May/June 2008 - We have just returned from about a month traveling mostly through central Queensland. I think we now qualify as grey nomads. We had a great time and met some fascinating people.
We started the trip by spending a week chilling out in a house at South Golden Beach near Byron Bay. After that, with our trusty commodore (regularly used as a 4wd with limited success) and luggage trailer, we set sail for the bush.
We travelled from the Gold Coast through Tenterfield, Goondiwindi, St George, Mitchell, Injune, Carnavon George, Emerald, Mackay, Airlie Beach, back to Mackay, Clairview, Gladstone, Alexandra Headland and back home.
The contrasts from the lush northern New South Wales to the heartbreaking dry areas of Goondiwindi, to the recently heavily flooded oasis of Carnavon George, to the Great Barrier Reef and back to the Sunshine Coast were quite staggering.
Other than the battle with the Road Trains, the resultant scars on my windscreen and the tell tale signs on our tent from having camped under a favourite afternoon toilet stop for a flock of about 50 sulphur crested cockatoos, all went well.
We stayed in a house, cabins and camped during our trip. The accomodation was flexible and was determined mostly by the weather (rain and cold).
My recommendation to anyone taking this kind of trip is to take your time and enjoy the surroundings. Other than the grey nomads and us, everyone seems to be prepared to drive huge distances in these regions.
I will report back on our planned Egypt trip later in the year.
