For me two places stand out ( more will come to mind, but I'm a senior so I am having a moment) 1 Mataranka, a stunning spot I thought, the springs are usually full of grey nomads immersed in the warm water, the meals at the resaurant were fantastic and the Van Park though a bit on the dusty side was very clean and modern. I just liked the ambience of the place. 2 Wycliffe Well.... The UFO capital of Australia.... We spent just a night there but it was the most friendly CP I have been in. The evening was spent in the "Cafe" adjoining the CP and the meal was superb in both quality and value for money. We were entertained by an elderly chap "Jack" 83 who played the piano - Superbly.... A magical evening. Alas no little green men were spotted... Ahhhh there are too many magical spots In this country... too many places not enough time.
dave06 said
07:29 PM Jul 6, 2008
what a fantastic idea baz, magical spots that one has visited, those places are certainly stand out fantastic places, I will have to have a think about my favourite magical spots but just out of hand it would be a toss up between somewhere in tasmania ( maybe port arthur ) or the gordon river and or the kimberleys
Basil Faulty said
11:16 AM Jul 7, 2008
Tasmainia has too many magical places to list....The Tarkine Wilderness for me was magical, We went on a tour up the Arthur River and the guide took us of to see what he claimed was Thylacine scat. They had built a little "shrine" over it....We flew home from Tassie last trip and it cost me a fortune for the excess baggage - a LARGE suitcase full of Huon Pine offcuts....
speedy sue said
04:01 PM Jul 11, 2008
I agree that there are so many magical spots, it's hard to pick out just a couple. However, we really enjoyed the South and Southwest of WA. Contos Beach (near Margaret River) was just beautiful - the bay is framed by mountains, the sand is white and the sea is that striking turquoise blue. Although the scenery was incredible, we had a few anxious moments when we saw a fin appear near a couple of surfers. One of them told us it was a bronze whaler and then he proceeded to go back to his surfing alongside the shark. We were amazed - it was enough to put us off paddling!
clazandaza said
03:27 PM Jul 13, 2008
Different places have different charms. Bitter Springs in N.T. was great for a warm swim and the 'Blowholes' in Southern Tassi were great for spectacle. All in all though I find it hard to go past sitting with my feet in the cool water of the Gregory River (twenty or so K's up from the town) with the campa set up, a beer and fishing rod in hand and the dinner in the camp oven.
dave06 said
12:50 PM Jul 14, 2008
ahhhhhhhh!!!! so many places so little time, bungle bungles in the sunset, the arthur river, (strange place strange people, a shrine to dog ****) kakadu at daybreak, sunset views from the darwin markets, twelve apostles on a moonlit night, port douglas after a shower of rain, stairway to heaven broome, my bed with a whiskey after a snowstorm with 40 knot winds and a hot shower, that beer and fishing rod thing yep agree wholeheartedly done it many times in many different places, been there will do it again, simple things in life and all that, my first barra 8.5 kgs of sheer adrenalin at the age off 35, holding the dragon after she had a fall in the daintree rainforest, almost busted her hip and finding out that she was going to be fine, relief never ending, lifes short, travel far, dont listen to doomsayers
-- Edited by dave06 at 14:44, 2008-07-14
Tanya Peabody said
06:17 AM Jul 17, 2008
I camped at Three Mile Dam in the Kosciusco National Park for 3 weeks in summer and loved it. Swimming, fishing, peace and quiet. Bermagui, south coast NSW best rock pool called the Blue pool. Forster Tuncurry, NSW beautiful blue sea and dolphins. Goulburn, Crookwell, Pejar Dam NSW, Mary Gilmore country and wind farms. Tumut, NSW freezing cold river in the middle of summer. Tassie north and west, climbing the Nut at Stanley, the wild Franklin river. Adored Townsville and the wonderful Strand, Magnetic Island. Blackall, quaint old fashioned Qld town on the Barcoo. Mataranka hot springs. Darwin warm and friendly. Wyndham, a place called the Grotto with steps carved into the side of the Gorge that takes you down to a cool freshwater pool. Lake Argyle very picturesque and massive. Mary river rest area for lovely company, swims and cattle passing through. Broome, running nude on Cable Beach, camels, sunsets, great food, pearls. Carnarvon, fresh fruit and veg from the Gascoyne, sunset on the Fascine, fishing at Pelican Point. And so it continues!!
