S.C. Skillman's Blog, page 11

Highlights of My Australian Journey 2022: A Travel Diary #2 Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious, the Great Dividing Range, and Somerset Dam

Here is the second post of my Highlights: and today, one of my favourite areas, the mountain backdrop behind Brisbane, which is of course part of the Great Dividing Range. First of all, Mt Coot-tha and its Lookout, a hugely popular destination for tourists which also has a lovely restaurant/cafe where visitors may enjoy the magnificent panorama from their tables.

Mount Coot tha Lookout over Brisbane

Next, we drove from Mt Coot-tha to Mt Nebo. Mt Nebo Road takes the traveller from the western suburb of The Gap, up towards the magnificent lookouts: Jolly’s, McAfees, Westridge and Wivenhoe. Here is ataste of what you may see up there.

On your journey you may find Smokey Mountain Hideout formerly called Cloverlea Cafe. I met the kookaburra there in November 2019 when I last visited. I was glad to see him here again (or his relative).

More glorious views were to meet us on our journey.

Finally, we drove on down to Somerset Dam, quiet and peaceful.

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Highlights of My Australian Journey 2022: A Travel Diary #1: Arrival

Now I’m back in the UK after my two month trip to Australia to see my daughter Abigail I’d like to share with you the highlights of my amazing journey through some of the most awe-inspiring and sublime scenery in New South Wales and Queensland, along with birds, animals, flowers, art galleries, cafes…. and a few tourist selfies thrown in along the way!

I flew back to London on Qatar Airways on 15 October 2022 and said goodbye to my sister Julia and her husband Bruce, and to my lovely daughter Abigail, at Brisbane Airport.

Saying goodbye at Brisbane Airport Departures 15 October 2022

Niw I’ve arrived back in the UK I’ve been looking through all my photos during the past 2 months. The perennial question we ask travellers is: So what were your highlights?

Let me show you my highlights then during the course of my next few blog posts here on scskillman.com. The theme? A Travel Diary. (And fortunately I did keep one!)

I’ll go back now to the beginning of my journey 16 August 2022 with a few views from my window seat. Actually, these are views as we landed in Doha, which was the transfer point.

Reunited at Brisbane Airport ArrivalsScenes from Chermside Shopping Centre, Chermside, Northern suburbs of Brisbane

Then we drove to the village of Samford, via Dayborough. Samford is like an early colonial settlers town, and has a beautifully landscaped park with a gift shop, art gallery and garden centre. It also has The Store of Requirement – all things Harry Potter. Samford is distinctively different from an English village, with places like The Slab Hut: and, of course, rainbow lorikeets in the melaleuca trees. We had a delightful lunch at The Flying Nun Cafe.

Next time: views from Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious, to the west of Brisbane, in the Great Dividing Range.

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My Australian Journey 2022 #12: Australian Birds and Animals

As I look through all the photos I’ve taken during my 2 months in Australia, it’s fun to look for themes, rather than posting images of places visited, in chronological order. My first overarching theme is ‘Birds and Animals’.

Not so many bird photos I’m afraid as I rarely managed to capture them on camera but I have included a kookaburra! And a video of rainbow lorikeets at the end.

Rainbow Lorikeets on the balcony at Currumbin.

My Australian Journey 2022 #11: Caloundra

Moffat Beach Caloundra. Overcast, rainy and windy with a cool humidity that creeps up on you, and a boisterous sea surging onto the beach. This is the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. And still beautiful!

My Australian Journey 2022: #10 Tenterfield New South Wales and Approach to Cunningham’s Gap, Queensland

As we passed through New South Wales to the border with Queensland, we stopped off at Tenterfield, known as the ‘birthplace of Australian Democracy’. Sir Henry Parkes signed the all-important document, and is commemorated in the museum named after him here in this town.

I love the area of the New England Highway which becomes the Cunningham Highway, as we drive through the plain heading for the mountain range ahead: the Great Dividing Range. As we drive up through Cunningham’s Gap we glimpse a glorious panorama: and at one point we begin to hear the exquisite sound of the bellbirds.

It’s curious how there are certain places on this earth we can associate with distinct feelings: and the vision of driving through a great plain towards the mountains, always stays with me.

