Sunday, August 7. 2011
Atherton and Herberton were the focus of our attention today. First stop Atherton, the major town on the Atherton Tablelands. Apart from checking out the town the girls wanted to visit The Crystal Caves, a jewellery store which has all types of semi precious stones and crystals to buy and jewellery made from the stones. Their main claim to fame is a simulated crystal mine in the basement. The amethyst crystals they sell are contained in geodes and are imported from Uruguay.
It was then a 15 minute drive to Herberton Historic Village located at Herberton which itself is the oldest town on the tablelands. With buildings dating from 1870 this assembly of original buildings with intact interior displays, original machinery, vehicles and related vintage items is the most significant collection in Queensland. The buildings have been relocated to the Historic Village precinct from all over the surrounding area. The surrounding area was once a hive of activity at the many tin mines that once existed throughout the area.
Grand Hotel and Crystal Caves car, Atherton
Herberton Historic Village
Butchers Shop, Herberton Historic Village
Friday, August 5. 2011
Lazy day today. The Sorento went in for new front brakes. The girls went shopping and had their nails done. Phil and I went to Cairns Golf Club (20 minutes south of Cairns) with the intention of playing 18 holes only to find that today is day one of the three day Cairns Classic. So back on the road to Half Moon Golf Club (20 minutes north of Cairns) at Yorkey's Knob.
We asked about a game and all they could offer was 9 holes as there was a comp on there too. We only got to play 8 of the nine. The ninth was abandoned due to rain.
Back into town to pick up the Sorento and the girls and back to Crystal Cascades for a sausage sizzle and some New Guinean food prepared by the New Guinean staff of the caravan park. After the food tasting they dressed in traditional dress and performed traditional dances. An excellent show.
At the sausage sizzle
The dancers
Friday, August 5. 2011
Today we headed for Cape Tribulation. We took a break in Mossman to investigate a tour of the sugar mill. Lorraine and I had tried to take a tour on previous visits to Cairns but were always too late in the cane harvest season. Unfortunately the mill tours are no longer conducted. Continued on to Daintree Village with the idea of taking an Argo 8x8 tour of a working cattle farm and a pocket of Daintree Forest. Rain made us think twice so we booked a Daintree River cruise instead. After a picnic lunch we boarded our boat for a croc spotting river cruise. We were rewarded by the sighting of three salt water crocodiles, the largest at an estimated 3.5 metres. The guide pointed out eastern water dragons, common tree snakes and a variety of birds and trees. All very interesting.
On our return to the boat ramp the weather had cleared and we decided to take the Argo 8x8 tour. We drove 1 km out of the village to the farm and met our guide and driver. The Argo is an 8 wheel drive skid steer amphibious vehicle and seats 6 including the driver. Peter drove us around part of his farm over some very rough and steep tracks to a far corner of his property where it adjoins the Daintree Rainforest. We drove through the rainforest, on his property, with a commentary on the plants, mountains and aboriginal artifacts. Peter pointed out varieties of cycads that are believed to predate the dinosaur and another cycad, the Hope Cycad, that is believed to be 1500 years old. The tour was billed as one hour but Peter was in no hurry and we returned to his shed nearly two hours later. We were accompanied all the way by his cattle dog, Rusty, who rang along side, infront of and behind the Argo.
It was then back to Daintree Village for a coffee and cake before we went back to the caravan park.
Alas we did not make it to Cape Tribulation ..... maybe another day.
Eastern wter dragon Common tree snake
3.5 metre saltwater crocodile A cormorant rest on a fallen tree
The track descends into the Daintree Forest All aboard the Argo
Wednesday, August 3. 2011
Dropped Phil's car off at Smithfield for wheel bearing change and two new tyres and then drove up to Port Douglas. Explored the Marina shopping area and then drove up to the main shopping area. Fully explored that and enjoyed lunch at the Central Hotel. We drove 20 km further north to Mossman Gorge and wandered around the walks. The bush tracks that were there last time we visited have been replaced with elevated walkways and viewing platforms. Some of the walks were closed because the walkways are still being built. We were lucky enough to see a cassowary, we are not sure if we saw two cassowarys or if it was the same one twice, we also saw a number of brush turkeys.
We then drove back to Smithfield in time to pick up Phil's car and go home via the Red Beret Hotel.
The Marina shopping centre.
Mossman Gorge.
Mossman Gorge.
A cassowary in the wild .... it's not a mythical bird after all!
