The Gulflander

January 30, 2018January 29, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Charlie Honey was a Gulflander train driver of yesteryear. The Gulflander runs between Normanton and Croydon in the Gulf country of outback Queensland. It leaves Normanton every Wednesday at 8:30am. It then makes the return journey leaving Croydon at 8:30am on Thursday. Weather permitting the train has been running since 1891. The journey takes five hours because the track is meant to be travelled slowly but Charlie liked to work hard on improving his times. One morning he left Croydon at 8:30am and at Normanton at 11:30am he answered the telephone to be greeted by his superior. Charlie was sternly … Continue reading The Gulflander

Qld, Wildlife5 Comments

Bum Breathing Turtles

January 19, 2018January 18, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2014 The Dawson River near Moura, Qld is home to pelicans and bum breathing turtles (Rheodytes Leukops). Yep, the sign at the boat ramp says that they have oxygen extracting organs in their bums allowing them to stay under water for weeks. The things that you learn out here. Continue reading Bum Breathing Turtles

Overheard, Qld3 Comments

Building Bridges

January 10, 2018January 9, 2018 Itching for Hitching

A friend of mine always says “Build a bridge and get over it.” However, a bloke we ran into in Kandanga had this to say on the subject of romance: “I wear my wedding ring to remind me never to do anything so stupid again.” Continue reading Building Bridges

Point of Interest, Qld10 Comments

Tewantin Ferry

January 7, 2018 Itching for Hitching

July 2017 Sunshine Coast, Qld On the sage advice of a friend we board the Tewantin ferry and spend 45 minutes tootling down river to Noosa Heads stopping at half a dozen wharves along the way. The skipper is a … Continue reading Tewantin Ferry

Places, Qld6 Comments

The Lazy Tourist’s Guide to Magnetic Island

December 14, 2017December 12, 2017 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2016 We catch the ferry over to Magnetic Island. Ferries run every hour and the trip only takes 20 minutes. We’re on the aft deck beside two young ambo’s and a nurse. Laden with a gurney and equipment they … Continue reading The Lazy Tourist’s Guide to Magnetic Island

Point of Interest, QldLeave a comment

Carlo Sandblow

December 7, 2017December 3, 2017 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2014 At Rainbow Beach in Queensland we climb the Carlo Sandblow which is impressive as it rises directly behind the popular beachside town and stepping off point for Fraser Island. The east side of the sandblow drops away steeply … Continue reading Carlo Sandblow

Caravanning Hints, NSW, Qld2 Comments

Bordering on Madness

December 1, 2017November 27, 2017 Itching for Hitching

The New South Wales, Queensland state border is an unusual delineation. At Wallangarra the state border crosses through the railway station platform. At bustling Tweed Heads, NSW in the Summer Time you will find that you can put half of your body in a different time zone as its twin town of Coolangatta is in Queensland and doesn’t partake in Australian Eastern Summer Time, thus it remains an hour behind the rest of the eastern states for nearly half the year. Alcohol isn’t sold in supermarkets in Qld but it is in NSW, so for convenience sake you can duck … Continue reading Bordering on Madness

Point of Interest, Qld10 Comments

The Flying Kangaroo

November 20, 2017November 17, 2017 Itching for Hitching

The Spirit of Australia could not be a more apt slogan to describe the airline QANTAS. A most unlikely business created by people who were game to just give it a bloody good go. QANTAS was initially founded in Winton … Continue reading The Flying Kangaroo

Places, QldLeave a comment

Ravenswood Architecture

November 19, 2017November 16, 2017 Itching for Hitching

The charming old gold mining town of Ravenswood is 130 kms south west of Townsville in Queensland. It may be small but it does have two pubs, cold beer and an operating mine. All good reasons to set up at the showgrounds and explore a piece of history. Continue reading Ravenswood Architecture

Freedom Camp, Qld3 Comments

Lake Borumba

November 14, 2017November 9, 2017 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2017, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Qld Leaving Imbil we wind through the forest and cross Yabba Creek six times before we arrive at Lake Borumba camp ground. A well sheltered, treed and grassy area beside Yabba Creek and at … Continue reading Lake Borumba