For the past couple of months wildlife photographer JIM THOMSON has taken us on his journey into the centre of Australia, up to Kakadu and across to north Queensland. Today is his last installment - from Ingham - before he took the long drive back to Maitland.
Ingham is a small town in north Queensland with a strong Italian community, surrounded by cane fields, and about 30 minutes from the beach.
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But the most prominent aspect of Ingham is its renowned wetlands area, which starts right in the centre of town.
Designed by naturalist John Young, the wetlands draws a great number of people, just walking around the lily ponds, especially in the mornings when it is cool.
It also has a number of hides with benches, ideal for watching all the bird life.
I spent a few days here photographing the wide variety of birdlife.
Related: Top time for beach birds
Most prominent were the forest kingfishers, jacanas, red back wrens and a variety of waders. I even got my first shot of the browed crake.
I know, I know: it doesn't take much to keep us wildlife photographers happy. But this is a wonderful place to visit, no doubt.
A word of warning though: Ingham closes early on a Saturday. At 12.25pm they are sweeping the floor, and at 12.30 on the dot the doors are shut till Monday.
I am not saying it was for the Sabbath, but I have to tell you I heard church bells ringing.
Still, I pity the poor driver who has arrived in town after a 300 kilometre drive at 12.35pm on a Saturday and just wants a cup of coffee. Good luck with that mate.
Paluma was a real surprise. Many years ago I visited Birthday Falls which is 10 kilometres past Paluma in dense rainforest. This was a favourite location for me - where I took photos of the golden bower bird all those years ago.
This time I decided to make Ingham my base and drove down the highway in perfect weather. By the time I had climbed the hill and arrived at the summit and the village of Paluma, it was in dense fog and heavy rain.
I decided to push on for the Falls and crawled along the gravel road and must admit I was relieved to arrive. I donned the wet gear and searched in the downpour for the bower. Would you believe it was still there?
A few minutes after finding it I spotted a bar of gold drifting in to work on his bower, amazing.
Back to the car for my camera gear, set up, flash, and spent the next two hours waiting for the bird to come in.
I was rewarded when it drifted straight to the bower with decorations.
This completed my stay.
After a few busy months, it was finally time for the long drive back to Maitland. I hope readers have enjoyed travelling with me.
