does not get better than this

Short one night stop to enjoy the hot springs. The caravan park provided indoor and outdoor heat pools. We chose the indoor. Our instructions for the 3 pools were start in the warm/hot pool for 10 minutes then the hot pool for not more than 5 minutes followed by cooling off in the room temperature pool. Very relaxing, but makes you sleepy.

Not far from the CP was the creek which was frequented by locals and travelers. You were cautioned to wear shoes to protect your feet walking over the hot sand.

Redevelopment of the old pub which will over a heat pool

Next up was driving the “waterfall circuit” where we visited 4 waterfalls… Malanda, Millaa Millaa, Ellinjaa & Zillie Falls

Beautiful walk around a section of Lake Eacham

Morning coffee at Yungaburra, art gallery viewing followed by lunch at Lake Eacham Teahouse

After we set up we (Kathy, Mal, Jennifer & I) drove around Lake Tinaroo stopping at Lake Barrine for a short walk due to light rain followed by viewing the magnificent Cathedral Fig Tree and then onto Tinaroo Dam. The dirt road was narrow but in reasonable condition.

Preferring the warmer climate, we are quite uneasy about moving towards the “south” albeit only a short distance. Atherton will be our base for 4 days with plenty to see & do.

Mt Uncle Distillery for afternoon drinks. Bruce and Nerrilee drove over from Cairns. G & T’s were very popular.

Departed the coast for the next section of our travels… inland and up to Atherton Tablelands. In a bush setting only 10 minutes west of Mareeba is one of the best off grids sites (Mareeba Bush Stays).

Lush cattle property with a beautiful creek running past the camp area.

Huge trees with healthy plant “growth” on the approach into Mossman…

Bloomfield Track & Lions Den Adventure

The Bloomfield Track was only opened 3 weeks ago following the devastation cyclone Jasper inflicted on this region. Kathy, Mal, Jennifer & I started the dirt road challenge through Wujal Wujal, Bloomfield and then onto the Lions Den Hotel where we met Bruce & Nerrilee for lunch. Departing 8.30am we arrived at Midday to be entertained by a local pub band. We were reluctant to swim in Emmagen Creek due to poor water clarity ie not able to spot a crocodile! At our morning tea stop we came across a camper van stuck on the riverside. Fortunately he was safely retrieved by an experienced man with a strong winch. The devastation caused by Jasper was everywhere to be seen. It was a great day!

Our trip was uneventful, departing around 8.30am it took 1.5hrs. This included a 10 minute delay waiting for the ferry and another 10 minute traffic stop due to road works. We have a beautiful unpowered spot for 3 nights. And we’ve just seen our first Ulysees butterfly 🦋.

Hooka A Barra Farm

Great experience, educational and fun. After being shown around the farm we were given some tuition on how to cast and catch a barramundi followed by lunch

Could this be the best passionfruit ever? We think it is! Sooo sweet, juicy, full of fruit and cheap (33 cents each). Bought from a farmer’s roadside store less than 50m down the road from where we are staying.

About 15 minutes north from Mossman and nestled amongst tropical and rainforest trees is the Daintree Beach Resort (Wonga beach). Lovely, peaceful area (unpowered section) with only a small number of campers and 50 metres to the beach. Swimming would not be recommended due to crocodiles.

Attempted to capture the Kuranda train snaking its way around the mountain. Unfortunately my relatively low Home Point meant it was not possible to fly to the necessary height.

Revisited the restaurant where we celebrated my 70th birthday 😊

We drove up the mountain, through Kuranda to Barron Falls Lookout. A beautiful treetop walk through the rainforest, down to the Barron Falls Station brought us to spectacular views of the falls.

We arrived in Cairns, camping by the Barron River at Lake Placid. The better weather meant a few loads of washing and drying. After grocery shopping, we settled in and anticipated the balmy evenings to follow for the next four weeks.

We were shocked to see the impact of Cyclone Jasper along the river. Massive trees and branches lined the banks on both sides. We were prevented from walking up the river by washed out and crumbling pathways.

We are based at the base of Queensland’s highest mountain on a small property in the rainforest… and yes, it has been raining & it is forecast to rain for the next week ☔️.

With solar production expected to be negligible over coming days and the batteries at 84% capacity on arrival the property owner very kindly offered 240v power when needed! We’re set for a 4 wet day stay 😊!

It was difficult to position “dishy” as it’s affectionately called for it to have an unobstructed view of the southern sky. Dishy’s usual placement is on a pole fixed to the side of the caravan. With the extension cable connected and using the ground support all areas around the van were tested without success. The only solution was to mount dishy on the car’s roof rack resulting in some but intermittent reception. Still rather impressive when considering the rainforest all around, the heavy cloud cover and that there is next to no 4G/5G coverage.

On such a wet day we made a short drive to Babinda where we bought pies for lunch 😁

The tropical wet weather is developing

Another 1st class off grid site… and all for a $10 donation per night. This 2 night site was in reasonable proximity to Wallaman Falls (the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia); TYTO Wetlands & wall mosaics (Ingham) and Lucinda Jetty (The jetty is 5.76km in length, the longest in the southern hemisphere). The 1st day was a perfect sunny day allowing the drone to capture the Herbert River, Macknade Sugar Mill in operation and fly over the surrounding cane fields.

Some of the driving hazards you come across in North Queensland and never in NW Sydney 😁