Road Trip Diaries # 5 – 2nd day at Cape Hillsborough
The early morn was cold and tranquil. I found myself waking up again under the canopy of trees and this time with the sound of crashing waves nearby. It was so tempting to linger under the warm sheets but then the promise of a gorgeous sunrise was more inviting. I roused myself from slumber and ran to the shore. I must have been too early because I was the only one there. I went back to the camper van and got my tripod and this time Charles joined me on the vast shore.
I had been waiting for this time of the day at Cape Hillsborough. It was supposed to be the time when kangaroos descend from the forest to frolic on the beach. But not a single one was there – I guess it was not my lucky day. But the sunrise was beautiful. It was a mélange of vivid colors bursting out from the horizon and reflecting off the wet sand – I wouldn’t mind waking up to this vista every morning. By full daybreak more campers had gathered on the beach so we decided to head back to our van for breakfast and to get ready for another bushwalk.
On the way to the trail, we saw a group of people gathered around on the beach snapping photos. I knew they would come eventually! A pair of playful kangaroos were putting up a good show for everyone. At first I was hesitant to touch them because of the thought of wild kangaroos kicking people. But then the kids started petting them and they seemed to be used to people so I gave it a go as well. It was a pleasant experience and it never fails to thrill whenever I see animals in their natural habitat. (except perhaps snakes)
After sometime spent with the furry marsupials, we headed back to the trail to do some more bushwalks. We had to do the walk early before high tide so we could traverse along the beach on our way back (it is submerged at high tide). We started with the rocky steps through the tangled vine forest to the Twin Beach look out. It was the best lookout for me among the three we visited. The view of the Casuarina Beach and the Beachcomber Cove from atop was just spectacular. It was the first beach I saw in Australia and I was impressed by how vast it was.
View from Twin Beach Lookout
We passed through eucalyptus woodland then back to the vine forest as we made our way to Turtle lookout where we found uninterrupted views of the mainland coastline. It was stunning as well while the third lookout provides views to the offshore islands. We continued along the rocky tracks down to the beach. It was still low tide so we were able to traverse along the shores back to our camping ground.
View from Andrew’s Point Lookout
We checked out from Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort around noon and did one more walk in a mangrove forest on the way to our next stop. We also visited Charles’ relative who lives in a nice village near Haliday Bay. The beach here is nicer for swimming than at Cape Hillsborough but again it was still too cold for me to swim. So off we went to our next camping ground for the night. After about 2 hours drive passing 2 dead kangaroos, one dead echidna and a magpie along the road, we finally reached the touristy town of Airlie Beach – the gateway to the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life (no kidding).
Mangrove Walk
Mangrove Board Walk
A stopover at Haliday Bay
(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)
Australian Road Trip: A Vantastic Beginning
Road Trip Diaries # 1 – An Encounter with the Strangest Animal in the World
Road Trip Diaries # 2 - Of Strangler Figs, Leeches and Long Holidays
Road Trip Diaries # 3 - Exploring Finch Hatton Gorge
Road Trip Diaries # 4 - On Bush Walks Beach Strolls and Star Gazing
Kangaroos in a beach. Now that I have to see one day
….Another great post Claire, a few more and Ima head to Australian Embassy to get me a visa hehe
Promise yan ha?
Same reaction as Marky. Ganda nila kuhanan ng photos. I just hope they won’t kick me when I do. Hehe.
These kangaroos are used to people I guess but the ones we’ve seen in our bushwalk were too shy for us to even get near.
omg cute kangaroos! and the coastline is soooo wiiiiidddddeeee!!! i’ts gonna be the ultimate flat skimming i could ever have.
You’re into skim-boarding pala, marami dito nun pero mas marami ang beaches for surfing, malalaki kasi waves
yeah… i’d love to master surfing as well. hehehe
.. para lang stuff toy! kala ko ni di pede hawakan yan.
akala ko din
alam ko naninipa to hahaha, nakihawak na rin ako nung makita ko yung mga kids na parang wala lang
First time i see kangaroos on the beach. I want to see kangaroos swimming. hehe. nice shot of the mangrove trees
Thanks Stan, kangaroos swimming? hmmm, that I would have to see as well
envy envy! kangaroos by the beach. whoa! and you can even hold them. envy. envy.
Dati sa zoo ko din lang sila nakikita, it was just a good timing
claire, i got goosebumps seeing the kids with the kangaroo! and I’ve always wanted to take a picture on a wide coastline! ganda talaga ng scene. antagal ko nang gustong makakuha ng scene na ganyan!!!
malapit na yan Ed, i can feel it already, you’re gonna start a new road trip series
kangaroos by the beach and a wide coastline! what a wonderful sight…and you’re sunrise pics are so nice.keep it up claire!
Thanks Earl
Astig ng Kangaroo asa Beach pakalat kalat lang.. nakakatakot lang baka manadyak sa mukha.. hihihi.. sabi nila matatapang yan mga yan eh.. ^O^
Buti na lang mababait naman yung nasa Cape Hillsborough
That is a nice sunrise shot, quite tricky for sunset pic but nevertheless a stunning shot.
Thanks Ian
Petting wild Kangaroos! Wow!
Sorry about the misspelling, dyslexic ata ako eh haha
No worries, kahit si Charles ganun din lagi nasusulat nya, parang pasta lang hahaha
Ang ganda ng sunrise, the kangaroo and the cove! wow! i envy you claire
Thanks Angel, marami din tayong ganyan sa atin, Calaguas na lang
So beautiful pics. I am sure it would be a amazing trip experience. Beach & its activities just loved it. Kangaroo is looking very sweet & I am not thinking of it can be hitched easily so enjoy your trip, leave all alone.