FAR OUT ADVENTURES - AUSTRALIA

Australian Heli Safari March 2011

2011-04-22T14:48:00.006+10:00

Conde Nast Traveller Magazine Story

2007-04-06T14:18:00.000+10:00

It's late March 2007.
I meet up with Tom Huth - writer from Conde Nast USA and Len and Dianne - photographers from New York. The aim is to travel north from Broken Hill into the Simpson Desert to Birdsville , then around Lake Eyre to Coober Pedy and finish in Alice Springs.
The story we are doing will focus on outback pubs, characters and landscapes.
Landrover Australia provided us with a near new Discovery to do the trip.
5,000 klms later -- not even a flat tyre - faultless performance!
We did not count on rain in the desert - this made the trip all the more memorable!!

Conde Nast Traveller magazine will publish the story in the near future.

Inaugural Ghan to the Never Never Journey

2007-04-06T13:50:00.000+10:00

March 2007 saw 17 intrepid travellers board the Historic Ghan railroad for a journey to Darwin - then on into the Never Never country of the Northern Territory.

We retraced the epic journey of Jeannie Gunn who travelled from Melbourne to Darwin - then south bound to Elsey Station by train, horse and buggy and sometimes on foot, over a century ago. Her story is well recorded in her classic tome - 'We of the Never Never.'

We met the Aboriginal land owners of Elsey Station, swam in clear springs , witnessed the Wet Season at it's best - and stayed in classic bush accommodation.

Due to the overwhelming response - the trip will be run again in 2008.

See some photos of the journey below...

Ghan to the Never Never

2007-04-06T13:38:00.000+10:00

Wangi Falls - Litchfield National Park - February 2007

2007-03-04T12:45:00.000+11:00

Hi travellers,

Have been on the road a bit lately!

Last few months we have been in the Top End of Australia on a few assignments - also a trip to the southern states. Of note - I did a five day four wheel drive safari across the Top into Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield with a couple from USA.

Accompanying us to write a story
about the awesome Wet Season was award winning Travel Writer - Dan Scott.

You can read Dan's account by clicking on
http://travelaustralia.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=229911

Edith Falls - Nitmiluk National Park

2007-03-04T12:23:00.000+11:00

Great time to be here - so few people!!

Dan and a black headed python

2007-03-04T12:21:00.000+11:00

Nourlangie Rock

2007-03-04T12:15:00.001+11:00

Sunset - Victoria

2007-03-04T12:06:00.000+11:00

In February I did a tour through Victoria - my home state.

My great great grandfather settled in Bendigo from England and my Mum was born in Ballarat --so it was great to get back to my roots.

I even swam in a stream that I last swam in as a little tacker nearly 40 years ago!

Bushfires had ravaged some of the areas we travelled through - and we hope for recovery and more rain in drought areas.

Bushfires - Victoria - King Valley

2007-03-04T12:03:00.000+11:00

Here's looking at you kid - oops sheep!

2007-03-04T12:00:00.000+11:00

Poodle on tour - Daylesford

2007-03-04T11:50:00.000+11:00

Sovereign Hill - Victoria

2007-03-04T11:48:00.000+11:00

Sovereign Hill - Victoria

2007-03-04T11:37:00.000+11:00

Dinosaur footprints - Broome

2006-11-22T14:16:00.000+11:00

Had an exciting trip in a Hovercraft this year to view these dinasaur footprints embedded in the rock.
Location : Broome WA.

Hovercraft - Broome

2006-11-22T14:13:00.000+11:00

Filming Bill Harney

2006-07-11T22:15:00.000+10:00

Late June 2006 we went out again to Victoria River country to camp out with old Bill Harney of the Wardaman people. We continued our film work documenting Bills stories and rock art sites so these can be passed on to future generations.

Campfire Corroboree

2006-07-11T22:11:00.000+10:00

We were priveged to have two Elders of the Managarrayi people come to sing around our campfire - Yunburruk and Gunjuk - two sisters who told of us about seeing white people for the first time - 'Grook Grook' they called him - Ghost.

