Month: September 2018

Qld, The Pubs11 Comments

The Bitter End

Itching for Hitching

In an effort to enjoy every iconic pub in this country sometimes we stumble and it this one we came a cropper. Aug 2018 With a bunch of mates we have lunch at the ‘B’ Hotel and it is memorable. I am ‘lucky’ enough to get the last serve of the daily roast pork. Funny we’re the first diners to order and they’ve only got six serves. Now I know the true meaning of ‘bitter end’ because I am confronted with a plate full of bitter, chewy and dry, day old roast ends. Is it any wonder that they gave … Continue reading The Bitter End

Point of Interest, Qld6 Comments

In the Dinosaur Triangle

Itching for Hitching

June 2018 It’s a cold morning and we have a long drive ahead of us. This westerly route to Longreach is shorter but there are fewer towns. As we listen to the local radio they are discussing tourism and the dinosaur trail. “There is a kronosaurus down there that needs to be excavated.” Says the local expert. It seems that in a short decade or so cattle and sheep have taken a backseat to dinosaurs around here. No longer is cattle the king. Suddenly a hundred galahs wheel in front of us in a cloud of pink and grey, what … Continue reading In the Dinosaur Triangle

Point of Interest, Qld9 Comments

Time Travel

Itching for Hitching

Staying in Mulambin on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, we lazily drive the one kilometre to Causeway Lake for their famous fish & chips. The lake is sparkling in the sun and people are fishing from tinnies and kayaks. It is busy with people having picnics or just strolling. The old kiosk is a remnant from the ‘50’s, timber and fibro cement. Inside it is painted what I like to call Government Green, the colour of school walls in the fifties and the only things new are the drink fridges and the coffee machine, but I’m sure that someone else owns those. … Continue reading Time Travel

Taking Directions8 Comments

Travel? It’s all a matter of direction

Itching for Hitching

When I was a kid growing up on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula (in the fifties when it was considered ‘the bush’ and before it became desirable real estate) our teacher used to teach us geography by tricking us. Where’s Western Australia? “West!” We freckle faced kids in home knits would all shout. Where’s the Northern Territory? “North!” (Oh this is too easy) Where’s South Australia? “South!” We’d shout. Wrong! It’s west! Tricky but effective. Hmmm maybe it’s time to go west again, to South Australia. Continue reading Travel? It’s all a matter of direction

The Characters You Meet12 Comments

G’day

Itching for Hitching

Aug 2018 You know Aussies are a friendly bunch. As I walk across to the loos this morning a woman asks if we are moving on today. I answer “No” and expect the conversation to end there. Oh no, into the cubicles, still chatting, still asking questions. Somewhat embarrassed I realise that there’s no getting away from the inevitable. Thus in the course of performing our most personal of morning duties we discuss Queensland free camps, Victorian silo art and how we prefer to avoid cities. Washing my hands I call out “Safe travels” and scoot out the door. Only … Continue reading G’day

Point of Interest, Qld10 Comments

Dr Mays Island

Itching for Hitching

Dr Mays Island sits at the mouth of the Elliott River at Elliott Heads near Bundaberg, Qld. Once a part of the mainland what was Dr Mays farm eventually became isolated. It is a treat to watch the ebb and flow of the tide and the patterns that are created in the sand here. There is very little vegetation on the island, a palm, a prickly pear and a few other shrubs cling to this mere hummock. Ground cover plants grasp the crowns of the dunes. Aug 2018 “At low tide and with shoes happily in hand I walk across … Continue reading Dr Mays Island