As the team left Townsville early this morning and pushed southward to Mackay we found it to be a longer drive than anticipated. Being trapped on long stretches of desolate highway behind trailers added a couple of hours to the so called four our tour. No worries mate! A quick stop at Le Sorrel, a roadside cafe for lunch proved just the thing. They ended up being an outback treasure, boasting handmade daily all things delicious. Jim and Matthew enjoyed...
A crisp Townsville breeze combined with hair pulling construction met Matthew and Trevor this morning during their final day together on the Seachem Walkabout. Passing the van keys (and Prime bottles) to Seachem President Doug Hill and VP of Development Jim Rogers, the duo spent the afternoon mingling with Michael Alloway - owner of Pet HQ. This large format, full line pet shop serves the community in a BIG way by offering excellent pricing and a well laid floor plan...
Wide open sky and a trek of 900km brought the H2Go! up close and personal today with signature Outback icons and scenery. With a course set for the Queensland coast, the team followed along the famous "Overlanders Way" - a pioneering and cattle trail leading from Tennant Creek to Townsville. During the 10 hour drive, the team paid respects to a pioneer cemetery and dropped in for a visit with a life sized Kronosaur - a prehistoric sea dwelling dinosaur...
Today the team got a jump start on the sun and bee lined their way toward Queensland from the sparse community of Tennant Creek. Matthew, who had hoped to see local Rainbowfish swimming happily, unfortunately found a sand box during this incredibly dry season. Skirting past huge mining camps and roadside relics, the team kept ahead of the dirt clogs and dust devils to reach the friendly mining and cattle town of Cloncurry. Our hotel for the night - The...
The city of Katherine welcomed the crew of the H2Go! van for a much appreciated stop over day that proved both inspirational and educational. After disappointing news that Kakadu was a six hour round trip outside our route, it was recommended we see the local National Park - Nitmiluk Gorge. Part of the Northern Territory, these sacred aboriginal lands are now managed cooperatively and showed the true ruggedness and mystique of the area. They seemed to be a favorite as well...
After an incredible day of soaking in the surf and sights of Broome, the team faced a daunting multi-day journey of over 2000km through the famous Kimberley region. This "up and over" jaunt started early with a visit to a local wildlife rehabilitator who confirmed there are indeed LIVE animals off Australia's roads! She even allowed us some personal snuggle time with our favorite critter so far - Fred the Wallaby. Not to be missed along the way were huge and...
After prying ourselves away from the grip of beach beauty at Shark Bay and Monkey Mia, the H2Go! pressed northward toward Broome passing parched landscapes, dry rivers (and gas stations), and huge cattle semis loaded beyond belief. En route to Broome, the Seachem team rolled with the hills and their sweat through some of the most remote areas to date including the iron and gas mining communities of Carnarvon and Karratha. Along the way were a few surprises including relics of...
Finally making their first "large town" stop over since leaving Perth, the Seachem duo made a beeline for the storybook village of Broome, WA. Broome's history is as colorful as their coastal waters and the lustrous pearls that continue to be farmed here after more than 100 years! Nestled quietly among the dunes another infamous Australian staple was discovered (OK smelled) - the sunset ride camels of Cable Beach! Perched high atop these proverbial "beasts of burden" riders can enjoy a...
Imagine a beach - virtually devoid of people yet teeming with plant and animal life. Well, there's no need to imagine with a picture perfect day at the National Heritage Area of Monkey Mia. The team took a few hours to visit the preserve which is world-renown for its wild dolphins who frequent the beach to feed from rangers hands. Not to be missed as well were all the incredible, relaxed, and remote scenery surrounding the peninsula. Also below are...
Trekking through Perth city traffic, the Seachem team descended upon a hidden gem in the Northern border town of Westminster -Seaview Aquariums. This small footprint store is a shining example that just because another store is big, it doesn't always mean its better. Brother/owner duo Greg and Michael make use of every inch in this 28 year old establishment giving it a welcoming, homelike feel. The shop prides itself on caring staff, creating magnificent custom aquariums, and emulating the true meaning...