| Drives |
Overland Telegraph Line (OTL), Cape York Peninsula, Qld
Gulf of Carpentaria Track, Savannah Way, Qld & NT - best part of the trip to date
Combination of Lasseter Highway, Mereenie Loop, Namatjira & Larapinta Drives, NT
Old Andado Track, NT and onto Mt Dare, SA
Oodnadatta Track, SA
Great Ocean Road, Vic
Yatala Roadhouse to Ooldea, then onto Cook and back to the Eyre Highway, SA
Ocean Road, west of Esperance, WA - turquoise, blue water & drivable white beaches
Karri Forest Explorer, WA - tall, straight, ancient trees
Indian Ocean Drive, WA - unique coastline and features
Gibb River Road, Kimberley, WA - great spots to camp along the way
Tanami Desert Track, WA & NT - helping aboriginal mobs
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| Town |
Lake Macquarie, NSW - access to Sydney
Red Rock, north of Coffs Harbor, NSW
Lennox Head & Kingscliff, NSW - climate
Wonga Beach - close to Pt. Douglas (30 minutes) and Cairns International airport
Alice Springs, NT - community spirit, dry hot climate
Port Broughton, SA - lower cost, coastal retirement
Riverland towns, SA; 5 towns; Waikerie/Loxton, Berri/Bamera, Renmark + 10 - 12 small towns - growing due to increased wine grape production
Mildura, Vic - growing, regional Riverland town with many amenities and air/rail service
Port Fairy & Nelson, Vic - quaint coastal towns with inlets but too cold/wet
Southend & Beachport, SA - small beach towns, fishing, rock lobster
Angaston, Barossa Valley, SA - hamlet 80 kms from Adelaide, heart of wine area
Mt Barker region, Adelaide Hills, SA - freeway, growing, lifestyle properties
McClaren Vale, SA - freeway, picturesque area with hills, vines and beach
Port Elliot, SA - protected beach, quaint town and friendly people
Adelaide, SA - small city (big country town), restaurants, pubs, good Festival Theatre
Tumby Bay, SA - great bay and small coastal town
Coffin Bay, SA - protected bay, close to thriving small town of Port Lincoln
Cheynes Beach, WA - next to Waychinicup Inlet and NP, WA
Albany, WA - great coast area, NPs, pretty big regional center of over 28,000 but too windy in the winter
Bridgetown and Nannup, WA - mixed rural (farms and orchards) in a forest setting
Flinders Bay, Augusta, WA - quaint but too cold and windy in winter
York, WA - 80 kilometers to Perth, historic, Avon Valley
Perth, Darling Ranges - views of Perth and the coast
Kalbarri, WA - Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean, NP, untouched, small town
Broome, WA - start and end of 2 great drives, colorful people
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| Beaches, Rivers, Lakes, Gorges |
75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island
Finch Hutton Gorge, Eungella NP, Qld - rainforest
Lake Tinaroo, Qld
South Mission Beach, Qld
Wonga Beach, Qld - typical south Pacific beach with palms
Captain's Billy Landing, Cape York Peninsula
Coburg Peninsula, NT
Trephina Gorge, East MacDonald Ranges, NT
Palm Valley, Finke NP, NT
Daley River at Mango Grove, NT - wildest river I've ever seen
42 Mile Crossing, Coorong NP, SA
7 Mile Beach, Coffin Bay NP, SA
Thistle Cove Beach, Cape La Grade NP, WA
Little Wharton (& Big Wharton) Beaches, Duke of Orleans Bay, WA
Dolphin Cove, Cape Arid NP, WA
Little Beach, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, WA
Salmon Beach, D' Entrecasteau NP, WA - salmon cliffs and white sand
Conto Spring Beach, Leeuwin-Naturaliste NP, WA - surf breaks, beach & cliffs
Pot Alley, Kalbarri NP, WA - small, great ocean swimming spot
Monkey Mia, WA - wild, bottlenose dolphins on the beach
Eagle Bluff, WA - tiger sharks visible