Out bush in the Never Never

2006-07-11T22:09:00.000+10:00

Going bush for a few days

2006-07-11T22:08:00.000+10:00

Never Never kids

2006-07-11T22:05:00.000+10:00

Out in Never Never country with the kids.

2006-06-17T12:33:00.000+10:00

Orion Expedition Cruise May 2006

2006-06-14T13:43:00.000+10:00

In May I accepted a contract to work on the Expedition Team of the Orion for two cruises in the remote Kimberley region of Northern Australia. We used inflatable Zodiacs to get to shore and explore rock art sites, isolated beaches, caves and amazing river systems. In the evening our team entertained the guests with lectures on wildlife, geology and Aboriginal culture. I will be doing another cruise in September - email if you want to find out more. It was simply SPECTACULAR and a very comfortable base to do it from.

Ship to shore excursion

2006-06-14T13:41:00.000+10:00

Hiking to the top of King George Falls

2006-06-14T13:35:00.000+10:00

I am the one behind the camera carrying the defib in my backpack!

King George River -- at the Top!

2006-06-14T13:32:00.000+10:00

Yes, thats a bush hibiscus in my hair! The hike to the top of the falls is well worth the effort.

..........and from the bottom

2006-06-14T13:29:00.000+10:00

Croc sunbaking in the Hunter River - Kimberley W.A

2006-06-14T13:26:00.000+10:00

This lovely saltwater croc allowed us to get up close while we were exploring the Hunter River in Zodiacs from the Orion.

Orion visits Kuri Bay and look what we find!

2006-06-12T20:15:00.000+10:00

Paspaley Pearls - Kuri Bay

2006-06-12T20:13:00.000+10:00

Strange birds in the Kimberley

2006-06-12T19:29:00.000+10:00

Orion Expedition Team - May/ June 2006

2006-06-12T17:58:00.000+10:00

I spent three weeks with these fine fellows running ship to shore excursions on Zodiacs with some remarkable guests.
We saw crocs, sharks, lots of birds, rock art and numerous wonderful things.
We bounced across the ocean, went up remote rivers, shared a red at night - and became mates.

Loyalty to the Orion Expedition Team

2006-06-12T17:50:00.000+10:00

END OF ORION STORY and PHOTOS

FLOODS! Katherine Railway bridge viewed from Stuart Highway

2006-04-09T09:09:00.000+10:00

April 6 2006 Katherine went under water again.
In 1998 the town was devastated by a 1 in 500 year flood - 8 years later - it floods again.

The photo above shows the Katherine river at 19 metres.

Most of the year it flows at 2.5 metres -- do the maths!

Katherine main street

2006-04-09T09:08:00.000+10:00

I was buying gas here last week.

2006-04-07T15:52:00.000+10:00

Main street - also Highway One - Stuart Highway

2006-04-07T15:51:00.000+10:00

Main Street - Katherine

2006-04-07T15:48:00.000+10:00

This is not good.
and this outback town will need support to get back on its feet again.
If you are thinking of visiting Australia this year -- make Katherine one of your destinations. The spirit of this town will have it back on its feet - we can all help by supporting their tourist industry - the main employer.

END OF UPDATE

Croc on Adelaide River - Northern Territory

2006-04-07T14:44:00.000+10:00

Late March 2006 we took Mike & Michelle from Indiana and their two children Stephen and Sarah on a four day tour to Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield. It was a ball and we experienced the Wet Season at it's best.

Mike , Sarah and Stephen from Indiana.

2006-04-07T14:43:00.000+10:00

Paradise in Kakadu National PArk

2006-04-07T14:41:00.000+10:00

Wet Season sky - near Litchfield

2006-04-07T14:38:00.000+10:00

Towering spear grass (sarga) creates a typical wet season look against a threatening sky...

Wangi Falls - Litchfield

2006-04-07T14:36:00.000+10:00

This is Wangi Falls at it's spectacular best in March.

Monitor lizard on rock - Litchfield Park

2006-04-07T14:34:00.000+10:00

Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory is a superb Wet Season ( Green Season ) destination.

Savannah Guides - Brendan (NT) and Evan (Qld)

2006-04-07T14:29:00.000+10:00

FAR OUT ADVENTURES are an accredited Savannah Guide operation and Mike is a Savannah Guide.

