From Rainforest to Tablelands

As it has been a month since my last Blog, I am writing it in 2 parts.


Barron Falls

 After collecting the Van from the mechanic, I camped at Freshwater to be ready to catch the train to Kuranda in the morning.  Used Leo's generator as it is still raining, hopeful that it would clear tomorrow.  The morning began clear but alas my sight of the Mighty Barron Falls was covered in low cloud. I walked through the shops at Kuranda before having a tour of the Wildlife Park, which included a drive through the rainforest in an Army Dukw (an amphibious vehicle, pronounced duck), watching aboriginal dancers and trying my hand at throwing a boomerang.  I returned to Freshwater by Skyrail, this time getting a great view of the Falls from the air as well as from the 3 lookouts where you get out half way down.  Spent the next day in Cairns, I had received an email from Judi looking for travel companions to Cape Tribulation and Cooktown, Thursday morning Judi, Margaret & I set out.  It was a beautiful drive along the Cook H'way  we stopped at Rex Lookout then drove into Mossman Gorge.  A Tourist Centre opened here 3 weeks ago and take visitors by bus to the Gorge, a good idea on seeing the narrow road.  We had a picnic lunch in Mossman, then over the Ferry Margaret led the way to Waluwurrigga/Alexander Range Lookout.  Then to a camp spot at Lync Haven in Diwan for Judi & I, Margaret was booked into Noah's Beach.  We played Triominos, then it was bedtime after a long day with the rain gently falling on the roof.
Friday 13th
Our host Scott did an early morning tour of the park, saw my first Cassowary and a chic, learned about

 

Doris

Boris the crocodile who they rescued from a pet shop and later found it should be Doris.  I drove the 3 of us to the end of the bitumen, we walked along the beach then up to the lookout.  The sand was fascinating it stuck to your skin and left a silver glitter on everything.  After lunch walked along Noah's beach and the sand was soft, white and squeaky so different.  We walked along the Marrdja boardwalk the mangroves looked like something from prehistoric times.  Saturday we were in no hurry to leave it was a lovely spot.  Stopped to take photos of Tea plantations, got F & V at the markets in Mossman and I drove us to see Port Douglas, we had lunch and the water looked so inviting I decided to have a quick dip, Judi watched but after a while she came in clothes and all!!  Drove to Mt. Molloy to camp and met up with Leo and lots of others on their way to Christmas in July in Mareeba.  Sunday had a quiet morning, then some Uke practice trying to learn to strum.  Judi and I walked into the little town after lunch along the road then found the bush track on the way back.
Mon 16th


Yummy

Had a long drive today to Helenvale where we camped behind the Lion's Den Hotel built in 1875.  Tried skipping stones across Little Annan River on our walk.  Shared a giant Pizza for dinner at the Pub and still had leftovers.  My challenge today was to open a coconut that had rolled under my van yesterday.  I did it using the small axe come hammer that was my dads, we enjoyed the milk and fibre, Judi took photos and video which is pretty funny.  Tuesday it was on to Cooktown, stopping at Black Mountain lookout on the way, we were told this is actually white granite with a lichen growth on it?  Met Judi's pen friend of 20 years (this was through the Grass Roots magazine) at the Pub and he drove us to his place 30klm from town on a gravel road.  A tin and bamboo A frame 2 storey shack with dirt floor and no doors, there was a resident carpet snake in the rafters, Jack is 80 and Paul his nearest neighbour is 5klm away.  We stopped and met Paul on our way back to town, he offered us A/tea of freshly baked fruit pizza, and fresh orange & passionfruit cordial.  They both sent us off with enough citrus to eat for weeks.  We booked into the Cooktown Van Park (no free camping here).  We did all the tourist things for the next few days, Lighthouse, sat on the Queens steps (made for her visit in 1970), Art Gallery with a fabulous exhibition of botanical  
drawings by Sydney Parkinson, Botanical Gardens and had fish and chips on the Wharf near James Cook's statue and monument.

Thur 19th



A great camp spot

Visited the Cooktown Museum for 2 1/2 hours and could have spent longer, the building started out as a Convent in 1889, had lunch on the lawn before leaving and Judi had a snake drop from the tree onto her, it was harmless and scared me more than her.  A quick look through the Cemetry before leaving Cooktown to drive back to Mt. Molloy arriving at 5.30 both very tired.  Friday drove to Mareeba and is my usual habit visit the Information Centre on arrival.  Well  the local history display was so good we spent over an hour went out and had lunch and went back for another hour.  Camped at Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, this was an enormous war time tent hospital with over 3,000 beds.  Some fellow travellers were just waiting for another couple of card players so we played Bush Rummy till dark and cold.  Walked around the park the next morning really rugged up from the wind so it was into my van for more cards till lunch time.  I left to drive to Malanda stopping at the 'Curtain Fig Tree' near Yungaburra on the way.  Arrived at my friends Gloria and Bob at about 4, and Gloria spent the next few days being the best tour guide I could have had.  After dinner she drove to Hasties Swamp to watch the birds at dusk from a viewing hyde.



Looking over the Atherton Tablelands

Sunday 22nd
Had an early rise to watch the birds leaving Bloomfield Swamp sitting on our chairs with rugs a cup of tea and binoculars, saw some Brolgas but most were sheltered from the cold somewhere else.  We walked around Lake Eacham before going home for breakfast.  I went to the Baptist Church just along the road, Gloria had to go to work so I spent the afternoon working out how to put her lovely candlewicking into a quilt. Great excitement mid afternoon as Bob called out, a tree kangaroo had plopped out of the Black Bean tree in their back yard he had climbed back up by the time I got there but could be seen with the binoculars.

Monday Gloria & I drove to Atherton for some material and stopped at Gallo Dairyland - Cheese & Chocolate for Devonshire tea on the way home.  Spent the afternoon sewing, thank goodness for Bob doing the cooking.

Tues 24th

Up at 6am to find Platypus at Peterson Creek at Yungaburra and we did WOW!  A drive to Tinaroo Dam then a 5klm walk around Lake Barrine followed by lunch on the deck.  We met Bill & Neidra from Sydney  

Tranquility at the Lake

an amazing couple in their 70's who have walked over 30,000klm in most countries in the world.  They have given me info on walks to do in and around Sydney.  Wednesday an animal we didn't want to see, I heard Bartleby (the dog) growl and looked out to see a dingo, it already had one of their chooks.  Time to leave this beautiful part of the county but will be back next week, and that is another story.

Bye for now

  Louise :-)