensland

October 6th 2006 03:59
Brampton Island is part of the Whitsundays, but is in the unusual position of not accepting daytrippers. P&O bought the resort situated on the Island some time ago and decided to stop day trippers coming out. Now it is just part of their cruise itinerary and for longer term stays flying a short trip of around 10 mins from Mackay airport.

This policy of only having overnighters and longer term stayers means the island has a much more secluded atmosphere than some of the other islands in the Whitsundays.

Twelve beaches in a climate that is warm all year round combines for good holidaying. The beaches are picturesque too. They aren't surf beaches, but crystal clear coral surrounded to make up for the lack of surf.

It is perfect for relaxation then, but likely any good island resort, there are good walks and water sports to keep you entertained.

Being your only accommodation choice, the Brampton Island Resort isn't that cheap, but starting at $870 for a 5 night stay twin share, I suppose it isn't too pricey.
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Steve Irwin and Australia Zoo

September 5th 2006 11:29
So the Croc Hunter is dead and though I am sort of indifferent about it (I didn't know the guy personally and though I liked some of his conservation work, I thought he was bit over the top) I do know that some people are quite upset about it. Even those people who I would have thought shared my indifference have surprised me.

Try getting on to the Crocodile Hunter website and you'll be disappointed - the traffic is just too high from what I can tell.

So what does Irwin's death mean for the Australia Zoo? Although it is a pretty impressive Zoo, a large part of its popularity must be associated with the Steve Irwin name. It is said to be one of Queensland's most popular tourist destinations and I would bet that even though he was not always there, many people would have headed there thinking they'd get to see Steve in action.

The zoo has the benefit of 1000 animals and 600 staff that make the zoo something of a special location for people to visit, but it will be interesting to see how it is affected by Irwin's death.
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The Birdsville Races

September 1st 2006 08:32
The famous race meeting in Queensland in Australia was held today and will continue tomorrow. The event sees a huge influx of people into the town of Birdsville which, for the most part of the year, remains a town populated by only 120 people.

It is a very remote town and if you are considering heading to the races, you should plan ahead. The races are a fine attraction and you'll join 10 000 others who head to the town for the event, but be aware that the town is one with limited resources - though they are boosted for the weekend.

The races at Birdville began in 1882 and despite the occasional change in the format in the race and the amount of prize money, the race continues to be a pull for many people. There are six races on each of the days, with the main race, the XXXX Gold Birdsville Cup taking place on the Saturday, with a booty of $25 000 on offer.

If you are going to the races expect to camp. There is a caravan park in the town although you are allowed to camp outside of the town at no charge.

This sort of trip would be for those wanting to take part in a long standing tradition. Expect some Aussie characters and to have a laugh in a setting you can only find in the Australian centre.

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4wd holidaying in Queensland

August 10th 2006 12:28
4 wd
Could easily be a photo from the Birdsville Track, but isn't
I thought I would stick to a driving holiday theme, so today I will talk 4 Wheel Drive holidays. Although I hate 4WDs being driven in the city, the terrain of large parts of Australia are best negotiated with a vehicle that will reduce you getting stuck somewhere. It really is quite an industry in itself, the old 4WD touring industry. Queensland is one state that accommodates these types of driving holidays.

The Queensland Holidays website: http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au suggests 34 routes you can take to experience the sunny state (although I will say now the website designer has stuffed up, only allowing you to view 5 routes). They vary in length and will suit however long you want to spend.

One very popular trip is Brisbane to Birdsville. A couple of my mates actually took to the Birdsville track on motorcycles – with not overly successful results, but a 4WD would probably be a better option. Anyway, it is a 6 day trip of around 1800 kms and takes in The Birdsville Track, the Strzelecki Track and the Simpson Desert National Park. The website recommends you take a whole lot of supplies and notify all the authorities. Breakdowns and getting lost is semi-frequent.

You also can’t go past Fraser Island for your 4WD holiday. They are the mandated vehicle for the island and a perfect way to explore the huge stretches of white sand.
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Movie World on the Gold Coast

August 2nd 2006 10:34
superman
New Superman ride
When I went to Movie World, a number of years ago now, I had a strong sense it was more fun park than a park of thrills. Its key demographic was obviously children who liked cartoon characters and movie images. This was fair enough, but it lacked something for those who go to theme parks for the ride. Dreamworld was a lot better, with more of a focus on the rides and less on the themes!

