The
last two weeks of July 2004 found Craig and Len barely escaping certain death.
They were up against leeches, crocodiles, sharks, dingos, decompression sickness,
stinging trees, huge birds called cassowaries, the elements and worst of all—driving
on the wrong side of the road. So there we were…
There
are also links to more Australia trip photo pages at the bottom of this page.
Champagne
Pools, Fraser Island, Queensland
This
is the view north from Indian Head—the furthest point allowed by our 4x4 rental
company. The Tukkee Sandblow is in the distance. As inviting as this may be,
you can’t swim here. Hammerhead and tiger sharks frequent the shallow waters
near the beach. Great whites loom further out. Supposedly it’s not hard to
see them from shore. July 26, 2004. [See
Large 1200 x 1600]
Photo Highlights
from Craig and Len's Down Under Adventure
Maheno
Beach, Fraser Island, Queensland
Craig
is at the helm of the snorkel-equipped Toyota LandCruiser as it climbs our
of a seashore pond that we reckon is two and a half feet deep. Nothing off
roads like a rental. July 26, 2004. [See
Large 1200 x 1600]
Mt
Bartle Frere Walking Track, Wooroonooran National Park, Queensland
Len
scans a river crossing in the Queensland rainforest. Len and Craig’s summit
to the top of Queenslands highest peak (1622 m, 5352 ft) was thwarted near
the top when they found themselves covered in bloodsucking rainforest leeches.
Oops, forgot the leech repellent. July 24, 2004. [See
Large 1200 x 1600] Click here
for a better account and more pictures of the hike.
Downtown
and Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales
This
picture was taken from the Manly Beach ferry as we return to the Circular
Quay wharf. July 28, 2004. [See Large
1200 x 1600]
Lake
Wabby, Fraser Island, Queensland
The
picturesque lake is tucked between the enormous Dulingbara Sandblow and dense
eucalyptus forest. The wind is gradually blow the dunes toward the lake and
in time the lake will be completely filled. July 26, 2004. [See
Large 1200 x 1600]
Lake
Wabby, Fraser Island, Queensland
From
the shoreline of Lake Wabby, you can get an appreciation for how large the
dunes are and how steeply they fall into the lake. July 26, 2004. [See
Large 1200 x 1600]
Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island, Queensland
Hastings
Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea
Fifty
miles offshore from Cairns, this is the view from the third deck of our dive
boat, Reef Encounter. Hastings Reef is one of three reefs we visit on the
great barrier reef. The change in color marks the spot where the reef begins
to go from a few feet deep to 60+ feet deep. The dingy is being used to ferry
supplies from another boat that makes the trip to port every day. July 22,
2004. [See Large 1200 x 1600]
Bendell
Ker Mountain Range, Mirriwinni, Queensland
The
road to Josephine Falls leads past sugar and banana plantations. Mt. Bartle
Frere is just out of the picture to the right. July 24, 2004. [See
Large 1200 x 1600]
Sunrise
from Seventy-File Mile Beach, Fraser Island, Queensland
Shortly
after we see a wild dingo on the beach, the sun pokes through the clouds.
We start the day early because we can on drive on the beach at low tide. 6:45
AM, July 26, 2004. [See Large 1200 x
1600]
Sydney
Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales
North
Head, Manly Beach, New South Wales
Click
below to see five more photo pages from the Australia trip...
Norman
Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea
Craig
begins his SCUBA descent to 60 feet of depth. Later on this dive, he gets
stuck while trying to swim through a coral tunnel. July 22, 2004.