Blog 12 - 16th to 29th June 2013

Sunday 16th June - After our night at Paronella Park, we packed the camper again, and decided to spend some more time looking around this amazing place. Went back through all of the park again and also across the falls to the park on the other side for some different views. Then it was time to head towards Tully, stopping at Kurrimine Beach for a quick look, and then onto Bingal Bay and Mission Beach. Decided to head out to Tully Gorge about 45km's NW and stay the night in the National Park.

The water looked really inviting, but the crocodile signs on the edge determined there would be no swimming.

Gave the car and camper a quick wash using the tap in the campground.

Monday - the Triton is booked in for a service at 1PM, so back into Tully for a quick look around and find some replacement wheel bearings just in case. While the car is being serviced, I replaced the right side wheel bearings and brakes just to be safe. Once all finished, it was heading north again to stay at The Boulders, a free campsite near the swimming hole from a few days ago. Met a lovely French couple who were travelling for several weeks, and we swapped stories.

Tuesday - drove back into Babinda, and stopped at the free camp for a shower - $2 for 4 minutes. Then drove north to Gordonvale, where we turned left and climbed up into the Atherton Tablelands and took the turn-off to Lake Tinaroo. Stopped at the Cathedral fig tree for a short walk - wow, that thing is huge - and then finally got mobile reception to book our campsite at Kauri campground right on the lake. Another really special place to camp.

Met up with some people we had met in Porcupine Gorge and Cobbold Gorge.

Wednesday - we decided to play tourist and look around the Atherton Tablelands, stopping in at Atherton, then onto Malanda for morning tea. Then to Lake Eacham, a volcanic lake which is 65 metres deep, and crystal clear for swimming.

Then onto the next volcanic lake, Lake Barrine,

where a boat can take you on a cruise. They had a really nice garden, and a short walk to some 600 year old kauri pine trees that were HUGE. Went back to Lake Eacham for a swim, which was really nice, before heading back to camp at Lake Tinaroo and sitting around the fire.

Thursday - back on the road heading north, firstly to Mareeba, before turning right and going to Kuranda and Barron Falls.

Did the walk down to the railway station and watched as the train from Cairns came in. Back to Kuranda for a walk around and some lunch before heading down the mountain to just above Cairns,

and then heading north. Stopped in at Port Douglas, had a quick stop at the lookout, and a drive around town, before continuing on to Mossman where we stopped at the caravan park for the night.

Friday - went up to the visitor centre at Mossman Gorge, and caught the bus to the top of the tracks to do some walking - covered about 3.5km's through the rainforest.

Stopped at the waterhole for a swim, but Di only got half-way in (too cold) but it was very refreshing - lots of fish in the water too, and the water was running fairly quickly.

Had a quick lunch, and then continued north to Cape Tribulation, after catching the car ferry across the Daintree River. Camped in a place right on the beach,

and got chatting to a big group from SA who were on their way back from the Cape - lots of great stories to tell, and hints to pass on. Shared a pizza and some wine before reitring to bed a lot later than usual.

Saturday - the adventure begins - today we get to drive the Bloomfield Track along the coast up to Cooktown. Some VERY steep climbs and descents, with 1st low-range needed even on the concreted pathways. Stopped in at Bloomfield Falls,

where they had more crocodile warning signs - something that would continue for quite a while. Walked very warily, and took photos quickly just in case THEY were watching. Continued on to the Lions Den Hotel, and had a drink while we read the walls. A quick side trip to look at Little Annan Gorge

before driving into Cooktown.

Spent some time looking around the Captain Cook Museum, and then 15km's out of town to tonights camp, Endeavour River Escape, which is a caravan park, but is more like bush camping with facilities - very nice, and cheaper than staying in town too.

Sunday - back into Cooktown for a re-fuel and re-stock of food, before driving along Battlecamp Road into Lakefield NP. Had lunch and a quick look around Old Laura homestead,

and then continued onto the lily lagoons. First it was the white lillies, which covered the lagoon. Another couple of km's up the road we stopped at the red lily lagoon, which were quite different, and there was only 2 that were in flower. Continued onto Hann Crossing campsite where we stayed the night right beside the river - again, more croc signs. Got a fire going, and cooked a roast - YUM.

Monday - packed early and left camp at 8.45am. By 9.15am it was already 27 degrees. Drove west, making a note of the termite mounds that were all facing north-south.

Then onto Musgrave for a re-fuel,

and then continued north along the Peninsula Development Road (PDR), stopping at Coen, before deciding that the free campsite 3km's north would be a nice place for the night. Found a spot amongst the other campers, and sat by the small river  - no croc signs, but still very wary about going in. After seeing many other people swimming and splashing in the water, decided it should be OK, but was always watchful. It was SOOOO nice to cool off and wash some dust off.

