Chapter 9 - Family in Far North Queensland

Day 54 – Friday 11 September

I met the family (Jodi, Scott, Jack & Harry) at the airport at 10:20 and we had a busy day catching up.

Jack and Harry wanted to do everything associated with turtles, ropes over water, pool, food and drink.

It was a good day.

Day 55 – Saturday 12 September

Today I taught Jack & Harry how to cook pancakes - for breakfast.  Five year old Harry was the most eager pupil and liked the idea of turning the pancakes.

We all ventured into the Cairns CBD and enjoyed what Cairns has to offer.

Jack & Harry in Kuranda

The local pizza place provided dinner.  Today was also a significant day in that it was the first time this trip that the TV had been turned on and a show was watched.

Day 56 – Sunday 13 September 2015

Jodi, Scott and the boys headed off to Kuranda to visit the Rainforest Attraction, which included some indigenous culture and the cuddling of a koala and a kangaroo.  The boys were over the moon, but they had a couple of jealous aunties back in Melbourne.

Shirley and I bludged.  Dinner was steak or sausage sandwich.

Day 57 – Monday 14 September 2015

Just for a change today was a quiet day, except for a walk with the troops at Crystal Cascades.  The weather was not kind to us as showers were the pattern of the day - just like yesterday.

We did get time and opportunity to feed the many turtles, fish and eels that were in the creek behind the caravan.

I cooked up a batch of spaghetti bolognaise for dinner.

Day 58 – Tuesday 15 September 2015

Jack and Harry arrived around 7:30 as they had worked out how to tell if Grandma was awake and out of bed.  Pancakes for breakfast was the order.

I then delivered Jodi, Scott, Jack & Harry (hereinafter called JSJH) to Freshwater station for their scenic train ride up to Kuranda.  Shirley and I took the opportunity for a coffee on the grass behind the caravan.  I hope you like the view we had.

View towards Kuranda (roughly west) from our Caravan

Soon after Shirley and I drove the 25 km to Karunda and joined the family.  I then had my first game of golf in 2 months - mini golf with the boys.  I put my first shot out of bounds.  We had a lot of fun.

Skyrail

After lunch Shirley and I drove back to camp while the others came home on the Skyrail - a cable-car that comes down the side of the mountain over the top of the rainforest.  The three guys enjoyed it - Jodi was not so sure.

We all got the courtesy bus and headed to the Red Beret pub for dinner.

Day 59 – Wednesday 16 September 2015

Jodi and family headed off to Fitzroy Island for the day, giving Shirley and I a free day.  We used it to head out for a quiet lunch.

It was a magnificent day in Cairns - our best day yet - around 29 degrees and mainly sunny.

Red-tailed black cockatoo

Day 60 – Thursday 17 September 2015

Shirley and I packed up camp and moved to Port Douglas (again).  We were running ahead of schedule and stopped for a coffee at a local attraction that had a magnificent "red-tailed black cockatoo" on display.  Apparently there are two who rotate shifts, one who loves people (female) and one who loves nipping people (male).  The photo is the latter.

It was another magnificent day - weather wise. 

We took the opportunity to catch up with good friends Fran and Colin who were staying in Port Douglas with their extended family.

For dinner we decided it was time we had meat and three veges - so we did.  Rissoles, mashed spuds, carrots and zucchini.  By the way I have had fresh local pawpaw on my cereal for the last three days.  Very nice.

Osprey About to Feed Its Chicks

Day 61 – Friday 18 September 2015

I was up at the usual (early) time, had breakfast, then drove to Cairns to pick up JSJH.  On the way I was lucky enough to get a photo of the Osprey about to provide breakfast to its chicks.  It was quite an impressive sight at the top of the power pole. This is the same nest that featured in an earlier posting of the blog, on the way home from the Cape York trip. 

On arrival back at Port Douglas the JSJH cabin was not ready so the boys hit the pool and water features - including eight water slides. 

After lunch they returned to the water for another couple of hours.

I think they are going to sleep tonight.