Wednesday, August 3. 2011
The Sorento was booked in for 8:00 for a routine service which they assured me they could do while I waited. The service was only an oil and filter change. Phil and I took the car in at 8:00 and went for a coffee up town expecting a call in about an hour. Boy were we wrong. Two hours passed and we hadn't heard anything so we returned to the dealers. The car wasn't ready but we were told it wouldn't be long. After another hour and a half we were on our way. Three and a half hours for an oil change they could do straight away.
We returned to the caravan park and had some lunch. After lunch we drove to Copperlode Dam, also known as Lake Morris this is Cairns water supply and is a very pretty area nestled in the hills behind Cairns.
A view of Lake Morris.
A panorama of Cairns from Lake Morris Road.
Monday, August 1. 2011
After booking our cars in for some service, Phil for new front tyres and new wheel bearings and mine for a routine service we went off to explore Cairns. First stop was Cairns Central which is a shopping centre built in two levels above Cairns Railway Station. We stayed there for lunch. Phil and I did take a short break to have my battery checked as it went flat in Karumba but no problems since them.
After we had been over both levels here we went to the Shangri La Cairns Hotel on the water front and too in the sites of Cairns man made beach and water park. Cairns city has no natural beach, only mud flats at low tide. The shopping precinct around the hotel is very poor pretty wel limited to a jewelery store, a cafe, a couple of restaurants and a coffee shop, we were disapointed.
Next was a stroll across the park to the Cairns Casino where there is a mini zoo on the roof, Cairns Wildlife Dome. We stayed a while and watched the variety of birds, reptiles and other Australian creatures. We will go back for some of the shows they have as our entry is valid for 5 days.
We finished the day with a drink in one of the casino bars before returning to the caravan park for tea.
Red winged parrot
Monday, August 1. 2011
Today began with a $10 all you can eat buffet breakfast at the Red Beret Hotel. Something they do every Sunday.
Ater our breakfast we drove up the mountain to the rainforest village of Kuranda. In 1978 a small group of hippies began a market selling local produce and handicrafts. Today this has grown to be a thriving town with many many shops selling all manner (and prices) of clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs, foodstuffs. The original markets nestled in a small rainforest gully are heritage listed and are still in use today. Kuranda is also the destination for the Cairns Kuranda railway and the Skyway both of which move hords of tourists to and from the village.
The girls enjoyed the day visiting nearly every shop while Phil and I watched the world go by from the many seats provided for shopping widowers.
Anyone for a new tie rack?
Monday, August 1. 2011
319 km today, not the shortest way to Cairns but we had to avoid the road into Cairns via Gordonvale as it is unsuitable for caravans. Our trip took us through the Atherton tablelands and the towns of Ravenshoe, Atherton, Mareeba and Kuranda before descending the escarpment into Cairns. Crystal Cascades Caravan Park is very nice and as an added bonus it has grass something we haven't seen since Cowra. It makes a big difference when you are not tracking dirt, dust, gravel and dried remnants of grass into the caravan every time you go inside. It took us a little longer to set up this time as we put up our annexes tomake our 11 day stay more comfortable and roomy.
We went looking for somewhere to have tea and found the Red Beret Hotel in nearby Redlynch, a suburb of Cairns. They have a huge eating area with both bistro and table service areas. Of course we chose the table service area. Our meals were great.
The view that greats us each morning as we emerge from our 'home'.
Monday, August 1. 2011
8:20 am at the ofice to board our bus for the 40 km trip to Undara to see the lava tubes. The first trek is 600 metre climb up to the rim of a volcanic crater, Kalkani Crater, then a 2.5 km walk around the crater while our guide points out various local and geological features around the crater and the surrounding area. Back down to the bus for morning tea. After morning tea it's all aboard for the lava tubes a short drive away from the originating crater.
The Undara lava tubes are the longest in the world with one tube stretching for 160 km. The tubes are formed when lava runs down a natural gully and the top layers of lava cool acting as insulation for the underlying lava which continues to flow. As this lava flows out across the countryside it leaves behind a tube.
We saw a rock wallaby, bottle trees some of which are believed to be over 200 years old and aboriginal footholds cut into the tree are still visible and one of the tubes contained a few micro bats.
On return to Mt Surprise our guide took us on a tour of the town. As you could imagine with a population of 65 that didn't take very long.
View across Kalkani Crater
Descending into a lava tube.
