Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island (120km x 50km). There are no paved roads and the beach serves as the main "highway". Giant Satinay Trees Lake McKenzie Mahano Shipwreck 75 Mile Beach Eli Creek
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On the 19th, we had a long, rainy drive to Rockhampton City where we had a relaxing stay in a 1939 cottage home with good espresso. Then, on the 20th, we drove another 477 kilometres to make it to Rainbow Beach. I get a kick out of the 80km/hr speed limit on the sandy beaches. After watching the sunset at the incredible Carlo Sandblow, I stayed up enjoying Jack and Coke with our airbnb hosts.
Our pre-booked Whitsunday boat trip was cancelled, so we were left with two options: skip it, or switch to the only operator running in inclement weather. It wasn't the sunny day at the beach that I'd previously imagined, but we did have Whitehaven, a world-class beach, pretty much to ourselves and we did see the famous "swirling sands". Unfortunately, the visibility was terrible for my second chance to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
We spent three rainy nights at Airlie Beach. Mt. Rooper, Conway National Park (overlooking Hamilton Island)
Bibinda Boulders Josephine Falls Pooja Lookout Townsville from Castle Hill Townsville on a rainy evening
From the boat to Fitzroy Island, the scenery reminded us of the Caribbean. Upon arrival, we set out on the Lighthouse & Summit Track. Fitzroy offered my first opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns Burger, beer, fish, and chips at PJ O'Brian's Irish Pub
After this awe-inspiring start to our day, we had a ridiculous flight schedule that took us back to Sydney before eventually flying north to Cairns where we checked into a converted container airbnb unit.
Uluru was amazing and the weather was perfect. I took many photos... When we arrived at Uluru (Ayers Rock), the moon was still visible and the sun was on the rise. Climbing "The Rock" was prohibited, but we did complete the "base walk" around it, including the Kantju Gorge extension. I had ignorantly and naively believed Uluru to be one consistent, solid mound of a rock. We discovered as we walked, that it actually has crevices, canyons, varied textures, caves, etc. Next we headed to Kata Tjuta's Valley of the Winds Walk to the Karu and Karingana Lookouts. Walpa Gorge Walk Kata Tjuta Sand-dune Viewing Platform (that's Uluru on the far right) We hiked more than 20 kilometres today! Watching the sunset seemingly change the colour of Uluru was a spectacular finish to our day.
We did two hikes within the park: the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, including the Garden of Eden and Kings Creek, and the Kathleen Springs Walk. Kings Canyon Kathleen Springs Mount Conner
Today's drive was even longer: more than 765 kilometres in total! Unfortunately, the difficulties faced by Canada's First Nations population seem to be mirrored by those of Australia's aborigines. After all that driving, the Cooper's from Lausanne was perfect.
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