Day 62 – Saturday 19 September 2015

Scott and I took the boys to the beach while Shirley showed Jodi the shopping centre.  All parties thought they had a "good deal".  The water temperature at the beach was 24 degrees and the conditions were officially listed as "Fantastic".

We had a good time for a couple of hours - Shirley bought shoes - then we threw some sausages on the BBQ for lunch.

It was a quiet afternoon, interspersed with a few swims and water slides.

Dinner was Thai with Eltham friends Fran & Colin.  JSJH had dinner at the pub over the road with Fran & Colin's two daughters, husbands and two kids each.  Shirley was the driver. We all had a good time at our respective venues.  All of us slept well.

Day 63 – Sunday 20 September 2015

It was a slow start to the day with the BBQ being gunned up for a breakfast of bacon and eggs.

Scott and I chose to stay home and do chores while Shirley and Jodi and the boys went to the popular Port Douglas Sunday market.

We gunned up the BBQ for dinner, first chops and veges, then pancakes, strawberries and ice-cream for dessert.

Day 64 – Monday 21 September 2015

Jack and Harry appeared at 7:15 am ready for more pancakes, this time with strawberry jam, for breakfast.

JSJH then headed of to the local crocodile tourist attraction and had photos taken with cassowary, crocodile, python just to mention a few. They had a good day while Shirley and I rested.

The evening was a visit to the cane-toad races at the pub in town. Scott was selected to be the “jockey” on the first race. His skills at cane-toad encouragement were lacking and his mount came third. It was a fun night.

 Day 65 – Tuesday 22 September 2015

Jack and Harry re-appeared at 7:15 am again ready for more pancakes with strawberry jam, for breakfast.Jodi took them to the beach while Scott and I strolled around Mossman Gorge - my second visit in three weeks.  After that it was a swim in the pool at the caravan park, plus a few water slides. Jack and Harry were happy to have their photo taken.

After lunch and some rest Jodi and I took the boys back to the beach, a lovely shaded spot so late in the day. With the easterly beach and the tall palms and a high tide the shade extended down to the edge of the water.

Day 66 – Wednesday 23 September 

It was a quiet day for Shirley and I as JSJH headed off to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation for the day.

We enjoyed the passing parade of five goannas, between about 750 mm and 950 mm in length (not that I ran a easureing tape over them).  Shirley and I then had a wim and a relaxing ice-cream.

The family soon arrived home and Jodi and Shirley immediately disappeared into town to check out a market. They reappeared oon after with one kg of fresh prawns – it was a great entrée.  Of course here was still time to rush down the street for a swim at the beach.

The boys did not mind going to bed as Pa (that is, me) had made a couple of promises.

Day 67 – Thursday 24 September 2015

The morning soon came and the boys stated with promise number one –pancakes for breakfast (again). Promise number two cost me $10 – the price of a pedal car for an hour. They survived that without any major mishap.

After that Scott took them for a swim in the pool – promise number three. Promise number four cost me $5 – a tractor tyre for one hour on Port Douglas beach. It was a great investment. They fell off plenty of times, but never got hurt.

We came home for a rest and pulled a chicken apart for our fresh rolls. After lunch Scott and I again did the chores while the ladies and the boys went shopping.  I cooked scones for afternoon tea.

Above: Jodi enjoying lunch

Below: Boys enjoying themselves

Jodi and I were the sole interested parties to head back to the beach for one final swim. Fish and chips for dinner. We were just completing our last mouthful when the rain started. 

Day 68 – Friday 25 September 2015

Casual rain last evening turned into a downpour overnight and based on the water in the bucket by the caravan I estimate we had 60 to 80 mm.

Jodi, Scott and the boys packed their bags and loaded them into the car for the Kelly taxi back to Cairns airport. I think the boys had a pretty good holiday.

On my return to Port Douglas Shirley decided to do one last “shop” in Port Douglas – so I did some “organising” and some reading.

Dinner for our last night in Port Douglas was based around oysters – for me anyway.  

Tomorrow we head south, pointing towards home. It is time to see other family, and friends – particularly our newish granddaughter Riley.

