Two months in Townsville.

[drron]

The museum had now closed so time to walk around most of the base.Definitely you should walk up to the fort on the hill.So first on the way.
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Views over Pallendra and the RAAF radar installation.
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Scattered around the property are sculptures and memorials.
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This is actually a tribute to some of those who have been stationed here and then were awarded the Victoria cross.unfortunately the bright light and shadow meant photos of the details really didn't work out.

 

[drron]

Now up to the fort.
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Good views as well.
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[drron]

The waters are quite clear and the views to Magnetic Island great.
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This is Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island-the jetty gives it away.
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And out to the Palm Islands.
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And some rocks for the geologist.
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[drron]

One of the Important events in the military history of Townsville was the Battle of the Coral Sea.Australia gave a site to the americans for a memorial on the 50th Anniversary of the battle.
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The path is a map of the battle.
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[drron]

Time to walk down to the foreshore of rowes bay.these fellows weren't scared of me at all.
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[drron]

Now on to this.
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The path back to the car park has some of the salient facts of Townsville history.The city is named after Robert Towns who financed the settling of the area though he only spent 3 days here.But he features on the pathway.
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Townsville was founded in 1864.

 

[drron]

The last of the barracks.
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I then walked to Anzac park along the Strand.A distance of 3Km one way by Google maps.good views of Castle Hill and the setting up of an exhibition along the Strand.
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[drron]

Across the road from the CBD end of the Strand is a waterfall.
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And for juddles evidence that the medical profession hasn't changed.
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[drron]

One night I went to C Bar on the Strand for dinner.A great place for views and subset.
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The HMAS Canberra was in town.
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The walk back to the car.
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[drron]

They were also lighting up Castle Hill.Posted here.

The view from my "office"

Interesting, I know a lot of people in that area keep the original plates if they can. I doubt very much that the Vic plate fits that scenario, though. I collect plates, Egyptian ones are tightly controlled, I have an old series, but not the new sort. Do you mind if I share this photo on another...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

On my last Saturday I walked around the Town Common.nine KM for the route I took.I was going to do the Multi Peaks track but it is a tougher track and having enjoyed a sllep in I doubted I would have enough time.I started out at Pallarenda beach.There were hundreds of butterflies but very few would stay still. so this is all I got in focus.
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It is close to the RAAF base so this was not unexpected.
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The brolgas were out.
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[drron]

A perfect day for a walk.25C and a nice little breeze.Perfect winter weather.
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[drron]

Then a beautiful sight.
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An adult had just flown off.
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definitely 2 little heads.Unfortunately this means one will not survive.
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There are 2 bird hides on the "Freshwater"track.The first though is in the open so the birds see you coming and a lot left.
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Mum and dad duck escorted their young across open water.On the longer sections the ducklings went one by one.
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So there will be more butterflies.
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The closest point to the laggoons now with flowers
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And birds.
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[drron]

One end of the many peaks track.
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I don't think much heavy machinery would fit on the track.
More birds.
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A few rainbow bee catcher but not the right time of day to get a good pic.
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[drron]

Finally some butterflies pose.
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The largest termite mound here but it was being raided.The ants are surrounding entrances and getting termite pieces from inside.
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And that finishes Saturday's walk.time for an early dinner of mackeral and bug tails from Tobins Fishtails.Definitely my favourite fish and chips store.
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