Barry Beach in Gippsland, Vic, services Victoria’s offshore oil and gas platforms out in Bass Strait. There’s not a lot to see without a visitor permit but we did stumble across this giant under construction. Oil and gas platform, Barry Beach, Vic Continue reading They build ‘em big at Barry Beach
Juddy’s Hut is a miner’s cottage in Jamieson, Vic. Like so many of that era (1933) it was built from salvaged materials, note the heavy use of corrugated iron even in the chimney. And the name? Well Jack ‘Juddy’ Hampton lived in the hut for 30 years. There is more to the story of Juddy though as he fought in World War One. He was accidentally bayonetted in the stomach by a Frenchman while fighting at Paschendaele. After his home was flooded in the 1950’s for the new Lake Eildon, Juddy moved into this hut and resided here until the … Continue reading Juddy’s Hut
I do like a good museum and often you’ll find stories that really explain the culture of a region. One of my favourites is the Katherine Museum and the story of its flying doctor. Another is Cooktown with its impressive collection from each era of its past including Captain Cook’s unexpected layover here when the Endeavour was holed on the Great Barrier Reef. Port Hedland Historical Society too, has a ripper little museum and it is there that I read this story: “Local aviator Len Taplin was once stuck in Broome and, desperate to get back to Hedland to keep … Continue reading Hysterical Societies
What’s a bore? Underneath the dry heart of Australia you’ll find the Great Artesian Basin. Yep, there’s another ‘Great’ gee we’ve got a lot of ‘Great’ things dotted about this country. The Great Artesian Basin is the largest and deepest … Continue reading Eulo Bore
The coastal walk at Elliott Heads near Bundaberg in Queensland takes in both the river and fine ocean views. As the name implies Submarine Lookout was manned by the 10th battalion during the Second World War. Continue reading Submarine Lookout
Aug 2019, Bingara, NSW Australian country towns have a wonderful history of Greek Cafes. In Bingara, NSW you’ll find a fine example of this memorable era. Tours are available and ours was conducted by a descendant of a Greek immigrant … Continue reading Roxy Theatre
At Stingray Bay in Warrnambool there are two small islands, Merri Island and Middle Island. These two islands are home to Little Penguins whose numbers have been diminishing due to attacks by foxes. Since 2006 Italian Maremma Guardian Dogs have been used to protect the penguins and other birdlife. The penguin numbers are now increasing. Sound familiar? Well the movie ‘Oddball’ was based on the work of these amazing dogs. Continue reading Stingray Bay
With a length of 2508kms and including its tributaries the Darling, Culgoa, Balonne and Condamine rivers, a length of 2740kms makes the Murray River Australia’s longest waterway and the third longest navigable river in the world (from Hume Dam to … Continue reading The Mighty Murray
SS Maheno foundered on the sands of Fraser Island in 1935 on its last voyage to a Japanese scrap yard. Continue reading SS Maheno
May 2017, Laurieton, NSW Our park neighbour suggests that we visit the North Brother Lookout at Laurieton. This region is known as Three Brothers and the mountains are named according to the Aboriginal legend, North, South and Middle Brother. We … Continue reading North Brother Lookout
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