So far we have driven 6457 km plus the 1677 km of the Cape York trip, over 67 days. That works out at around 121 km per day. Our average accommodation cost has been around $36.40 per day.

Day 69 – Saturday 26 September 2015

With mixed feelings we packed up and headed home. The relaxation and warmth was great, but the family and friends were beckoning. We travelled south though lush country, with cane and banana plantations dominating. We travelled through towns such as Tully, Caldwell and Ingham. We started to enter the dry zone of Townsville where the wet tropics become an area in need of water. We bypassed Townsville and headed west towards Charters Towers.

Our overnight camp was a free rover/road side camp at Reid River. Some engineer/architect seemed to have gone overboard with around 180 reflective metal barriers all around the park (see photo). It looked impressive at night 

with a torch.

Reid River free camp

As Shirley and I seem to do regularly our camp was about 40 metres from a railway line. However we only had one night for the night. We had travelled 468 km for the day.

Day 70 – Sunday 27 September 201

As I had my early morning walk, checking out Reid River, we were visited in the early morning by three black cockatoos who flew passed on the sunny side and did not allow a decent photo to be taken.

Charters Towers was bypassed and we headed south again. The countryside was very dry and barren. However the road was excellent.

Road heading south from Charters Towers

We stopped at Clermont for lunch and a pleasant walk. Clermont is a town that displays its history in public murals for all to see. We had lunch beside a lovely lagoon complete with water features, turtles and birds.

As we drove out of Clermont we were amused by the sculpture of a piano up a tree in recognition of an actual occurrence many years ago. The piano (according to the sign ended up in a branch 35 feet above the ground (photo previous page).

The road was sometimes excellent and sometime uneven. We stopped at a free camp in the middle of Emerald, quite a large town. Would you believe it we were about 7 metres from a train line.

We visited the local Irish pub for dinner and a pint of Guinness (half 

pint for Shirley).  We travelled 537 km for the day.

Day 71 – Monday 28 September 2015

I started the day with an early morning walk though the nearby botanical gardens. It was quite a pleasant spot.

We departed Emerald and headed south, stopping a couple of times for cattle who were grazing on the road verge. They have seem to have no fear of motorised vehicles.

We had morning tea at Rolleston where an Apostle bird competed with a magpie for crumbs. The magpie usually won.

I then found out that it was not wise to travel too close to a road train that was carrying a load of cattle. The windscreen did seem to suffer.

The countryside started to improve and give the impression that crops were viable and cattle looked fatter. We continued on to Roma where we stopped for the night and had our first shower since leaving Port Douglas. We celebrated with a walk in a nearby park and taking a photo of a fragile-looking blue flower.

We continued our walk through the Roma township and I was amused with the name of the establishment below.  

Today we travelled a mere 398 km.

Day 72 – Tuesday 29 September 

We continued south and stopped for a milk shake and a walk around St George. We were amused by the paraphernalia around/on/in/under the house.

We continued on, crossing into NSW, then stopping for the night at Lightening Ridge – with some great memories from last year.

We wandered around the town and admired the opals and the art work.  The excellent hardware store also got a visit.   

Today was a journey of 418 km.

Day 73 – Wednesday 30 Sept

We continued south, passed Walgett and on  to Gilgandra, which is designated as the  place where the Aussie call “cooee”  originated. It is an interesting story and well worth some research.

Then it was back on the road again.

We stopped at a highway rest stop and were amused at the lighting system for the toilet. The idea is to aim your headlight at the silver panel at the foot of the pole. The light is reflected upwards to the reflective panel at the top of the pole. 

That, in turn, shines the light through the transparent toilet roof. Ingenious!

We stopped at Dubbo for pie, coffee and diesel and some directions for “Animals on Bikes”.   This is a set of sculptures with animals on some sort of wheeled vehicle. There are about 45 separate items spread over around 110 km from Dubbo, via Yeoval, to Molong (south of Dubbo). 

The samples on the facing page  are a few of the items that impressed us. A Google search shows a lot more.

