Wanderstories

11/06/2025

SPF claims under fire! 🧴🌞

Australia's trusted consumer watchdog, CHOICE, tested 20 popular sunscreens and found only 4 met their SPF50+ label claims — including 3 products from the Cancer Council and several kids' sunscreens.

The worst performer? A $52 sunscreen that rated as SPF4–5. Most fell in the SPF20–40 range.

⚠️ Don't bin your sunscreen just yet — experts stress they still offer protection, and proper application is key. But this highlights the need for stricter testing and more transparency in Australia’s sunscreen market.

🧢 Slip, slop, slap, seek, and slide — and choose wisely.

📖 Read more via ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-12/australian-sunscreens-fail-test-spf-claims-choice-report/105394190

Sunscreen testing by CHOICE finds many popular brands don’t meet their SPF claims, but experts say sunscreens remain safe and effective.

02/06/2025

Happy World Bicycle Day!

From gravel tracks through ancient rainforest to remote desert crossings and coastal bikepacking loops, the bicycle is more than just a mode of transport — it’s freedom, adventure, and connection to the land.

Here at Wanderstories, we celebrate the joy of riding — whether it's an early morning spin or an epic journey across North Queensland’s wild landscapes.

Today, let’s honour the humble bicycle and all the stories it carries.
Where has your bike taken you lately?

18/05/2025

Turtle Bay Beach, Sunset Beach (Little Beach/Brays Beach), and Paradise Beach Track has been recut and marked all the way to Sunset. So now's a good time to walk the trail if you're so inclined.

📸 Jodie Rummer

21/02/2025

One of our favourite places.

Crediton State Forest & Eungella National Park

The area offers a scenic drive through a diverse landscape of forests and farmland. There are many opportunities to stop and enjoy local food at a café or take in the sunset from a lookout point. The roads range from easy and winding to steep and challenging, offering a range of experiences for drivers. For those looking for more adventure, the area also offers opportunities for mountain biking and horseback riding on the trails in Mia Mia and Crediton state forests. Overall, it's a beautiful and exciting place to explore.

Denham Range camping area

The camping area is located on top of a mountain ridge, offering cool breezes and breathtaking views. Only 4WD or high-clearance vehicles can access the area. Generators are not allowed. It's a beautiful and peaceful spot for camping.

The Diggings camping area

The camping area is a peaceful and secluded spot next to Broken River, with plenty of shade from tall trees. Only 4WD or high-clearance vehicles can access the area. Fires are allowed in the provided fireplaces, unless there is a fire ban in place. It is recommended that campers use fuel stoves rather than generators.

Broken River bush camp

The camping area is located next to Broken River, where you may have the chance to spot a platypus. Fires are allowed in the provided fireplaces, unless there is a fire ban in place. It is recommended that campers use fuel stoves rather than generators. A peaceful spot for camping, with the added bonus of possibly seeing a platypus.

Fern Flat camping area

This camping area is located in a small patch of bushland next to Broken River. Generators are not allowed, and the area is not accessible to trailers or motorhomes. This sounds like a secluded and peaceful spot for camping in a natural setting.

Notes

Finch Hatton Gorge is also nearby and is worth the drive.

The drive from Pine Grove to Broken River in about 35 km and 10 minutes. This road is suitable for all vehicles.

Broken River to Crediton Hall takes about 9.7 km and 10 minutes. This road is suitable for all vehicles.

The drive from Crediton Hall to the Denham Range in about 33.3 km and 60 minutes. This road is only suitable for 4WD and high-clearance vehicles, so you will need a reliable vehicle to make the trip.

The Denham Range and Moonlight Dam can be accessed by taking Eungella Dam Road and Turrawulla Road. The round trip is approximately 100 km and takes about 1.25 hours to drive. This road is only suitable for 4WD and high-clearance vehicles. It's a beautiful and scenic drive through the mountains.

See also the Mackay Highlands Great Walk.

24/11/2024

Well done team. What an achievement! Mitch is one of our authors and continues to tackle these epic adventure races with his partner.

15/11/2024

Wanderstories is getting excited to watch the Brown Dog Challenge this December! In the hottest part of the year, Townsville’s toughest trail runners will take on the infamous six-hour race up Castle Hill, inspired by the Barkley Marathon. This gruelling challenge requires participants to complete five laps with photo checkpoints; only one person has ever finished on time.

