Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
The people have spoken!
https://fosstodon.org/@dHeinemann/111675273763841979
My goal for the Far North Queensland trip will be to visit Daintree, and the start of the CREB track. I won't actually be traveling it - I think it's closed anyway - but it'll make for a nice photo.
This should be a round trip of 2,000+ km total - my longest motorcycle trip yet.
Can't wait!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
This is the Curtain Fig Tree.
It was created a long time ago when a fig began growing on another tree until that tree rotted out and collapsed onto another tree nearby.
Now only the fig remains. Its branches droop downward, creating a curtain effect.
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Atherton in QLD Australia, is absolutely stunning. Everything is green, with rolling hills, lookouts, and waterfalls everywhere. It's like taking a ride through the default Windows XP wallpaper.
It's also very quiet, even though school holidays are still on. You can just burble along the 80 km/hr country roads at 40 km/hr, taking in the sights and fresh air without inconveniencing anyone.
I could spend weeks here.
Highly recommended!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I tried to ride my Honda CRF300 Rally up Mount Edith in Atherton not once, but *twice*.
The first time, both Google Maps and OpenStreetMap led me astray by showing me a route from the north that doesn't actually exist. After 8 km of gravel, I reached a dead end where the only way forward was a walking trail.
Then I tried a route from the south. After about 12 km of gravel, I discovered the road was closed.
Unfortunate, but it made for a very scenic ride. 🏞️
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Breakfast today is coffee and eggs Benedict at the Station Cafe in Atherton.
This scenic cafe was converted from a railway station. You can actually sit and eat inside a redecorated rail car.
The coffee and food was excellent. I'd definitely visit again!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Just outside the Station Cafe are jumping jack bull ants!
These giant ants can jump, and deliver a nasty bite. I love bulk ants, but don't get to see them very often.
These ones were moving home. I watched them transport cocoons and even other workers!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Tonight I'm staying in Cairns, in air conditioned comfort. Feels so good.
I'm still dehydrated after trying to camp outside last night, so I'm drinking plenty of water.
Unfortunately, I think I'll have to skip visiting Daintree. I overlooked that *both* roads to it from Cairns are closed. Travelling there via Atherton instead would take about 4.5 hours, which is time I'd rather spend visiting other places nearby Atherton.
Maybe next time!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
This morning I visited the Armour and Artillery museum in Cairns, QLD, Australia.
I've never been particularly interested in military history, but this museum is fantastic. It's a massive warehouse full of tanks, artillery, and other vehicles from all kinds of countries and wars.
This was my first time seeing a tank in person, and I was surprised at how big they actually are.
Also, staring down the barrel feels spooky, even when they're inoperable.
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Today I'm in Atherton, QLD, Australia.
Everything here is so green! There are banana plantations, farms, and fields everywhere. It's quite beautiful. I'm enjoying just riding around and exploring. Still extremely hot though. Even now, it's 83% humidity.
Lake Tinaroo is quite nice. It looks like you can actually take a boat out on it if you had one.
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Big things are happening in Australia!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I rode 400 km today, and I'm completely knackered.
It's 28°c (feels like 33°c due to humidity). Despite fighting strong winds the whole ride north, there is no breeze whatsoever at my campsite.
Consequently, I'm having a hard time sleeping.
Maybe camping in summer wasn't such a great idea. 🤣🫠
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I think camping in the Australian Summer was a bad idea. 🫠
My tent was a sauna last night. Not only was it hotter than expected, there was also no breeze at all. Then I probably nearly gave myself heat stroke packing the tent up in the morning.
Moving forward, this is a motel trip instead of a camping trip. 🤣
I'm cooling off at a servo, then hitting the road again soon.
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I rode all the way up Mount Stuart in Townsville QLD, Australia. There are some nice views up here.
It looks like most of the mountain is used by the Australian military for firearms and explosives exercises. Those sections are all cordoned off, with clear signs like these.
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I found another wind farm at Atherton where you can actually get pretty close!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I rode all the way out to Mount Garnet to see if I could get some cool photos of a mine there, since it was close to a gravel road. Unfortunately, it's all fenced off and I couldn't see anything interesting.
However, it gave me an opportunity to ride back to my accommodation via the highest road in Queensland (1,163 m elevation.) It was later than I had planned and too dark to take photos, but it's a fun, windy road. Perfect for motorcycling!
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
I'm tempted to get a camera drone like the DJI Mini 3. I think the altitude of a drone would enable more and better photos on my motorcycle trips.
However, I'm a bit unsure whether I want to have to pack and secure another gadget on my motorcycle trips, not to mention carrying and charging more batteries.
Do any other motorcyclists carry a drone on trips? How do you find it?
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