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