Tuesday - went for another swim before breakfast, and after packing up, continued north to Archer River roadhouse for a re-fuel again, before taking the right turn for the 110km trip out to the east coast to Chilli Beach. Got to camp just as it was starting to drizzle, but not enough rain to worry about. But it was windy, which is normal - luckily we were camped behind the trees and were protected from the wind. Had a quick walk along the beach,

 

again being always wary of the crocs that might jump out.

Wednesday - with the crazy National Parks booking system, we could only get 1 night at Chilli Beach, but got a 2nd night just back down the road at Cooks Hut. So as we were only driving a short distance, we decided to drive to the end of the road to Portland Roads

and have a coffee, before deciding on lunch, all at the same cafe. A really nice spot, but very small and in the middle of nowhere - but they seem to get enough people passing through. Back along the road to Cooks Hut for the night, where we met our neighbours and shared the fire while listening to the S.O.O.2.

Thursday - back 85km's to the PDR, and up a short distance, before turning left for the 120 km trip to Weipa out on the west coast. It is a bauxite mining town,

and a population of 3,500. Booked into the caravan park for 3 nights.

Friday - went to go for a look around the town of Weipa - there is nothing here!!!! With the amount of people, we were expecting a decent shopping centre, and some things to do. But there was only 1 small shopping mall with about 8 shops, and not much else to do except fish, which neither of us do. Had a lazy relaxing day, but caught a wonderful sunset.

Saturday - the plan for today was to drive north along the west coast, and then head into a small place called Pennefather River and drive along the beach. What a beautiful place this was, with green and blue water, reefs just off the shore, and nice white sand.

But again more croc signs, so no swimming. Drove back to Weipa, stopping at Red Beach for lunch by the water (no swimming here either) We then moved sites in the caravan park to a powered site to recharge the batteries. Di spent some time booking the next weeks worth of camping sites at the tip and also at Eliot Falls.

Tomorrow we will continue our trip north, with the plan to spend some time looking at the Old Telegraph Track, and swimming in the waterfalls and rivers (without croc signs so should be all good).

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo

Blog 11 - 4th to 15th June 2013

Tuesday 4th June - woke early to take a trip across the bay from Townsville to Magnetic Island on the ferry, and spend the day exploring. Once on the island, hopped on the bus and headed north to the last stop - Horseshoe Bay.

Then started to make our way back, stopping at the closest stop to Arthur Bay - a 25 minute walk down the hill. We had our snorkelling gear, so went straight in off the beach, but the wind had made the water cloudy, so couldn't see too much - but the small bay was very nice and picturesque.

Back up the big hill, and another bus ride to the other end of the island to Picnic Bay for lunch and a walk around. Then back to the ferry for the return journey to the mainland, where we stopped at the ocean rock pool for a quick look. Then back to hook-up the camper, and headed inland towards Charters Towers. Too far to make it that afternoon, so we detoured via Mingela to Grass Hill Station where we stayed the night on a working cattle and horse property.

They had 3 foals in the yards who came across for a feed.

Then the cockatoos finished off what was left.

Wednesday - left the farm and drove the 50km's to Charters Towers, booking into the caravan park as no free spots in town. Went up to the lookout, which was used as a munitions holding area during WWII. Back into town for a walk around, seeing all the old buildings. As it was State of Origin night, most of the town was layered in maroon, and the cafe we had lunch in was especially so - but Di was wearing her Blues top with pride. Found out from several people that the place to be to watch the game was the Enterprise Hotel, so we rocked up at about 7.00pm to find only a few Blues supporters, but more than 100 Maroon's - we were outnumbered, so kept our comments quiet. As we all know, the Blues conquered, but we continued to keep fairly quiet.

Thursday - left Charters Towers and continued further west to Hughenden, via White Mountain NP lookout. Did a restock of food in town, and met the local dinosaur - Mutt, a full-size replica of one found in the area.

One the way north to Porcupine Gorge, we stopped at Bottletree lookout for views back over the landscape. Finally arrived at Porcupine Gorge and set-up camp. During dinner, we had a rat-type wallaby join us looking for a feed - very tame and happy to wander around us.

Friday - after a sleep-in, we set off for a walk to the gorge lookout, and then continued down into the gorge to the bottom - 1.2km's, again down-hill. Once at the bottom, we walked upstream, and found some great swimming holes, but did not bring swimmers along.

Was just about to go in butt-naked, but some people came along, so down to undies and a refreshing swim. Then walked downstream to the Pyramids, and took some more photos.

As it was hot, we decided to return to the swimming hole for another dip, this time we were alone, so got the white butt-cheeks out and had a laugh in the cold water - no photos to be shown here. After the long walk back up the hill, we then drove out to the gorge lookout.

Then settled into another evening, again being joined by the rat-type wallaby - who we now knew as a Rufeus Bettong.

