The hinterland (04.03. to 06.03.2020)

We are now saying goodbye to the Pacific and heading inland to go sapphire mining and watch waterfalls. That's the plan! 👍
The reality: sapphire mining was canceled due to too much rain, and watching waterfalls was only possible to a limited extent because many lookout platforms fell victim to bushfires.

After our van struggled to climb the mountains about 800m high, we drove kilometer after kilometer through the hilly rural Australia: If there is one thing here, it's space and vastness! Cow pastures (mostly without cows because there is so much space) and burnt and regrowing vegetation for kilometers. We will be spending the next few nights in the middle of nowhere. After giving up the search for a place to mine sapphires, we end up in a small town at a campsite, where the owner offers us to accompany him and his wife on a gemstone hunt in the dark. After today's heavy rain, these stones, exposed by the dust, sparkle directly at us in the flashlight light. Miryam and Ines actually find many interesting stones.
The next day takes us back through the rain and further on the 'Waterfall Way'. Waterfalls: all closed. 😢

Australians don't complain, but due to the circumstances, we repeatedly find ourselves talking to locals who quickly tell us their personal stories. Last year, there was no rain here at all, there was a lot of heat, and also big fires. The entire area then seemed like a desert. The recent fires this summer (December and January) and the subsequent floods threatened or destroyed entire livelihoods. Several koala colonies were also destroyed by the fire. The lack of frost in winter and the excessive rain now result in mosquitoes and flies multiplying in large numbers. Eating meals without flies is a real challenge. And really annoying!!! 😠🥴
Before venturing back to the sea, we must take a detour at an altitude of 1250m. The view over the mountains to the coast is amazing! And that from the most jungle-like rainforest. Unbeatable 👌👀