Coral Bay, WA - snorkeling right off the beach with range of fish, rays etc
Karijini NP, WA
- Waeno, Hancock, Joffre & Red Gorges junction - unreal
- Fern Pool, Dales Gorge - quite spot
- Wittenoom Gorge - spectacular & place of few people due to asbestos
- Hamersley Gorge and Pool - amazing, twisted rock formations
Cable Beach, Broome, WA - drive along the beach to watch the sunsets and camels
Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing, WA - big river when in flood
Tunnel Creek NP, WA - fascinating cold pools under the rocks
Winjana Gorge NP, WA - numerous freshwater crocodiles in a wonderful setting
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| Incredible spots |
War Memorial, Canberra, ACT
Second Lost City, Nathan River Road, NT - sandstone formations
Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, south of Darwin, NT - birdlife
Murgenella Creek Crossing - birdlife
Kata Tjuta; the Olgas, NT - rock formations
12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Vic - coastal formations
Caves Beach, near Point Sinclair off the Eyre Highway, SA - waves break left and right
Cook, Trans Australia Railway line, Nullarbor Regional Reserve, SA - friendliest place
Bunda Cliffs, Great Australian Bight Marine NP, SA - great coastline
Waychinicup Inlet, Waychinicup NP, WA - perfect spot
The Pinnacles, Nambung NP, WA - limestone formations
Coalseam Conservation Park, WA - isolated yet picturesque site
Shark Bay, WA - World Heritage Region, Eco-Wonder
Steep Point, WA - most westerly point in Australia, South Passage to Dirk Hartog Island
Hamelin Pool, WA - 3,500 million year old cyno-bacteria formations or stromatolites
Mt Augustus, Burringurrah NP, WA - biggest rock in the world
Millstream Pastoral Station, Millstream-Chichester NP, WA - homestead walk on the fortescue River
Cossack, WA - partially restored town that started the pearling industry
Cape Leveque, WA - red cliffs onto white sand and deep blue ocean
Kimberley, WA - amazing area
Mitchell Falls, Mitchell Plateau, Kimberley, WA - great scenic beauty
Fiver River Lookout, Wyndham, WA - 5 rivers flowing into Cambridge Gulf
Marlgu Billabong, Parry lagoons Nature Reserve, WA - top spot for bird watching
Echidna Chasm, Purnululu or Bungle Bungle NP, WA - light at midday
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| Fabulous National Parks (NP) |
Fraser Island NP, Qld - beaches and wildlife
Lawn Hill NP, Qld - gorge
Kakadu NP, NT - aboriginal culture, wildlife and birds
Coburg Peninsula, Garig Gunak Barlu NP, NT - isolation and beauty
West MacDonnell Ranges NP, NT - expansive ranges
Finke Gorge NP, NT - camp ground and hiking
Uluru - Kata Tjuta NP - understandable icons of Aussie tourism
Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges NP, SA - wildflowers and scenery
Murray River NP, SA - beautiful big red river gums, large pelicans and many kangaroos
Otway NP, Vic - rugged coastline, lighthouse and shipwrecks
Grampians NP, Vic - rugged formations, gum trees, birds and kangaroos
Canunda NP, SA - rugged coastline
Coorong NP, SA - large, lakes and large flock of pelicans, seabirds
Deep Creek Nature Reserve, SA - spectacular coastline, dolphins and kangaroos
Flinders Chase NP, Kangaroo Island, SA - Remarkable Rocks
Innes NP, Yorke Peninsula, SA - excellent coast line
Port Lincoln, NP, SA - excellent coast line
Coffin Bay NP, SA - great 4WD trip and coastline
Gawler Ranges NP - isolation
Nullarbor NP, SA - pure isolation
Cape Le Grand NP, WA - beaches, bays and coves
Cape Arid, NP, WA - wilderness on Telegraph track to Israelite Bay
Stokes NP, WA - empty, beautiful beaches and surf
