Allison Wallace 1/19/22 Allison Wallace 1/19/22

8 things you must experience at Carnarvon Gorge

If you are looking for a place the literally feels out of this world, Carnarvon Gorge is it.

Carnarvon Gorge is truly a spectacular place, and you need more than a couple of days to truly take in all the beauty and appreciate the ancient landscapes.

In the gorge, the “bush” of Australia’s arid interior meets the lush jungle of the wet coastal tropics – a mind-blowing juxtaposition.

Aside from the timing exploring, it will take you some time to get there! Carnarvon National Park is about an 8-hour drive from Brisbane.

We drove up from the Sunshine Coast, taking the trip through Roma on the way there – making an essential stop for treats and coffee at Goomeri Bakery – and looped back via Rolleston to the north for a change of scenery. The journey was half the fun and we stopped for a hot lunch and a game of pool at the quirky Hotel Cracow on our way home.

Here are our 8-must-see adventures on your visit to Carnarvon National Park:

1. The Moss Garden

Most of the highlights in the gorge are side-trails that generally require some up-hill or stairs. Given we had our packs to camp at Big Bend before walking back out the next day, we left them at the turn off to save some energy and appreciate as much as we could. The main walk is just shy of 20km if you don’t do any of the side trails – which would be a mistake in our opinion!

The Moss Garden is the first side trail off to the left as you walk along the Canarvon Great Walk. You walk up a decent staircase to get there but about halfway up you can feel the temperature drop and the air becomes fresher.

When you get to the top, it is incredibly lush and green with loads of fern trees and a boardwalk right up to a small waterfall. You can see the moss on the rocks that gives this area its name.

2. The Amphitheatre

This was our second stop on day one, and it was probably my favourite. It is here, after heading through a deep gash in the gorge, that you will get the best views of the signature towering sandstone cliffs.

You will head up a steep but safe staircase but the climb is worth it, as you’ll be standing beneath 60-metre yellow sandstone walls, two million years in the making. There are some seats at the top where you can sit and really soak in the wonder.

3. The Art Gallery

A place steeped in history. There are more than 2000 engravings, ochre stencils and freehand paintings decorating the 62m-long sandstone walls of the Art Gallery. A site of deep cultural significance to Indigenous people, the local Bidjara and Karingal groups. You can learn about the meaning of the art as you walk along the boardwalk that runs along with it.

4. Camping overnight at Big Bend

Another highlight of this adventure. There are only 10 campsites at Big Bend so you will need to book in advance to make sure you get a spot. This also means there won’t be many people around when the sun sets! There were only six of the sites occupied when we stayed, and it was magical.

Big Bend is at the end of the main gorge walking track and most day-hikers turn around before they even make it there. We almost got lost after the main track ended on our way here – so you need to keep a keen eye out for the small orange markers on rocks highlighting the way to go.

There is a natural (very cold) waterhole with beautiful sandstone walls which was the perfect spot to wash off the day’s work and refresh our muscles.

There is a toilet at the campground and a picnic table which was nice as we hadn’t carried any chairs with us – the tent and water was heavy enough!

It’s actually the first camping area for those doing the 5-day Carnarvon Great Walk and we had a good chat with some through-hikers – maybe that will be another adventure!

5. Ward’s Canyon

Ward’s Canyon was our first detour on the walk out with fresh legs. A short flight of steps takes you 200m up into a little side gorge, where a small waterfall trickles down the rock wall.

Along with being one of the few places you can see the world’s largest fern, the king fern Angiopteris evecta, you’ll notice a rusty tinge in the water as you make your way into the cool gorge. This amazing hue is red algae.

6. Boolimba Bluff

This short hike is not for the faint of heart! We tackled this the day after our overnight camping trip, but the effort was worth the reward!

We had heard the best time to see the views from the top of the bluff was at sunrise so we got up at 4am, grabbed our head torches and headed back into the gorge in the dark and I am so glad we did.

The Boolimba Bluff just briefly starts on the main gorge track, but quickly detours into an extreme number of stairs which never seem to end – there is even a sign telling you there is a steep ascent ahead but don’t let that deter you. The views are amazing at 200 metres above the gorge floor, but we recommend you dress warmly as you wait for the sun to come up.

