The Bangers Are Back .... On The Road

The Sunshine State

(mostly)

July 18 to August 8, 2025

A decade ago Garry had a 60th birthday and we set off around Australia for two years.
His 70th birthday wish? Another lap around Australia, albeit just five months.

First a birthday celebration with dear family in Sydney
I must add it was a more restrained party than the 60th in Kingy Pub!
Suffice to say our presence was not required after 11pm when hotel staff realised
how may beanies we were wearing (one beanie per bucket of six Coronas) 😆😆

 G's trio: Tim, Lissy and Mill

Phew ... lots of family 

G with Lissy and gorgeous grandies Goldie and Daisy 

My boy Sebastian and partner Mel

Sister Julie with brudder G

First stop on the road was Samford Valley, north of Brisbane

 with nephew Jono, Kate, Emily, Tom Tom and Ray

Jen and G with Tom Tom

While there, we broke away for a day and joined my Fiji gang friend Jann

 and husband Steve at North Stradbroke Island

Jann and Jen

Jann Steve Jen and G

And then we were on our way north into Queensland

This camp site on the Burnett River west of Maryborough took our fancy

We continued trekking north ...

An overnighter at Cape Palmerston south of Mackay ...

... and on to Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella National Park

A sign along the path failed to deter us

We would have been denied this sight/site

What is a girl supposed to do? Strip n swim it seems!

A bike ride revealed signs of some not-so-friendly locals

Gorgeous camp spot. The first of many fires

No one else around so we took liberties

Very friendly pup dog :)

A few days in Townsville to see gorgeous Hannays who we met on the road 10 years ago.

Mikayla, G, Ethan, Raylene and Jen

We had to revisit Big Crystal Creek in Paluma National Park north of Townsville

 ... and recreate a decade old photo of us leaping into the creek 

Brilliant!

A contemplative G with beer

And on we pushed, this time to Porcupine Gorge north of Hughenden

First things first. Gathering firewood before we entered the NP

Another night, another fire.

Porcupine Gorge with Pyramid Rock standing sentinel

Cold but delicious dip in the gorge

We were up 'at the crack of' to drive to Quamby Hotel, north of Cloncurry near Mount Isa

Fabulously restored old pub.
Word has it that Kate and Sarah's grandfather owned the hotel many moons ago.
It was let go, bought in 2022, rebuilt and reopened in 2023.
It's again up for sale ...

Ahhhhh. Fabulous sunset at Quamby

Our final stop before entering Northern Territory was on a lake near Camooweal. 

Yoga with full moon rising 

 Relaxing with full moon rising 

Contemplating fire with full moon rising

Another early start
The sun was rising ...

... as the moon was setting

And on we travelled across the border into the Northern Territory

That's it for now :)