Lake Eacham, Nth Qld.

Lake Eacham was the location for our two night stay on the Atherton Tablelands. A 3klm walk around the lake provides both exercise and a glimpse of the spectacular flora in this region. Huge trees that my little camera cannot do justice to, Maidenhair Fern cascading down the banks, and fungi of all colours and shapes.

How peaceful is this?

Watching the turtles and fish.

Trees reaching heavenward.

If only it grew like this in a pot!

The path to .....

Some trees need a firm anchor in the ground.

Varied vegetation.

Aerial roots will eventually reach the ground and take hold.

Fungi

A Rare Find

As Tanya was driving us from Townsville up to the Atherton Tablelands, we were lucky enough to chance upon this rare find. A Cassowarry is a large, flightless bird, native to New Guinea and northern Australia. We were so excited at seeing this fine creature in the open - they usually stick to forested areas - that as soon as the car stopped Richard and I tumbled out into the rain, anxious to capture at least one photo. We didn't even wait to hear Tanya's stern warning, "Be careful. They can be really mean birds and have been known to attack humans. Just don't trust them." However, Tanya was even more excited than we were at seeing it. On subsequent days, whilst walking through the bush, we found official signs warning people to be careful of Cassowarries and advising what to do in case of confrontation. If I remember rightly, it was to walk backwards away from the bird and hold a backpack or something similar in front of you to help ward off attacks. This was the only one we saw - perhaps that was just as well.

Japanese Gardens, Toowoomba, Qld.

Toowoomba is a city of some 120,000 people 132klm west of Brisbane. It is Australia's second-largest inland city (after Canberra) and sits 700 metres above sea level on an escarpment of the Great Dividing Range. Toowoomba is known as 'The Garden City', justifyably so with 150 parks and gardens open to the general public. Unfortunately, the whole area is suffering badly with the drought.

Among the many great tourist attractions are these beautiful Japanese Gardens.

Brisbane Below

These shots of Brisbane were taken through the slightly grimy windows of a Virgin Blue jet as we left that city to head 1300klm north to Townsville.

Roma Street Parkland

The 16 hectares comprising the Roma Street Parkland is the largest subtropical garden in the world in a city centre. Established less than 10 years ago on unused railway yards, it is a wonderful demonstration of what can be achieved in converting an eyesore into a beautiful amenity for the whole community to enjoy.

I must admit that on the day we visited these gardens we had been walking for most of the day and by the time we arrived at the gardens I was nearly too tired to enjoy them, and almost too tired to take photos - almost, but not quite. However, the quality of these photos is not as good as I would like, but I hope they may inspire you to make a visit if you are in Brisbane with a few hours to spare.

Brisbane Bridges

We spent much of Good Friday at Southbank on the Brisbane River. An absolute MUST for me when visiting Brisbane is a ride on a City Cat - one of the many catermarans that carry tourists and workers alike up and down the river. I wouldn't go on one if it was raining as it would be a total waste of time to sit inside - I really have to sit/stand outside and feel the wind in my hair and the spray on my face. Utter bliss!

The Gateway Bridge. This photo was taken not far from the hockey centre. The City Cat doesn't go this far down the river.

'Wild Horse Lookout'

On the drive from Noosa back to Brisbane we stopped and walked (with many stops and lots of puffing on my part) to the top of Wild Horse Lookout. I'm sure the 700 metre track was almost perpendicular .... lol, but the view was well worth the effort. (Click to enlarge.)

Glasshouse Mountains

The Bruce Highway south to Brisbane surrounded by

thousands of hectares of pine plantations.

More views of the Glasshouse Mountains.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'...

... or certainly the dream of some very culturally aware folk in Noosa, Qld. This beautiful amphitheatre has been built in the Noosa Botanic Gardens on the edge of Lake McDonald. Shakespeare plays and other productions are performed here, and it's also a very popular venue for weddings.

Hockey and Noosa

The reason for going to Brisbane was to watch the Australian Hockey League Finals Week of matches. Unfortunately, the ACT team didn't doing as well as they would have liked, finishing fifth out of eight teams.

Sara

Warming up prior to the game

I actually took more photos of aeroplanes over the field than I did of the hockey. The fields were right under the flight path to Brisbane Airport, and being an aeroplane 'junkie', I couldn't resist taking the odd photo during the games.

The road to Noosa Heads, via Maleny, Montville and the Glasshouse Mountains.

Brisbane in the distance on the right.

The beach quite close to where my brother lives.

Views of Noosa.

Surrounding countryside.

We're back, but ....

.... I'm not sure that I want to be, especially when I look at the state of my garden - but more of that later. We had a wonderful three weeks - staying with friends, watching hockey, meeting my sister-in-law for the first time and seeing my brother for the first time in about 5 years, and especially spending a week with Tanya in Townsville. It was so good to see where and how she lives, meet some of her friends, and experience some of the places and activities that she enjoys so much. Thank you, Tanya, for a great holiday.

I know you will be disappointed when I say that I don't intend to post all 845 photos....lol. So here are a few from the first couple of days.

Dawn on the day of departure.

Next morning at Taree, on the Manning River.

Crowdy Head, on the Lower North Coast of NSW.

On the road again.

Lunch stop at Macksville, on the Nambucca River.

The perfect motel at Yamba, on the Clarence River, north coast of NSW.

This is the life!

Yamba Marina.....

....and miles of gorgeous beaches.

Even further North

Arrived in Townsville this morning after a two hour flight from Brisbane. Warm (very warm) and sunny here. Really looking forward to spending this week with Tanya - watching her play beach volleyball this evening and AusTag (a type of touch football) on Wednesday night. Then we will be heading off for a couple of days high up on the Atherton Tableland before flying back to Brisbane on Sunday and beginning our leisurely drive back to Canberra.

Took lots of photos of Brisbane and Townville from the plane - certainly a different view of the cities. I've only taken 300 photos in a week so far; I've been very restrained!!!

Greetings from the North

Well, not as far north as Tanya, but at least we're in the same State, Queensland. 1600klm so far, through beautiful countryside - most of it very green, too, as there's been good rains along the coast. Such a contrast to the dry, brown countryside we've been looking at for so long.

Hockey results have been mixed - ACT best South Australia yesterday but lost to Western Australia today. Rest day tomorrow and then it's ACT v Tasmania.

We're now spending a couple of nights with my brother and his wife in Noosa Heads, a couple of hours drive north of Brisbane.

I haven't taken too many photos yet, but I'm sure that will change, especially when we get to Townsville.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.