It was great to do this 7km return trip after our adventure in the gorge as it gives you an amazing perspective on where you hiked before.

7. Mickey Creek Gorge & Warrumbah Bluff

Well outside the gorge itself, there are still incredible sights to see. The day before heading on our overnight hike, we biked around and headed into Mickey Creek and Warrumbah Bluff.

It starts off as a level path leading through the bush, then it is not long before the track narrows and becomes steeper, at times climbing up the creek bank and then crossing to the other side.

There’s a well-worn path beyond it, following the creek further into the bush – we could only go so far without submerging our feet.

After heading up to Mickey Creek, do yourself a favour and take the fork in the road down the track to Warrumbah Creek Gorge.

You will find more of a scramble than a hike but walking over moss covered rocks and climbing makeshift log ladders just adds to the sense of adventure as you go deeper into a narrowing gorge. This was one of my favourite experiences of the trip.

8. A swim in the Rock Pools

There are only a couple of places you can swim in the National Park and the Rock Pools is one of them.

A short 400m walk (over rocks so wear shoes!) will take you to a deep pool that is the perfect spot to cool off in after biking and hiking.

You will need to be prepared for this water to be ICY.

Bonus tip: After hiking up Boolimba Bluff first thing in the morning, we decided to give our legs a rest but still wanted to see more. We managed to get a last-minute afternoon spot on a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight over the gorge and it was the best idea ever!

The helicopter doesn’t actually fly over Carnarvon Gorge itself (not allowed by Parks and Wildlife) but seeing the surrounding landscapes was incredible.

Our friendly pilot pointed out various rock formations including the Magnificent Three Sisters and deep narrow gorges filled with tropical plants before heading back to land in the blink of an eye.

Where to stay: We stayed at Takarakka Bush Resort (now known as BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks Carnarvon Gorge), camping in a larger tent and leaving it all set up while we walked with our light-weight hiking tent into the gorge.

The resort is about 3km from the entry to the Great Walk and has all the amenities you could want. There are also plenty of kitchen and BBQ shelters available so you don’t need to travel with all your cooking gear and it is nice to meet up with people preparing meals and sitting around a campfire.

There is also a creek that runs behind the resort. Apparently you might be able to spot a platypus here but we weren’t that lucky but we did manage to get a refreshing dip at the ‘beach’ end far from where the elusive creatures call home.

The hot showers are welcome on tired legs after days in the gorge too.

There is also a short walk from the camp grounds up to a lookout that is great for sunset. Take a drink and soak in the serenity!

On our last night, we even headed to the Bush Bar for a pre-booked communal roast dinner which capped of a great escape. Not sure if they still do this now it has converted to a BIG4.

Best time to visit: Summer would be a no-go! Aside from the heat, the Gorge itself floods during the wet season and can be closed. We went in mid-September and the daytime temperatures were in the 30s and the nights were cool.

Allison Wallace 12/6/21 Allison Wallace 12/6/21

Exploring Langford Reef by helicopter

There is nothing quite like seeing the Whitsundays from above. Even better when you get to land on a strip of sand and snorkel with some turtles.

That is exactly what you get to do on a Langford Reef Snorkelling adventure with HeliReef Whitsunday!

Given we didn’t want to spend a whole day leaving our dog behind but still wanted to see some of the Whitsunday Islands, travel by helicopter seemed like the perfect choice.

Langford Reef is a bit special being that it has its own island which no one on it. Perfect for a private escape. Even more interesting, at high tide, the land sand spit where the helicopter lands, completely disappears.

Not far from the luxurious Hayman Island, Langford is surrounded by fringing reef with good snorkelling off the beach. There are also plenty of small tropical fish and sea grass which attracts sea turtles to the area.

Our adventure started off from Coral Sea Marina as we boarded our helicopter for the short ride out to Langford Island. It was so amazing to see Airlie Beach and the neighbouring islands from above.

Even on a cloudy day, you could still see the reefs below, along with plenty of sailors making the most of the islands.

All we had with us was our towels, a camera and our GoPro! Snorkelling gear and a bottle of bubbly to share were provided by Helireef.

Flying over Langford Island, it was crazy to imagine that we were going to land on the tiny strip of sand attached but our pilot made it seem easy and we had the whole island to ourselves.

