Tropical North Queensland: July 2010

Quick flit home.

Queensland was very welcoming and I had a good time but heading home. A quick flit through New South Wales.

Home and bike given a tub. She is up for sale with the view of purchasing another. It was a comfortable, reliable and rock solid ride.

Where to next????

Cloncurry, Longreach and Barcaldine

Thirty two degrees in Cloncurry and twelve degrees at home. Do I really want to go south?

Longreach is very much cattle country. Huge centre commemorating 'stockmen and women' in opening this country and building the industry.

Loangreach was also the birthplace of Qantas Airlines.

Barcaldine -

Being a bit left of centre when it comes to politics I had to visit the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party. Sitting in the shade of the "Think Tree" was where it all started. The party has grown but the tree has not faired to well.

Normanton and Karumba

Gulf country.

Going west to Karumba

Barmaga or not? One thousand two hundred and fifty kilometre round trip. Decided not so turned south through Atherton Tablelands and across the Savanagh Way.

Cooktown

Almost no one else on the road north of Cape Tribulation. The roads are good and if you have a reasonable amount of off road riding it is highly recommended.

The views are spectacular.

Calm waters. Weigh your boats anchor and walk fifteen metres to the main street of Cooktown.

The town is not big but has pubs, restaurants, supermarket, hospital, etc.

Sunset over Cooktown

Cairns to Cooktown

Shirley and Adam has now left and I am back on the road. Riding north toward Cooktown and the view along the way is spectacular.

It would be a toss up as to which is the biggest industry - tourism or sugar cane.

Plenty of beach along the way.

The owner of this boat looks like he has an interesting lifestyle.

Chuck and Julie

Chuck and Julie moved from Victoria to FNQ. I suspect the move may have involved a huge lifestyle change as well. They live near the beach and have all this jus a short walk from home. Went for a ride to Port Douglas which appears to be a playground for the rich and wantabefamous.