Ravenswood

A ghost town of the gold-rush era, Ravenswood is serenely and eerily beautiful. I took the turn off to Ravenswood on the way back from Charters Towers (about 140km South West of Townsville). I wasn't sure what to expect, this is a country town that is literally in the middle of no where.

The Town was booming back in it 'hay-day' first settled in 1860, gold was soon discovered a few years later. It still boasts to this day a massive mine - there are lots of Ariel photographs of the mine in the local 'souvenir shop'. I spoke with the lady who was working in the shop - She advised me that the mine is still pull gold from the earth to date. There is a look out that you can drive to that shows you the open mine.

You don't need a guide to visit this town - The town (now operated by the National Trust) has an information 'station' and clear markers and information plaques everywhere - take a wonder around at your own leisure.

There are two pubs, a post office/general store and the souvenir shop (which doubles as a little museum ) There is a museum and other buildings that you can visit - The opening hours are short however (10am-1pm), so plan around this accordingly.

If you love Australia history you will love this little town. It is a bit of a photographs paradise in that there are so many old structures and textures everywhere.

For more information check out this website - http://www.heritageaustralia.com.au

Royal National park and Harbourfront lunch Wollongong

Are you looking for something different to do on the weekend?

If you live in Sydney or are travelling around Sydney - take a weekend break and head south! Pack your trainers or hiking shows into a small rucksack with a bottle of water and some snacks, because you are about to see some of the most scenic and fun hiking trails in the Royal National Park!

The Royal National Park is a 50min drive south of Sydney. You will need to pay to get into the park (as  is with all National Parks in NSW) the daily entry fee is $11 AUD (if you intend on visiting a lot of National Parks if may be worth looking at getting an annual pass.)

We did the Werrong Beach Track - Amazing! Its only 2km but it is a hard walking track. It starts at the top of the cliff at Otford lookout. Take a camel back and snacks with you as well as your bathers - the secluded beach at the bottom is will be tempting as a rewarding dip when you get to the bottom of the track.

You will be hungry after that hike and swim - So swap your hiking boots for some comfy flats and continuing driving south to Wollongong - head to the Harbourfront. The Harbourfront has casual and fine dining options. We sat in the cafe section and indulged in courgette flowers stuffed with gooey goodness, gnocchi and a delish sticky date pud for dessert. the Cafe is Veggie friendly but not some much Vegan Friendly. it is a little pricey - but the food is amazing, and you do get what you pay for - delicious goodness!

Sydney Coast Walks

There is something incredibly peaceful about being on or near the water. I'm sitting at Cronulla Ferry wharf, waiting to meet with Ian who runs Sydney Coast Walks. I purposely arrived early so I could sit for a few minutes and take everything in. 

I'm a big advocate for 'exploring your own backyard'. I've lived in NSW for many years now, and after a moment of sitting at the wharf, I felt bad that I had never ventured down to this part of Sydney. Cronulla is in Sydney, a 40 minute drive south of the city centre.

Today I was taking park in the Jibbon Aboriginal Walking Tour from Royal Coast Walks. We were heading out across the water on the historic ferry to the small sleepy town of Bundeena where we would then walk along the beach and cliffs through the Royal National Park. 

Ian Wells (who is also a founder of the company) is your experienced guide. He is an extremely experienced trekker and his passion for the outdoors has you excited from the moment you say 'Hello' to him!

His knowledge of the local aboriginal people and culture is amazing! He has spent many years building relationships with local elders and people to gain insight and knowledge about their traditions and history.

The groups are small and friendly and Ian makes sure that everyone is introduced to each other. As our group walk through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia, we all feel comfortable to chit-chat to each other about why we are on the tour and our trekking experiences.

The tour gives insight into customs and practices of the local aboriginal people, as well as rivalries and Dreaming stories. You are introduced to 'bush tucker' and local plants that were used for medical ailments.

My two highlights on this tour were the Dharawal Aboriginal Engravings (which are over 1000 years old) and the breathtaking views from the headland out into the ocean and over Sydney city.

The Jibbon Aboriginal Walking tour runs for a few hours - I would plan a half day for it, better still take a full day and enjoy walking around Cronulla after wards. The tour also comes with a 'goodie-bag' with information about the local area and maps. Light refreshments are provided at the midpoint of the walk and it is recommended to bring 500ml to a litre of water with you.

Sydney Coast Walks also run other walking tours as well as overnight camping tours through the Royal National Park (I am definitely going to give this a go). To check out the Jibbon Aboriginal Walking tour details as well as other tours please visit their website - www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interview with Paul Everitt from Going Solo Adventures

Recently, I caught up with Paul from Going Solo Adventures to talk about all things travel and adventure.

If you're a keen adventurer, then you will appreciate the work that Paul puts into his trips and the places it takes him.

You can find details on his adventures through the normal internet means:

Website: www.going-solo.co.uk
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/GoingSoloAdventures
Twitter: @GoingSoloAdvent
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoingSoloTV

Sarah-Louise: Different people measure ‘success’ in many different ways: possessions, wealth, family, and career... Do you think that society in general has overlooked the most basic form of ‘success’ in humanity, that is, mankind’s ability to survive and adapt, to go back to our 'roots' - so to speak, and reconnect with our basic instincts?

Paul: Robots

      

Sarah-Louise: (laughs) What drives you?

Paul: Mini robots

Sarah-Louise: Your trip (apart from your blog and webpage...) uses little to no 'new’ technology. Why?

Paul: Because I can't afford it and technology confuses me...OH, and I have no way to keep it charged-up, so why bother?

 

Sarah-Louise: Do you get lonely?

Paul: Yes sometimes, but then I close my eyes and dream – I’m never lonely there.

