Tag Archives: tourism

Binna Burra Gold Coast Hinterland

There’s something very Ned Kelly about Binna Burra and the Gold Coast Hinterland.

I am always surprised more people don’t visit as it is so close to the coast and yet, offers a totally different perspective of Australiana. Green bush, misty fog, a cooler climate – it is actually like leaving Queensland for the day and entering into a southern alpine region and stepping back in time. Well so I play out in my mind.

Today I just wanted to escape the four walls of my office and clear my head around some work planning.

 

The drive up requires concentration as it does weave and swerve but once up the top of Beechmont Mountain Range the views are inspiring and the traffic light.

A few of the tracks are closed at the moment – still from the floods and land slides we had at the beginning of the year. You can check on what is open when you get up there or on the QLD National Parks website here.

I like the Cave walk but it is closed today – so I have to settle for the border walk and just turn around after I am satisfied my brain is clear!

Pademelons bounce around the bush, whip birds send their amazing “whip” sound into the air and trees with hundreds of years wisdom groan in unison. I really love the Aussie bush.

Today a koala perches in a tree – a friendly reminder that wild life still dominates the Australian Bush.


The Binna Burra Lodge is a beautiful place to relax. Upstairs is a loft – the library lounge, and I have done much work up there over the years.

The cafe is OK. Nothing special and most of the menu contains gluten which is a shame.

I have been going to Binna Burra for years and it used to thrive where as no days it is much quieter. The midweek crowd is the tourist bushwalker and the grey rinse brigade.

And me! I still love it and will continue to go.

When you go for a walk in the rain you have to check yourself for leeches and when it is dry ticks. And of course like any Aussie bush carry a stick in case of snakes… and don’t touch spiders and watch out for boobie traps! The last one was a joke.

The Snubtip Dolphin and Broome Whale Watching

 I knew from the minute I made my booking that my experience with Broome Whale Watching was going to be a professional, relaxed trip.

Cameron, the captain and owner of the tour company,  has taking guests in search of whales and sea life for years. He is a local, born and bred (just up the road, which is 300km away)!

With a massive depth of local knowledge and a genuine care for the wild life in this incredible bay,  Cameron (and his staff) will take you on an experience that you won’t forget.

My experience went a little like this…

Pick up from my accommodation in a bus- air conditioned, spacious and clean… I decided at that point to leave all the worry, stress and anxieties to the never never and to trust that all would be ok. And it was!

The bus took us to the Jetty where we ventured to a nearby tender and were escorted to the catamaran.

Once on the catamaran we were made to feel like it was a second home. Take your shoes off, put them in the box and feel free to roam around the boat.

There were plenty of places to hang out, and chill.

There were two toilets on board, plenty of under shade areas and if you were melting you could go underneath to the air-con cabin.

The kids were really well catered for which is a bonus if you have to travel with them.

Ok to the BEST bits.

We headed out to the current in Roebuck Bay and followed the channel along the coast line looking for the incredible snub tip dolphin, or “snubbies” to locals.

Only recognised as a new species in 2005 (!) they have drawn attention for naturalists and sea lovers, including David Attenborough who visited only a short time ago.

They are beautiful little creatures and are only found in small numbers around the world, putting them on the endangered list. It is estimated there are 1000-3000 only globally.

With 170 of them playing and being delightful little critters in Roebuck Bay.

I loved the little details Cameron gave about the dolphins – they have a neck that extends so they can itch their tummies. They hang around in pods of 8-10.

He recognises many of the families from scars and markings on the dolphins.

You can see he is passionate about their conservation and wants to share them with the world.

After flirting with the darling dolphins for awhile, we head off in search of turtles and dugongs.

We learn all about the sea bed, the important role it plays with global warming.. how it traps carbon and dredging is leading to a rise in global carbon…

We spot a few turtles who break the water and dive quick as they are hunted by locals… turtles are still a favorite meal of the Australian indigenous population.

Apparently six of hte world’s seven turtles are found in this bay.

The bay also has the second highest tidal flow in the world.

After seeing a few turtles, and spot a dugong munching on the seabed we meander back to town.

Feeling pretty spoilt with teh wild life, and incredible water and sun, we are also treated to food. First up are cakes, then a quiche, then delicious fruit salad.

Finally when I thought the experience couldn’t get better, we are offered a cold face cloth! Superb.

I can highly recommend doing this activity and urge you to go iwth Cameron and his crew.

It is a very interesting day and the best way to learn about conservation and our remarkable planet.

What to do in Broome in 24 hours

Broome is a costal town in Australia that not many people visit.

It’s a total shame as there is stacks to see and do.

The flavour is very Australia, very “outback” and very different.

There are some things you do need to pay attention to and “not being informed” is a poor excuse for being bitten by a box fish jelly fish or being marrooned in the desert. This is hte outback and you do need to know a few things.

This blog isn’t about that though, it’s about WHAT you can DO if you have 24 hours in Broome.

There is a gentle waking in Broome, no traffic and no rush. They call it Broome time.

You can do a few activites in the morning, I chose to do a snubtip dolphin trip. It starts at 830 and you are back by 1230… The cruise is amazing and it is a wonderful opportunity to be out on the water, seeing Broome from a different angle. Learn about hte marine life in the area and what makes Roebuck Bay so special, including being listed as a World Heritage site and Ramsa.

After your dolphin experience stop at Wharf Restaurant for a delicious seafood lunch. We have scallops, oysters, fish and chilli mussels. Always a favorite of mine! 

With out sounding like a pub crawl you need to visit Matso’s in town for a sample of the beer sampler, the Custard Cider is also delicious. Cross over the road and have a relaxing drink at Mangroves.

If you would prefer an after noon tour as well, you can take a hover craft to visit the dinosaur foot prints on the other side of Roebuck Bay. I didn’t get to do that this trip but will be returning to do it for sure.

Late afternoon is hte time to explore the beautiful red clifts of gunthean point. Wander around at your own leisure and marvel at the incredible rock formations and water colour. You can swim int eh water at certain times of the year but do realise there are sharks, crocodiles and deadly stingers in the water.

For sunset, I recommend the camel ride along cable beach. It is a 45 minute saunter along the stunning beach and is a great way to feel part of the land.

AFter the camel ride, slide into Zanders, or the Sunset bar at Cable beach for another refreshing drink and to watch the sunset.

Dinner in these places is good if you are hungry.

once the sun goes down, I recommend going to the out door picture theatre in down town Broome. It is called the Sun Light Pictures and has nightly movies. Take a pillow and cushion and enjoy the openess of the theatre and random plane flying over board.

There are a few places to go to after this but I suspect you will be shattered.