Shahn and Michael picked up Bethanne, Michaels sister, from the airport and then the following day we had flights from Brisbane to Rockhampton. We were staying with Richard, Michaels brother, and meeting up with Marg and Pete, Michaels parents, who were driving back down from Airlie beach, They had been tripping around Queensland for a month exploring the country, and having a fantastic time.
While Richard was busy working on his boat and wanted to take , we decided to head over to the famous above ground limestone cave systems - Capricorn Caves.
Capricorn Caves, not too sure how many places we went but we spent a couple of hours squeezing through tight holes, exploring.
Dressed in overalls, helmets and head lights. Bethanne and Shahn in the beginning of the first cave, not too bad finding our way around in the dark.
Shahn going through the first hole.
Michael Suddenly realised that maybe he's slightly irrationally scared of small spaces, but mostly being trapped. (This was previously discovered in the Clifden caves, Southland, NZ. Where Pete discovered a underground stream and Michael gapped it out of there as fast as he could - but in his defence the sign at the beginning did say flash flooding after rain).
Pete just completing the first hole. It really was a tight squeeze…...
Michael trying to squeeze through the tiny hole it really was that small and the bat poo is not easy to get a grip on.
Having a chat about the next few tight squeezes and where we were off to next.
Bethanne enjoying the caving I think.
Having a look around the cave, some were really large. There was a huge amount of dust in the caves so the photography was a bit dodgy and due to the small gaps we could only take our small camera.
The guillotine, just make sure it does not fall when we pass under it.
Shahn wiggling her way into the next section.
Michael not looking so flash, but still getting through all the tight spots.
Shahn below me in the next cave section. (Blurry photo but its hard to get good photos underground)
The cave guide lead us all into a cave system to find our own way out was cool, having to search around and find dead ends and little holes and nooks.
Pete finding a hole in the roof into the next section.
The exit finally feet first this time.
Pete finding his way out?? or in?
Finding more caves within the system
Shahny looking happy (covered in bat shit and looking very glamorous)
All of us at the top of the caves
Checking out the view. The rain erodes the limestone above ground and creating very sharp ridges.
The view from the top of the cave system towards the coast.
The Caving crew taking a breather and enjoying the wind
Having a talk about the toughest section, called "rebirth: and if you can't make it you can get a c-section and take the easy way out
Michael looking happy as, here covered in Bat guano, while sitting in the womb about to be reborn.
Shahn in the birth canal lets just say it was a tight fit but Shahn made it. I just wish we had made a video it would have been awesome.
Pete looking down the birth canal - he gave it ago twice but both times it got the better of him but to be fair, the hole was about 40cm x 30cm, Pete had to be cut out.
This part of the cave system made its way down one semi-vertical tunnels
Shahn on her way down the slide, with Pete and Bethanne in front.
Shahn sliding into the next section.
We are ready!!!!
Into one of the largest caves, a fair way down.
Michael was getting the hang of the caving, and he wanted to go first in the whale, which was a tricky tunnel, lots of uncomfortable positions and Pete almost strangled himself in the process.
Bethanne's butt - into the whales mouth
Bethanne in the whale
Pete in his free boots finding his way in the whale.
As Michael did not get enough caving the day before he had to find a few more tight spaces to climb in.
Saltie
Big Saltie
The Smiths' (minus Chris) at the Singing Ship
Pete likes the three year old, saltie
Shahn also looks happy, the owner John next to her was really good and informative.
Bethanne thinking about becoming a spotter catcher.
Rockhampton Zoo
The Chimps bonding, picking each other nose.
The large male Chimp calling the keepers over, very cool to watch.
Moon optical illusion as it set.
Queen Mary Falls - near the NSW border
Pete, Marg and Shahn standing below the Queen Mary falls
Shahn enjoying the freezing cold winds
Pete and Marg feeding the birds - making quite the impression too
Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
Pete and his new friend
Marg and Pete taking the Landcruiser for a drive to make sure they were all ready for the trip, it needs a nice driver who can treat her well, easy on the gear changes but make her work for it.
