Torndirrup National Park

 Saturday 26 September - 182157

Mt Clarence Parkrun in Albany was our start to the day, walking for me and running for Drew.  This was cold, wet and very windy.  Mt Clarence Parkrun

Torndirrup National Park

We then drove to Torndirrup National Park and walked the Uredale Point Heritage Trail (Distance 5.08km, Time 2h, Ascent/Descent 196m). I wore my hiking pack as per physio instructions. This walk had two sections of beach walking, so some sand to challenge my calves. There was also a descent with a chain. When we reached Uredale Point we could see that the pilot boat and tugs were about to bring a ship through Ataturk Channel, so we stopped and watched.  I saw more wildflowers today that I had not previously seen.  Trails WA Uredale Point Heritage Trail

Albany Port form Point Uredale

Ataturk Channel Markers

Point King Lighthouse Ruins from Uredale Point

The descent back to the beach

We then began the walk to Peak Head but turned around about a quarter of the way into it. The wind had picked up again and the rain was also increasing. We felt it was unlikely that we would be able to go safely across the granite at Peak Head so decided to change plans.  Trails WA Peak Head Walk

Instead, we had a look at the view of Albany from Stony Hill Lookout and then went on to the Blowholes. The weather at the Blowholes was quite wild – very gusty winds and rain. The blowholes were making a lot of noise, but not much spray.  Trails WA Albany Blowholes  We decided to head back to the shelter of our van to escape the weather.

Back at the van park the wind and rain had really picked up, so we headed inside to read and relax.

Emu Point to Ellen Cove Walk

 Thursday 24 September - 182116

Today we walked from Middelton Beach to Emu Point and back. I wore my hiking pack as part of my physio rehabilitation for my calf.  While this walk does not give continuous views of the beach, it is on a nice path with no traffic and through the coastal bush, with opportunities to look at the beach along the way. 

The most dangerous snake we saw today

Emu Point itself was quite picturesque.  

We stopped for a break at Middleton Beach and had morning tea.  I then put my pack back on and we walked up the Ellen Cove boardwalk towards Port Albany for a bit over a kilometre. We did not go the full distance to Port Albany, based on advice from the physio. This was the first time I have tried going uphill with my pack on and no heel lift in my shoes, and I was pleased with how my calf went.  Total ascent today was a bit over 100m, so still very mild.  Our timing was great as we had the opportunity to watch two tugboats guide a bulk carrier into Ataturk Channel.

Emu Point to Ellen Cove and Port Albany Walk

Middleton Beach

Ellen Cove Boardwalk

Ataturk Channel

We followed this with a swim at Middleton Beach. While this was still very cold, it was warmer than first thing in the morning with a noticeably warmer top inch or two of water.  A late lunch picnic in the park was the perfect way to conclude today’s adventures.

The afternoon was boring but necessary stuff – groceries, collecting stuff from the post office and general life administration.

25 June - Mt Isa Tourist Spots

25 June 2016 – 176 012

Mt Isa Tourist Spots

Today started with a hike up to Ray Donaldson Memorial Lookout which provided a view over both Mt Isa and the countryside toward Cloncurry, and a lovely walk. 

Next stop was the Underground Hospital – this was built by the miners during World War 2 after Darwin was bombed in anticipation of air strikes on Mt Isa, but was thankfully never used. It included general wards, maternity and nursery wards as well as storage in three connected tunnels; and is directly next door to Mt Isa base hospital for quick evacuation. 

http://www.undergroundhospital.com/

Adjacent to this is a restored tent house – these had raised timber floors, a timber frame, canvas walls and roof underneath a second corrugated iron roof; Mt Isa had many of these through until the 1960’s. 

And then we went shopping on “Rodeo Drive”…. at the chemist, probably the only time I will shop on Rodeo Drive! 

This afternoons fossils were at the Riversleigh Fossil Centre which had a variety of megafauna – some animals that are very like their modern relatives, and some that are just plain strange.  Hayden had a great time uncovering a fossil in the sandpit using scoops and brushes. 
https://www.mietv.com.au/Outback-at-Isa/Riversleigh-Fossil-Centre.aspx

 After dinner we headed to City Lookout for sunset and a night view over the mine – it does look a bit like a ship at night with its funnels and multiple levels of small lights like portholes.