My Australian Journey 2022: #9 Norman Lindsay Art Gallery, Blue Mountains, NSW

I was delighted to visit Norman Lindsay’s property in the Blue Mountains. He was an extraordinary man who lived from 1879 to 1969 and he was a writer as well as a children’s writer poet and illustrator, a wartime cartoonist, a propaganda poster designer, artist, garden designer and sculptor. His home is now an art gallery owned by the National Trust of NSW. As an artist and sculptor he was self-taught; he loved nature and celebrated it in his work.

Book Cover of The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay

He first entered my life as the creator of ‘The Magic Pudding’ a book which came into my hands when I was about 8. I loved it and read it over and over again. It gave me my first concept of Australia and of Australian people. I thought all Aussies were like the characters in ‘The Magic Pudding’ – Bunyip Bluegum and his companions Uncle Wattleberry and Sam Sawnoff, not to mention the very rude and outspoken Pudding himself on his spindly legs!

Here is a selection of images of Norman’s beautiful property in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. All the sculptures are by Norman Lindsay and one of the fragrant wisteria on the columns of the verandah is one he planted himself.

My Australian Journey 2022: #8 New South Wales views

After watching and listening to the beautiful and moving occasion of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday (19 September 2022) from Australia I offer you today scenes to calm the soul.

To me the queen deserves the title Elizabeth the Great Unifier. She made her impact worldwide, among a huge section of humanity. Few things are more unifying to humankind than an encounter with the sublime in nature: forest mountains and sea. So I offer you a few views from New South Wales where I am now travelling.

These photos were taken at Border Loop Lookout, Camden Head Pilot Station, Nambucca Heads and Newcastle.

New South Wales Australia. Border Loop Lookout. The Great Dividing Range.

My Australian Journey 2022 #7: Australia Zoo and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Queensland‘s wildlife sanctuaries are outstanding in the opportunities they provide visitors to observe and enjoy beautiful native animals at close range, in environments that replicate their wild habitats, and all set within lush, inspirational landscaping.

Recently I visited two of these sanctuaries: Australia Zoo and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Both are magnificent. But let the animals speak for themselves.

First, eagle and owl at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary:

Next, the Australian kelpie, who demonstrated his lightning speed around the field in response to his master’s commands, and his exceptional skill at rounding up the sheep:

This lively water dragon kept an eye on us:

The wallabies and kangaroos were relaxing as they browsed in a corner of their paddock:

We loved meeting the dingoes on their walk with the keepers:

The loveable koalas captivated us all as they munched their way through the rich buffet of eucalyptus leaves provided for them in ‘Koala Forest’:

The next gallery of images celebrates Australia Zoo.

Again, the koalas enchanted us:

The wallabies and kangaroos are a favourite among gentle native wildlife, here in this environment:

Finally, the crocodiles rarely fail to respond in the Crocoseum, as I have found on previous visits to Australia Zoo. This time however, one of them really wasn’t bothered about taking his snack from the keeper at the side of the pool, although he was tempted several times. Instead, he cruised over to the high platform and circled around waiting for his treat to be dangled to him from above, which he obviously considered to be much more fun.

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My Australian Journey 2022 #6: Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane

In Brisbane we find a stunning display of landscape architecture and horticulture at its best: created from reclaimed land, a former railway stabling yard beside Roma Street Station, inspired by Colin Campbell, Australian Horticulturist.

Starting at the Garden Room Cafe we meet the wildlife straight away.

The ibis is Brisbane’s answer to a seagull.

I watched a young mother chase the thieving ibis away from her fascinated little girl at the cafe table three times. That didn’t put the  ibis off. I covered up my remaining food before leaving. I knew the ibis would be getting its long beak into my dish of chutney and jug of milk!

I love the rainforest section and the overhead walkways with magnificent views of lake and high-rise city towers beyond the subtropical foliage.

The water dragons accompanied us – my daughter Abigail and I – as we strolled through the gardens.

At one point we saw a dramatic showdown between a water dragon and an ibis. The ibis had been rummaging in the shrubs and found a young gecko to eat. The water dragon suddenly sprang at the ibis who hurried away, swallowing its snack. Shame I missed taking a photo of the moment of drama!

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My Australian Journey 2022 #5: Whale-Watching in Moreton Bay

The whales in Moreton Bay seemed to love our boat and we found it easy to imagine they had come out to watch us. Many pods were active everywhere we looked, jumping, breaching and curving out of the water. I found it moving and exhilarating to watch them.

I felt as if I had entered a happy, free realm, in the whales’ domain of freedom; to me they seemed playful and joyous. Seeing and being so close to these beautiful wild creatures in their own environment is a privilege and an inspiration.

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