Gulf tour

Before the last September holidays Bonnie had mentioned that she and her sister Glenys were taking a day trip to the Gulf (of Carpentaria) - did I want to join them? Yeah - sounds good, but no - can't afford it. Remember I was flying home for the holidays to be with Rob after his back operation and air fares from Horn island to Cairns are ridiculously expensive. I was trying to be careful and conservative with my spending.

But as the end of term got closer and holiday mode loomed, I began to rethink my conservative approach to spending and at the last minute sent Bonnie a text saying "count me in"! I'm so glad I did :-)

Up bright and early - the ferry leaves at 6am - and kitted out with water bottle, sunscreen, hat, camera and walking shoes, the three muskateers met at the wharf and waited for Peddell's ferry to arrive. It did and on time.

The Gulf tour starts with a 45 minute ferry trip to Seisia Jetty on the mainland where we are met by our genial host and mini bus driver and guide Jeremy. He obliges us by taking our photo standing in front of the bus to mark the beginning of the tour.

First up is a drive through the township of Bamaga and onto the Loyalty Beach caravan park for a very delicious breakfast - more so for the view than anything else.

Seisia Jetty - the little white ferry next to the big barge :-)

Breakfast - simple, help yourself and very delicious



Breakfast with a view. Glenys on the far left in red. She and Bonnie started chatting to the two guys in the middle - turns out they all went to the same school in Sydney!

Then it's back to the bus and for the next hour and a bit we experience a very bumpy but interesting drive to the tip of Australia. Jeremy is a very knowledgeable and pleasant guide and has lots of stories and historical information available to make the rather tedious drive just that bit more enjoyable.

Once at the Tip, he parks the bus on the beach and then we have about a twenty minute walk over rocks to the top of Australia.

Over rocks and crannies to get to the top all the while enjoying this most magnificent view

Bonnie (left) and Glenys at the Top

Me! at the Top

The day doesn't end there. After that amazing adventure Jeremy whisks us off to lunch - and a more gourmet experience I have not had in a long time. We might as well have been in a multi star restaurant - the ambiance and the taste of our meal were beyond compare.

Jeremy drove to a beach - pristine white sand, turquoise water lapping gently onto the shore and ..... he set the table. The side of the bus folds down to make a bench/table and from underneath he retrieves a portable fridge and picnic basket. We are each given our own lunch box - a delicious roast lamb salad, juice, fruit, crackers and cheese - more than enough for a healthy appetite.

He then asked where did we want to sit - at the picnic table or on the beach. We all opted for the beach, so Jeremy - amazing guide that he is - opened the back of the bus and took out 3 folding camping chairs which he insisted on setting up for us himself on the beautiful sandy beach.

I sat for minutes just taking it all in. We could have been anywhere. I wish I had a photo but unfortunately my camera died that day so the pics I had taken of the bus, Jeremy, lunch - they don't exist :-(  

We would have loved to have taken a swim or at least paddled but - you guessed it - crocs. So not a good idea in that part of the world to test the waters.

After lunch, a short walk along the beach to visit some historical graves, then back to the bus to make our way back to Seisia. On the way we stopped at the Croc Tent. This is a shop - well, actually no, it's a tent - in the middle of nowhere that sells souvenirs, t-shirts etc. It's run by a delightful young couple who have taken a sabbatical from their well paid jobs in the big city. They were enjoying their sea change, or should I say bush change, with their 7 month old baby. Don't know if I could have done it with a baby -but then again I never thought I'd ever live on TI either.

The day ends back at the Jetty, a few more pics, fond farewells to Jeremy and a leisurely ferry ride back to TI. Thanks Bonnie and Glenys for your company - it was a great day.

Rethinking spending habits - life is good :-)