Touring QLD, after the Gathering

Where to start ? It's a bit like trying to see WA in the 1 trip :))
Things I wouldn't miss.

The Cape
Birdsville and the Pub , Big Red etc.
Longreach Hall of Fame, Qantas museum
Boulia and the Min Min Centre
Fraser
Cooktown and the can't miss museum there, the cemetary (so much history)

Just my 5c worth, obviouisly not an exhaustive list by any means.

Mate, i'll throw a few in as a Cairns resident.

- Agree with Cooktown. Make sure you drive up the coast road or for a bit more adventure try the CREB track
- Reef and rainforest obviously - Try the Frankland islands trip
- Chilligoe Caves (2.5 hrs west of Cairns)
- Skyrail
- Scuba diving with Calypso in port Douglas
- You can do several day trips around the tablelands from Cairns or base yourself on the tablelands at Atherton,Tinaroo or Yungaburra.
- Lakefield NP north of Cairns
- Mission Beach south of Cairns. Beautiful spot. They film Sea Patrol there. You can even jump out of perfectly good aeroplanes and land on the beach if you are silly enough.
- Port Douglas
- Mossman Gorge
- Cape Tribulation area. (On the coast rd to Cooktown)

Plenty more

Cheers

Kevin

If you get a chance have a look at the Undarra ( spelling? ) lava tubes, they are very interesting.

Rob.

Steve,

Nindigully is only 46km from St George, which you could visit during the gathering along with the Aboriginal rock wells near Weengallon.

Which way are you intending on travelling to St George?? as I may be able to recommend a few spots to stop and look at as POI's.

Cheers Kev

1770 is worth a look but back in January the caravan park was VERY ordinary. If you're going to the New England area, take the trouble to visit the Stones at Glen Innes. Armadale and Tamworth are worth a look too.

Many nice places in the Great Dividing Range between all three of the above towns and the coast at Grafton/Byron Bay.

On the Queensland side, the area around Stanthorpe is nice, but very cold during winter. If you're into fishing there are dozens of stocked Impoundment Dams in Queensland and Northern NSW. (Don't forget to buy a license.)

Cheers

Russ

Have a look on this website:

Mustdos

Queensland celebrates its 150th birthday this year and there are many special events around the State as well.

Cheers

goodday steve
we are going back to lightning ridge after st george to lorne station for a few cdays as they have music festival on for 3days then wse also will be meandering around the north
we are currently i cunnamurra and will be travelling to yowah and quilpy but due to rain we may have to come back after st george

steve

Steve
Di and I stayed on a House Boat at lake Tinarro about 8 years back.
Put in the opera house nets overnight and caught plenty of Red Claw .They were delicious.
I arranged for a local charter operator to pick me up from the house boat and take me out to catch some Barra.got a couple. Fantastic ,don't miss it .
regards
jeff.o

Hi Mate,

Here's some to think about mainly all close to the coastal part of your trip.

Just north of the Sunshine Coast and before Fraser try around Double Island Point and the general area. When you get near Bundaberg try a tour of the Isis Mill as they should be crushing shortly. Just outside of Bundaberg visit Mon Repos turtle rookery although this has to be timed but it is very good.

If you go North of Bundy the area around Baffle Creek is pretty good for a visit and since you have 1770 on your list you should enjoy that although it can be busy at peak holiday times.

Gladstone area and Boyne Island and Tannum Saands are also worth a visit.

Near Rockhamptom check out the Koorana croc farm and do a day trip to Great Keppell Island leaving from Rosslyn Bay. Also venture through Yeppoon and head slightly North to Byfield National Park as this is very nice country.

Heading futher north just ouside of Rocky you will find the caves and they are worth a look.

From here until you hit sugar country around Sarina there isn't a real lot to see but the Mackay area is very nice. North of Mackay is Proserpine and you are now close to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Take a day cruise to the Whitsunday islands but the best spot I think is Whitehaven beach where the sand is just the whitest I have ever seen. Most day tours stop here.

Many great spots between here and Townsville but when in Townsville see the Barrier Reef Wonderland, The Strand, The Casino and Castle Hill and go for a day trip to Magnetic Island.

Continue further North to Cairns where there are just a huge amount of things to do.

This is just a sample of things to see and do and some of them are a bit touristy and will cost a few bucks but they are still great fun and very enjoyable.

Hope the trip goes well for you.

sorry guys at this time i am a cleanskin
now have a slight change of plans we look like having a couple of grandkids with us so we will leave the van at lightning ridge do a quickie return trip to melb to drop them off and then continue travelling

steve

Not sure whether you are interested in visiting National Parks but the following two we enjoyed very much a few years ago.

Eungella - west of Mackay about 70 kms - is beautiful if you want to walk through rainforest and also see platypus frolicking in the river. You can stay at Finch Hatton if you are towing a van (not sure what rig you have) and dont want to pull it up the steep hill. Alternatively camp in the National Park I think, or stay in the township Of Eungella at the caravan park

Also Cape Hillsborough N Pk just to the north and east of Mackay on the coast. There's a caravan park there too - or was when we visited. Not sure whether you can camp there

In Townsville visit the Reef aquarium - amazing and huge display of marine reef plants and fish - much more impressive than the cruises I reckon.

Lovely part of Oz - hope you have a great trip.
Regards,
heather G

Very interested in all comments posted. I am also planning a month long trip along a similar route in September - keep the suggestions coming! :)