At low tide, the sand stretches for several hundred metres. From there you can just walk into a snorkeling wonderland.

Being keen water babies, we were straight into the water with our snorkelling gear and in less than a metre of water we met our first turtle!

Langford’s reef is only relatively small, but it does contain a huge number of small fish species.

The idyllic island would make a perfect spot for a picnic as well if we had longer. Unfortunately our adventure was only for two to three hours including the helicopter ride to and from Airlie Beach.

While the bubbles were supplied, Aiden and I spent all our time in the water and exploring the island so on the sage advice of our pilot, we took it back to our accommodation unopened. It will make a great memory when we enjoy it together and reminisce on our travel fun and underwater escapades.

Allison Wallace 11/9/21 Allison Wallace 11/9/21

A day trip to Great Keppel Island

I have visited a lot of Queensland islands in my travels but have focused on those further north in the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. When it came to planning a dog-friendly holiday, it was a nice surprise to discover that Great Keppel Island welcomes pups – as does the passenger ferry to get there!

We visited on a daytrip from Yeppoon because while the island itself is dog-friendly, finding somewhere to stay there with our furry friend was a little harder.

Great Keppel is just a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland, so we got on an early ferry to make the most of our day!

The ferry pulls up right on the beach, so sandy feet are the welcome mat. You’ll also be greeted by Fisherman’s Beach which is absolutely gorgeous.

The view looking west from the Lookout Trail.

On arrival at Fisherman’s Beach, we stored our snorkelling gear and decided to stretch our legs with a walk up the Lookout Trail. There are plenty of longer walks around the island but with only a day, we thought we would try just this one which is easily accessible from the beach.

The view looking east from the Lookout Trail.

This 2.6km trail didn’t take us more than an hour and it really isn’t that steep. We were rewarded with great views to the west of Great Keppel Island.

After working up a sweat on this walk, it was time to cool off. We asked where the best snorkelling was at the Water Activities hut and were told to head to Monkey Beach.

The walk to and from here would have taken us about 2 hours – time we didn’t have if we wanted to make the most of being in the water.

Luckily for us, the guys at the hut were super accommodating and took us – including Falcor – in the dive boat around to Monkey Point and promised to pick us up in time to get back on our 4pm ferry. What a treat for a dog that loves boat rides!

Setting up under a tree for some shade, we paddled out from the beach to the reef to admire all the fish! Falcor tried to swim and keep up with us so I headed back to the beach a bit earlier to relax and soak up some sun while Aiden snorkelled longer.

The water was crystal clear and warm so I could have spent hours exploring.

From Monkey Beach, there is a short inland track that takes you to Long Beach – voted one of the best beaches in Australia. We went and had a quick look before Aiden headed around the headland to try his luck at fishing.

There are only certain areas of the island where you can fish as the rest is protected marine park. Unfortunately for us, the tide really wasn’t right for fishing while we were there.

Given we spent the whole day on the beach at the mercy of the dive boat, we made it back to Fisherman’s and managed a beer and a snack at the Great Keppel Island Hideaway before dashing back to the ferry. We timed our return perfectly as a rain cloud opened up just before we returned.

After all that swimming and walking, we had one tired dog on the ferry home!

Great Keppel has 15 beaches to explore so we only saw a tiny bit of this island paradise. We will have to come back for a longer stay without the dog.

If you are looking for a personal adventure, Get Your Guide offers some great tours from Yeppoon.

Allison Wallace 10/17/21 Allison Wallace 10/17/21

Wallaman Falls: Australia’s tallest waterfall

When you go chasing waterfalls, finding the tallest single-drop waterfall in the country is pretty cool.

Staying in Townsville, we decided to take a day and go visit this impressive feat of nature - Wallaman Falls. It took us about 2 hours one-way, but it is an easy drive.

It was a little overcast as we headed north, but hopeful that it would clear we pushed on!

The final section of the drive is a windy, narrow road uphill and as we climbed, the cloud got thicker. We were inside it and had to take it pretty easy as it was impossible to see any oncoming traffic.

We saw a lot of signs saying to watch for Cassowaries but we weren’t lucky enough to see one.

As we reached the main carpark, there was drizzling rain but we were determined not to let that hamper our adventure. Leaving jumpers in the car so there was something dry on our return, we set off.