It's a great social event for the local community, supporting Angel Paws and bringing everyone together to celebrate endurance, fitness, and camaraderie. Good luck to all the brave participants – we’ll cheer you on! Remember to tag your photos with and join the community spirit!

Catch all the details on our website: https://wanderstories.space/brown-dog-challenge/
Or contact Mr Brown Dog.

In the hottest part of the year, trail runners in Townsville take on the Brown Dog Challenge, a gruelling six-hour race up Castle Hill inspired by the Barkley Marathon. Only one person has ever finished on time.

11/10/2024

Exciting news!
We've just revamped our Jourama Canyon, Lower Waterview Creek article! 💦
If you're an experienced canyoner, check out the latest info and get ready to dive into the wild beauty of Jourama Falls!
Thanks Adrian Garnett & Luen Warneke.

Jourama Canyon article: https://wanderstories.space/abseiling-jourama-falls/

18/09/2024

Volunteers Needed for the Grin n Bear It Challenge
🗓️ Event Date: 28th September

Join in on the making of "Grin and Bear It Challenge"! Mitch Nissen and the team are searching for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with timing and being out on the course. This is your chance to enjoy breathtaking views while supporting a fantastic community event!

Whether you help at checkpoints, guide participants, or just bring positive vibes, your support is crucial in creating an engaging and safe experience for all.

Interested? Send Mitch a message or email kim@adventuresportnq.info

🌲🏞️🌄

Send a message to learn more

13/08/2024

A Friendly Reminder: Keep Our DCK Shelter Clean and Respectful

Hi Wanderers,

We hope you're enjoying your time at the DCK shelter. As stewards of this beautiful spot, we want to ensure it remains a pleasant and welcoming place for everyone. Unfortunately, during our recent maintenance of the composting toilet, we discovered that some non-compostable items, including plastic bags and wrappers, were disposed of in the toilet.

Please remember that only human waste, toilet paper, and sawdust should go into the composting toilet. If you bring something with you, kindly take it back out. This small effort helps keep the shelter clean and sustainable for all.

We also ask that you don't use wet wipes, as they do not break down and remain long after everything else has decomposed. Please only use toilet paper!

Let's work together to keep this special place beautiful and accessible. If this continues, access to this private property may be revoked.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Happy trails,
Wilfred

More rules can be found at https://wanderstories.space/dck-shelter/

23/04/2024

Happy Earth Day! 🌏🌱
☕️ Reusable water bottles, say no to single-use coffee cups, straws and more!
🏝️ Support local conservation efforts, like beach clean-ups
🦋 Choose eco-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and tours that are also working to reduce plastic use.
🗑️ Reduce, reuse, and recycle (make sure it goes in the right bin and doesn’t end up on the ground!)

Read more at https://wanderstories.space/leave-no-trace/

Happy Earth Day! 🌏🌱

This year for Earth Day, we’re working to reduce plastic use in Tropical North Queensland, here’s how you can help on your next holiday!

☕️ Reusable water bottles, coffee cups, straws and more!
🏝️ Support local conservation efforts like beach clean ups
🦋 Choose eco-friendly accommodation, restaurants and tours who are also working to reduce plastic use
🗑️ Reduce and recycle your rubbish (make sure it goes in the right bin and doesn’t end up on the ground!)

Learn more 👉 tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/articles/ways-help-great-barrier-reef

20/03/2024

With plans to upgrade the water treatment pipeline, a three-staged approach has been implemented to utilise Ross River Dam for recreational activities. Stage one, to be introduced by June 2024, will allow for non-contact activities, including land-based fishing and walking. Stages two and three could start by June 2025 and open the site to commercial and recreational boating, fishing, and water skiing. A recreational area will be built near the current quarry and boat ramp (across the dam wall where the Rockwheelers have hosted previous events like Dam Dark and Hot Rock 8hr).

Ross Park has a viewing platform with informative signposts overlooking Lake Ross. The area has facilities for picnics or barbecues, as well as public toilets.

13/02/2024

A local craft beer commercial was shot at our very own Red Falls, Charters Towers. Interestingly this hidden gem, which was closed to the public years ago, served as the backdrop to this new craft beer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nt5g8DpJqk

Tradie Brand