Introduction to today's journey
Straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton boasts a rich pastoral history giving it the reputation of being the beef capital of Australia. The fertile Fitzroy River silently meanders through the city which was first settled by the Archer brothers when they discovered the area in 1858. The city served as a port supporting the gold discoveries at nearby Canoona and Mount Morgan establishing it as the largest city in Central Queensland.
Today's journey flies north from Brisbane up to Rockhampton to reach the Tropic of Capricorn at the summer solstice before exploring the city and heading to Cathedral Caves and Mount Morgan.
Today's Journey
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Flying out of Brisbane over the Pine Rivers heading northwards along the coast some 600 kilometres to Rockhampton. |
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A lookout at the summit of Mount Archer looking over the city. |
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An emu at the Rockhampton Zoo.
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A few wombats are sleeping in the sun. |
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A cassowary forages in the bush. |
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Standing on the Tropic of Capricorn directly under the sun in the summer solstice at solar midday. The sun is 90 degrees vertically overhead. |
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The marker at the information centre showing the sun is directly overhead. |
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From the tropic line I head north through the city and beyond into hilly farmland to explore Cathedral Cave. |
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Reaching the main cavern of the cave which has been set up as a small theatre with very nice acoustics. Continuing through the narrow caverns of the cave back up towards the surface. |
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From the caves I return to the city and head inland to the mining town of Mount Morgan, where some excavation equipment is on display. |
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The Mount Morgan cemetery, where many of the old miners are buried. |
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Exploring the mining town of Mount Morgan before returning to the airport. |
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