Inside the lava tube.
How the lava tubes are formed.
Kalkani Crater rises from the surrounding plain.
Thursday, July 28. 2011
Quick run today after we negotiated the dirt road out of Forsayth back to Georgetown. It was only 94 km then to Mt Surprise and our caravan park at Bedrock Village. After setting up our vans we toured the town, visited gem shops, saw minature horses and native birds and sampled the delights of the local pub. Tonight is woodfired pizza for dinner cooked at the caravan park. Tomorrow we are off to see the lava tubes at Undara.
All setup at Bedrock Village, Mt Surprise.
Thursday, July 28. 2011
Today we headed off at 10:00 for a 45 km drive on gravel road to Cobbold Gorge. Our gorge tour was booked for 1:30 so we took a picnic lunch to have before the tour. Cobbold Gorge is on private property and only accessible by guided tour. They have a really good setup there with a full range of accommodation including motel units, camping and caravan sites. We boarded a four wheel drive bus for a 3 km drive to the gorge entry and then walked to the top of the sandstone escarpment to view the gorge from above, the return trip took one and a half hours. On our return we boarded an electric powered boat for a cruise down the crocodile infested gorge which at times narrows to about a metre wide. The boat has an electric outboard at each end as the boats cannot turn in the gorge. Only about 600 metres of the gorge is accessible by boat. The gorge is spectacular and geologically is a very young gorge. After our tour we had a milk shake and cookies at the bar/cafe before our return trip to the caravan park. BBQ sausages, eggs and vegetables were on the menu for tea tonight. After tea four tired people went to bed early.
Cobbold Gorge from the top of the sandstone escarpment.
How many crocodiles can you see? We passed within a metre of this point in the boat half an hour later!
Travelling along the gorge.
The swimming pool and dam at Cobbold Gorge.
Thursday, July 28. 2011
The road between Croydon and Georgetown became more undulating as we seem to be leaving the plains behind. A stop in Georgetown for a diesel topup, a visit to the visitor centre to find their coffee machine runs out of creamer after two cups when we wanted four. So it's off across the road to the service station where we are told there is a cappucino machine. On entering the Lorraine was asked to close the door, a non functioning automatic door, resulting in her jamming her hand between the two doors. Luckily there is a hospital in town but it is closed between 12:00 and 2:00 for lunch. No problems we ring the emergency buzzer. Nothing broken, just very badly bruised and needs to be bandaged and in a sling. Oh and the cappucinos at the service station well they were free as was the cake we didn't order. Small compensation for a badly bruised hand.
After that little bit of excitement we headed for Forsayth, 20 km of tar road and 20 km of 'good quality' gravel road. We were to discover that 'good quality' is a subjective term. The first 7 km of gravel was badly corrugated but the rest was not too bad as it was a newly made detour for reconstruction of the road. The caravan park is small and the people are friendly. Most of the people here are gold prospectors trying there luck in the fossicking areas. One man showed us a 3 oz nugget he had found.
Happy hour at 5:00, someone rings an old cow bell hanging in a tree and everyone brings a chair and a drink to a shady spot in the centre of the park and we all sit around telling stories of our adventures.
All that was left of the car and caravan on arriving in Forsayth :-)
Thursday, July 28. 2011
Leaving Karumba we drove back through Normanton to the junction with the Savannah Way and turned east. We arrived at the caravan park which we were to learn is situated on the site of the old Lady Mary gold mine which closed in 1913.
At the visitors centre there is a display of a lot of old mining and ore processing equipment. We also viewed a short film on the development of the area from first pastoral leases to gold boom and the return to the pastoral industry.
There are many old buildings in Croydon which have been preserved and we visited them all. They include Australia's oldest continually operating general store dating from 1894 to the only remaing pub of 36 that once stood in the town. Of course we had to test the wares of the pub.
Sunday, July 24. 2011
Another late start this morning with a short walk up town to spend a leisurley hour wandering around the Sunday markets. Most of the stalls are from people in the two nearby caravan parks selling crafts, fishing gear, jewellery. Wandered back in time for lunch and then it was down to the beach to try our luck fishing. Unfortunately after trying for a couple of hours the result was only one grunter bream which had to be returned as it was undersize. Tonight we go on a sunset cruise to see the sunset and some wildlfe. The sunsets have only been mildly spectaculer as there has been no cloud cover. Well nature proved me wrong again and we did have a spectacular sunsrt despite the lack of clouds.
