Brisbane, QLD


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MONSTER MOUNDS AND A CROC FREE SWIM.

We left Moreton Station after breakfast and headed north again and getting closer and closer to the tip of Australia. However, we had a few interesting stops on the way. My camera was not exposing properly so I resorted to my phone on this day.

 After driving for a few hours the driver stopped for a break and for us to stretch our legs. The road in this section was in quite good shape. We rarely saw other vehicles so it was quite exciting to see two at once with their red dust cloud following.

 Not long afterwards we pulled into Bramwell Junction Roadhouse for morning tea. All the way along this road trip we had seen termite mounds (ant's nests). The further north we went, the bigger the mounds.

To give you an idea of the size. This one is taller than our bus.

They are very hard and strong. Some idiots think its fun to try and knock them down by ramming them with their 4 wheel drives. Often the car gets badly damaged as its like hitting concrete. This one was destroyed some weeks ago but the termites are already rebuilding it at a fast rate.

 Our tour group. We became like one big family. Everyone was friendly. We were all Australians except for two couples from New Zealand.

 Our destination was the small town of Bamaga for the next two nights but to get there we must cross the Jardine River by ferry. We were safe as we left here before lunch.

 The driver announced that we would have a picnic lunch (which he had packed in the bus) at Fruit Bat Falls. He had told us the night before to wear our swimming togs as we could swim here. "What about the crocodiles?" we all exclaimed. The creek and swimming hole is fed by underground springs and there is no access for estuarine crocodiles.

So George and I braved the cold water and enjoyed a swim and a play under the waterfall. It was nice to cool off from the hot, humid weather. We got changed in the bus and sat in the shade for our lunch. 

After lunch we pushed on to catch the ferry before 5:00pm. The road had deteriorated and it was very corrugated and bumpy. However, we got to the ferry in time. This area is all managed by the aboriginal people and they run the ferry. 

These warning of crocodile signs were often seen near rivers and beaches.

 Then it was our turn on the ferry.(photo by George)

 The ferryman. (photo by George)

It was a long ride slipping and sliding along the rough road into Bamaga. We were keen to have a cuppa and a rest before dinner. The next day we would finally reach "the tip".




28 comments:

  1. Oh *sigh* how I'd love to do this trip! Fortunately the next best thing is doing it through your eyes and camera lens! I love Australia: so careful - the sign which says if you read this after 2.30 pm. prepare to camp. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reaching the tip with you.

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  2. Those termite mounds are amazing. I didn't realize they were that strong. Another lovely day with marvelous photos, thanks Diane. It's lovely going on all these adventures with you :)

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  3. Another great report. We went to Fraser Island on the weekend and had the misfortune of getting seats at the very back of the bus and had a very bumpy ride. My back is still recovering.

    On your tours do you change seats about or it is a case of if you have the misfortune of getting a bad seat at the start you are stuck with it?

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  4. those termite mounds are HUGE! so glad you got to enjoy some croc-free water play!

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  5. i am not sure i could get in that wonderful water fall, crocs can walk on land and what if one decided to walk over there and go for a swim. it is beautiful and i love the red clay roads and the ferry man

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  6. Very interesting and scenic. The termite mounds are quite something!

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  7. What a lovely waterfall. I'm sure you were all glad of a chance to take a dip in a croc free watering hole, as hot as it must have been that far north. We had termite mounds similar to that in Brazil. Somewhere in our family photo archives, there is a picture of my sister and I standing on one of them.

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  8. Hi Diane, a fascinating and beautiful tour. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  9. I'm loving this trip - something new every day - termite mounds now. Amazing structures.

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  10. This brings back so much memories of our trip, we were at the Kakadu park and saw the terminte mounds too and went swimming in a little pool with waterfalls. Love to see this.

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  11. Diane, I have been enjoying the stories and reports on your trip. The termite mounds are amazing, they are so tall. Did you go swimming? I would still be worried about the crocs. Great shots!

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  12. I am really enjoying "taking" this trip with you!

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  13. Wow what a blood great trip those termite mounds are fascinating and Fruit Bat Falls look lovely sure hope there were no crocs around

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  14. Those termite mounds are amazing, but I don't think I would be tempted to try to knock one down. The waterfall looks beautiful. Your iPhone captures some wonderful pictures.

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  15. Wow---bet you feel like you were traveling in another world for sure... That waterfall is gorgeous ---and I would have enjoyed swimming there also.

    Glad you got to the ferry before 5:00.... Not sure I'd want to camp there!!!!!! ha

    Great photo of your group. You all have met many many wonderful people in your travels, haven't you?

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  16. lovely images and commentary again Diane; I'd love to explore this country but I'd be looking up for birds too and wondering about what could be sliding along the ground nearby - crocodiles don't really impress me much

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  17. The true Aboriginal man, so lovely to see :)
    That sign is a good one, we also have come across some good ones in our Australian travels.
    That water look neat, and would be welcome up there free from crocs.

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  18. Swimming under a waterfall, how cool is that Diane..literally and figuratively :) wow those ant hills reminded me of when we lived in Africa.

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  19. Oh, wonderful pictures!
    Must have been great to swim under the waterfall!

    Take care!

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  20. I'm getting excited as we near the tip! Thanks for taking us along. The swim with the falls looked so inviting.

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  21. Those termite mounds are unbelievable. I am really enjoying this trip with you as you are seeing so many wonderful things.

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  22. You have to be absolutely sure there are no crocs.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  23. Those termite mounds are incredible -- oh my gosh! It is so much fun following along with this adventure. Always enjoy your travelogues, but I'm learning so much from this one...places I've never heard a thing about before. Loving it.

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  24. The termite mounds are amazing I had no idea they were so big
    Love the photo of the ferryman Very expressive.

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  25. Boy you two get around!! Love the shot of the red dirt road!

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  26. WOW! The termite mounds are amazing! I'd be very worried about bringing soem of those critters home in my socks...lol!

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  27. I was excited to find the largest man-made termite mound in the world at Mataranka!! Bizarre!! But the real ones are pretty impressive too!!

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