It was a great afternoon – and was the highlight of the trip home.

We continued on from Molong to a small town called Cudal where we found a cheap council caravan park. We were back into the cooler climate with all bed coverings being used for the night.  

Today we travelled around 499 km.

Day 74 – Thursday 1 October 2015

The second last day of our trip was quite uneventful. We went through West Wyalong and had lunch in Narrandera and a good walk around town. Jerilderie was our home for the night in the Motel Caravan park. Its amenities were probably the best of our trip.

Shirley found some people from Queensland who were travelling to Melbourne and needed to know how daylight saving works.

Today was a journey of 421 km.

Day 75 – Friday 2 October 2015

We departed Jerilderie and headed home. We stopped in Shepparton to stock up at the SPC outlet and headed down the Hume with a huge tail wind. Apparently the elements were trying to get us home as soon as possible.

We arrived home about 2pm and Riley (our granddaughter) arrived about 3pm. It was good to be home.

In Summary:

It was another wonderful trip with too many highlights to list. However the Cape York tour was magnificent, as was the Atherton Tablelands. Having around 4 weeks in and around Cairns and Port Douglas, some of it with family, was great.

The driving conditions (weather and road) all the way home helped to get us home in 6 days and 5 hours.

Some statistics:

75 number of days we were away

9546 the distance we travelled in our car

1677 the distance we travelled on the Cape York tour

$31.21 the approximate cost of diesel per day (exc. Cape York tour)

$34.41 the average cost of accommodation per day (exc. Cape York tour)

$1.37 the average cost of diesel per litre

1500 the approximate number of photos I took

This post is complete (last update Saturday 3 October)

 

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Chapter 8 - Atherton Tablelands

Day 45 – Wednesday 2 September 2015

The day started slowly as we were in no rush. So we packed up the caravan, picked up Fay and headed towards Cairns looking for a good coffee and a vanilla slice (my idea). The latter eluded us, but the former was found at a place called the Trinity Beach Bar and Grill. It was a magic spot in a great location.

We dropped Fay at Cairns airport and headed south then south west, into the Atherton tablelands. The middle part of the trip was about 30 km of a climbing twisting road that varied between 30 km and 50 km. The views were superb but I could not afford to look. At the start of the drive the car indicated 30 degrees. By the time we reached the tablelands the car suggested 24 degrees was the current situation.

We set up camp at the Malanda Falls Caravan Park, a mere 100 metres from the Malanda Falls.

Malanda Camp Site

We were now in the middle of one of the two places in the world where tree kangaroos are found in the wild – the other being New Guinea. It is also a good place for platypus.

Malanda Falls

 

Malanda Mosaic

It is also the traditional lands of the Ngadjon-jii people who were “hunters and gatherers”. Although traditionally small people they had a special skill of climbing tress to gather such treasures as pythons and tree kangaroos. Malanda is also known for its mosaic wall plaques that adorn many buildings in the town.

After some research and wood collection (via an opening of the wallet) we lit a fire and cooked a stew for dinner. My little gas-bottle BBQ has now been used two nights in a row.

When the meal was finished I put another log (or two) on the fire and we listened to the “symphony of natural noises”. The base or constant was the sound of water crashing over the falls. This was supported by the varying intensity of the many different insects, some nearly drowning out the water falls. The regular chorus was provided by (at least) six kookaburras.

When the orchestra went home we went to bed and listed to the waterfalls.

 

Day 46 – Thursday 3 September 2015

I had my 7am walk via two rain forest tracks, one either side of the main road to Atherton. My first photo shoot was a collection of turtles, who seemed keen to work out who I was – or else they were keen on getting their photo taken. Platypus and tree kangaroo were not on offer.

Shirley had decided that it was waterfall day so off we set. We stopped at five falls, two of them having two sets of falls. A couple of the walks were not good for Shirley’s ankles, so we called it a day after five.

Millaa Millaa Falls

Zillie Falls

We also saw some other items of interest near the waterfalls.