dave06 said
01:04 PM Jul 17, 2008
cant pick any really favourite spots out of the many photographs I have (35 c.d.'s full) they are all so magical, but I will agree with a lot of tanyas spots, aint done some, but I have wrote them down as a gunna do one day, however, nude on cable beach hmmmm!!!! are you listening basil when are we gonna do that one???? been on cable, but not sure if the world is ready for me nakey as yet
-- Edited by dave06 at 14:05, 2008-07-17
-- Edited by dave06 at 14:05, 2008-07-17
Basil Faulty said
10:57 AM Jul 18, 2008
"running nude on Cable Beach" Tanya, you have just given all us senile old farts a heart attack.......None the less a trully magical experience as is skinny dipping at Yarangobilly hot pool....
dave06 said
12:39 PM Jul 18, 2008
skinny dippin, nudey ole farts, Ohhhhhh!!!!!! Geeeezzzzzz!!!! there goes my lunch, that picture in my head is gonna take a lot of therapy to remove, thanks a bunch guys
Basil Faulty said
10:27 AM Jul 19, 2008
dave06 wrote:
skinny dippin, nudey ole farts, Ohhhhhh!!!!!! Geeeezzzzzz!!!! there goes my lunch, that picture in my head is gonna take a lot of therapy to remove, thanks a bunch guys
Geeeeeeeeeeeeez Dave You will be old one day... It's not the nudity, it's the thought of running.....ANYWHERE.... Yeah some of us don't look at all attractive in the nude, but at Cable you have to be prepared for it... One couple waltzed past us on the beach naked and SWMBO turned to me and said "what were they wearing???" I said " I don't know but it needed ironing" Boom boom...
Amusing story re Mataranka... we Old farts are all standing neck deep in the healing waters and along comes a family of German Tourists who were really nice people, they were in a camper next to me.... So they ALL: Mum, Dad and 2 teenage daughters get their gear off and enther the aforementioned healing waters... One Old fart must have taken exception and called the Ranger who appeared and informed them that "Mataranka is not a naturist resort"
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 11:32, 2008-07-19
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 11:37, 2008-07-19
dave06 said
12:36 PM Jul 19, 2008
thank god for rangers, oh and Basil, one word, ewwwwww!!!!!
Basil Faulty said
01:33 PM Jul 19, 2008
If you are a bloke I can tell you of an experience that is for me beyond magical and very very emotional... Of course the fact that I spent 10 years as an Engineer/Master on a Paddle Steamer may have something to do with it.... I was watching a Video this morning " A grand Old Lady" the story of the Adelaide, built in the 1860's...Visit Echuca find someone of importance like Kevin Hutchinson, Peter or Clare (yes women can "drive" paddle steamers) and tell em I sent you....The raw history, the sights, aromas the atmosphere.... A trully magical experience. Or visit your local tourist railway, not as a "tourist" but try visiting more in the sense of someone wanting to "immerse" themselves in the experience. You'll get hooked and throw away your Nomadic life and don a boiler suit...
dave06 said
06:22 PM Jul 20, 2008
Bas I live near the pichie richie railroad up at quorn, I love the sight and sound of steam, I think I got some stuck in my blood, love going to cobdogla when they have the big humphrey pump going, great spot as the place comes alive on long weekends and school holidays heaps of live steam, I dont need any convincing
chezgo said
08:15 AM Jul 24, 2008
This will sound very strange when you think of all the magical places in oz but my magical place was in 03 after trekking around the country on the motor bike with the dog in the trailer for months sleeping in the dirt in our three man tent and then we got to Wauchope (NT) Roadhouse/pub there was green grass for the tent a tropical beer garden with a pool the food was great and the owners very friendly. It was heaven from the outside the place didn't look that great but once we got inside what a transformation. And they do have that crazy beer drinking camel and donkey there to add to the fun. I think the place was on the market so not sure if its still the same but I hope so.
