Perfect start to the 10th Adventure… catching up with Peter & Sue after 2 years!; visiting the National Gallery of Australia to view masterpieces from the National Gallery, London followed by lunch at the Arboretum, a walk through the Botanical Gardens and then drinks and dinner at Peter & Sue’s home. A great day!
Home 😊 (Monday 5th October)
For the record…
Total travel duration: 8mths, 1 week
Total distance travelled: 27,741km (car) / 18,725km (caravan)
Most distance travelled in a day: 480km
Water: With research & planning, we were always able to access potable water. The quality did vary eg high calcium content, silt content, taste etc. Bought an additional, different inline filter (therefore 3 in total) in Darwin which made a worth while difference.
Gas: Refills proved more challenging and expensive the more remote we were. Cheapest-$20, Most expensive-$50 (Derby WA).
Fuel (Diesel): Most expensive-$1.97 (Nullarbor), Cheapest-$1.05 (Perth)
Accommodation: Most expensive-$65/night (Inverloch VIC, Broome WA). Average estimate including free camping- $30~32/night. Longest stay in one location: Olive Hill farm- 10wks+1 day.
Last lunch in the caravan
Homeward bound
Leaving Mena Creek tomorrow and plan to be home by Monday 5th.
Paronella Park
Having heard about this FNQ attraction from many it was always on the travel itinerary. We are staying very close by in a beautiful, peaceful “paddock” (extension to the attraction’s caravan park). It was an extraordinary experience, particularly the night tour.
A brief history… José Paronella arrived in Australia from Catalonia in Spain, in 1913. For the next 11 years he worked, cutting sugar cane initially, then purchasing, improving, and reselling cane farms. In 1924 he returned to Spain and married Margarita in 1925. The trip back to Australia was their honeymoon. José first saw this 13 acres of virgin scrub along Mena Creek in 1914. He eventually purchased it in 1929 for £120 and started construction. José Paronella’s dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park. On 5ha beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees (now a lush rainforest!).
Bullet dodged
Fuel filters checked (as a precaution) but had to be replaced during 60,000km service. Asked for this to be done following “bad” fuel bought while in lock down and subsequent issues. Fortunately this issue I thought had been sorted but there must have been some bad fuel left in the tank… even though the tank was drained in Geraldton WA. Travelled over 15,000km without a problem. BTW… filters don’t normally look this colour even after usual replacement (every 40,000km).
Skyrail to Kuranda
Approximately 30 years ago we visited Cairns and took the train on the return trip to Kuranda. With a little hesitation we decided to visit Kuranda again, this time via the Skyrail.
Crystal Cascades
A secluded freshwater swimming hole hidden in a tropical rainforest, it has a series of small waterfalls that flow into large pools.
Hemingway’s Brewery
Perfect location for lunch… Harbourside, Cairns. Of greater significance, Jennifer tried a beer for the 1st time in her life!
Port Douglas
While based in the Daintree we travelled south to spend the day in Port Douglas. Coffee, a swim in the ocean on the EAST COAST, PD lookout, lunch & a walk 😊.
