Outback Australia

So here I am! At the tip of Australia blogging to you all and sharing a little of the dirty, harsh outback Australia. The last beach town we left was Port Douglas with its cute town, fresh air and clean beautiful swimming beaches! We were lucky enough to arrive for the only 2 months of the year you can swim without getting stung by jelly fish. 

After wondering the streets of Port Douglas, window shopping and accidentally misplacing our dog Boofa who had wondered into the Chef's kitchen to see the daily specials (how he managed to get through the restaurant I don't know), we managed to find a tour company who advised us that Monday was the perfect day for a boat trip and dive. He said "it will be blue sky and calm waters on Monday, I've lived her for 4 years and I can guarantee Monday will be perfect." Ahhh... how he was wrong. 

Monday came around for our amazing beautiful diving weather and I was strongly advised at the beginning of the boat trip to take a sea sickness tablet. Brushing it aside with a little shrug I quote "i'll be right mate" and find a comfy place on board. There were a few laughs when 20 mins later I had my head over the side of the boat convulsing. I did feel better after throwing up, however it's very frustrating because when you get sea sick, it seems to be the only thing in the world you can think about no matter how hard you try. So my seating place resided at the back of the boat for the remainder of the trip. 

The dive was a beautiful relief from the traitorous waters above. To feel like a mermaid and swim with fish, sharks, turtles and other wild life underwater is a dream. For days later I feel as though I have come out of some fairy tail where I really was a mermaid who swam the many seas saving wild life from psycho fishing nets. 

Can you see Nemo!?

The famous iconic Lions Den had photos of cars that had been slaughtered on the Cape York tracks, a beer and a bit of mental preparation was in order at this Aussie Pub!

When taking a boat out ANYWHERE the rules are, always check your tides, weather and ask for any local info. So after a quick glance at the sky, "yup weather looks great mate", we set off down stream. After fishing for awhile for this infamous Barra that I have decided does not exist, we decided to head back.

First mistake was that we were meant to head up stream we didn't realise we had gone the wrong way, we also didn't realise the tide had gone out. So in croc infested waters we were stuck on a log. Lucky we brought 2 friends along, Harley and Maizey, and decided they would be croc bait whilst we swam to shore! Getting the tini over this log was difficult and when we spoke to the locals about croc attacks we're relived we survived. 

These amazing ant hills are everywhere up the telegraph track. The pole that you can see on the right is the old telegraph pole which are all along the track. These date back to the 1800's and were the only means of communication to the tip. 

The Nolans Brook was the deepest river that we crossed on the telegraph track. It has drowned over 30 cars this year. After we made it through we saw 2 cars get stuck and start to flood. 

The telegraph track is full of car part shrines.

Gun Shot! 

The stunning croc free waters of Fruit Bat falls was a welcome relief from the dusty hot beaten track. 

Once surviving the telegraph track you arrive at the tip covered in red dusty dirt, sweating from the heat and desperately wanting a swim in these beautiful blue crystal clear waters. Once hearing a few stories from the locals about crocodiles you would be crazy to take a small dip! These beautiful waters are inhabited by crocodiles that are watching you and waiting for that crazy moment you don't think they exist. Take a dip, take a chance, you might also be a nice meal. 

The sign says it all! 

Over the dusty bloody corrugations 

Through the outback of Australia we go 

Avoiding the creepy crocodile waters  

To take a chance in safe water holes

We drove the car through crazy rivers 

Saw cars fill with water and dust 

But we made it to the tip of Australia 

It was bloody brilliant 

"Crikey Mate" 

Next time you should come with us! 

Written by Rebecca Thomas