Spectacular pics! What an awesome trip!
Spectacular pics! What an awesome trip!
Just a side note
Is that plasty dip paint on the front of the van.
Have used it before and it is great,just peel it off when the trips finished
Cheers Kiwivan
It is not about the journey,It is the style we travel in!
The black stuff is Speed Liner, it is a spray on Ute bed liner, stronger than steel and very flexible, has definitely paid for itself, it's permanent and the paint had to be scuffed to apply it, only issue going forward may be fading but there are plenty of products to blacken trim.Originally Posted by Kiwivan
Lots of Youtube videos about it and other brands, really is strong stuff.
I forgot to mention before I left, I hit a Roo outside of Lakeland coming home from Cooktown.
About 9am, doing 110 around a left hander, up a mountain range, one hand on the wheel, one holding a bottle of water, slowed enough that I didn't lose control and chose to hit him with the front right fender near the wheel. 40kg Roo doing around 100 and no real damage, a little (2mm) panel gap between the front bumper and quarter panel that should pop back Ok.
- - - Updated - - -
Yeah the Gibbers had me worried, I came round a bend going 70odd on dry corrugated dust, over a little creek crossing and onto a plain full of them, can't brake, can't turn and they are banging up underneath. Looks like i picked up a scratch on a wheel but otherwise OK.
If it survives gibbas it's not doing to bad.
My Hilux has massive A pillars too. They certainly obstruct your vision. I reckon the big pillars with the airbag would nearly cause more accidents than they save.
So to finish off the last trip first.
I left Cape Trib heading south, no real plans on where to stay or see, stopped in at Port Douglas and Palm Cove for a quick look, I liked Palm Cove more, Port Douglas has always felt to rich for my taste.
It was raining again, I had thought of camping at Tully Gorge, got near there early in the day and looked up white water rafting tours but ended up driving past.
Started taking photos of Hinchinbrook Island just south of Tully at a tiny National Park I found by chance, just saw a sign and pulled off the road.
Top little park, right on the beach, looks like it does not get many visitors, no camping but I reckon if you were quiet you'd get away with it.
Stopped at Caldwell by the beach just to take more photos of the Island
Then a kinda hidden lookout off the highway just south of Caldwell, well worth the stop and short walk
These might be some of my favourite photos from the whole trip
If I didn't know about all the Crocs and Stingers in that water I might call it paradise, reminds me a little of Jurassic Park
Next it was off to Winton, it was immediately apparent that the scenery would be different this time, less rain forest more "wide brown land".
First real stop was 5hrs in just outside Longreach, at the Thomson river.
There is a rest stop here, it was chockas with grey nomads and their caravans, this was to be a theme for this trip.
On the way out I noticed a big dirt pile, probably an old roadworks stockpile, looked like people had been trying out their 4wd's on it, I had to give it a go.
King of the Hill! onlookers seemed surprised I made it up, did it easy.
Back on the road for the last couple of hours to Winton.
There is a whole lot of nothing out here, which would be the main theme of this trip.
In my usual style had not booked anything, did a lap of town and chose the Pelican Caravan Park and Fuel Stop as they are close to the Pubs. Got the last spot they had for the night.
This was actually the 3rd night, every other night I had people either side of me here, busy little town just now. It's an older park and the facilities are tired, the water is from a bore and is unfiltered, stinks of sulphur. Smelt worse after a shower than before, but it wears off fairly quick.
Walking around town;
There is a group of 3 Brolgas that hang around town, seem pretty tame and will ark up at cars, funny to watch.
The Winton Hotel, nice little pub.
That's pretty much it for that trip, as I mentioned I stayed in motels on the way home, nothing too exciting to share, I do have some photos though.
Great pics, you've done a lot of peoples bucket list there.
Power's beer though, I haven't seen that since about '88 hehehe.
Cheers.
Thanks yeah, they don't stock Powers, not sure its even around anymore, I was gonna have one for my step dad. I remember nicking his as a kid, the full strength though. I had to explain to someone the other day that there was a time before light beer.
Winton by Night
Very wide streets and the main drag runs east/west so I reckon the right time of year you could get a stunning sunset shot here
Tattersall's pub, on the right you can see the famous Pelican waterhole, legend says the guy who founded the town kept seeing pelicans landing in the area and was convinced there must be water, found a waterhole and started a town, the town runs off the same bore water today and they have made a permanent waterhole in the middle of town for the birds.
Open Air cinema on the left and the North Gregory (the Waltzing Matilda Pub) on the right.
the town lights up for the festival and really supports and welcomes tourists
View in the Theater, great venue for Movies, nice clear cool night.
During the day movies were held in the Town Hall
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