Basil Faulty said
05:26 PM Jul 24, 2008
dave06 wrote:
Bas I live near the pichie richie railroad up at quorn, I love the sight and sound of steam, I think I got some stuck in my blood, love going to cobdogla when they have the big humphrey pump going, great spot as the place comes alive on long weekends and school holidays heaps of live steam, I dont need any convincing
So you'd be the bloke to talk to re the "Coffee Pot"... It seems you have to "be in the know" to get a ride these days....
dave06 said
03:10 PM Jul 29, 2008
ahhh!!! you've heard of our little coffe pot, what a bloody little ripper she is, mate I dont know when they run her anymore, I know the big steamer runs from woolshed flat to quorn and return every other weekend and school holidays and the heritage diesel runs from pt augusta to quorn and return on alternate weekends but the little coffee pot is an uknown, I havent seen the litle feller in a long time, trying to become a friend of pichie richie steam preservation is like striking cross lotto, only you gotta wait till someone dies, I know because I've been trying for years and I will continue trying, nothing like a big steamer first coming to life, its like a big cat d9 coming to life at 6 in the morning that first whiff of diesel smoke, it gets in your blood
Jill B said
11:14 AM Aug 13, 2008
Lots of places here we have yet to see, need to add them to our list.
Some of the special places we have been to: Tassie; Liffey Falls, Sara Island, Port Arthur.
Queensland; Mossman Gorge, helicopter flight over the Reef.
Kangaroo Island; Stokes Bay.
Quorn; Pitchi Ritchi Railway.
Sydney; the view from that tower thingy.
Gold Coast; view from Q1 tower.
Basil Faulty said
06:02 PM Aug 13, 2008
Jill B wrote:
Lots of places here we have yet to see, need to add them to our list.
Some of the special places we have been to: Tassie; Liffey Falls, Sara Island, Port Arthur. Queensland; Mossman Gorge, helicopter flight over the Reef. Kangaroo Island; Stokes Bay. Quorn; Pitchi Ritchi Railway. Sydney; the view from that tower thingy. Gold Coast; view from Q1 tower.
Jill, another person who wants to go to Quorn (have a word with Dave, I think he knows more than he lets on, I'm sure he could get you a look at the "Coffee Pot").... Also go to Peterborough not far from Quorn and have a look at one of the great railway marvels in the world. A set of points that serve the 3 gauges ie 3'6", 4'8 and 5'3"....only set remaining in the world, afficianados come world wide to marvel at them and they are rarely used these days... Mossman Gorge, yeah spectacular but do try and go at dawn as it is the only time you can get a car park and don't worry about refreshments, Mr Whippy attends at lunch time every day in the dry season... Sorry I'm being droll, I'm not like that in real life... far worse in fact...
dave06 said
06:14 PM Aug 13, 2008
Basil, put your smiley pants on, my father used to work at peterbough changing the trucks over from each states different guages (broad, narrow and standard), he also used to shovel coal for a penny a ton and if he didnt want to do it there was always 20 men standing out side the fence waiting to take his place, funny times that depression thing, glad I wasnt there, I'll see if I can exert some pressure and find out about the coffee pot for you, great area to visit terrific scenery fantastic people
-- Edited by dave06 at 19:14, 2008-08-13
Jill B said
10:10 AM Aug 14, 2008
Basil, I agree about Mossman Gorge. We went in the middle of the day, and had to park halfway down the road. There were lots of people on the rainforest tracks and swimming in the river. The atmosphere would have been much better if there was no-one else around.
I have a few photos of our quickie trip to Quorn and the train we rode on, but they are packed away while we get the house ready for sale.
Oh yes, Mr Whippy vans, grrrrrrrrr. There is a street near us where all the residents decorate their homes for Christmas. People come from all over to walk down this street and admire the lights etc; quite a sight! Then the ice cream van arrived. Kinda spoiled the atmosphere.
