Year: 2024

We travelled to Sabah in North Borneo to see the Orangutans and lots more besides. The history of Borneo, third biggest island in the world, is complex but suffice to say it is made up of three separate countries, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Its a beautiful melding of cultures and a predominantly Muslim country. The…

Over three weeks we traversed this vast state and clocked up some 6,500 kms on our dodgy car which from day one decided to Underperform – we limped our way back to Brisbane having realised that the trip we did was only half of what is out there. So we need to return for more.…

Heading down from the AthertonTablelands we explored a few stops over one week. This is an “abridged version” as I often say on the Radio. Mutchilba with friends at their farm, meeting Barbie the Pony, (note blonde mane), finding mutual friends from Kenya days (who would have dreamt it). One young one has been baptised…

You know you are in the tropics when the taps in your Motel are like this one in Karumba on the banks of the Norman River in the Gulf of Carpenteria. Finally, we had reached the Bay. We travelled on the Matilda Way on long and straight roads dotted with graveyards of tombstone termite mounds.…

The Kalkadoons, an Indigenous tribe, were here first and are famous for their stone axes. They know the value of the earth and what lies beneath. Then came John Campbell in 1923 who recognised that the rock he held in his hand was nothing less than lead. The ground is rich in copper, lead and…

Winton is home to Australia’s Dinosaurs Banjo and Matilda, among others. They were discovered on a cattle property and since then the collection of fossil bones has been overwhelming. They are crying out for volunteers to help them process their finds. Its a truly impressive place on a “Jump Up” – raised ground dating to…

In Longreach, a town which was planned by a French Surveyor with streets named after birds. Loved the advert for the Birdcage Motel on the corner of Duck St and Galah St. This is our slab hut at Saltbush Retreat. Off to the Qantas Founders Museum. Three enterprising young men realising the need for air…

To Lara Wetlands a dreamy place which is inhabited by birds and caravans in equal measure. Steaming hot water coming out of the ground for the hot tub. The chicks learning their tricks. The vistas eerie. Barcaldine (Bar- Call- din is how you say it properly) is a little further north. The centre of huge…

“Dont be silly”, I hear you say – thats an oxymoron. There is nothing bitesize about the QLD outback. It is vast and open. Roads stretch as far as the eye can see and beyond. Here is the map of QLD- the coastline is a mere 6,973 kms and its size is 1,727,000sq kms, approx…

Headed out for a walk to clear thoughts and feelings about today. Blue skies, sunshine and a brisk cool wind. Leaves glistening in the light, the paths strewn with dead branches and occasional pops of pink. Wish that the deadly politicians with their empty rhetoric could also be swept away. Fifty years ago to this…