Category Archive

Glasshouse Mountains: Queensland, Australia Glasshouse Mountains: Queensland, Australia

Approximately an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, one finds the Glasshouse Mountains. Named by Captain Cook, they were created some 25 million plus years ago as the country passed over the hotspot now situated at the northern tip of Tasmania, the erosion of time has produced this awe – inspiring sight of rocks soaring above […]

Wellington Point to King Island Walk: Queensland Wellington Point to King Island Walk: Queensland

We undertook the 40 minute drive to Wellington Point in order to partake in the 2km round journey walk across to King Island at low tide. With the ebbing of the tide, a sandy causeway becomes visible, allowing the explorer to amble across the tiny mangrove surrounded island. Crabs played games of hide and seek. Sead […]

Botanical Gardens, Mt Coot – Tha, Brisbane: Queensland, Australia Botanical Gardens, Mt Coot – Tha, Brisbane: Queensland, Australia

Bob and I thoroughly enjoyed our time here with the grandchildren. Well set up for the youngsters, a treasure hunt along the childrens’ pathway kept them occupied There was plenty to look for. This was a Floss Silk Tree: quite interesting. This was a hit! and the vegetable garden was great for their sense of […]

Boondall Wetlands, Brisbane: Queensland, Australia Boondall Wetlands, Brisbane: Queensland, Australia

These wetlands were beautiful, although it’s would have been a good idea for us to set off much earlier than we did: a little warm out there, it was! Spiders of immense proportions. A showcase area. Plenty of water with the incoming tide. And the tree bark was beautiful.  

Running Creek, Queensland to Bonalbo, New South Wales: Australia Running Creek, Queensland to Bonalbo, New South Wales: Australia

With a gremlin still playing havoc with the 12 volt system and causing Bob great frustration, it was time to move on to a powered site this morning. Despite wishing to remain longer for further exploration, back to highway 13 we motored. (Although it was possible to continue into NSW via Running Creek Road, the […]

Platypus Hunting, Running Creek: Queensland, Australia Platypus Hunting, Running Creek: Queensland, Australia

Tonight was the night! Time for a platypus hunt! These elusive creatures live throughout the region, and they are to be found hunting food in the pools of Running Creek. On dusk, across the park and down to the creek went Bob and I, where crystal clear waters gaily ran through the valley. Creating burrows hidden in […]

Advancetown to Running Creek: Queensland, Australia Advancetown to Running Creek: Queensland, Australia

As per the norm during our stay here, the first in what became a chorus of bird songs over the morning awoke us at 4am. We had no idea what this particular bird is, but its noise reminded me a little of the bull roarer sound as it winds up: non – stop until way […]

Advancetown Caravan Park, Advance: Queensland, Australia Advancetown Caravan Park, Advance: Queensland, Australia

Upon preparing to set up the van on our return, we found the batteries to be rather flat. Recharging them, we hoped it would be enough to do the trick. With the intention of staying in parks not offering 240 volt power, Bob turned the mains off overnight so as to check how well the […]

Lamington National Park, Binna Burra Section: Queensland, Australia Lamington National Park, Binna Burra Section: Queensland, Australia

The last of our visits to the eastern side of Lamington National Park took place today, and it didn’t disappoint. Yet another contrasting landscape greeted us as we traversed the winding narrow road up the mountain side. At Rosins Lookout, a far distant Mount Warner that had once loomed over Lamington and the valley far […]

The Lost World Valley and Christmas Creek: Queensland, Australia The Lost World Valley and Christmas Creek: Queensland, Australia

Having driven to Beaudesert, a turn into Kerry Road had us heading south toward the imposing Razorback Mountain, on the south western edge of Lamington National Park. The region of The Lost World Valley, settled in the late 1800’s, bushland had been cleared to make way for the open green pastureland on which dairy cows […]

Ancient Antarctic Beech Trees, Springbrook National Park: Queensland Ancient Antarctic Beech Trees, Springbrook National Park: Queensland

A walk in, and there they are! The Views… A bit hazy, but still awe – inspiring. That peak in the distance is Mount Warner, the position of the volcano that assisted in creating this landscape. More to come

Lamington National Park, Green Mountain Section: Queensland, Australia Lamington National Park, Green Mountain Section: Queensland, Australia

This morning’s drive took us along roads where the trees are starting to burst with colours of red and gold, and into what is known as the Green Mountain section of Lamington NP and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Situated on the western side of the Lamington plateau, this was once the northern edge of the Mount […]

Tamborine National Park: Queensland, Australia Tamborine National Park: Queensland, Australia

A surprise as we motored up the mountain this morning. A group of paragliders were enjoying a ride upon the thermals. First stop, Cedar Creek Falls and Lookout. Dry except for a series of rock pools, the sun beat down upon the unwary with a burning fury. Brush turkeys scratched, minor birds called, and magpies […]

Mount Tamborine/Tamborine Mountain: Queensland, Australia Mount Tamborine/Tamborine Mountain: Queensland, Australia

This east Australian landscape experienced the ravages of a shield volcano, with its volcanic rim plateau resulting from both the lava flows that enshrouded the region millions of years in the past, and the weathering that later took place. By the time the volcano’s eruptions ceased, it had attained a height of 2,000m with a […]

Helensvale to Advancetown: Queensland, Australia Helensvale to Advancetown: Queensland, Australia

Both of us feeling more with it, the rig was readied under a black threatening sky, across which bright forks of lightning flashed, whilst thunder boomed in the distance. Ready at last, off we set, and down came the rain. With each passing second the temperature plummeted further, whilst the heavens bucketed down with ever […]

Brisbane to Helensvale: Queensland, Australia

The 2017/18 summer season, our first, in Rolling G commenced as Bob and I completed preparing the rig, waved the family ‘goodbye’ and commenced the journey to Lamington National Park. Still recovering from unpleasant colds, it was only a few hours later that we called it a day and halting short of the mark at […]

Australian Journey 2017

The Rolling G rig is almost ready to go. The wet season is well in its way, so we have altered plans and are heading to New England in New South Wales this time. We hope to depart either tomorrow arvo or Saturday morning.

Back in Oz Back in Oz

Our European 2017 season has come to a close. We landed in Brisbane after a good flight back. Now it’s time to bring out the ‘Rolling G’ right and head north for a month or so.   Check out our 2017 and 2018 journey in the Rolling G rig. http://www.gratisaustralis.com/category/australia-2017/ http://www.gratisaustralis.com/category/australia-2018/  

Preparations to Depart for Berlin

Preparations for placing the ‘Running G’ rig into winter storage are underway. We depart for Berlin at the unimaginable hour of 2am Monday morning. OUCH!!!!!

Rolling G preparations Rolling G preparations

Yep! We have christened the van. In keeping with ‘Big G’, the it is now officially ‘Rolling G’. We are still thinking about a name for the pajero. A few quick snaps with the phone! There are times that one has need to travel some distance to find what they are looking for. With the local […]