Measuring 268 metres from Stony Creek down into the Herbert River Valley, it would have been great to see it from the viewing platform, but it was not meant to be. You could hear the thundering falls but seeing them was impossible.

It may not sound like far, but it is about 1.6km to the bottom of the falls and remember, you have to come back up! There are signs saying it was very steep, needing a certain fitness level and notifying us that people had in fact died attempting to walk this path to the base.

The track begins as a sealed path before giving way to rocky and rooty, rainforest undergrowth. The cloud was still thick around us and our ears were heightened to the sounds of what felt like a jungle.

The further down we went, the wetter it got, with thick moss growing on rocks and tree trunks. Even without the cloud, we wouldn’t have been able to see the falls until we reached the bottom as the vegetation was thick and lush as we made our way down the path.

Eventually, nature’s majesty revealed itself to us. We were below the rain cloud and had a spectacular view of Wallaman Falls. We could feel its power and were amazed by its beauty.

Looking up, the mist from the falls creates a rainbow of colour – even on a day as grey as the one we visited on.

Apparently, you can swim in the 20m pool at the bottom of the falls. I am not sure how safe that would be given how slippery the large boulders at the base are and how powerful the falls sound. I was pretty happy to feel the spray on my face and soak it in from land.

Then it was time to head back up. I can definitively say that the incline is definitely more noticeable on the way back up, so we moved at a slower pace and worked up a sweat!

Back at the car and drying off for our trip back to Townsville, we stopped in Ingham for a late lunch. We couldn’t go past the Lees Hotel, better known as the official ‘Pub with no beer.’

The story goes that the song “A Pub With No Beer”, made famous by Slim Dusty, was first written as a poem in the original Day Dawn Hotel (now Lees Hotel) in 1943, by an Irish cane cutter Dan Sheahan, after some American soldiers drank the pub dry the previous night. Luckily for us, there was plenty of cold beer – and a giant pub meal – to revive us after our adventure to Wallaman Falls.

If you want to swap the inland tropics for the coast, Magnetic Island is not far away and makes a great escape!

Allison Wallace 8/22/21 Allison Wallace 8/22/21

The ultimate Magnetic Island escape

When planning a Queensland road trip with my dog, I was so excited to discover we could take the pup on the ferry across to Magnetic Island! What could be better for our water-loving family?

Affectionately known as Maggie, the island is a great place to just kick back and relax but there is also plenty to see and do!

Just eight kilometres off the mainland, this island is smack-bang in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef and boasts palm-fringed beaches, hiking trails and friendly rock wallabies. Holiday vibes sorted!

Getting there:

There are two ferries that will take you out to Maggie. A passenger-only ferry that takes just 20 minutes, and a vehicle ferry that takes about twice the time. We went with our car on the latter from Townsville with our dog able to get some fresh air on board – he loved his first experience on a boat bigger than a tinny!

If you don’t want to take your own car or have flown in from out of town, there are plenty of rentals available on the island and I would recommend having way as it is the best way to get around – though in peak seasons there is an excellent bus service.

The short ferry ride makes it possible to just visit for the day if you are short on time. Just make sure you book the early ferry in advance to make the most of it.

Where to stay:

Maggie has a wide range of accommodation options to choose from. There is everything from dog-friendly Airbnb’s like the one we stayed in to 5-star resorts.

The first choice is actually to decide where on the island you want to be. The main towns are Arcadia, Horseshoe Bay, Nelly Bay, Picnic Bay and Florence Bay and honestly, it really isn’t that far to drive between them but sometimes it is nice to just walk around!

Nelly Bay is where the ferry lands most of the large accommodation can be found here and Horseshoe Bay has plenty of restaurants and cafes and great sunset views.

We stayed in Picnic Bay on the southern end of the island, looking back towards the mainland. Our Airbnb was walking distance to a long jetty perfect for fishing, a beach where we could swim and a couple of restaurants. We had some incredible authentic Italian at Mamma Roma and I would definitely recommend you try it!

Things to do:

Walking is a big thing on Maggie and we made the most of it! There were a few walks we didn’t experience on the island as we don’t like to leave the dog at home too much so that meant the National Parks were off the agenda.

