2. 2011

Australia in December 2010 - January 2011.

We commenced our great Australian adventure of 2010-2011 on Queensland's wonderful Sunshine Coast. A brief spell there was followed by one even briefer in Brisbane, followed by a single day in Launceston, Tasmania, before we spent a week hiking the world-renowned Overland Track (which may be seen in another gallery). Then we spent a day recuperating in Hobart, and three wonderful days exploring SE Tasmania. Next, we flew to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Our adventures on Hook Island and Reefworld may be seen in the relevant galleries. We completed our trip with a sea-kayaking adventure, before most reluctantly boarding our flight back to the English winter :(
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  • Driven almost mad by the English winter, we had planned our escape for weeks. In fact, months. At long last, the great day arrived. We gathered our packs and began the long journey to the Wonderful Land of Oz.

    Driven almost mad by the English winter, we had planned our escape for weeks. In fact, months. At long last, the great day arrived. We gathered our packs and began the long journey to the Wonderful Land of Oz.

  • Title Sunshine Coast

    Title Sunshine Coast

  • 37.5 hours later we arrived to blinding sunshine at our resort in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast.

    37.5 hours later we arrived to blinding sunshine at our resort in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast.

  • The accommodation was a bit different to what we were used to in England, but we adapted quickly.

    The accommodation was a bit different to what we were used to in England, but we adapted quickly.

  • Noosa town was full of bizarre tropical plants...

    Noosa town was full of bizarre tropical plants...

  • And other creatures.

    And other creatures.

  • Best of all, though, was the nearby national park, with miles of trails around the coastal headlands.

    Best of all, though, was the nearby national park, with miles of trails around the coastal headlands.

  • We saw koalas in the trees! And stacks of brush turkeys.

    We saw koalas in the trees! And stacks of brush turkeys.

  • Coast 2

    Coast 2

  • Coast Jasmijn

    Coast Jasmijn

  • Title Brisbane

    Title Brisbane

  • After spending three days on the Sunshine Coast, we headed to Brisbane for my PhD graduation. To my left is my primary supervisor, Assoc Prof Darryl Jones - one of Australia's top ecologists. My PhD critically assessed the contribution toward human healthcare of animal experiments, and reviewed alternative strategies.

    After spending three days on the Sunshine Coast, we headed to Brisbane for my PhD graduation. To my left is my primary supervisor, Assoc Prof Darryl Jones - one of Australia's top ecologists. My PhD critically assessed the contribution toward human healthcare of animal experiments, and reviewed alternative strategies.

  • Mine was a PhD by Publication - ie, through publication of a sufficient body of related scientific papers. This did not require my actual attendance, and I hadn't yet had the opportunity to visit the campus. In fact, any of Griffith's five campuses (they're the ninth-largest higher education provider). And so I took the opportunity to do so. I was delighted to discover that the central courtyard of the main campus here was pristine bush - in keeping with Griffith's progressive character and environmental leadership. The university at which I completed my undergraduate degrees was not dissimilar.

    Mine was a PhD by Publication - ie, through publication of a sufficient body of related scientific papers. This did not require my actual attendance, and I hadn't yet had the opportunity to visit the campus. In fact, any of Griffith's five campuses (they're the ninth-largest higher education provider). And so I took the opportunity to do so. I was delighted to discover that the central courtyard of the main campus here was pristine bush - in keeping with Griffith's progressive character and environmental leadership. The university at which I completed my undergraduate degrees was not dissimilar.

  • After the graduation we explored Brisbane itself.

    After the graduation we explored Brisbane itself.

  • This delightful urban beach on South Bank, just south of the main river, was completely flooded when the river broke its banks in the 2011 floods, a few weeks later.

    This delightful urban beach on South Bank, just south of the main river, was completely flooded when the river broke its banks in the 2011 floods, a few weeks later.

  • Boab tree

    Boab tree

  • Title Launceston 2

    Title Launceston 2

  • Next we flew to Launceston - gateway to Tasmania's famous Overland Track. It was a Sunday, and our one and only opportunity to stock up with all the dehydrogenated food, fuel and other gear we would need. Fortunately, the outdoor stores were open, and we toured them all, twice. I'm a bit obsessive about gear...

    Next we flew to Launceston - gateway to Tasmania's famous Overland Track. It was a Sunday, and our one and only opportunity to stock up with all the dehydrogenated food, fuel and other gear we would need. Fortunately, the outdoor stores were open, and we toured them all, twice. I'm a bit obsessive about gear...

  • Apart from the outdoor stores, the best thing in Launceston is Cataract Gorge - a short walk from the centre of this sleepy town (which is the second biggest in this slumbering state).