Basil Faulty said
03:34 PM Aug 17, 2008
Jill B wrote:
Basil, I agree about Mossman Gorge. We went in the middle of the day, and had to park halfway down the road. There were lots of people on the rainforest tracks and swimming in the river. The atmosphere would have been much better if there was no-one else around.
I have a few photos of our quickie trip to Quorn and the train we rode on, but they are packed away while we get the house ready for sale.
Oh yes, Mr Whippy vans, grrrrrrrrr. There is a street near us where all the residents decorate their homes for Christmas. People come from all over to walk down this street and admire the lights etc; quite a sight! Then the ice cream van arrived. Kinda spoiled the atmosphere.
Perhaps when you are in Sydney, Jill a Bridge climb would be your thing? And did you know that you can have a ride on the Jet Cat that runs to Manly in peak at humungous cost by taking the Jet Cat to Watson's Bay, very scenic but alas they get the extra cash out of you if you buy your fish and chips at Doyles.... The Tower and skywalk is just toooooo scary for me.... Any way all that is irrelevant, Basil Pops the cork on the Moet to celebrate his century in posting on the NF...
dave06 said
01:46 PM Aug 31, 2008
curses he is now a senior member, Dave shrinks away muttering to himself
NannyMon said
03:31 PM Aug 31, 2008
lol Dave how didja you get to be a senior member
dave06 said
04:59 PM Aug 31, 2008
senior members are of course bred through hundreds of generations to take command of any given situation, give advice when absolutely nothing is known about the subject, ours is the bluest of blue blood, the family line must extend back at least to the arrival of the first fleet, or in our case the first arrival of the winnebego, we are a class amongst only to which is granted by birth the highest level of humanity, nay we are above humanity itself, we are gods, we do not walk amongst mere mortals, we stride gigantic amongst only our own nobility and the very heavens itself, forsooth beyond the heavens we stride from galaxy to galaxy and beyond, our blood is second only to the great prince rainier the first back when bonney king frederick of flinstone ruled the earth with sir barney of rubble, we are without doubt the senior members, or of course you could take the short route and lodge 100 entrys in the forum and be granted the status, but it doesnt have the same ring about it though does it?
Basil Faulty said
05:34 PM Aug 31, 2008
Nanny, Dave is pulling your leg (you're probably enjoying it to)....To be a senior member you have to have been born on or before 1948, have a purple pension card, remember standing for the national anthem at the movies, know the words to "song of Australia" and recite verbatim episode 528 of Blue Hills & have 100 totally inane and ludicrous posts.... Oh and for those of you so inclined I now have available via email the "Blue Hills Theme" as a ring tone for your mobile phone.... Now Dave may be able to trace his ancestry back to the first fleet, alas the only famous ancestor I have to mention is the lady in the pic serving "Tea", Hilda, she is my aunt Nell (Nellie Lamport), now to win the trivia question who is the seated lady, you all should know her. No cheating, no googling "Who is the lady seated next to Basil's aunt Nell in the picture"......
Well I can see too well Bas, as the piccie is too small but it looks like my aunty Kit, your not a long lost rellie are you.
NannyMon said
06:25 PM Aug 31, 2008
Basil Faulty wrote:
Nanny, Dave is pulling your leg (you're probably enjoying it to)....To be a senior member you have to have been born on or before 1948, have a purple pension card, remember standing for the national anthem at the movies, know the words to "song of Australia" and recite verbatim episode 528 of Blue Hills & have 100 totally inane and ludicrous posts.... Oh and for those of you so inclined I now have available via email the "Blue Hills Theme" as a ring tone for your mobile phone.... Now Dave may be able to trace his ancestry back to the first fleet, alas the only famous ancestor I have to mention is the lady in the pic serving "Tea", Hilda, she is my aunt Nell (Nellie Lamport), now to win the trivia question who is the seated lady, you all should know her. No cheating, no googling "Who is the lady seated next to Basil's aunt Nell in the picture"......