There is a walking track that goes from Picnic Bay all the way to Geoffrey Bay along the coast. It doesn’t offer much shade so best to do early morning or late afternoon but you get some incredible views and you can always jump in the water at points along the way if you get hot!

On the northern end of Geoffrey Bay, there are some large boulders and if you look a bit closer, you will see a whole family of small rock wallabies living there! We didn’t get too close as who knows if they have ever seen a border collie before so we played it safe. They were adorable though and apparently a lot more active around sunset when you can head along with a bag of feed to give them a treat.

We stopped for lunch on the walk back at a fabulous fish and chip shop in Nelly Bay – SOS which translates as “Stuffed on Seafood”. It was a tough decision but landed on a crab sandwich which was stuffed full of crab and tasty sauce.

We came back to Geoffrey Bay later in the trip with the car to try some snorkelling. Make sure you time it with high tide to get the best clarity here. There is a self-guided snorkel trail marked out here that points out remnants of shipwreck and some giant clams. You will see the white floats that outline the trail and stop you from swimming too far out.

You can take a tour that visits places only accessible by water for those super private beach experiences too!

When you are tired from all the active activities, it’s time for some refreshment and my favourite spot on the island for a beer is at the Base Backpackers. The reasons for this are simple – The Island Bar has a massive outdoor area (dog-friendly) and the best ocean views to soak up while drinking. We also came back here for burgers one night at dinner – they were epic!

Aiden was pretty happy to spend late afternoons casting a line off the jetty in Picnic Bay while we watched the sun go down. We left empty handed of course it was a very peaceful way to finish the day.

My favourite day was when we headed to Radical Bay. After scouring the maps and seeing this beach was not National Park and was 4WD access only, we packed the car for a day of adventure and sun and were not disappointed.

If you don’t have a 4WD, definitely do not attempt to drive to Radical Bay – the track is seriously challenging, and we had a high-clearance vehicle! You can get there by boat and we did see a few intrepid hikers coming across from Horseshoe Bay later in the day but when we arrived, we had the place to ourselves.

As we pulled up, we were greeted with paradise. Golden sand and clear turquoise tropical water surrounded by large boulder-strewn headlands, the perfect remote location. Falcor was pretty happy and ran straight into the ocean for a swim.

We spent the day swimming, exploring and relaxing. It felt like our own private paradise.

Radical Bay is a Marine National Park Green Zone so no fishing on this day but we did head out with a snorkel, but the water was a bit silty and visibility wasn’t great.

Dinner after a day in the sun was at Thai Again near Nelly Bay. This is the only Thai restaurant on the island and tucked out of the way in a beautiful old building decorated in plenty of fairy lights, first impressions were good. The food delivered and I had one of the best (and most spicy!) Laksa’s I have had in a long time.

Magnetic Island isn’t a bustling metropolis which makes it the perfect spot to sit back, take stock and relax in nature. It was a fabulous dog-friendly escape.

Allison Wallace 8/3/21 Allison Wallace 8/3/21

Discover remote luxury at Gilberton Outback Retreat

When you think of a remote cattle station, luxury isn’t the first thing that comes to mind but that is exactly what you are going to get at Gilberton Outback Retreat.

In the heart of the Queensland Outback, about six hours drive west of Townsville, Gilberton is a huge working cattle station. It’s a dusty drive in but welcome you receive when you get there makes it all worth it.

If you’re not keen to drive so far or prefer to visit during the wet season, when roads are often cut, helicopter charters are available.

Home to around 1200 head of Brahmin cattle and an incredibly deluxe cabin that owners Lyn and Rob built from stone from the property. Each rock was chosen specifically and this level of detail shows. Appreciate the large pieces of granite, sandstone, quartz, ironbark, ironwood and lancewood that make up the bones of this ‘hut,’ as Lyn referred to it!

Out here there’s no phone, no television and no Wi-Fi, just uninterrupted views of the Gilberton River and the company of the family at the homestead where dinner is served.

The retreat open to the elements and is decked out with a king bed and a luxurious bathtub. Don't worry, there's no one around to see you - the retreat only hosts two people at a time meaning you can enjoy the uninterrupted panoramic views from the outdoor bath without feeling self-conscious.