Fitzgerald River NP, WA - diversity and variety of fauna, rugged hills and coastline
Stirling Range NP, WA - distant blue ranges, steep and unique fauna
Torndirrup, West Cape Howe and William Bay NPs, WA - great coastlines
D' Entrecasteau NP, WA - beaches
Leeuwin - Naturaliste NP, WA - coastline
Kalbarri NP, WA - Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean
Francois Peron NP & Shark Bay Marine Park, WA - red bluffs on white sand beaches, aquamarine seas
Kennedy Range NP, WA - red cliffs like Arizona
Cape Range NP & Ningaloo Marine Park, WA - snorkeling off the beach with great fish
Karijini NP, WA - one of Australia's best kept secrets with amazing gorges and pools
Millstream-Chichester NP - Millstream Station and Chichester Range
Mitchell River NP, Kimberley, WA - Mitchell Falls, very isolated spot
Purnululu or Bungle Bungle NP, WA - beehives formations
Daintree NP, Qld - World Heritage rain forest
Paluma Range or Mount Spec NP, Qld - rain forest, views and falls
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| Restaurants/Food |
Seasons, Nossa, Qld - food, wine, patrons, view
The Inlet, Port Douglas, Qld - food and water view - enjoyed it twice!!
Mangos café, Hilton Hotel, Cairns, Qld - on the lawn overlooking the inlet
Seafood at Cullen Bay, Darwin, NT - sunset and seafood buffet
Copley bush bakery, SA - chicken/white wine, steak/red wine pies and bush pasties
Banrock Station Winery, Kingston-on-Murray, SA - quality food/wine at very reasonable prices (reserve shiraz $12, +$3 corkage), environmental building, wetlands
Laneways, Melbourne, Vic - Brussels feel
Bistro, Port MacDonnell, SA - lobster and prawns at low prices
Vintners, Angaston, SA - quality food and wines
d'Arenberg Winery and Verandah restaurant, McClaren Vale, SA - views and food
Sammy's Seafood, Glenelg Marina, SA - seafood and views
Tea Rooms, Esperance, WA - marina environment, on the verandah, good local wine
barchetta, North Cottesloe, WA - beach sunset, food, BYO
Thai Cuisine, Cottesloe, WA - authentic Thai, 24 years existence, friendly owner
Cape Lavender, Margaret River region, WA - quality food and wines
Black Rock Café, Kalbarri, WA - sweat rock lobster overlooking river mouth & beach
Moby's Café, Point Samson, WA - fish and ships
Matso's Brewery, Broome, WA - excellent ESB and seafood
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| Pubs |
Byron Bay Hotel, NSW - people watching
Lions Den, onto Cooktown, Qld - outback pub
Daly Waters Pub, NT - outback pub
William Creek, Oodnadatta Track, SA - outback pub
Rising Sun, traditional South Melbourne pub, Vic - few beers with Wayne
Ozone, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, SA - whiting
Edinburgh, Springfield, Adelaide, SA - historic pub with gardens and great eating areas
Coopers Brew House, Carrington Street, Adelaide - good draughts and food
Rosie O'Gradies, James Street, Northbridge, Perth, WA - great atmosphere
Kalbarri Tavern - meeting the young Swedes
Bangemall Hotel, Cobra Station, near Mt Augustus, WA - offered a job
Ningaloo Reef Resort, Coral Bay, WA - happy hour overlooking the beach
Samson Beach Tavern, Point Samson, WA - very relaxed spot
Diver's Tavern, Cable Beach, Broome, WA - like a US sports bar on Saturday afternoon
Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing, WA - top camping spot with excellent barra and 'the works' hamburger
Drysdale River Station, Kimberley's, WA - meeting up 3 sets of traveling acquaintances
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| Camping spots |
Woody Point, Bunjalung NP, Iluka, NSW - beach sunset, wildlife