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 18:53, 2008-08-31
The Queen's mum ?
dave06 said
09:46 AM Sep 1, 2008
Basil, that is of course my great aunt Ethel, twice removed on my uncles side and chucked out a couple of times from everywhere else in the family, to say that she liked a tipple was to say that H.M.A.S. sydney had a minor mishap, she would hang around the pubs until after closing and then grab the bucket from under the beer taps and run with it, in all honesty I think it looks like my mum, been looking for her for years , wondered where she got to
Basil Faulty said
10:04 AM Sep 1, 2008
NannyMon wrote:
Basil Faulty wrote:
Nanny, Dave is pulling your leg (you're probably enjoying it to)....To be a senior member you have to have been born on or before 1948, have a purple pension card, remember standing for the national anthem at the movies, know the words to "song of Australia" and recite verbatim episode 528 of Blue Hills & have 100 totally inane and ludicrous posts.... Oh and for those of you so inclined I now have available via email the "Blue Hills Theme" as a ring tone for your mobile phone.... Now Dave may be able to trace his ancestry back to the first fleet, alas the only famous ancestor I have to mention is the lady in the pic serving "Tea", Hilda, she is my aunt Nell (Nellie Lamport), now to win the trivia question who is the seated lady, you all should know her. No cheating, no googling "Who is the lady seated next to Basil's aunt Nell in the picture"......
1 Mataranka, a stunning spot I thought, the springs are usually full of grey nomads immersed in the warm water, the meals at the resaurant were fantastic and the Van Park though a bit on the dusty side was very clean and modern. I just liked the ambience of the place.
2 Wycliffe Well.... The UFO capital of Australia.... We spent just a night there but it was the most friendly CP I have been in. The evening was spent in the "Cafe" adjoining the CP and the meal was superb in both quality and value for money. We were entertained by an elderly chap "Jack" 83 who played the piano - Superbly.... A magical evening. Alas no little green men were spotted...
Ahhhh there are too many magical spots In this country... too many places not enough time.
-- Edited by dave06 at 14:44, 2008-07-14
-- Edited by dave06 at 14:05, 2008-07-17
-- Edited by dave06 at 14:05, 2008-07-17
Geeeeeeeeeeeeez Dave You will be old one day... It's not the nudity, it's the thought of running.....ANYWHERE....
Yeah some of us don't look at all attractive in the nude, but at Cable you have to be prepared for it... One couple waltzed past us on the beach naked and SWMBO turned to me and said "what were they wearing???" I said " I don't know but it needed ironing" Boom boom...
Amusing story re Mataranka... we Old farts are all standing neck deep in the healing waters and along comes a family of German Tourists who were really nice people, they were in a camper next to me.... So they ALL: Mum, Dad and 2 teenage daughters get their gear off and enther the aforementioned healing waters... One Old fart must have taken exception and called the Ranger who appeared and informed them that "Mataranka is not a naturist resort"
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 11:32, 2008-07-19
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 11:37, 2008-07-19
Or visit your local tourist railway, not as a "tourist" but try visiting more in the sense of someone wanting to "immerse" themselves in the experience. You'll get hooked and throw away your Nomadic life and don a boiler suit...
Mossman Gorge, yeah spectacular but do try and go at dawn as it is the only time you can get a car park and don't worry about refreshments, Mr Whippy attends at lunch time every day in the dry season...
Sorry I'm being droll, I'm not like that in real life... far worse in fact...
-- Edited by dave06 at 19:14, 2008-08-13
The Tower and skywalk is just toooooo scary for me....
Any way all that is irrelevant, Basil Pops the cork on the Moet to celebrate his century in posting on the NF...
lol Dave how didja you get to be a senior member
Oh and for those of you so inclined I now have available via email the "Blue Hills Theme" as a ring tone for your mobile phone....
Now Dave may be able to trace his ancestry back to the first fleet, alas the only famous ancestor I have to mention is the lady in the pic serving "Tea", Hilda, she is my aunt Nell (Nellie Lamport), now to win the trivia question who is the seated lady, you all should know her. No cheating, no googling "Who is the lady seated next to Basil's aunt Nell in the picture"......
-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 18:53, 2008-08-31
Well I can see too well Bas, as the piccie is too small but it looks like my aunty Kit, your not a long lost rellie are you.