Come join the Reefwalk 2013 Finale. Show your support for these passionate people who have walked from Cairns to Gladstone to raise awareness of the very real threats to our Great Barrier Reef.
You are invited to join the walkers along the Dawson Highway and help celebrate afterwards at Kin Kora Caravan Park. Continue reading
Reefwalk 2013 reaches Gladstone
Reefwalkers debrief near Gladstone Marina
A circle was formed in the park near the Gladstone Marina to conclude the 1,200km long walk for June and all the long and short distance walkers. The sharing of the experiences was brought to a sudden halt when the police arrived to question June about the group’s motives. They indicated that they expected illegal activities. June assured them that no such action was intended and that she did feel intimidated by their presence. The police were surprised to hear this. Indeed, they had been polite. Continue reading
How inspiring to be with a growing team of walkers through this week and the finale today.
We sang outside the office of Santos in Gladstone main street. They left the balcony and shut doors and windows.
Then we came over the hill for our first glimpse of the beautiful waters of the harbour. It was a shock to see the enormous loading bay and ships, and stockpiles of coal… obstructing our views of the mangroves.
Kin Kora Caravan Park preparations
On the night before the walk into Gladstone, a large and colourful camp of vans and tents is developing at the Kin Kora caravan park. The supporters from Nimbin have brought Bennie Zabel’s beautiful flags. The local supporters bring food. The evening is spent singing and talking. Continue reading
LNG pipe to Curtis Island
We are very near the end. Again and again I am surprised to meet wonderful people along the way, struggling in their own ways for the life of the Great Barrier Reef. They contrast so strongly with the heavy industry surrounding us closer and closer as we reach Gladstone. Continue reading
Fitzroy River estuary
The endangered Flatback turtle
Yachtsman looks towards Peak Island
Our amazing walk – now 1125km – is drawing to a close. Continue reading
As we stay overnight in small communities, I notice contributions made to them by mining and energy companies.
School at St Lawrence
For example, a large sign on the fence of the school in St Lawrence declares it to be a Reef Guardian School sponsored by Ergon Energy and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. On closer inspection it becomes clear that the school is not directly funded by the companies, but the “School Chaplaincy in our Community” is the beneficiary. A situation to ponder while walking. Continue reading
Reefwalkers at Keppel Sands State School
Our last Rest Day in Emu Park, with the opportunity to meet kids from the local Reef Guardian Schools at Keppel Sands and Cawarral. It is great to see kids so concerned about the health of the reef and eager to do their part in protecting and preserving it. Continue reading
Aerial view of Emu Park
Sacred kingfisher
A shorter walk today and it was like climbing a hill for a view into paradise as we glimpsed the clear pale blue waters of Keppel Bay coming down the hill in Emu Park.
Some wonderful people are billeting us walkers in real beds! It is great to hear their stories, as it is local people who know places. We watched a sacred kingfisher while drinking coffee in the backyard. Continue reading
Hummock Hill Island
Another wonderful walk, east from Rockhampton to Emu Park.
This beautiful area is threatened by coal port development. No dredging here though – instead they plan to send barges loaded with coal across the bay. Continue reading
Reefwalkers join locals at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre
What a powerful arrival today, at our last major town before Gladstone.
Capricorn Conservation Council and other activists in Rockhampton welcomed us with music and information in the beautiful Kershaw Gardens. They have talented and experienced staff with high hopes to protect the Fitzroy Delta from coal port developments. The unique snubfin dolphin lives in this area and is threatened by the proposals to send coal on barges through the reef. Continue reading
The reef, all the way down here?
Walking the Bruce Highway for days, the most gruelling stretch, hot and requiring high levels of alertness saw a respite as we slowly drew nearer Rockhampton.
Fewer villages except for the occassional roadside producer, almost all the small rural and almost forgotten communities provide a welcoming break and a nice warm shower. Continue reading
Meeting other activists – Free West Papua
Hi, I’m Christa from Kempsey in NSW and joined the walk in St Lawrence on the last day of July.
I was lucky that to begin with, we walked on the sometimes elusive, but always quiet and natural Bicentennial Trail. It is unseasonally warm, and on the Bruce Highway it seems even hotter. While walking on the edge of such a busy the road, the mind has to split two ways. One half attempts to block out the traffic as much as possible, the other half stays totally alert to maintain a save distance from the oncoming trucks and to never miss to return the friendly waves of drivers. Continue reading
Louisa Creek
Walking into Louisa Creek we were prevented from the short stretch to the Haypoint lookout……however a large sign indicated to the official lookout point with all its plagues, information boards and telescope.
In daylight, as far as the eye will allow, a large dark structure of harbour and harbour extensions, filled with hills of coal stockpiling. These black earth structures and machinery fill the landscape of what was once a pristine coastal area.
At sunset the beautiful colours of rosy pink and blue, fill the heavens and the fairy lights of the harbour is switched on, giving the impression of a small city.
However in the rising sun light with harbour lights switched off, I was distressed to realise the magnatude of the constant development of the coal harbours on the coast.
After a beach walk and happily tired, tucked in for sleep I was unable to sleep as the permanent loud drone noise permeated the silence of the night.
All these impressions were off set by the warm friendly and engaged community who have lived through the observation of their beautiful home turned into a coal dominated environment.
The diaries continue….
Day 2
The next day, the Mackay Conservation Group www.mackayconservationgroup.org.au) organised a Save the Reef stall at a local Wine and Food Festival. We were joined there by Jonathon Dykie, the Greens candidate for Dawson, who is working his butt off to promote Greens values and policies and has been so supportive of the walk along with other Greens along the journey. Continue reading
Hi, I am Vicki and am walking my leg of the trip Sarina to Rockhampton. It’s such a privilege to be walking this land and amongst everyday people with the common aim to: Build awareness of the Great Barrier Reef and how important it is for us the people stand up and protect it. Continue reading
Hi everyone, its been a while since I’ve had an opportunity to catch up with you all. There is so much to tell, we have met so many wonderful people, enjoyed lots of fun activities so it hasn’t all been hard yakka. Continue reading
Styx River tributary
What wonderful scenery we saw today walking through cattle stations and along the Styx River.
Join us on Tuesday 6th August – walk from The Caves to Rockhampton, or for a lovely afternoon gathering in Kershaw Gardens. Friday 9th August there will be music and fun at Emu Park. Saturday morning at Rosslyn Bayon from 7.30 to 9.00 am for breakfast, and then a boat trip around the beautiful waters of Keppel Bay and the Fitzroy Delta to Port Alma where walkers will continue the journey.
See below for details or the itinerary page for more information. Continue reading