75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island, Qld - beach sunsets and wildlife, isolated
Murray River Falls, south of Innisfall, Qld - waterfalls and aboriginal area
Fong-On Bay, Lake Tinaroo, Atherton Tableland, Qld - lake, wildlife
Archer River, Cape York Peninsula, Qld - isolated, beauty
Pungalina Station, NT - isolated beauty
Kingfisher Camp, Bowthorn Station, Qld - grass, shady trees and ultra clean facilities
Sandy Billabong, Kakadu NP, NT - birdlife
Ruby Gap NP, East McDonnell Ranges, NT - isolated, shear red cliffs
Palm Valley, Finke Gorge NP, NT - grass, shade, overlooking the Finke River
Coward Springs, Oodnadatta Track, SA - historic, ingenious, well crafted, cared for
Katarapko Creek, Murray River NP, SA - on the river campsite
Franklin Bay, Otway NP, Vic - wild rugged spot, protected from the onshore winds
Wreck Crossing, Coorong NP, SA - quiet, protected spot covered in by trees
Trig Campground, Deep Creek Conservation Park, SA - numerous large kangaroos
Memory Cove, Port Lincoln NP, SA - site #1, sandy & expensive @ $16, booked at the Tourist i, Pt. Lincoln but very remote and great cove
The Pool, Point Sir Isaac, Coffin Bay, NP, SA - great 4WD in and protected beach
Port LeHunte, Point Bell Conservation Reserve (near Caves Beach) - didn't stay but what a protected beach and jetty
Cook, SA - friendly townsfolk, resident population 4
Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand NP, WA - kangaroos on the beach
Israelite Bay, Cape Arid NP, WA -isolation
Waychinicup Inlet, Waychinicup NP, WA - did not stay but a perfect spot
Parry Beach, WA - next to William Bay NP, $7/night
Drafty's Camp, Warren NP, WA - camping with the bandicoots amongst tall Karri trees
Bottle Bay, Francois Peron NP, WA - isolated, dolphins
Amos Beach, Steep Point, Carrarang Station, WA - unique spot
The Temple, Kennedy Range NP - majestic spot
Deep Reach Pool, Millstream-Chichester NP, WA - on the Fortescue River
Kooljaman Tourist Complex, Cape Leveque, WA - expensive but top eco-tourist spot
March Fly Glen, Gibb River Road, King Leopold Ranges - magic spot on the roadside
Old Mornington Camp, Kimberley Tablelands, WA - private conservation park
Ellenbrae Station, Gibb River Road, Kimberley's, WA - birdlife at dawn
Kingfisher camp, El Questro, Gibb River Road, Kimberley's, WA - quiet spot & birdlife on the Pentecost River
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| Caravan Parks |
Township 1770, Qld - water views
Tallaroo Hot Springs, Qld - hot springs pool
Mango Farm, Daly River, NT - heritage trees and barramundi
Gemstone, NE of Alice, NT - immaculate, well cared for, gemstone fossicking
Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges NP, SA - loads of shade trees in a top setting
Clare, SA - green grass, yellow daises and tall stand of gums
Loxton, SA - CH home town, quiet river spot, many birds
Picnic Point, Mathoura, NSW - River Murray foreshore (1 m) campsite
Lakeside, Halls Gap, Vic - warm camp kitchen in the cold, wet weather, plentiful crimson rosella, deer and kangaroos
Nelson, Vic - quiet, protected by bush land, magpies and cheap @ $13.50
Blue Lake, Mt Gambier, SA - heated, dry camp kitchen @ $18
Mannum, SA - right on the Murray River front - best place in the park @ $15
Port Elliott, SA - right on great beaches
Brownhill Creek, SA - quiet, on the creek but 15 minutes to central Adelaide
Moonta Bay and Port Rickaby, Yorke Peninsula, SA - right on the beach
Fonty's Pool, near Manjimup, WA - amazing pool
Flinders Bay, Augusta, WA - protected, grass, trees, quaint
Acacia van park, Busselton, WA - very friendly, good swimming beach