An added bonus was seeing our first salt water crocodile in the wild.
Sunday, July 24. 2011
Another late start this morning. Went shopping in town at the only supermarket to top up our groceries. Toured the town, took up 5 minutes :-) Returned to the caravan park to board our boat for an afternoon of fishing. Between us we caught spanish mackeral and bream. We caught more than we could use so we brought home 2 bream and 2 mackeral which we cleaned and cooked on the BBQ for tea.
Sunday, July 24. 2011
The countryside driving to Normanton was ever changing from open grasslands to savannah and then closer to Normanton there were wetlands. Normanton is an old town dating back to late 1800's. There are still examples of the original stone kerbs which were laid in 1880. There are also a number of well preserved buildings. There is a replica of the largest crocodile captured in Australia (and possibly the world). The crocodile was 8.8 metres long and was shot in 1957. Zinc and lead are exported from Karumba and there is a drying/filtering/pressing plant here that treats the ore from the Century Mine approx 340 km away near the NT border. The ore is pumped here in a slurry before being dried and loaded on a barge which ferries it out to a larger ship anchored about 20 km offshore. The Gulf here is shallow and large vessels cannot get in close. Fishing and cattle export are two other activities here.
Thursday, July 21. 2011
Burke and Wills Roadhouse is 200 km from its nearest neighbour in any direction. The caravan park is basic but pretty good amenities. We had powered sites without water since road gangs have set up camp there and taken all the water points to supply their sheds. The staff working in the Roadhouse were Irish and English tourists. Amazing views of the stars out here as there is no light polution. After breakfast we fed bread to Happy Jacks, little minor type birds that are said to be the seagulls of the outback.
Thursday, July 21. 2011
An early start for the mine tour, we had to be there at 8:45. Got all kitted out in orange disposable overalls, lamp belt, helmet and gumboots and then it was off to the lift for the trip underground. The mine is a purpose built replica for training, rescue training and mine inductions. It also serves as a tourist mine. It is very good with an assortment of equipment some of which can be operated by the tourists.
The afternoon was a lazy one, grocery shopping and Phil had his wheel bearings serviced as they were showing signs of grease leakage.
Tomorrow is a short day, 301 km to the Burke and Wills Roadhouse at Four Ways.
Thursday, July 21. 2011
Today we did our usual. After breakfast headed too to tourist information centre. Spent several hours looking at and reading the information presented about the history of Mt Isa and the mining, aborigines and pastoral endeavours in the area. We also booked in for an underground mine tour tomorrow.
After lunch the girls decided they woould like to explore the retail outlets in Mt Isa and Phil and I went and played golf. My Isa course is all grass with no bunkers or water hazards. A good course. There were a few Kangaroos but they seem very used to having golfers around as did the turkeys on the ninth green.
On the way back from golf Phil and I went to see the underground hospital, built during the war as a response to the bombimg of Darwin but never used, it was rediscovered accidentally in 2000 and opened as a tourist attraction however it only opens between 10 and 2 and of course we were too late.
We all went up to the City Lookout to watch the sunset. Unfortunately it was clear skies with no cloud at all so not very spectacular.
Monday, July 18. 2011
First stop today was Kynuna. Nothing there except a roadhouse. Stopped for coffee and were served by a real (female) bush character, after paying for our coffees we were given a packet of two biscuits each and shown to a table where we made our own coffee. We sat at a table in the dining area while her dog (a bull mastif) slept on the lounge and she got on with her ironing.
Second stop was at McKinley where we visited the Walkabout Creek Hotel. It looks the same inside as it did in the Crocodile Dundee movies. Apparently the only difference is that the pub has been moved from the main street of McKinley to the highway.
Third stop was for lunch at Cloncurry. We had lunch in the Mary Kathleen Memorial Park. Mary Kathleen was a uranium mining town 40 km from Cloncurry and was dismantled and sold when the mine closed. There is nothing at Mary Kathleen now except a hole in the ground that used to be the mine.
Fourth stop was only for a few minutes about half way between Cloncurry and My Isa to look at the Burke and Wills Memorial plaque. The plaque marks a spot where Burke and Wills tavelled on their way to the Gulf in 1861.
Arrived at the Sunset Top Tourist Caravan Park, set up our vans and headed for town. We had dinner at The Buff Club.
Crocodile Dundee's favourite pub
Panorama of Cloncurry
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