Well we finally picked up our new bus,quicklet packed and hit the road
Not a good time as half of Vic was in flood.
We headed north via Cann River, Bombala Goulbourn, Canberra and on to Gooloogong
where we stopped at a freecamp opposite the pub (above)

We were diverted via Eugowra via  Parkes because of flooding
A town of murals a butcher shop a pub and a great coffee shop

Alice and her new bike

We went to the Caloundra Music Festival and saw some great acts
including Icehouse
Claudette above was converted from a motorhome to a fish and chippery

We climbed Mt Coolum with Sam and the kids
What a view

Debs mates
She is a very clever lady

Still at Ararat

Weve been in Ararat nearly 2 months now .1 week to go
Did a walk through the Grampians this shot looking down to Halls Gap

Visited Aradale Asylum which has been closed for many years.
the guided tour takes 2 hours and most informative

The top of this tower housed the huge water tanks which supplied the entire complex and boilers with water.
Steam was piped around the complex for heating and steam for the kitchens huge cookers.

The main hall was used for special events,dining for the trusted inmates,movie nights etc.

Coffee dogs

Main enterance to Aradale.
A Chinese guy offered to buy it and turn it into a casino and enlarge the local airport
to take commercial jets but Kennet wouldnt allow it

Ararat july/august 2015

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 House sitting for 2 months in Ararat
Lovely old home (circ 1880 )
Very cosy.3bedrooms upstairs,2 downstairs
Lounge with gas heater downstairs
Lounge upstairs with open fire
Our room upstairs has an ensuite !
Doing paper round 3 mornings a week
after 3 mornings we have got it 100 %
up at 4.30 and home around 7.00

We have the use of this car very flash

Downstairs with staircase to 2nd floor. Note the pressed metal ceilings

Looking the other direction

Upstairs 3 bedrooms and lounge

Downstairs lounge

And dining room with galley kitchen (about the size of Avan kitchen)

Home Hill 18/4/15

Nice set of jugs in junk shop in Charters

 Headed further south inland through Atherton,Ravenshoe ,Undarra and on to Charters Towers where we spent 2 days until a very friendly Ranger moved us on.
About half way to Townesville we headed south to Ravenswood,and old gold mining town (there is still a mine operating )
The town was a bustling city in its heyday
and an unspoilt piece of our our heritage still supporting 2 lovely old hotels.
We stayed in the grounds of the Imperial thanks to John and his wife who put on a great woodfired pizza meal

The Grand Imperial

Stairway to Browns Hotel

Former Browns Hotel note staircase with Imperial in background
Originally there were 30 hotels and thousands of people

Old miners cottage

Mining equipment is scattered everywhere

Bar of the Imperial

2 old Ford trucks ready for restoration

Herberton 12/4/15

 Headed back down from Cooktown via Lions Den Hotel stayed behind pub.Tried the famous camel burgers.Good stop with hot showers.
Headed back to Mt Molloy via Lakeland then on to Mareeba which is a big coffee growing area.
Went to Saturday market and stosked up with local produce including some exotic fruit.
Stayed just out of Atherton next to a large group of French backpackers,a friendly lot who partied on til very late.
Went back to Spy and camera museum in Herberton for another tour,such an interesting guy with an amazing collection.

Masterchef Gonz whipping up a fresh batch of food poisoning

Cooktown Wharf

Old coffee machine in Mareeba coffee museum

Beck at Lions Den Pub

Made it to Cooktown 9/4/15

The Boulders near Babinda we rode our bikes herecaption

 After an interesting drive via Cardwell, Babinda, E llis Beach (great free camp on the beach) Cairns ( a swim in lagoon is a must) We headed north to Port Douglas.What a change since last visit ,it has grown from a small country town to a Noosa !
Still Mockas pies are still legendary !
We stayed a night in Mossman and visited the Gorge truly worth a visit.
Continued up to Daintree and decided not to do Cape Tribulation because return trin on ferry was nearly $30.
Spent night in Mt Molloy and then on to Cooktown,what a great road,very little traffic
Spent night in R V site in town (free)
Gonz is getting new tyres fitted and then off to Lions Den Hotel for a look (and possible night stop)

Ellis beach was a great freecamp on the water with a pub over the road !

Cooktown Lighthouse (no longer in use )
Great views over town and inlet where Cook landed in 1770 and ran the Endeaver in to shore for repairs and climbed  Grassy Hill to view safe passage back through reef

Parranella Park revisited

further north

Kingaroy where peanuts grow on bushes

Golden Orb spider

Mission Beach   Ah paradise