Ravenswood, Murray River, east of Mundurah, WA - right on the river, fresh crabs
Guilderton, mouth of Moore River, WA - 1 hr north Perth, friendly, value, new amenities
Red Bluff, Kalbarri NP, WA - green grass and plenty of shade near the beach
Monkey Mia Resort, WA - expensive & no shade but great spot to mix with other like minded tourists
Peoples Park Caravan Village, Coral Bay, WA - busy but well kept up, great beach
Point Samson, WA - small, quaint and right on the beach
Eighty Mile Beach, WA - oasis between Broome and Pt. Headland - 80 mile beach
Cable Beach Caravan Park, Broome, WA - shade trees, green grass, birds
Ivanhoe Big 4, Kununurra, WA - modern layout and facilities with green grass, 4 stars in the outback
Etty Bay, Qld - cassowaries on the beach
Lake Monduran, Fred Haig Dam, Bundaberg - quiet, friendly spot for $11/night
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| Tours and places to visit |
White water rafting, Tully River, NSW
Sea kayaking, Schute Harbor, Qld
Sailing, Whitsunday, Airlee Beach, Qld
Thursday Island, Torres Strait Islands
Desert Wildlife Park, Darwin, NT
Cobbold Gorge, Savannah Way, Qld
Victoria Settlement, Coburg Peninsula, NT
Katherine Gorge, NT
Arkaroola Observatory, Northern Flinders Ranges, SA
Naracoorte Caves, SA
On the beach to see Australian Sea Lions, Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA
Cleland Wildlife Park, Mount Lofty, Adelaide, SA
Gerladton museum, WA - new, documentaries on aborigines, shipwrecks, local history
BHP Billiton (Newman) iron ore mine tour - amazing operation & huge hole
Pearl Lugger, Broome, WA - the sea, the men, the legend - museum presentation by Steve, a laidback, ex-lugger captain
Helicopter ride back from Mitchell Falls - Chris's first time, smooth, great scenes
Slingair Helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Ranges
Min Min Encounter, Boulia, Qld - great explanation and quality set-up
Outback at Mt Isa, Qld - Australia fossil mammal site
Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach, Qld - top quality overview of Australian history
QANTAS Outback Founders Heritage Museum, Longreach, Qld - early history
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| Hikes |
Palm Valley, Finke Gorge NP, NT - unique flora
Kings Canyon, Watarrka NP, NT - sandstone formations & views
Base Walk (Ayers Rock), Uluru - Kata Tjuta NP, NT - sandstone monolith
Hills Homestead, Wilpena Pound, SA - colorful wildflowers, prolific red river gums
Handrail Pool, Weano Gorge, Karijini NP, WA - top swimming spot
Dales Gorge (Fern to Circular Pools via Fortescue Waterfall), Karijini NP, WA
Mitchell Falls, Mitchell Plateau NP, Kimberley, WA - spectacular scenery
Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu or Bungle Bungle NP - top spot
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| People |
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Glen & Siegfried from Ferntree Gully, Vic; young entrepreneurs at 1770 caravan park
Sheryl & Beth, moving to country town Victoria; on Cape York Peninsula trip
Rod & Tracy, nurseryman Airlie Beach; at South Mission Beach caravan park
Stony from Port Augusta, ex NP maintenance manger; at Pungalina Station
Helen Bundy, Mittagong; at Lorella Springs Station
John Williams, tribal leader and GGB NP Ranger on Coburg Peninsula
Mick & Sue, sociologist at Murdock Uni, Perth; at Alice Springs
Tony & Jackie Vandelegt, East Gippsland, retired; on Palm Valley, Finke Gorge hike
John & Marlise Botha, Intestine Care Specialist, Mornington Peninsula; Finke camp site
