36 hours in brisbane

Target

The victorious rabbit roars over the body of the defeated.

atherton

Mountains draped in rainforest, freshwater volcanic lakes and soft clouds rolling overhead - it's great to be back in Atherton, far north Queensland. Our bank accounts needed a top-up after our overseas adventure, and we were lucky that Atherton District Hospital could offer us some casual work. We spent a month working here last year and I had immense work satisfaction, this has been reinforced on our second visit here. I am getting more passionate about rural health care. The whole team works together to provide a high-quality, efficient, personal and friendly service. There is a huge variety of patients - Japanese backpackers, Indigenous Australians, tough-as-nails farmers and grey nomads. I come across an interesting life story every shift. Compared to being in the city, I need to be more independent in a rural hospital. I gain knowledge and experience much faster, this is supported by excellent senior staff. In a few years time, we may find ourselves living in a place like this.

Gaj

Lake Tinaroo at sunset. The Atherton Tablelands are about 700m above sea level, so the clouds always seem within arm's reach.

Beautiful Lake Eacham is the site of an extinct volcano. We jogged around the 3km circumference, then jumped in to cool off.

The Chinese Temple - a nice bit of country town quirkiness