Regular 'schools' are conducted by Savannah Guides to workshop conservation idea and update guiding skills and knowledge.
Check www.savannahguides.com.au

Savannah Guides in the field

2006-04-07T14:25:00.000+10:00

At our recent Savannah Guide seminar in the Mary River region of the Northern Territory we went on several field trips - one included looking at an ancient Aboriginal ceremony site that had been damaged by highway construction.

Studying Geckos in the wild

2006-04-07T14:21:00.000+10:00

During our Savannah Guide seminar we took a field trip at night to study Geckos and the effect of fire on their habitats.

END OF THIS UPDATE

North Queensland Experience March 2006

2006-03-18T12:46:00.000+11:00

Chris, Pat, Jack and Sue from Seattle took a trip with us in March.
Chris and Pat did a trip with me 10 years ago into the Kimberley region of WA and decided to come back for more with colleagues.
Our 7 day itinerary started with two nights at Silky Oaks Lodge in Mossman, then up to Cooktown, across to Laura to see Quincan art with Steve Tresize, a flight to Mareeba and two nights at Allawah Retreat while we explored the Atherton Tableland, then out to Undara Lava Tubes , flight to Tyrconnell Gold Mine - then to Kuranda and the enchanting Cedar Park Lodge. Next morning Chris and Pat flew to Japan for business, whilst Jack and Sue and I explored Cairns ..mmm.... Johnos Blues Club.. then Tjapukai, Skyrail, Kuranda Scenic Railway and two nights at Palm Cove. All in all a great trip -- Cairns VERY touristy (and in MARCH!) - lots of highlights -- email if you want to know more !!

Bloomfield Falls, Daintree Region, North Queensland

2006-03-11T16:58:00.000+11:00

Historic Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall in Cooktown.

2006-03-11T16:53:00.000+11:00

The local Jehovah's Witnesses in Cooktown were looking for a place to meet in and the rumour goes the local shire offered them the old rundown hospital for a carton of beer ..

Not sure how true that story is but they got in a heap of volunteers , dismantled it and put it in a new location- and I guess shared the carton of beer!!

Whatever, it is a stunning looking building fully restored to it's 19th century glory -- and it's open for tours.

Beware of cows eating cars in Queenslands far north!

2006-03-11T16:51:00.000+11:00

Quincan Country rock art with Steve Tresize

2006-03-11T16:50:00.000+11:00

The road less travelled...................to Laura N Qld

2006-03-11T16:49:00.000+11:00

Curtain Fig - Atherton Tablelands

2006-03-11T16:47:00.000+11:00

Dinner Falls - Atherton Tableland

2006-03-11T16:45:00.000+11:00

A visitor at Allawah Bush retreat

2006-03-11T16:43:00.000+11:00

eeenie, meenie, minie, mo...........

2006-03-11T16:41:00.000+11:00

Hanging out in North Queensland

2006-03-11T16:40:00.000+11:00

Bats 3 , snakes nil.

2006-03-11T16:35:00.000+11:00

At Undara Lava Tubes in North Queensland , for one hour each night in March - 40,000 bats play 'catch me if you can' with snakes as they emerge from a cave to go hunting for dinner.

A grassshopper walks up to a bar ......................

2006-03-11T16:33:00.000+11:00

What can I say??

Kris, Pat, Jack and Sue at Cedar Park

2006-03-11T16:25:00.000+11:00

Every so often I come across a place that is the full deal - unique accommodation, spectacular scenery, awesome food and wine -- and hosts who make you feel like long lost buddies. Cedar Park lodge takes my vote for best property I have taken guests to in at least the last 4 years.

Nestled in rainforest with a creek flowing nearby - and abundant in local birds and wildlife ( see the wallaby who joined breakfast) this is where I am going for my next break.

PS and it's only 45 mins from Cairns!

A visitor at Cedar Park restaurant

2006-03-11T16:19:00.000+11:00

Kris and Pat meet a furry little Aussie who hopped in for breakfast.

Skyrail - Cairns to Kuranda

2006-03-11T16:14:00.000+11:00

Skyrail is one of Australia's most awarded tourists attractions.
If you want a birds eye view of ancient rainforests then this is the way to do it...

