Our first destination on April Fools Day was Cape Peron National Park in Shark Bay, a World Heritage protected area renowned for protecting threatened animal species. Steve, our Coral Geographer master mariner expert, had given us a potted history of the first Western mariners to land on the Western Australian coast. The Portuguese, Dutch and … More Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay – Nature’s Paradise
The Houtman Abrolhos Islands are a group of 122 coral cays off the Western Australian coast near Geraldton. The islands are a blip on the horizon evident only by a line of white wash as the sea crests the reef. There are three groupings, Pelsaert, Easter and Wallbi and some support a collection of cray … More Be Amazed by the Abrolhos
The first impression one gets of Norfolk Island, as the flight dips to land, is of all the pine trees. They stand like sentinels along the ridges and valleys like giant green protectors. These majestic trees were what inspired James Cook to recommend settlement on the island and even though they were unsuitable as ship … More Wataweih, Welkam Tu Norf’k Ailen – Botanica tour
Marree sits at the junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks in some of the remotest parts of South Australia. It has always been an important trading juncture, especially after camels and their cameleers were brought from the Indian subcontinent to transport goods in the desert, hence the Ghan, the original railway running from Adelaide … More Up the Birdsville Track from Marree to Kati Thanda and Kalamurina
The country around Arkaroola in the Vulkathunya – Gammon Ranges National Park is packed with ancient geology. The Adnyamanthanha called it ‘sick country’. It was University of Adelaide professor and explorer Douglas Mawson and Sir Mark Oliphant, the nuclear physicist who recognised the potential mineral importance of the area, including deposits of torbernite, a compound … More Arkaroola to Marree
We entered the Ikara-Flinders Ranges through the Pitchie Ritchie gorge, where remnants of the Old Ghan railway are maintained by volunteers. A tourist service operates between Quorn and Port Augusta. The old railway between Port Augusta and Marree ceased to operate in 1981 and followed a route I had originally travelled in 1970. But we … More Ikara (Wilpena Pound) and Parachilna
Our Outback Spirit trip to South Australia began in Karta Pintingga or Kangaroo Island. In Adelaide, Janine and Darren our husband and wife tour guide team, whisked us into their 4WD truck and down to the Sealink Ferry terminal at Cape Jervis. Our journey across the calm Backstairs Passage was highlighted by a humpback whale … More Kangaroo Island – Karta Pintingga
Melbourne in March is sunny in the day, cool at night and for our visit, rain free. We met our daughters in Hughesdale in the midst of removing a distinctive feline smell from the polished wooden floors of their retro villa. Leaving the cleaning behind we adjourned to Oasis (http://oasisonline.com.au), an excellent Lebanese cafe and … More Melbourne in March
The final destination on our trip in Arnhem Land was at the very northern tip of Northern Territory on the Cobourg peninsula. We flew in to Vashon Head in the Garug Gunak Barlu National Park over the tropical Timor Sea. The staff welcomed us into the Seven Spirit Bay Resort with a refresher towel and … More Luxuriating at Seven Spirit Bay
The camp at Mt. Borradaile stands on the traditional land of the Bunidj people. It is Stone Country. We flew in over Cooper Creek and were met by Jade and Clint in a clapped out bus and a Jeep. The departing Outback Spirit group ahead of us warned about mosquitoes! Charlie Mangulda is the traditional … More Mt. Borradaile, home of Western Arnhem Land Rock Art
Come wandering 