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“The real journey is an inward one, exploring the depths of your own consciousness.” Melanie Spears What an apt quote from my Gratitude Journal. Does anyone else feel the same urge to go within … amid the intense energies of this new year. For me personally, it’s been a hectic start, simultaneously calm and chaotic, … More 2026: The Real Journey
This time of the year is often a whirlwind. However I stay away from the commercialism of the season, finding quiet reflection as the year draws to an end. At the moment, I feel an unusual calm, as though I’m right where I need to be. Even though around me is disarray and disorder. It’s … More Celebrating, Contemplating and Looking Ahead
How do you summarise a life of 88 full years … into 25 words or less. It’s impossible. But I’ll try for 525. With some photos thrown in. 2025 has been a year of letting go, of unexpected goodbyes and farewells. A car, a van, a beloved family pet and now the saddest, my mother-in-law. … More In Memory of Margaret
Charters Towers is considered to be where the outback and the tropics meet. It sits at the crossroads of the Flinders Highway and the Gregory Development Road, about 90 minutes south west of Townsville. It’s also where the journey ends for our DMax. Where in the World? Charters Towers has a golden legacy. Once hailed … More The DMax stops in Charters Towers
Maybe you’ve heard the stories about outback Queensland and Australia in general … “Countless gorges, the harshest corrugations on the planet and scenery that’s nothing short of magic.” It’s all true. From Forsayth it’s a rough 45kms trip to Cobbold Gorge. And I mean rough … we felt every bump. It’s nearing the end of … More Just Two Gorges
After Normanton we head to Croydon and it’s there, stopped in the tiny caravan park, a police officer comes knocking on our car window. What the hell have we done? Seems an impassioned political campaign candidate travelling through these parts has seen Doug do a slightly illegal turn on a wide Croydon side street. No … More Croydon to Cobbold, Cops n Dobbers
Much like Burke & Wills, our goal was to reach the ocean at the Gulf of Carpentaria. However, I think we’re doing it a tad easier. We reach Karumba with sunset drinks and sixtieth celebrations, backtrack and love Lawn Hill, now we’re bound for Burketown. We’re on the Savannah Way, a remote 3,700km route that … More From Burketown to Normanton via The Savannah Way – Breaking the Rule of Threes
We’ve been travelling through Outback Queensland since July and I’m continually amazed. Alongside the big kilometres, long and dusty roads and dry outback are also surprisingly lush landscapes. After Karumba we travelled back to Normanton, to the Burke and Wills Roadhouse and then inland towards Lawn Hill. But first … Gregory – the Gateway to … More Outback QLD: Lawn Hill Reopens
“Embracing the gift of life, unwrapping it with joy and gratitude.” Time is whizzing past. Can you feel it? The days, weeks and months flying by … a tapestry of joy filled, ordinary and extraordinary days. Through it all I’m journaling in my Gratitude Diary, as I’ve done for the past twelve years. As well … More Aya Karumba, I’m 60!
Outback Queensland. It’s big, bold, hot and addictive. With red dust swirling in the rear vision mirror, music cranked up and maps in hand every leg of the journey is an adventure. From Alpha to Cloncurry (and beyond) and with dinosaur trails, quirky pubs, artesian baths under outback skies and swimming beneath towering cliffs, she’s … More Outback Queensland: Eight free/low cost campgrounds
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