Wednesday September 11, 2019
Road video and map – Cloncurry to Airlie Beach, QLD
Today’s drive was the longest I’ve done since retirement, both in distance, 1001 km/622 mi, and time at 9 hours 40 min but I’m now in position to visit the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow. I made no stops so I’ll continue my observations on road tripping in Australia.
Accommodations: Every one of my stays, except one, has been good or better. Places have ranged from simple motel rooms to the Deco Hotel in Canberra and, though the Deco was a four room luxury suite, all the rooms have been functional and comfortable and most are much larger than their US or European equivalents. Everywhere provides a fridge with a carton of milk, an electric kettle and generous amounts of tea, coffee and sugar which suits my tea drinking habits but limits me to instant coffee. All have had 32″ or larger flat screen TVs with one having a 90″ screen and all, except Kings Canyon Resort, was less than $100 (US) with many well below that. Outside of the main cities all have been family run and they really take care of you.
Food: This varies a lot. In the major cities prices are high but you can get any cuisine and there is a strong emphasis on gluten-free, vegetarian and healthy options. In rural Australia there is more of a quantity over quality approach with fewer healthy options but still a much wider variety of ingredients than you would find in most similarly priced restaurants in North America. The food seems a little bland to me. I’ve just eaten a Thai green curry and it was good but extremely mild. Breakfasts are as small or large as you want ranging from a slice of toast to the Big Brekky. Those who have travelled with me know I like a good breakfast to keep me going all day and my Big Brekky in Adelaide certainly did that.
Beer: Craft beer is not as widely available as in North America or Europe and only a few pubs, typically in larger places, have them on tap. Most will have a couple of bottles of darker beers but the country mainly drinks ice-cold lager and light brews. In particular, hotel bars usually have nothing more interesting than Heineken or Corona which is the way I remember the States being about 20 years ago.
Hopefully, I’ll have something more exciting to write about on Friday.
Enjoy the reef.
I think NZ is a big craft beer hub. When you get back, come to Silver Spring as there’s a new brewery with NZ roots.
The bigger cities probably have some breweries but you would have to make it a focus.
Beer quality was a small factor when I went to NZ, instead of Oz, in 1987. I only had three weeks then so Oz would have been even crazier than it has been this time.
Let’s do Silver Spring when I’m back.
Oh my Lord Steve. After those Big Brekkies of yours, get your cholesterol checked when you get home! Lol
I will add that was one of the biggest Big Brekkies. Funnily enough, I do have my annual checkup due. Thanks for the concern.
You will welcome the water and the Great barrier Reef following a lot of dry, desert driving! Your journey continues to intrigue!
Yes, a day without driving was wonderful. I’ll post about GBR tomorrow. Thanks for reading.