    Apart from the outdoor stores, the best thing in Launceston is Cataract Gorge - a short walk from the centre of this sleepy town (which is the second biggest in this slumbering state).

  • Rachel flew in from Sydney to explore Launceston with us.

    Rachel flew in from Sydney to explore Launceston with us.

  • Cataract Gorge bridge

    Cataract Gorge bridge

  • Cataract Gorge 2

    Cataract Gorge 2

  • Beautiful sculpted gardens await those willing to make the 1/2 hour trek up the gorge to First Basin. They were the scene of garden parties and performances in times past.

    Beautiful sculpted gardens await those willing to make the 1/2 hour trek up the gorge to First Basin. They were the scene of garden parties and performances in times past.

  • Cataract Gorge wishing well close-up

    Cataract Gorge wishing well close-up

  • Today the gardens are ruled by a flock of peacocks.

    Today the gardens are ruled by a flock of peacocks.

  • Cataract Gorge peacock 1

    Cataract Gorge peacock 1

  • Cataract Gorge peacock 3

    Cataract Gorge peacock 3

  • Title Hobart 1

    Title Hobart 1

  • After seven days in the wilderness battling our way through the mud, rain and snow of the Overland Track, we finally made it into Hobart - Tasmania's capital. We were blown away by the lack of traffic and docile nature of this sleepy city.

    After seven days in the wilderness battling our way through the mud, rain and snow of the Overland Track, we finally made it into Hobart - Tasmania's capital. We were blown away by the lack of traffic and docile nature of this sleepy city.

  • Our youth hostel was two blocks from Constitution Dock and the finish of the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and incredibly, the race was due to finish soon after we arrived.

    Our youth hostel was two blocks from Constitution Dock and the finish of the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race, and incredibly, the race was due to finish soon after we arrived.

  • We saw the first maxi yacht, Wild Oats, enter the harbour, to many hundreds of cheering Tasmanians and a sea of television cameras.

    We saw the first maxi yacht, Wild Oats, enter the harbour, to many hundreds of cheering Tasmanians and a sea of television cameras.

  • Wild Oats 2

    Wild Oats 2

  • Carefully selected men and women, brave and true, crew these awesome yachts. The world's fastest, they batter through the fearsome waves of the southern ocean at terrifying speeds, generating huge forces. Their crews are specially trained, and several have died during recent races in stormy seas.

    Carefully selected men and women, brave and true, crew these awesome yachts. The world's fastest, they batter through the fearsome waves of the southern ocean at terrifying speeds, generating huge forces. Their crews are specially trained, and several have died during recent races in stormy seas.

  • Unbelievably, the afternoon before Wild Oats arrived, after national television had filmed it, the race trophy was carried right past us.

    Unbelievably, the afternoon before Wild Oats arrived, after national television had filmed it, the race trophy was carried right past us.

  • The next morning, I got up before dawn to photograph the yachts. I was about the only person there to see Ichi Ban come in, in 4th place.

    The next morning, I got up before dawn to photograph the yachts. I was about the only person there to see Ichi Ban come in, in 4th place.

  • Ichi Ban 2

    Ichi Ban 2

  • Loyal and Lohona appeared during the night, in 2nd and 3rd place.

    Loyal and Lohona appeared during the night, in 2nd and 3rd place.

  • Wild Oats, Loyal & Lohona

    Wild Oats, Loyal & Lohona

  • Loyal & Lahona 2

    Loyal & Lahona 2

  • Lahona 1

    Lahona 1

  • Loyal & Lahona 1

    Loyal & Lahona 1

  • Title Bruny Island

    Title Bruny Island

  • After recuperating for a day in Hobart, we hired a car and headed to Bruny Island (via ferry), SW of Hobart.

    After recuperating for a day in Hobart, we hired a car and headed to Bruny Island (via ferry), SW of Hobart.

  • Penguin Is trail cairns JdeB

    Penguin Is trail cairns JdeB

  • We camped at remote Jetty Beach.

    We camped at remote Jetty Beach.

  • Jetty Beach west

    Jetty Beach west

  • Jetty Beach east

    Jetty Beach east

  • Jetty Beach jdeB

    Jetty Beach jdeB

  • We had dinner at this spot, cooking in the back of our 4WD (only car available) with our stove.

    We had dinner at this spot, cooking in the back of our 4WD (only car available) with our stove.

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    Beautiful sculpted gardens await those willing to make the 1/2 hour trek up the gorge to First Basin. They were the scene of garden parties and performances in times past.
    Cataract Gorge wishing well close-up.jpg
    Today the gardens are ruled by a flock of peacocks.