These days Cooktown, over 300 kilometres north of Cairns, is a quiet and fairly low-key laid back kind of place. However, that was not always the case, as evidenced by the various exhibits inside the National Trust James Cook Museum. From explorer James Cook’s encounter with what is now Cooktown, the town’s founding, the gold rush, and significant immigration, to the impact of the Second World War and of European settlement on the local indigenous population, this small museum houses several exhibits sharing Cooktown’s interesting history. James Cook and the HMS Endeavour Originally jettisoned from James Cook’s ship the Endeavour, the enormous anchor and a cannon form the centerpiece of…

There are many adventures to be had in northern Queensland and for four-wheel drive enthusiasts, the Bloomfield Track is number one. Providing a coastal route between Cooktown and Cape Tribulation, the scenic and challenging drive makes a roadtrip along this spectacular section of Queensland’s coast an attractive option. The Bloomfield Track is a 30 kilometre stretch between the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal and Cape Tribulation but, in order to reach it drivers must also pass through Helenvale, so we’ll start there. Black Mountain National Park Located 26 kilometres south of Cooktown, Helenvale is a small community on the edge of the Black Mountain National Park. The park centres around…

Aborigines aside, Australia is a relatively young country. This, combined with a long history of migration has established a fairly multicultural society in Australia, with many individuals bringing parts of their history and culture, varying from foods and languages to traditional celebrations, with them and incorporating them in to their new lives down under. As a result threads of different cultures can often be found, providing a diverse, and often eclectic, variety of places to explore. Paronella Park is just such a place. Originally constructed by an eccentric but passionate, and clearly determined Spaniard, Paronella Park was the dream of Jose Paronella, who arrived in nearby Innisfail in 1913. Paronella…

While visitors to Australia flock to Sydney and Melbourne, Queensland’s capital Brisbane is often overlooked. With a nickname like ‘BrisVegas’ it’s understandable to wonder what to expect! Brisbane is an interesting city, especially because in lots of ways it feels like it is still trying to decide what it will be when it grows up. The city has plenty to offer visitors, with an interesting mix of history, entertainment and the great outdoors, all in a mild climate, and usually under sunny skies. Most tourists visiting Queensland are lured by the state’s greatest drawcard, the Great Barrier Reef. As if the reef wasn’t enough, north Queensland also has lush rainforest…

If you haven’t visited Noosa yet, you really should. While offering swanky boutiques and indulgent resorts, the Noosa region of the Sunshine Coast is also a great location from which to launch into several adventures, and make the most of the beautiful natural surroundings. Even if you only have a few days or a weekend to spare, there are so many great things to do in Noosa, and it’s only 90 minutes from Brisbane, making it the perfect weekend getaway. Noosa, at the northern end of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is a popular destination for both domestic and international travellers, and with good reason; it really has something for everyone, and…

As well as having spectacular beaches, the Sunshine Coast has a charming hinterland. Several quirky little towns enjoy a rainforest setting and views over the Sunshine Coast and Glasshouse Mountains. The Sunshine Coast hinterland is easily accessible from the coast, and exploring it makes a great road trip. If you don’t have your own vehicle it is definitely worth hiring a rental car to really enjoy the hinterland at your own pace. The Blackhall Range and the Glasshouse Mountains have long been an inspiration to artists and craftspeople and, as such, the hinterland has become the cultural centre of the region. Culture vultures can enjoy an artistic tour of the…

Hidden away in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the small settlement of Eumundi has the most interesting market I have seen in all of Australia. The market showcases local produce, with an eclectic array of arts and crafts, and is a must-see during a visit to the Sunshine Coast. Following the mantra “Make it, bake it, design it, sew it or grow it”, the Eumundi Markets are a celebration of the talents of the local community. There are over 500 stalls, spread across three different sites, all within walking distance from each other, within Eumundi. Eumundi Square To the north of Napier Street, several small shops are built to form a…

It’s not every day that a Category 5 cyclone hits Australia. It’s even more unusual that two cyclones hit Australia on the same day, but that’s exactly what happened during my first week back in Queensland. Wow, I timed that well, didn’t I? Cyclones Lam and Marcia Cyclone Lam didn’t cause Brisbane much trouble. While it was a Category 4 cyclone, and was very destructive in some areas of the Northern Territory, its effects were not felt in South East Queensland. Cyclone Marcia had been downgraded to a Category 1 storm by the time she reached Brisbane, but the weather surrounding the system, hung around for days. That’s several consecutive…