I think they have gotten more of a balance at the park now. Since the introduction of the very awesome Lethal Weapon hanging rollercoaster around seven years ago, the park has added a few more adrenaline pumping attractions that mean you can take the kids for the Police Academy Stunt Show, Shrek 4D and Looney Tunes Village , but you can also go knowing you will enjoy the day as well. Newer rides include Superman Escape and the Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster to add to Batman Adventure and Wild West Falls for your water connection mean a pretty good selection of thrills. Of course if your kids are more adventurous types they’ll want to go on the exciting rides too and once they’ve got a taste for it, the aspiring actors dressed up as Marvin the Martian just won’t cut it anymore.

Movie World is on Queensland’s Gold Coast and has been a favourite destination of tourists for many a year. It makes up one of the four major theme parks in the area and promises of a Gold Coast holiday to your children will end up in pleas for multiple days to be spent enjoying rides. Individual tickets are priced at $62 for adults and $40 for children, but of course packages are available including multiple theme park tickets.
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Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef

June 26th 2006 08:22
Great Barrier Reef
Hamilton Island is in the Whitsundays, which is between the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland coast. It is one of only seven islands in the region with resort facilities and is probably the most developed.

With daily flights to island from a number of the capital cities, Hamilton Island is a popular jumping off point to explore the Great Barrier Reef by chartered boat or merely as a destination to relax in fantastic surrounds and bask in the warm northern Australia sun. The waters are pristine and the sand white, so you’ll find yourself wanting to just relax and take it easy. With so many activities on offer though, you’d be wasting your trip by just relaxing on the beach.

You’ll want to at least take a tour to the barrier reef, of which there are numerous. You may also want to try your hand at snorkelling or diving to really get a good view of the coral reef and unique marine life. On land, you can go golfing or go-karting, but then you’ll want to get back into the water sports and there is fishing charters and sailing at hand.

At the end of the night, if you aren’t entirely worn out, there is an array of dining options and bars to hold your interest until you hit the sack. The resort is family friendly, meaning you don’t have to be entertaining the kids.

Of course all these resort type islands all over the world offer a huge variety of activities, but what it comes down to with Hamilton Island is the location and you don’t get any better locations than a stones throw from the Great Barrier Reef.
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Wintersun Rock & Roll Festival

June 15th 2006 10:23
Wintersun
No Not the Viking Power Metal Band
Yesterday I mentioned the rock and roll nostalgia festival Wintersun as it is held every year in Coolangatta. Though it is over this year – running for 10 days in early June, I thought it would be a good time to highlight it and give you plenty of time to plan your trip for next year.

In 2007, Wintersun will be on from Friday 1st June to Monday June 11th in the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta area. The festival focuses on hot rods and classic cars with a series of events including a number of shows, poker run, street cruises and social meetings. The other major emphasis is on rock and roll music with over 100 bands involved in the event. These bands play in various places around town, including at free events on the streets or in the pubs and clubs. For those who like to get out on the floor there are a number of workshops to help you learn to dance swing, rocknroll and rockabilly.

To top this off there are a number of market days towards the end of the festival selling vintage clothing, records and the like. A large concert happens on the last day of the festival.

The area swells during the period so you won’t want to wait til the last minute to book your accommodation. That said, there is of course plenty to choose from – particularly at the Gold Coast. For many, this will be a good way to escape the winfer cold and indulge in a much loved passion.
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Coolangatta

June 14th 2006 12:59
Coolangatta
I thought seeing as though the State of Origin Rugby League game was played tonight in Brisbane, I should play on that in some way. What better way to do this than look at the Tweed River.

Due to the fact Queensland won this evening, let’s look at Coolangatta. Coolangatta is on the Queensland side of the Tweed River, on the East Coast of Australia. It is close to the famous (or infamous) Gold Coast, 100 kms south of Brisbane and 900 kms north of Sydney. You have the choice of flying into Coolangatta airport or Brisbane airport, depending on how you are flying or who you are flying with.

In terms of things to do, the beach is the goer. Coolangatta has a number of beaches for surfers or swimmers – with the Gold Coasts only two north facing beaches there is protection from the elements. Coolangatta is also a popular jumping off point to head to some of the array of theme parks in the Gold Coast area. These come in the form of your traditional ride dominated parks, but increasingly parks are popping up to cater for the tourist interest in Australia, such as the Australian Outback Spectacular centre.

For accommodation you really have every form at your disposal. The area is packed with accommodation. These take the form of resorts, apartments, hotels or more budget lodging. Personally self-serviced apartments are a favourite as they usually contain the facilities you are used to having at home – in a setting that is picture perfect.

In addition, every June in Coolangatta is the popular Wintersun Festival, which is a 1950s nostalgia festival. Think rockabilly, hotrod cars and plenty of gel in the hair.

