Covid-19 travel restriction changes While in Queensland, we were puzzled that the restrictions surrounding our return to New Zealand were the same as that from New South Wales which was suffering badly from Covid-19.  In contrast Queensland was having no or just one case a day. I had been expecting the New Zealand government to […]

Above:  Taking off from Brisbane, we fly over North Stradbroke Island which I ironically visited at the beginning of this trip. Checking in at Cairns Airport We both woke around 0300 after about 5h30 of sleep.  We were halfway getting ready when our alarm sounded at 0320.  We couldn’t get into the locked hostel kitchen […]

Chilling We started the day with a long waterfront walk towards the south then the north.  After that, we kept close to base as Kim was on the verge of sealing a deal for the purchase of a boat with his friend. After a light lunch of Vietnamese sandwiches, we took a swim in the […]

Back to Cairns We departed Port Douglas at 0800 driving towards Cairns.  After filling up near our destination, Kim dropped me and our luggage off near our accommodation at 0900 while he returned the wreck which we had rented. In Cairns, we’re booked for three nights at Global Backpackers in a private ensuite room.  With […]

Above:  Big crystal geode At Atherton’s Crystal Caves for AUD8380. Spending money on things like this does not facilitate my lifestyle of world travel.  Mine is one of non-attachment to objects like these! At Port Douglas, we’re near the northern limit of our rental car permitted travel zone.  With nothing better to do, we thought […]

Above:  Freeform pool at our Port Douglas accommodation, by night. Mossman Gorge After breakfast we headed out in our car, first to Four Mile Beach around the corner from our accommodation.  The sandy beach was lovely but again, the water was stirred up with sand. Text continues after this gallery.     We continued to […]

Above:  Freeform pool set amongst concrete blocks and old trees at our Port Douglas accommodation. Involuntary Extension We begin the involuntary extension of our Queensland stay today (or arguably yesterday), with return to New Zealand impossible until further notice due to Covid-19 restrictions. The additional stay is somewhat welcome as we can have a relaxing […]

Above:  2393 km of driving in ten days. Finishing the road trip Today we drive up to Cairns where we finish our road trip.  Our original perfect plan had been to fly out midday but that flight was cancelled possibly due to poor loads.  The second version of the plan had us flying out last […]