A Flower, a Fungi and a Small Member of the Lizard Family

We had found time, in between waterfalls, to visit the “Mungalli Creek Bio-dynamic Dairy” that sold superb cheese and a passionfruit cheesecake to die for. The coffee was OK as well. After the walking we reckon that we deserved the cheesecake.

After the last waterfall we stopped in a little place called Millaa Millaa – because they have a place that has excellent pies. It just happened to be lunch time and they had a nice park for us to rest our legs – and enjoy a pie.  They also happened to have a display of some 870 year old timber - a Giant Kauri Pine.  Its trunk had an average girth of 10 metres.

Giant Kauri Pine - 870 Years Old

On the way home we stopped at a place called “Tinzali Lakes” to see platypus in the wild. We were lucky enough to see two or three, and get some photos.

A Platypus in A Lily Pond

We had enjoyed our day driving though some lovely lush country on roads that have many twists and turns – some not good for caravans.

We had left-overs for dinner.

Day 47 – Friday 4 September 2015

Shirley changed strategies today and we had mostly a historical day.  Our first stop was the Herberton Historical Village, a similar place to other such villages around Australia (such as Swan Hill and Ballarat).  The Herberton Village has about 60 different buildings (mostly original) that display many artefacts relevant to that theme.  For example "Day's Garage" has many period cars and motor bikes, a number of them in pristine condition.  Shirley and I both agreed that it is the best "village" of its kind that we have ever seen - anywhere. "Elderslie House" - which belonged to the founder of Herberton - had bedrooms, dining and lounge areas with not a spec of dust.  Shirley knows as she checked.  It was amazing.

I did get a huge chuckle out of the following sign in the town pub, the "Tin Pannikin".

The state school also presented a few "period" school "sums" that brought a smile.  A couple of these appear below.

All implements with a motor - car, bike, tractor, steam - are started on a regular basis, some every day.

State School Question No 1

Two more State School Questions

Above & Below: Example of the Quality Restoration & Care of Exhibits

We moved from the village to the mining museum, which highlights the history of the town in relation to tin mining. On our way home we called into the Gallo diary which specialises in cheese and chocolate. No need to go further here  - we were hooked.

We lit  fire in our gas-bottle-BBQ and cooked some roast veges to go with our left-over roast beef.  It was pretty good.

It is a good place to relate two bird stories concerning Shirley.

Story 1: While relaxing beside the fire last night Shirley was not happy with two bush turkeys having a "real estate" issue about one metre from her chair.  They can jump over a metre into the air, whilst trying to claw each other.  The winner ended up with a limp. Shirley was not impressed.

Story 2: We were blessed with having 5 or 6 kookaburras around us for most of our time at Malanda.  On one occasion one kooka liked something just behind Shirley's chair (close to the bush turkey incident).  On his way "to site" he missed Shirley's head by the length of a feather.  On his way back to base he took the same route.  Shirley was unamused.

I got a chuckle out of both incidents.

Day 48 – Saturday 5 September 2015

It was our coldest night since we got to Queensland some four weeks ago, and was great for sleeping.

Our third full day was fully planned by Shirley and we soon set off on a busy schedule.

Our first stop was Lake Eacham, which is one of six volcanic crater lakes in the district.  It was a lovely spot for a picnic or a swim. We did neither.

Lake Eacham

W then drifted into Yungaburra and visited the (fairly) new Afghanistan Avenue of Honour - a tribute to our soldiers in the recent Afghanistan conflict.  It is an excellent tribute and should be visited if you are in the area.

Curtain Fig Tree

Of course we could not visit the area and miss the Curtain Fig tree so we used the board walk to visit the majestic (and very old) tree.  It is truly amazing, and not the only one of its kind in the area.

A walk around Yungaburra was next, admiring the local arts and fantastic wood work. Coffee also got on the agenda.

The Peterson Creek Walking Track is a popular attraction, so we strolled for one km or so and saw two platypus.  It was worth another platypus photo.