Image from Wikipedia, released into the public domain.
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P&O Cruise sees virus spread

June 9th 2006 06:27
Star Princess P&O Cruise Ship
Star Princess was the victim of fire
Not all your travel experiences are going to be pleasant. Just look at the folk who got off the P&O Cruise today where a virus went round the boat infecting 60 people. People infected by this virus had to be quarantined. While some of the passengers handled the disturbance to their trip quite well, others are infuriated and some said they’d experienced it before. There are risks on any holiday I suppose, but when you spend a lot of money you really don’t want this sort of inconvenience. With the nature of a cruise holiday I suppose this sort of thing can easily happen – like a cold goes through a work place, but even worse because you spend 24 hours a day with people on a cruise. In 2003, 600 people were infected with a virus on the Aurora cruise liner. I suppose it is one of those incidences you could say “you’ve got more chance being hit by a car outside your home” but it does seem to happen frequently enough you may want to reconsider going on a cruise.

It was just a couple of days into the 10 day trip along the Queensland coast that people fell ill on mass. Free medical treatment was given to infected passengers, but I doubt this outweighs the ruining of your holiday! Add to these incidents, the death of a woman a few years ago on a cruise ship under suspicious circumstances and the fire that started on the Star Princess in March and you have a string of negatives that may make you think twice about a cruise. Personally though, I believe only paranoia or a bad experience would stop you going on one.
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Fraser Island

May 23rd 2006 10:48
I had to write about somewhere in a warmer climate than I am today. It is bloody cold here in Sydney right now and it isn’t even winter. I do prefer the colder weather normally, but tonight of dreaming of sunny weather.

Fraser Island
Seventy-Five Mile Beach - pic from www.ga.gov.au
Fraser Island is off the coast from Hervey Bay, about 300 kms north of Brisbane. That’s what I am talking about, much closer to the equator than Sydney town. It is the largest sand Island in the world and is protected under a World Heritage Listing. It is in rare company, with few Australian locations having this honour. It is all about the sand dunes on Fraser Island. Okay that’s a lie – it also has s huge straight stretch of beach aptly called Seventy-Five Mile Beach and beautiful dense rainforest.

Getting about is restricted to 4WD. This is because the roads are the beach! Yes Seventy-Five Mile Beach is your highway and there a number of inland roads that need the trekking ability of a big-wheeled vehicle. You’ll have to organise a vehicle and camping permit at a QLD Nationals Parks centre before you head on the barge, that runs from a number of spots on the mainland including Hervey Bay.

Activities on the island include swimming, fishing, horse riding, 4WD exploration and rainforest walks. You’ll also want to check out the wildlife on the island including a huge amount of bird species, wild dingoes (be careful!), turtles, flying foxes and Humpback Whales can be seen of the coast from August to October.
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Posted By: Glen - Category: QLD non metro
   


Glasshouse Mountains Queensland

May 12th 2006 03:23
I think we’re lucky in Australia that despite having some issues with logging – Tasmania comes to mind, we have genuinely realised our bush and forest areas are something of an asset we should hold on to. If anything, it is fire that wipes out most of our forest and that is largely part of a natural cycle of regeneration.

Australians and overseas visitors alike, enjoy getting out amongst the bush for exercise and for some fantastic views alike. The Glasshouse Mountains near Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is perfect for both purposes. Located just 70 kms from Brisbane, the Glasshouse Mountains offers bush walks ranging in difficulty so it is good for all walkers and climbers.

The name Glasshouse Mountains was given to the ancient volcano cores by Captain James cook because they apparently looked like glass houses (funnily enough). Each individual mountain has an aboriginal name, which to me seems more fitting seeing as both the mountains and aboriginals were around a lot longer that 230 year ago.

But what do there? Start by going to a tourist information centre such as the one in Caloundra. Here they can point you to a range of bushwalks and climbs catering for beginners right through to the well experienced. They will also be able to point you to all your other needs such as the balloon ride offered which is a spectacular way to see the mountains as well as to accommodation, which is plentiful. Stay at the tourist park at the foot of the mountains and you’ll have access to information on the golfing, nearby zoo and go carting – but you can also hunt these down yourself easily enough.

These extra activities are fine, but coming to a place like the Glasshouse Mountains, you really want to be spending most of your time bush walking or heading to the lookouts. It’s a very visual experience – spotting animals and taking in some truly wonderful views of an expanse that can look like anything you imagine it to (including glass houses).
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Posted By: Glen - Category: QLD non metro
   




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