Tag: Travel

Qld, Wildlife6 Comments

In Search of Cassowaries

Itching for Hitching

We have plenty of time to meander so we visit Mission Beach in Far North Queensland (humourously called FNQ up here). The drive in is through thick rainforest a mass of vines. There are signs, one after another warning us.”Cassowaries cross here”. “Cassowaries have been seen crossing here recently”. How recently? We ask. “Speeding has killed Cassowaries”. OK, we get the message but we don’t see any. Two days and many more warning signs later, we drive out to Port Coquette which overlooks both Innisfail and the river mouth. High above the town in a cow paddock stands a Cassowary, … Continue reading In Search of Cassowaries

Point of Interest, Qld5 Comments

The Bombing of Mossman

Itching for Hitching

Until you take to the road you really don’t understand the amount of bombing that the top half of Australia received during World War 2. Bombing on the Western Australian coast stretched almost as far south as Geraldton. In 1942 Mossman, Qld was bombed by the Japanese. The only casualty was a small child who was hit by shrapnel. Fifty years on she unveiled the monument at the site of her childhood home. She was Australia’s only east coast civilian casualty of the war. In an irony of war that this bombing of quiet farmlands occurred little more than fifty … Continue reading The Bombing of Mossman

NSW, Places, Point of Interest1 Comment

How Times Have Changed

Itching for Hitching

Eden is a commercial fishing hub on the New South Wales south coast. It sits high on a hill overlooking the deep water harbour of Twofold Bay. I tour the Whaling Museum and learn that land based whaling stopped here in 1930 when ‘Old Tom’ the Killer whale died. He used to herd the Right whales in close to shore so that the men could come out and harpoon them. The men would then put marker buoys on the carcasses and leave them for the Killer whales to have their fill (usually the tongues and lips, hmm tasty). The following … Continue reading How Times Have Changed

Vic, Wildlife1 Comment

Rookery or Nursery?

Itching for Hitching

It is early spring in 2012 when we visit Paynesville, Vic with a caravan in tow. Now that is a change for us as in the past we have spent so much time on the Gippsland Lakes just dagging about in boats. I’m surprised to find that the sandy little point at the entrance to the canal which always seems to be home to a lot of water birds has become a serious rookery, with nesting swans dotted everywhere. There are also pelicans, cormorants, ducks and water hens. I skirt the area, not wishing to disturb them and come within … Continue reading Rookery or Nursery?

The Road Less Travelled, Vic7 Comments

Upper Goulburn Valley

Itching for Hitching

56kms Jamieson to Wood’s Point The Yea butcher had recommended that we see ‘the valley’, especially the Kevington Pub. We go in search of  The Kevington Hotel and find that it is only 3kms from our camp ground. We drive on as far as Gaffney’s Creek following the Goulburn River all the way. The scenery is breathtaking on every bend. Each property is manicured and all have masses of rhododendron ‘trees’ in full bloom. To us it is reminiscent of New Zealand. Further on the road becomes unsealed but is very good and the farms have given way to virgin bushland … Continue reading Upper Goulburn Valley

Places, Vic10 Comments

Talbot Farmer’s Market

Itching for Hitching

Up early and excited we bundle into El Prado’s 4WD for the short drive from Clunes to Talbot. It turns out to be the 12th anniversary of the Talbot Farmer’s Market and it is a beaut.  It is held on the 3rd Sunday of every month and has grown tremendously since we were last here. Yum Cha; magnificent pork buns, dim sims and spring rolls. Fresh vegetables; Black Russians, ears of corn and locally grown and freshly dug potatoes, still muddied. Rabbits and budgies. Chooks and piglets and Indian Runner ducks. Handcrafts and neck warmers. There’s even a lady who … Continue reading Talbot Farmer’s Market