Nearly every day the sunrise and sunset is a marvellous sight and experience. This is 'first light' over Rowes Bay, Townsville.
Later the same morning, 'sun-up' at the same vantage point.
One hour drive north of Townsville is the town of Lucinda, probably best known for the sugar wharf, shown here, that stretches to infinity. The island in the far background is Pelorus Island.
Hello folks, I have returned after a long absence. I apologise for not communicating sooner but life is, well hectic, as you know.
I was out with the Camera Group again, this time we visited a Craft, Herbs and Gardens farm. It really is very 'rustic', basically nature takes it's course here. But a fantastic venue for photography. Well, I think it is!
I wont write too much, I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.
This is the entry to the farm, at the front gate. This photo was supposed to be at the top of the page but somehow finished up here. Ah well.
There was a herb garden but I actually didn't take any photographs there!
These orchid varieties were showing their beautiful blooms on the day I visited The Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens Orchid House. I am not a botanist or even a basic gardener for that matter, therefore I do not know the names of these beauties. But they certainly are impressive.
I'll let the blooms speak for themselves, scroll down and enjoy!
Fraser Island is world renowned as the largest all sand island on the planet. We are fortunate to have it virtually on our doorstep, it's only a 45 min ferry trip to get there from the harbour at Hervey Bay. This is Lake Wabby with a sand dune encroaching from the east coast of the island.
A group of young international tourists board riding the dune into Lake Wabby.
Walking the dune from Lake Wabby to the coast.
Phew, almost there!
Typical of the dry land forest on Fraser Island.
There are many pristine, crystal clear streams on Fraser Island. It rains somewhere on the Island every day of the year.
A forest walk and another clear stream.
This is part of a rain forest walk. One of many.
The rain forest is full of fallen trees like this one, covered in moss.
A rain squall over the Sandy Straits. The straits separates Fraser Island from the mainland.
One of the crystal clear blue water lakes on Fraser Island. This one is Lake McKenzie. The beach is extremely fine, white silica sand. The sand is great for cleaning jewellery and revitalising your skin. So they tell me.
Another of the blue lakes, this one is Lake Birrabeen, with the same fine white silica sand.
The eastern surf beach facing the southern Pacific Ocean. Wandering along the beach is Australia's native wild dog, the Dingo.
The ocean in this vicinity can be very harsh. This is the wreck of the Maheno, blown onto the coast July 1935. There is not much of it left now.
A close-up view of the hulk.
And an internal view. Nothing much remaining here.
Eli Creek. Great for relaxing tired legs.
Eli Creek meets the surf beach. Tourist coaches abound.
Small aircraft land on this stretch of beach as well. Almost the entire length of the eastern coastline is drivable by 4wd vehicles, some 130 km or approx. 80 miles. The entire island is navigable by 4wd only via sand tracks.
Fraser Island was inhabited, pre white settlement, by the Butchulla Tribe of the Australian Aborigine. Evidence of their habitation is visible in many places. Here is a scar in the bark of this gum tree where many years ago bark was removed to create a crude canoe.
These trees are termed "scar trees". Bark has been removed to indicate the land boundaries of particular family units.
This is one of the dining rooms at Kingfisher Resort for visitors who are staying on Fraser Island.
This is the reception and sitting room at Kingfisher Resort.
This is the entry to Kingfisher Resort.
This is The Sand Bar Restaurant for day visitors to Fraser Island.
The pool area at The Sand Bar Restaurant.
The arrival/departure pier for the ferry that travels to the boat harbour at Hervey Bay.