Saturday - left Procupine Groge, with the plan to drive to Agate Creek via the back way through several stations, and roads that again became tracks. It was a long day of driving, with the last 50km's going from 1st to 2nd gear and back again. Once set-up at camp, we got talking to many of the other campers, who were rock hunters, and they showed us many of their finds - wonderful colourful agates of all types and sizes - and they convinced us to join them tomorrow to go hunting.

Sunday - which should really be a day of rest, but the hunting mentioned above turned out to be mainly digging into the side of a mountain hoping to find an agate with a flat edge. We managed to bag about 30 of them, and kept 6 of the better ones - hopefully??? After a shower, we left camp and drove the 45km's to Cobbold Gorge, which was only found about 20 years ago by a farmer having a poke around his property - it is now a tourist resort, and the pool is awesome.

 

Monday - is a washing day, so after chores done, we went for a swim, and then had lunch. Then it was time to go on our tour, which for $75 p.p. we were expecting some good things. Started with a 4WD bus trip down to the gorge, and then a long walk in the sun to a gravesite, and then back to climb up to the lookout along the gorge,

and then back down to the boat. The narrow electric boats only just squeeze through the gorge - only 2 metres wide in spots.

 

Got some good photos of a freshie croc too.

The 3 hour tour would have been better as 1 hour and less walking - could also have been cheaper then. A roast dinner around the fire with our neighbours closed the day.

Tuesday - said goodbyes to our neighbours, and went to move the car and ripped off the stone stomper rock guard - after an hour of repairs, we were on our way. Drove north through Forsayth, and then east to Einasleigh,

stopping at the pub to see the miniature furniture collection, and then across the road to the Copperfield Gorge - very different to Cobbold, but still impressive - and FREE.

From here we went north to Mt Surprise for lunch, filled with fuel, and then east to Undara Lava Caves, where we had booked in for the night. Had dinner at the restaurant, and then went to a talk and photo slide show by a fellow traveller about his 10 years of travelling around Aust.

Wednesday - we were booked in for the Active Explorer tour at 8.00am, which involved lots of climbing over rocks and into lava caves, and saw some bats in the last cave.

 

Back to camp to pack up, and exited via the Kalkari volcano crater where we did a 2.5km walk up the side and around the rim.

Then further east to Innot Hot Springs, where we booked into the caravan park which had 6 thermal pools, each of varying temperatures. Went for a swim in the outside pools, and chatted to our neighbours, who were from Orange.

Thursday - had a swim in the pools before breakfast, then departed for Millstream Falls.

Then onto Ravenshoe for a coffee and look thru the art gallery, before continuing via the back road to Millaa Millaa via Pepina Falls and some beautiful countryside.

Then we arrived at Millaa Millaa falls, so had a quick look before lunch.

The plan was to head down the coast towards Tully, but the camper had other thoughts. After feeling some pulling on the car, and then seeing smoke from the left wheel, we pulled over real fast, only to reveal that the bearing had collapsed, and the wheel was at a nasty angle, and close to falling off.

The stub thread was trashed, so couldn't be repaired on the side of the road, but being top cover NRMA members, the RACQ rescued us on a massive tilt-tray truck,

and then NRMA paid for a night in a local pub waiting for the trailer to be repaired the next day. Several beers were had in the pub that night, thinking about what could have happened if the wheel had come off.

Friday - no news on the trailer early, so decided to do some exploring. First stop was Josephine Falls, which were very impressive.

I decided to go for a swim, and had a slide down the rocks into the pools - a great spot, and the water was lovely - middle of winter remember!!!

From here we went to Golden Hole, but the croc sign scared us off getting too close to the water. On the way back got a great photo of a banana plantation.

Next stop was The Boulders, for another swim in crystal clear water.

Was between knee depth to over 15 feet, and the water from the 2 creeks was different temperatures - pleasant and damn cold. Then we went for another walk down along the gorge, with some amazing sights.

Back to Innisfail to get the trailer which had been repaired, and drove 4km's out of town to the free camp beside the highway.

Saturday - did a major re-stock of food and supplies, and then drove the 25km's south to Mena Creek to Paronella Park - do a google search - this place is amazing. All built in the 1930's by one guy whose only skills were as a baker, but he certainly had a vision for what he wanted to build. Unforunately, the floods and cyclones have taken a huge toll, and the damage is horrendous, but the new owners are doing their best to restore it to its former glory. Some photos below of what he achieved. Did a 45 minute tour during the day, and then another 70 minute tour at 8.00pm.

 Lots of fish in the river, and also some turtles, who were very cute.

Just astounding, and it was only $40 p.p. including your overnight camping with a powered site. Well worth a visit if you are ever near Cairns or Townsville. Absolutely loved it.

More to come soon from our adventures - hopefully no more mechanical mis-adventures.

Di and Hammo