THINGS TO SEE...
There are many different things to visit and see throughout Australia but obviously we can't see and do them all. We have found that many attractions are just too expensive for us, especially now the three kids are getting older and we have to pay for them at most things. However, there are still many things to see and do that are not expensive and often turn out to be a great deal of fun. This is a list of our favourite things and would suggest them to other families travelling around, either full-time or on holidays.
If you would like to know more information about a particular attraction, or suggest something we must see or do, please email nicole@travellingoakeys.com.
QUEENSLAND
NORTHERN TERRITORY
WALK AMONGST THE DEVIL'S MARBLES
The Devil's Marbles Conservation Reserve, known as Karlu Karlu in all four local Aboriginal languages, is a sacred place to Aboriginal traditional owners. A place of breathtaking scenic beauty, the precarious piles of huge granite boulders, wide open skies and brilliant sunsets make The Devil's Marbles an unforgettable place to visit.
The marbles were formed from an upsuge of molten rock that cooled and became solid beneath a layer of sandstone. The solidifying granite caused vertical and horizontal fractures creating rectangular blocks. Over time water infiltrated the cracks breaking down the sandstone, and then the granite. As a result, rounded granite boulders perched on top of each other have been revealed.
This Devil's Marbles Reserve extends along both sides of the Stuart Highway approximately 393 km north of Alice Springs. The nearest town is Wauchope, 9km to the south, where fuel and limited stores can be obtained.
HAVE YOUR PHOTO TAKEN AT THE QUEENSLAND / NORTHERN TERRITORY BORDER
When driving the Barkly Highway from Queensland to Northern Territory, don't forget to stop and take a few photos at the border. Only 13km west of Camooweal you can find the rest stop at the Border.
QUEENSLAND
CANOE THROUGH THE GORGE AT LAWN HILL NATIONAL PARK
Lawn Hill National Park (Boodjamulla) is one of Queensland's most scenic national parks, featuring spectacular gorge country and sandstone ranges. Lawn Hill is 340kms north-west of Mt Isa with the road from Gregory Downs to Adels Grove and Lawn Hill being rough dirt. Many travellers choose to camp at the free camp location at Gregory Downs and take a day trip out the park and back.
Prior to Lawn Hill you arrive at Adels Grove where there are camping facilites, a restaurant, walking trails and swimming creeks. If you continue on about 15kms down the road you will come to Lawn Hill National Park. The most popular attraction here are the canoes. There are two and three seater canoes available at a cost of approx $20 per canoe per hour. It takes approximately one hour to canoe up and back, however if you are really adventurous, when you arrive at the waterfall at the end, you can get out and carry your canoe around the hill and continue further up the gorge - but you will need longer than an hour for this.
TAKE YOUR PHOTO AT THE BIG BARRA AT NORMANTON
Another quick and easy tourist attraction. The Big Barra at Normanton is just that - BIG! Take a few quick snaps - or try to have some fun like we did.
Normanton, with a population of 1,328, is located near the Gulf of Carpentaria and situated on the Norman River. It is approximately 69km east of Karumba and 700km west of Cairns.
STAND BESIDE KRYS THE CROC AT NORMANTON
While at Normanton you can stop and get up close and personal with "Krys The Savannah King", an 8.63m saltwater crocodile. Krys is an accurate aritist's impression of the largest recorded saltwater crocodile captured in the world.
Krys was shot on the MacArthur Bank, Norman River, downstream from Normanton in July 1957 by Krystina Pawlowski, one of the many crocodile shooters operating in the area at that time. The crocodile's name, reflects the feat of this lady.
GO FISHING AT KARUMBA
This is just about the fishing capital of Queensland. Visitors to this region frequently catch barramundi, jewfish and king salmon in the warmer months. Blue salmon, grunter, mud-crabs and bream are caught most of the year. In the winter months Spanish mackerel and queen fish are often caught. But the fish that all the fisherman come to bag are the barramundi's. They are in season from approximately from January to October.
Fishing at Karumba is easily achieved off the beach or out near the sand bars which surround the mouth of the Norman River, or for those guests who would like to go on a fishing charter there are several local operators.
This is a must see if you are a keen fisherman!
VISIT THE BARRABMUNDI DISCOVERY CENTRE AT KARUMBA
The Centre is run by volunteers and was originally started by a small group of Commercial Barramundi fisherman to ensure they and everyone else had a fishing future. To date, the centre has stocked over 500,000 fingerlings into the Albert River (Burketown), the Norman River as well as Lake Moondarra (Mount Isa) and Lake Belmore (Croydon).
For a small cost, you can visit the centre and learn about the barramndi species, the breeding program and have a go at feeding the live barra's.
HAVE A RIDE ON THE AQUA DUCK AT RAINFORESTATION NATURE PARK, KURANDA
Set on 100 acres of World Heritage Rainforest, this unique tourist attraction is situated five minutes from Kuranda Village, and half an hour by Coach from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. This eco-friendly attraction hosts Army Duck Rainforest Tours (with Tropical Fruit Orchard and Kuranda''s largest Koala and Wildlife Park.
AQUA DUCK RAINFOREST TOUR Experience the tropical rainforest from a totally unique perspective – aboard an amphibious World War II Army Duck (officially spelt DUKW). Rainforestation has 11 of these historical vehicles, which hold up to 30 passengers and have 6 wheel drive, propeller and rudder. As you traverse part of the property, both on land and water, your knowledgeable guide will point out and explain ferns, orchids, strangler figs and stinging trees, as well as birds such as the Azure Kingfisher and a host of other animals and reptiles.
PAMAGIRRI CORROBOREE Witness a half hour show of traditional dance performance in a rainforest amphitheatre, depicting animals, food gathering, and hunting. The rainforest serves as the theatre walls whilst sounds of wildlife provide accompaniment to the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo and clapsticks. Be sure to watch closely - there's a surprise for the audience at the end!
PAMAGIRRI DREAMTIME WALK This half-hour guided tour along an all weather walk-way modelled on the Rainbow Serpent gives you fascinating insight into aspects of aboriginal culture.
KOALA AND WILDLIFE PARK Wander at your leisure or join a guided group with our experienced Wildlife Keepers. Covered boardwalks provide excellent viewing of native Australian animals, including crocodiles, wombats, dingoes, snakes, lizards, and the cassowary. Handfeed kangaroos and wallabies, or have your photo taken cuddling a cute koala (optional extra).
TAKE A RIDE ON SKYRAIL AND TRAIN, CAIRNS
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway experience spans 7.5kms over Australia’s pristine tropical rainforests. You’ll glide just metres above the rainforest canopy before descending through the canopy layers and deep into the heart of the forest at Skyrail’s two rainforest mid-stations for the ultimate tropical rainforest experience. A Skyrail Experience will take approximately 1½ hours one way, or 2-2½ hours return.
The Kuranda Railway is a relaxing 1½ hour journey between Cairns and Kuranda through tropical rainforest and spectacular waterfalls. The Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of Cairns' most popular attractions. With 34 kilometres of track, 15 tunnels, 98 curvesand climbing more than 300 meters through tropical rainforest, it is a must see while in the area.
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THE TRAVELLING OAKEY'S
Chris, Nicole,
Jack, Logan and Lexie