Fremantle, WA

Posted on November 10, 2017 by kenwehner

5 to 11 November 2017

Pic 2017-1105 04 Fremantle Edit

We spent the first 6 nights of our Western Australia trip in Fremantle, a port city on the south side of Perth. It proved to be an excellent location for the activities we had planned. Fremantle, or Freo as the locals call it, is a busy place with an active nightlife. Our hotel was across from the Esplanade Park and a short walk in any direction to good restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Besides all Fremantle has to offer, it was also ideal as a transportation hub. The Fremantle Train Line provided easy connections to Perth and other surrounding communities. The harbour provided an easy connection to the Rottnest Island Ferry.

Adding to the excitement, the Rugby League World Cup is being hosted by venues in Australia. The English team is staying in our hotel. My wife and son met Jimmy Graham. He plays in the NRL and was the Canterbury Bulldogs captain last season. He is considered one of the elite players in the sport. Since we are new to NRL, he had to introduce himself which probably doesn’t happen too often.

Fremantle Town Hall (left), Esplanade Hotel (top right), and Fisherman Memorial

Sky Ride Ferris Wheel in Esplanade Park

Pic 2017-1109 01 Fremantle Esplanade (9) Edit

Bon Scott Statue

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Wild Horse Mtn, Glass House Mountains

Posted on October 29, 2017 by kenwehner

29 October 2017

Pic 2017-1029 04 Wild Horse Mountain (6) Edit

Wild Horse Mountain is the smallest of the Glass House Mountains. It is located just east of Bruce Highway. There is a short, but quite steep, paved trail up the mountain’s fire watch tower.

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Mount Ngungun, Glass House Mountains

Posted on October 29, 2017 by kenwehner

29 October 2017

Pic 2017-1029 03 Mt Ngungun (29) Edit

One of the Glass House Mountains, Mount Ngungun might have the best views of the surrounding peaks. The hike is challenging but the summit provides 360-degree views.

Pic 2017-1029 03 Mt Ngungun (23) Edit

Mount Coonowrin (front) eclipsing Mount Beerwah (behind)

Pic 2017-1029 03 Mt Ngungun (5) Edit

Mount Tibrogargan

Mount Ngungun Trail

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Eumundi Markets

Posted on October 25, 2017 by kenwehner

25 October 2017

Pic 2017-1025 02 Eumundi Markets (2) Edit

Eumundi is a small town in the Sunshine Coast hinterland region. The Eumundi Markets are open Wednesdays and Saturdays. We had heard about the markets but did not realize how big they were. They claim to have over 600 vendors and 1.6 million visitors each year. Not bad for a town of less than 2000 residents. It was a nice way to spend the morning.

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Point Glorious Lookout in Mapleton NP

Posted on October 25, 2017 by kenwehner

25 October 2017

Pic 2017-1025 01 Point Glorious Lookout (25) Edit

Point Glorious, included in Mapleton National Park, is located in Samford Valley west of Yandina and Eumundi. The road is marked for 4WD vehicles but it is passable for most vehicles when the path is dry. The lookout is a short walk from the car park. It provides nice views of Mount Eerwah and the valley below.

 

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Mount Tinbeerwah in Tewantin NP, QLD

Posted on October 23, 2017 by kenwehner

22 October 2017

Pic 2017-1022 01 Tewantin (15) Edit

Southwest view toward Cooroy Mountain (right) and Mount Coolum (distant left)

Tewantin National Park is between Noosa and Lake MacDonald in Queensland, not far from our apartment. We took a short hike up Mount Tinbeerwah to the fire tower lookout that provides nice views of the entire Noosa area to the east and surrounding mountains to the south and west. The walk is relatively easy and the payback is worthwhile.

Westward view toward Lake MacDonald and Mount Cooroora (top), rock face looking south (bottom left), and the fire tower (bottom right)

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Rained Out

Posted on October 15, 2017 by kenwehner

14 – 15 October 2017

The last major event of our trip was intended to be a whale watching cruise from Hervey Bay. The next day we headed for Hervey Bay hoping we might get there before the forecasted rain. We did not.

All was not lost. We spent the late afternoon at the movies and got Chinese takeaway. The next day we drove back through rain to our beloved Coolum Beach. While it did not end the way we had hoped, the Great Barrier Reef trip was excellent. Northern Queensland is filled with fun and interesting things to do and see.

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Rockhampton, QLD

Posted on October 15, 2017 by kenwehner

13 October 2017

Pic 2017-1013 04 Rockhamton (15) Edit

We continued south from Airlie Beach as far as Rockhampton, Australia’s cattle capital, with a brief stop in Mackay. We took an evening stroll in Rockhampton’s CBD and along the river.

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Whitsunday Islands, QLD

Posted on October 15, 2017 by kenwehner

11 & 12 October 2017

Pic 2017-1012 04 Hardy to Airlie (27) Edit

While traveling to The Reef, Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach, we cruised through the Whitsunday Islands. Several of them had varying amounts of development but most appeared to be untouched.

 

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Great Barrier Reef / Hardy Reef

Posted on October 14, 2017 by kenwehner

12 October 2017

Pic 2017-1012 02 GBR Hardy Reef (13) Edit

Hardy Reef is one of the most visited spots on the Great Barrier Reef. It contains an area of coral known as Heart Reef that looks like a heart shape from above. As a result, it is considered the “Heart of the Reef”.

Heart Reef

Satellite Image courtesy Google

A pontoon is stationed at the Reef with facilities for snorkelers and divers. Its target audience is novice divers and snorkelers who want to experience the majesty of Great Barrier Reef. As a result it is a bit crowded on the pontoon but did not detract from the experience in the water as there is plenty of space for everyone. Considering it is 40 nautical miles (46 miles) into the ocean, the pontoon provided a safe environment for our family. If you are an experienced diver or are looking for solitude, this is not the place for you.

In comparison with our first adventure to the Reef at Green Island, we agreed Hardy Reef was better. Green Island has better facilities and is an easy 45 to 60-minute boat ride from shore – which are huge advantages. With no land in sight after a 3-hour boat ride each direction, Hardy Reef felt more like the Reef experience we were hoping.

No matter your experience level, we found this website to be particularly helpful in planning our visits to the Reef: www.greatbarrierreef.com.au.

Pic 2017-1012 02 GBR Hardy Reef (36) Edit

Surrounded by Fish

Ready to go from the Hardy Reef Pontoon

 

Hardy Reef

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