Sarah-Louise: Where do your dreams take you?

Paul: To planning whole new adventures, or, sometimes to zombie infested war zones where I'm a survivor saving the last of mankind - I think we all have that dream.

Sarah-Louise: Do you think you will ever stop?

Paul: Dreaming? Maybe, when my time’s up.

Sarah-Louise: Nice, but I meant the adventure?

Paul: I don't think it will. I'm always plotting something new, I just have to figure out which adventure I do next.

Sarah-Louise: Boxers or briefs?

Paul: Man thong

 

Sarah-Louise: Blondes, brunettes or red heads?

Paul: I have a thing for grey hair at the moment.

Sarah-Louise: Water or snow?

Paul: Snow

Sarah-Louise: In your last adventures you met people who offered support and encouragement to you, how does that make you feel…when a complete stranger steps up and wants to support you?

Paul: To good to be true, I think…’are there any hidden motives for this amazing generosity...?’ Then after a few seconds of assessing the situation I normally say, "sod it" (in my head not out loud) and just go with it. That’s part of my adventure. I'm the kind of person who finds it hard to ask for help as I like to do things on my own, that way I'm the only person who can’t let myself down.

 

Sarah-Louise: This new adventure is very different from your last two. Why did you pick to do a river rafting adventure?

Paul: It was time to try something new and I wanted a water adventure. I started thinking about it half way across Canada and once the idea got in my head I couldn't shift it.

Sarah-Louise: What’s next...The Amazon?

Paul: Not to sure. Whatever the Mississippi lets me dream up. While I was cycling across Europe, I had a dream about Canada. While cycling across Canada I had the dream about the Mississippi... So I guess after this I will know.

 

Sarah-Louise: So... you think dreams do come true then?

Paul: Indeed they do, if you work hard at making them come true.

Sarah-Louise: Do you believe in fate?

Paul: Do you believe in magic?

Sarah-Louise: Are you asking me a question or is that your answer?

Paul: Well is that your next question because that’s my answer.

Sarah-Louise: (laughs)…When you were a boy - What did you want to 'be'?

Paul: A man. Nah, seriously I wanted to be Peter Pan - but don't tell anyone.

 

Sarah-Louise: What did you dream of doing with your life?

Paul: I wanted to work at Disney doing animation but sadly I didn't do to well in my exams. So I opted to join the army and then my dad offered me a job as a plumber before I could enlist. Then I just wanted to be a plumber. I had no interest in travel or adventure until my brother introduced me to snowboarding. I had a winter holiday in the French Alps that changed my outlook on life. I gave up a well-paid job and my own business, after 7 years of building it up and started traveling in 2006. Most my family and friends thought I would be back in 6 months because I wouldn't like it. Its now 2012 and I'm still having the adventures and proving people wrong.

Sarah-Louise: Are you nervous about building the raft? What 'risks' have you factored in?

Paul: Very nervous. For my bikecar adventures I had 6 months to build, test and tweak the bike before I left England across Europe. That 6 months gave me so much knowledge and confidence, I knew I would be fine. With successfully making it to Italy, I knew it could cross Canada with very little changes to the design. For the rafting trip I have 1 day to build the raft and 1 chance of getting it right. If I fail the raft will break up and my belongings will sink. So I could lose all that I own. Risk wise I try not to think about them and will worry about the challenges when they occur.

 

Sarah-Louise: Humans love routine (well most do) how do you keep yourself sane while traveling alone - also with the added fact that you are 'stuck' on a raft?

Paul: I think the key is not to keep sane, one thing less to worry about. I'm sure I will be singing, dancing and dodging bigger boats to keep be busy and when its quiet, I guess I will write, enjoy the views and maybe reconnect with art.

Sarah-Louise: Do you have a soundtrack that you travel with/to?

Paul: I don't own a music devise. Haven't for years. I might buy a radio and listen to what the locals do - this will make the trip a little more personal when ever I hear a song in the future to reconnect me to that one special moment...

Sarah-Louise: From your past adventures - you seemed to have developed obsessive cravings for Tim Horton's, especially the chilli - How do you find eating local cuisine and what do you miss most from home?

Paul: I will eat anything that’s put in front of me...well most things, I should say. I keep away from tofu and chickpeas…and I'm a happy man. I don't really miss things from home as I find new addictions. Canada - Tim Hortons. Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua - Gallo Pinto. Australia - Kangaroo. New Zealand - Fergburger. France - Snails... There’s always something else.

Sarah-Louise: and for the record... chickpeas and tofu are yummy!

 

Sarah-Louise: So what comforts do you take from home then, if not food?

Paul: I guess my comforts are my camera. That’s about it. I don't own a lot and I'm too old to take Hedgy the Hedgehog.

  

Sarah-Louise: So, you really do 'rough it', so to speak?

Paul: Hell yeah and I even like using natures toilets

 

Sarah-Louise: As can be seen from your blog posts…What about family and friends, how do you manage the distance and long periods of time apart?

Paul: I think as a family we operate better at long distance haha. Yeah, I miss my mum from time to time, especially around clothes washing day. I miss Molly (family dog) too, she’s to cute not to miss. Generally I don't miss people or things so I don't have a problem.

 

Sarah-Louise: You don’t miss people? What about relationships - do you find it challenging, or do you just move with the moment?

Paul: I move with the moment, or, in this case with the river. Never found anyone crazy enough to join me. Maybe that could be my next adventure... finding true love while doing something down the Amazon River or kayaking the cost of Asia...

Sarah-Louise: Is world domination your ultimate plan (as in, to have travel every inch of the globe)?

Paul: Not every inch... but as much as possible. How else will I find that special someone?

 

Sarah-Louise: What is the worse part about traveling?

Paul: Going home.