Kuranda Scenic Railway

2006-03-11T16:10:00.000+11:00

Kuranda Scenic Railway departs from Cairns and Kuranda - a spectacular way to see the rainforest and waterfalls Thats all from Tropical North Queenland - now on to my piece of paradise!

Paradise

2006-02-20T17:49:00.000+11:00

Best Beach in Australia (my opinion )

2006-02-20T17:40:00.000+11:00

This is a best kept secret.
A beautiful beach surrounded by rainforest - inaccessible to most - and it's 10 mins in a four wheel drive from my home.

Few have seen it, and in all of Australia it is the place I go to kick back.

Some days I paddle my kayak to get here, other days I get lazy and drive the four wheel drive.

Maybe some day we'll share it!!

2006-02-20T17:26:00.000+11:00

2006 January --
G'day folks,

Well whats been happening so far in 2006?
January I went from the bottom to the top of Australia with two clients from the USA --
Tasmania to Cape Tribulation.
The weather in Tassie was superb -- and in the far north we enjoyed the first monsoons of the year -- all together a fascinating look at Australia..
The Great Ocean Road was a highlight in the south - the waves were 20 feet high the day we drove the coast -

In the middle of all that I flew up to Darwin to take a Russian Film crew on assignment - we drove four wheel drives in convoy from Darwin , through Kakadu and down to Alice Springs.
(see notes on Russian filming).

Next will be a month of planning , then March it's back up to Cape Tribulation again , then Darwin .

Hope you enjoy the photos -- and feel free to leave comments.

Mike.

Wallabies, Atherton Tableland, North Queensland

2006-02-20T17:21:00.000+11:00

Daintree Region, North Queensland

2006-02-20T17:20:00.000+11:00

The Twelve Apostles, Victoria

2006-02-20T17:17:00.000+11:00

Aerial shot from helicopter.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria

2006-02-20T17:14:00.000+11:00

One of the most scenic drives in Australia

Bell's Beach, Victoria

2006-02-20T17:12:00.000+11:00

Bells is rated amongst the best surf beaches in the World

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

2006-02-20T17:07:00.000+11:00

Mike at Crocodylus Park in Darwin with daughters Jasmine and Chelsea

2006-02-07T13:55:00.000+11:00

Filming Russian TV program 'THE WORLD OF ANIMALS'

2006-02-05T18:24:00.000+11:00

Hi People,

I have posted a few shots of a trip we did in January 2006 for a Russian TV program.
We travelled from Darwin to Alice Springs via Kakadu, Mataranka and Tennant Creek looking for and filming all sorts of critters along the way.
The program will be seen by around 150 - 200 million people - mostly in Russia I guess.
Prominent Russian wildlife scientist and a real character of a man - Dr Nikolei Drosdov features as we get up close and personal with all sorts of wonderful critters.

King Brown snake

2006-02-05T18:20:00.000+11:00

Dr Drosdov and Mike ready for wildlife action

2006-02-05T18:18:00.000+11:00

Devils Marbles cossack dance

2006-02-05T18:17:00.000+11:00

Take one! Russia TV

2006-02-05T18:15:00.000+11:00

Mickail serving up bosh in middle of nowhere NT

2006-02-05T18:13:00.000+11:00

Mike at work in NT river looking for 'wildlife'

2006-02-05T18:10:00.000+11:00

Dr Nikolei Drosdov, Mike and baby croc

2006-02-05T18:09:00.000+11:00

Break from filming in Kakadu

2006-02-05T18:07:00.000+11:00

Crocodile filming - Adelaide River NT

2006-02-05T18:04:00.000+11:00

Russian film crew - signing T shirts at Daly Waters pub NT

2006-02-05T17:42:00.000+11:00

Barrington Tops Canoeing - New South Wales

2005-11-23T17:20:00.000+11:00

So here's our latest

adventure.

I have just spent two days in NSW canoeing on the Barrington River with 40 guys.

The area is 3 hours drive north west of Sydney.

Superb scenery -- and will be adding it to our itineraries.