Greg (& Prue), Owner Coward Springs Campground; Seal Bay Road, KI resident
Bill & Debbie, retired Penrith, NSW; Halls Gap - don't get into farming or business's you don't know or understand, live in a small real estate investment
Lucy & Brian, Bunbury, WA; Moonta, SA - great couple
Annette (nee Milich) & Randolph Albrecht, Toorak Gardens, SA - great night
Maureen & Terry McEwen, Summerton, Adelaide Hills - Joe's sister, Boxing Day
Enoch Bergman, Swan Vet practice, Esperance, WA - Anthony's mate, great guy
Natasha & Andrew, Philip Island; Esperance and Mitchell Falls, WA
Counstanze & Kay Sommer, Leipzig, Germany; Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand NP
Val & John Hughes, Eaton, WA; Lake Grace van park
Chris, Diana & twins, Busselton, WA: Coalminer's Beach van park
Bill (Scottish) & Brian (Swiss); Windy Point, WA
Dennis & Judy, Bunbury, WA; Flinders Bay, WA
Dave & Nichole, Melbourne; Point Camp, Leeuwin-Naturaliste NP, WA
Brian, Lindy & Christopher, Perth; Gracetown van park, WA
Alex & Maria, Perth; Acacia van park, Busselton, WA
John Smith, Mandurah; Ravenswood can park, WA - caught and boiled fresh river crabs
Craig & Sandy, York, WA - buying real estate in York
Jessica, Kalbarri Tavern, WA - Swedish girl who'll be 30 on Nov 25th
Maria, Brett & Lachlan, WA - young Vic couple & young child traveling around Aust
Gloria & Philip, WA; working at Coral Bay van park; good attitude to travel & retirement
Robyn & Terry, Baulkham Hills Sydney; Coral Bay, WA - drinks and pizza night
Yvonne & Richard, Swiss couple from Basal; mid WA coast
Raol & Jill, Maastricht, The Netherlands; 80 mile beach and Broome
Justin & Sandi, Perth; west coast of WA, stopping in Broome for jobs at The Club
Murray & Norma, Darwin; NW coast WA; moving to Tasmania
David Edward Conalon; Broome, WA; flamboyant, color painter
Rich & Jessica, Sydney (British and American); Mitchell Falls walk
Anthony & Emma (Welsh & English); Ivanhoe Big 4 caravan park, Kununurra, WA
Ron & big Suzan, Balgo Community, WA - great aborigines on Tanami Desert Track
Max, Zurich, Switzerland, Wonga Beach - looking at land between Perth and Geraldton
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| Sayings |
"Bovines" Pete Kelly on UHF warning of feral cattle on the road on the Cape trip
"Copy that" Pete Kelly on UHF
"Fritz in a Britz" Dave warning of German drivers in a hired Britz 4WD heading towards us in the middle of the road and driving too fast
"Too easy" young customer service people throughout Australia
"WOFTAS" ABC NT Rural Radio; name for a dog - Waste Of Fucking Time And Space
"It's hard to kiss those lips at night, which nag my ass all day" Latest song by George Straight, US C&W singer
"Love many; trust few; and always row your own canoe" 106 year old man interviewed on the Sunday morning 'Macca' ABC radio show
"Mono-focal" Hugo Armstrong, Director of Queenscliff Music Festival, Vic
"Bovine manure", Ted Bull, WA ABC radio afternoon program
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| Vehicle number plates, boat & dog names |
NSW the premier state -- Queensland the sunshine state
Northern Territory, Outback Australia -- South Australia the festival state
South Australia, Gateway to the Outback -- Queensland the smart state
Western Australia the state of excitement -- Western Australia the golden state
Tasmania the natural state -- Tasmania the island state
Victoria the garden state -- Victoria on the move
Victoria the place to be -- ACT the capital state
Smiley, NT -- Di, SA
Secret Men's Business, SA -- T0, WA
Guilty, WA -- Dozer, dog on Kalumburu Road
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