up to Townsville

“Higher Ground” Farm stay camp was SW of Emerald and the next day we did over 800km and arrived at Giru, just SW of Townsville. Local people gave us fresh fish (grunter), fruit and veg. We felt very privileged to see Cromarty Wetlands nearby – brolga, jabiru, black swans, spoonbills, Magpie Geese by the hundreds if not thousands.

Australian Bustard

Bronze Cuckoo

White bellied cuckoo shrike

Woodswallows

Rufous night heron

Cromarty Wetlands  magpie Geese, Pelicans, Egrets

Red Fairy Wren

 Jabiru. Brolga, Black Swan, Egrets, Magpie Geese in Cromarty

Striped wallaby

Snapping Tortoise

Spectacled Monarch

Bush Turkey

Jungle Perch (no fishing allowed!)

Rufous Night Heron on top of mango trees

 Northern Fantail

Yellow Honeyeater

In Townsville we stayed at Rowes Bay Park and cycled to the nearby Jezzine Army precinct which has been beautifully landscaped to make the harbour side cliff accessible. Then a delightful evening with our friends Judo and Jim – Jim made Beef Wellington and Judo made lemon syrup cake and both were divine. Next day we were thrilled to go out with Judo and Jim in their new yacht in the Townville Harbour. Russ enjoyed steering and increased his knowledge of sailing by 1000% under Jim’s tutoring and I continued to enjoy catching up with Judo. We all then had dinner at our rig.