Features grade 1 - 3 rapids, picturesque country and comfortable mud brick lodge accommodation.

If you want to know more email me on mike@farout.com.au - you'll love this if you are into soft adventure.

Far Out photos from 2005

2005-11-16T11:32:00.000+11:00

Horizontal waterfalls - Talbot Bay in the Kimberley WA
White breasted Sea Eagle - Mt Borraidaile - Arnhemland
Saltwater Croc - Adelaide River - Northern Territory
Sunset - Mt Borraidaile - Arnhemland
Mike (Borela), Yunburruk and Gunjuk - Jilkminggan NT
Barramundi - Mt Borraidaile

2005 proved to be a busy year and the above shots were taken whilst in remote areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

The wildlife and geography in these areas must be seen to be believed.

In fact these areas are the most least populated places on earth.

Mike and Dave Hudson

2005-11-14T05:11:00.000+11:00

Jamming with David Hudson in Nth Qld. David is a well known Aboriginal recording artist and recently toured the US with Yanni. Mike is not well known at all and tours wherever he can!!

Rock On

2005-11-13T21:39:00.000+11:00

Mike and legendary Bill Harney performing at Sydney Opera House

FAR OUT ADVENTURES - AUSTRALIA

Australian Heli Safari March 2011

Conde Nast Traveller Magazine Story

Inaugural Ghan to the Never Never Journey

Ghan to the Never Never

Wangi Falls - Litchfield National Park - February 2007

Edith Falls - Nitmiluk National Park

Dan and a black headed python

Nourlangie Rock

Sunset - Victoria

Bushfires - Victoria - King Valley

Here's looking at you kid - oops sheep!

Poodle on tour - Daylesford

Sovereign Hill - Victoria

Sovereign Hill - Victoria

Dinosaur footprints - Broome

Hovercraft - Broome

Filming Bill Harney

Campfire Corroboree

Out bush in the Never Never

Going bush for a few days

Never Never kids

Orion Expedition Cruise May 2006

Ship to shore excursion

Hiking to the top of King George Falls

King George River -- at the Top!

..........and from the bottom

Croc sunbaking in the Hunter River - Kimberley W.A

Orion visits Kuri Bay and look what we find!

Paspaley Pearls - Kuri Bay

Strange birds in the Kimberley

Orion Expedition Team - May/ June 2006

Loyalty to the Orion Expedition Team

FLOODS! Katherine Railway bridge viewed from Stuart Highway

Katherine main street

I was buying gas here last week.

Main street - also Highway One - Stuart Highway

Main Street - Katherine

Croc on Adelaide River - Northern Territory

Mike , Sarah and Stephen from Indiana.

Paradise in Kakadu National PArk

Wet Season sky - near Litchfield

Wangi Falls - Litchfield

Monitor lizard on rock - Litchfield Park

Savannah Guides - Brendan (NT) and Evan (Qld)

Savannah Guides in the field

Studying Geckos in the wild

North Queensland Experience March 2006

Bloomfield Falls, Daintree Region, North Queensland

Historic Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall in Cooktown.

Beware of cows eating cars in Queenslands far north!

Quincan Country rock art with Steve Tresize

The road less travelled...................to Laura N Qld

Curtain Fig - Atherton Tablelands

Dinner Falls - Atherton Tableland

A visitor at Allawah Bush retreat

eeenie, meenie, minie, mo...........

Hanging out in North Queensland

Bats 3 , snakes nil.

A grassshopper walks up to a bar ......................

Kris, Pat, Jack and Sue at Cedar Park

A visitor at Cedar Park restaurant

Skyrail - Cairns to Kuranda

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Paradise

Best Beach in Australia (my opinion )

Newsletter

Wallabies, Atherton Tableland, North Queensland

Daintree Region, North Queensland

The Twelve Apostles, Victoria

Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Bell's Beach, Victoria

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Mike at Crocodylus Park in Darwin with daughters Jasmine and Chelsea

Filming Russian TV program 'THE WORLD OF ANIMALS'

King Brown snake

Dr Drosdov and Mike ready for wildlife action

Devils Marbles cossack dance

Take one! Russia TV

Mickail serving up bosh in middle of nowhere NT