August in the Tropics

August is not our favourite month in Canberra - not that we experience it often. For the first time in 10 years we found ourselves spending winter in the southern hemishpere. It's not too bad - the nights are cold but the days are mostly crisp and bright. But the chance to have another 2 weeks in the tropics was a bonus. We started off with a few days on the Atherton Tableland - very lush and beautiful.


Zli Zli Falls


Aerial roots on the curtin fig tree

From Kuranda looking out over Cairns


Then it was off to Palm Cove to the fabulous Peppers Resort for 2 weeks!!!! If you ever get the chance to stay there, grab it with both hands - it is beautiful, relaxing and relatively unspoilt. http://www.palmcoveaustralia.com/
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The view from our apartment

The Serenity pool provides a quieter spot to swim lengths, have a snooze or uninterrupted read.

The beach isn't great but good for a stroll at any time of the day.

There are always fishermen/persons on the jetty and we did see some fish caught including a massive groper.

With Christy and Andy we cooked breakfast by the beach -

Found good coffee -

Had a day at Port Douglas -

And spent a day snorkling on the Outer Reef. Just fabulous. http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/wavepiercer.htm

Lots of beautiful and unusual flowers throughout the gardens at Peppers

A final look back at the beach at Palm Cove.

A little reminder that it isn't all plain sailing in paradise - fortunately we weren't there in stinger season but you still need to keep the vinegar handy just in case.

The Red Centre

We began our mid-winter break with a few days in Adelaide with Tim and Lyndall. They have just completed a fabulous restructuring in their garden - unfortunately I didn't get to photograph it. We all went to the Clare valley for the weekend and spent the night in this delightful B&B.

This photo at the miners' dugout homes at Burra may be highly significant - it could be the last time Phil looks down on Tom.

Then off to Darwin - this is Marg's deck with a view to the guest annexe. She probably won't forgive me for saying this but it is a great place to stay - self contained and overlooking the swimming pool.

From there we drove to Kakadu. These photos will give you a flavour of some of the highlights.

Tim and Lyndall insisted we do the sunrise cruise at Yellow Waters in Kakadu and we were so glad we did even if it meant a 5.30 wake up call.

Note the croc lurking.

Along with several hundred others from around the world we waited for the sun to set at Ubirr in Kakudu.


And it was worth the wait.

We drove down to Alice in AM's 4WD, spending a night at Mataranka where we had a long soak in the thermal pool.

Then 2 nights in these safari tents at King's Canyon - they were great even though it was around zero overnight.

We walked the rim of King's Canyon - around 4 hrs - simply amazing. Note the people standing on the mound to appreciate the scale of this place. The shapes and colours are breathtaking.

I like to photograph people on our travels but given the sensitivity of the situation with indigenous Australians at present this is the closest I got - a group sitting in the dry Todd River bed in Alice.Devil's MarblesEllery Gorge

More of Ellery Gorge


Standley Chasm

Uluru is a very special place. It is majestic at any time of day. We did the base walk one afternoon - it takes around 4 hours.

Uluru at sunrise - so nice to have your own private ranger to make a fire and fresh coffee while you enjoy the view.

Uluru at midday

Uluru at sunset

Another day we did the Valley of the Winds walk through Kata Tjuta - the Olgas. Just wonderful - takes about 3 hours - challenging in parts, scrambling up over the huge rocks but spectacular.

Sunrise



Later in the day on the walk

On our last night we treated ourselves to a wonderful dinner. It began with drinks on the sandunes watching the sunset over Uluru - note it peaking out behind Phil.

Followed by a silver service meal looking out over Kata Tjuta ( the Olga's) - chilly but very special.

A visit to the centre wouldn't be complete without seeing Sturt's Desert Pea.