A Good Look Around : Townsville

15 August 2014

And so to home....

Rock pool and strand

We set off fairly early for the 400km+ drive home to Townsville, stopping for petrol at the Lynd Junction, coffee at Greenvale and lunch at Bluewater Springs. The drive home was uneventful until we reached the top of Hervey's Range - in the rain - and realised we were driving through very low cloud with very limited visibility. The positive side of the rain was that Townsville had been receiving some rain during the day.

We finally made it home mid-afternoon after 25 days away, about 3500 km, 3 gorges and visits to some places we hadn't been before, and return visits to favourites. The journey was almost without incident - no flat tyres or car trouble, just one broken shoe (which I repaired and will be replaced - thanks Ray's Outdoors) and one lost diamond ring! (If you find a solitaire diamond ring, probably between Normanton and Georgetown - please let me know).

It took several days to unpack and clean the car, do all the washing, and pack everything away. Now to start planning the next adventure.

We've been chasing birds around the State and other parts of the country but I haven't mentioned the birding in our home town of Townsville. Townsville is in the dry tropics of Queensland so it's not suited to all tropical species but there is a wonderful variety of birds around the city and suburbs if you know where to look.

If you could only pick one birding destination here, the Townsville Town Common is the place to visit. Worth a try are the three bird hides that overlook ephemeral wetlands but don't be disappointed if there's not much about, drive slowly, stopping to walk a track or two and you will encounter some of the resident or visiting fauna.

The Common is not a particularly attractive place but this doesn't worry the birds. It can be very hot and dry in early summer. There are problems with introduced weeds, feral animals and lots of mosquitoes at times. Be sensible and carry adequate water and repellant, wear shoes and a hat and visit early morning or late afternoon. The gate is open 6.30am to 6.30pm.

This is a good place to find Brolgas, Pheasant Coucal, Red-backed fairywren, chestnut-breasted mannikin, Crimson Finch, Rainbow Bee-eater and many others. Below is a selection of shots from The Common. I will add more from time to time. Mick.