There are small, interesting details throughout the retreat that really tell a story. The soap caddy in the open shower is made from an old horseshoe, the base of the table where we ate breakfast is and old singer sewing machine and the pedal is well-oiled and still works.

Lyn and Rob and have thought of everything. There is a welcome platter of cheese and snacks, the fridge is full stocked with beer, wine and champers, you will find toiletries in the bathroom should you have forgotten something and a coffee pot for your morning fix.

While open to the elements and Queensland nights in May get cool – we were thrilled to discover the most plush, warm doona I have ever seen on the bed. Not once did I feel cold which is no mean feat.

After sharing a home cooked meal at the homestead with the family, we settled in for a sound sleep on our first night here, listening to the sounds of the outback as we dozed off.

Gilberton Station started in 1869 and has been passed down through seven generations, this family know every inch of their property and it is such a privilege that they share it with you!

Visitors here can make the experience all their own. Relax, get involved in station life, explore indigenous rock art on the property or fossick for gold around an old mine.

Incredible art that survives the elements and time.

On our first morning, Lyn takes us on a buggy drive and a short 350m hike to an Aboriginal rock art site. More than 30,000 years ago, the Ewamian, Jana and Woolgar peoples walked this land and Lyn works hard to make sure it remains untouched, apparently never taking the same route to the spot.

We sit under a cave ledge that protects the etchings with billy tea and baked morning tea, admiring the art and artefacts that you can see all around you.

On our drive back through the station, we checked on the cow ‘nursery’ as there were many new calves hanging out with their mums.

After a relaxed lunch, we headed out with one of the prospectors staying on the property to see if we could find some gold. Armed with metal detectors and a positive attitude we found two small pieces in about three hours so won’t be quitting our day jobs just yet.

It was fun to give it a go through, I am pretty sure Aiden has gold fever and wants to keep searching but Falcor and I were ready to go back and relax.

We return to the retreat and I unwind in the free-standing tub, chilled champagne on call from a slightly unwilling Aiden. In the changing light of dusk, the sky moved through every mood.

The day wasn’t over as we wandered over the hill to enjoy a firepit BBQ with the family and some prospectors who are also staying on the station. Good food, good wine, good company and a seemingly endless canopy of stars and I can see myself spending a lot more time here!

Several hours later, the full moon guided us on the short walk back to the retreat for another sound sleep.

Our final morning has arrived and I want to soak up every last second in this retreat. We enjoy breakfast made from the hamper in the fridge (eggs, cheese, ham and fruit) looking over the river and play with Falcor before jumping in the car for the long drive to Townsville.

Beyond the natural beauty and the one-of-a-kind accommodation, the main thing I am taking with me is the time with our hosts, Lyn and Rob. They opened not only their station, but their home to visitors and there is a connection to the land here that is unbreakable.

You will hear fascinating stories and conversations about floods, droughts, mining stories and even a fire that destroyed the original family homestead.

The guys here have done everything they can to protect the land and environment for future generations, not something that comes to mind when you remember you are on a cattle station, but this is so much more than that.

As well as receiving a Nature Tourism certification, the retreat is carbon neutral and solar powered – as is the whole farm. All the food you eat during your all-inclusive stay is sourced from local producers and a sustainable garden on site.

As we leave all I can think of is visiting in the wet season to see the river brimming and wildlife teeming. I imagine it would be like visiting a whole different place – I will have to save up and put it on the bucket list!

Allison Wallace 7/12/21 Allison Wallace 7/12/21

Biking & hiking on South Molle Island

Pedaling across one of the islands in the Whitsundays? Sure, why not!

South Molle Island is home to the only island mountain biking trail in the stunning Whitsundays and we got to explore all of it with Bike & Hike Whitsundays.

A fully guided half-day trip with Dylan is an experience like no other. Luckily for us less-experienced mountain bikers, Hike & Bike provide the latest model dual suspension Trek Electric Mountain Bikes which makes those island hills a breeze. Turbo mode was definitely engaged!

The day started early meeting before sunrise on the mainland near Shute Harbour with a quick ride down to the water to familiarise ourselves with the bikes.

That did mean we got to enjoy sunrise from the boat as we motored towards South Molle Island. The island is uninhabited since the cyclone damaged the resort years ago but there are still camp sites on different parts of the island.

