Travels

Katherine and Darwin, NT – July to September 2023

We love the NT….nature, lifestyle and the sense of “wild”. Helped out at Manbulloo Caravan Park. Volunteered at O’Keefe House (in exchange for home made scones and jam and cream), then had 3 weeks in Darwin at Coolalinga Tourist Park.  While in Darwin, joined the Top End Gem Club…made some new friends and did a bit of cabbing. Started my first Facebook video updates (@ Phil Allan Explorer) covering three of the plants at the tourist park.

Wagga Wagga and Singleton (Hunter Valley) – April to June 2023

8 weeks in Wagga (Wiradjuri Country). Explored nearby towns, including Licorice Factory in Junee, volunteered with great group of friends at Wagga Nursery and did some cabbing at Wagga Lapidary Club…unfortunately weather prevented field trips.

Townsville and Central / North Queensland – July to December 2022 and February/March 2023

Warm and bit humid in the dry tropics. Lot’s of cabbing at Townsville Gem Club and learning about local plants at Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare.
Drove through floodplains in NSW to marvel at the amount of water overflowing from the Darling and other rivers on its way to the Murray…lots of greenery, birds and animals.

Chennai / Tamil Nadu India – June/July 2022

Time with family. Bit of gardening, exploring and meeting family and friends.

Katherine / NT – August to November 2021

We love the flora and fauna, the weather and the sense of “wild” that is the NT. Met some friendly and wonderful Samoans at Manbulloo Homestead Caravan Park, green mangoes and wildlife. Had a short but memorable fishing trip on the Daly River, where we saw saltwater crocs and caught my first Barra…landing it before a bull shark could have a meal.