The hardest ride of the day was the very first steep section from the beach at Sandy Bay – never fear though, it gets easier and I became much so comfortable on the bike that I actually enjoyed riding uphill!

You will be rewarded for your pedaling efforts with spectacular views at the top. The trails crisscrossing the island led to lookouts at Spion Kop, Lamond Hill and Balancing Rock. We even pedaled up to Mt Jeffreys; the highest point on the island—it stands at 200 metres above sea level, but the climb is relatively gradual and well worth it for the views.

The whole ride was relatively easy from a heart-rate perspective, and you get to go at your own pace with no rushing. Aiden knows the perils of rushing downhill around corners - just ask the tree he met body-first…

Book a tour here

Dylan is super knowledgeable about the trails, nature and history of the area which you can learn about it during regular stops. He will also recommend and take silly photos of you and your mates for memories of the day’s adventures.

While the ebike helps you out, you definitely still have to exert yourself so be prepared! There are also a few short hikes to visit the areas the bikes aren’t allowed or can’t go. It is a welcome respite for the butt.

Everything you need for the half-day is catered for. From helmets, gloves and walkie-talkies to snacks and plenty of water, you will want for nothing.

Waiting for the boat back to the mainland.

Our ride finished at the brand-new jetty out of the front of the old resort site and the while the water looked spectacular, the high winds on our visit prevented me from jumping in for a dip. The is no guarantee where your visit will end up as pickup and drop off points depend on the tides.

This trip is so worth it for the epic scenery and the confidence on an e-bike is a bonus. I think if I had an e-bike at home, I would ride my bike a whole lot more.

What a unique way to experience the islands of the Whitsundays!

While you are here, why not indulge in a luxury snorkelling experience - by helicopter no less - at Langford Reef!

Allison Wallace 6/24/21 Allison Wallace 6/24/21

Fossicking in the Gemfields

One thing I learned on this adventure is that digging for precious gems is HARD!

We recently embarked in a Queensland road trip that took us near the Gemfields to Rubyvale, so of course we had to try our luck at getting one of those gorgeous local sapphires.

The Gemfields is made up of three townships – Sapphire, Rubyvale and Anakie. Throughout these towns you will find a range of Gem Shops, Fossicking Parks and Tag-along Tours.

Rubyvale is about a half hour drive from Emerald where we were staying so of course we spent a day digging around in rocks.

Book a stay in Emerald here.

We had all the gear, and I will be honest, probably no idea!

You have the option of joining a tag-along tour where a local will show you what to look for and take you to popular locations. Armed with the skills that a handful of YouTube videos had given us, we decided to head out on our own.

The first stop after getting our fossicking permits online (about $8 each for a month) was of course to fuel up in Rubyvale. We headed to Muggachinno’s Strudel Hut where you can’t help but dive into a delicious homemade strudel that comes with a side of port. For breakfast of course.

As we were travelling with our pup – who of course came fossicking with is – we were happy to find the shaded garden of Muggachinno’s is dog friendly.

Next, it was off to the designated fossicking areas to try our luck in the dry river beds.

It’s hot, dusty work fossicking for sapphires, as I dug deeper to the heavier stones and revealed the cooler ground, our pup Falcor, decided that would be the perfect spot to sit.

We did set up some shade for him and after a little time ‘helping’ us dig, he retreated there to have a nap.

When you think of a precious gem, it is all bright and sparkly so shouldn’t be too hard to spot right? Wrong. To the untrained eye, sapphires in the rough can very easily pass for a bunch of gravel.

Within about half an hour, Aiden discovered a tiny shard of blue sapphire, this was about as exciting as it got for us unfortunately.

We tried three different locations around Rubyvale including Middle Ridge and Graves Hill on the first day and then stopping by Glenalva on our drive west to Longreach.

All that digging definitely worked up an appetite and thankfully, we stopped at The New Royal Hotel Rubyvale for lunch to break up the day.

The pub has a dog-friendly outdoor area where we enjoyed a couple of beers and a giant schnitzel!

In hindsight, we may have had better luck at one of the local fossicking parks. Here you can buy a bag of wash to sift through to find the gems. It is less digging but it does feel a bit less like you earned any gems compared to the hours we spent sitting in the dirt but the chances of walking away with a gem is much higher…