We had a light lunch at the Lake Tea House, which was built in 1927 and has been in the same family since then. Lake Barrine is another volcanic crater lakes.  The actual reason for our visit was a 45 minute cruise around the lake.  Yes, it was suggested by Shirley - a sail on water.  Our guide pointed out many plants, birds and water animals to us.  However we did not get to see a local 8 metre python.

Twin Bull Kauri Pines (about 45 metres) & Long Fin Eel (about 900 mm)

We cooked sausages and veges on the gas bottle BBQ and sat around the fire enjoying the ambience.

Day 49 – Sunday 6 September 2015

Shirley cooked me bacon and eggs for Father's Day breakfast - a great start to the day.  We slowly packed up and moved north to Tolga where we stopped for a market with lots of farm produce.  We both spent some money.

Camp was established soon after near Lake Tinaroo - about 15 km north of Atherton.  Two tiny red-browed finches (Firetails) entertained us as they searched for lunch.

Lake Tinaroo Barra

After a relaxing period we went for a 4 km walk along the banks of the lake, which is man made with a 45 metre high bank and about 75% the size of Sydney Harbour.  The lake holds barramundi and some are apparently pretty big.  I did witness one example, about 60-70 cm long - not caught be me.

It was time for more "Father's Day" relaxing, so I/we did.

Shirley cooked a lovely piece of steak for dinner.  It was nearing the end of day 49 and our TV is yet to be turned on.  We have not seen a TV news bulletin, or detective show, since July 19.

Day 50 – Monday 7 September 2015

I went for a good early morning walk but the sunrise was hidden by storm clouds, that petered away after the sun was high in the sky.

We went for a 2 hour drive that circumvented Lake Tinaroo and checked out the many camping and sightseeing points along the way.  Unfortunately the dirt road is unsuitable for caravans.

Top left - Some flowers on a tree. 

Bottom right - Mobo Creek Crater. 

Others - Cathedral Fig Tree

After lunch we visited a gallery that sells magnificent wood products, as well as wood off-cuts.  I had to leave my wallet in the car.  Then we visited the Mt Uncle Distillery which produces gin, rum, vodka and whiskey. I could not afford the $150 for the whiskey but the $4 nip was enough to prove that it is very nice. The producer is a local young guy who branched out from the family business of growing bananas, even though the distillery is in the middle of the family banana plantation.

Spaghetti bolognaise for dinner topped a good day.

Day 51 – Tuesday 8 September 2015

We broke camp and headed into Atherton about 9:45 am - very late for us.  However it was only a 20 minute drive.  We had a lazy day in Atherton and late afternoon saw us head out to a free camp about 12 km north of town.

How Wang Temple

Day 52 – Wednesday 9 September 2015

We had another lazy start and drifted back into Atherton to do some shopping and get to the How Wang Temple by late morning.  The timber and tin/iron temple is a departure from the normal and is the only one of its kind left in Australia.  Apparently there are few left in China, courtesy of the cultural revolution.

We did a tour with (who you would call) an Aussie character who knew the history and used traditional Aussie vernacular to get the story across. 

He was very effective, and explained the components of the temple at length.  Due to the oppression of the Chinese it was left to the elements for some time and locals took advantage of the artefacts that existed in the temple.  Rather than try to emulate the lost artefacts they have left "blanks" to show where things are missing.  All items on view in the temple are authentic.

Note Shade on Corrugated Iron at Noon

 One thing I learned from the tour.  If you live in a hot climate and build a wall from corrugated iron, it should be installed horizontally so that (at any one time) around 50% of the surface is in shade in the middle of the day - reducing the heat that transfers through the wall.  Think about it.  Check out the photo.

It is also interesting to note that the Chinese cooked a whole pig in the vertical (non moving) position, rather than on a rotisserie, and have a special oven for doing so.

We left Atherton and arrived in Cairns around 2:45 to set up camp and have around 44 hours of peace before our grandsons arrive.  We are looking forward to it.

Day 53 – Thursday 10 September 2015

Today is a quiet day as we do some shopping (bits we forgot yesterday), some washing and some organising.  I have already had my 4 km walk and admired the colour, a leisurely breakfast and a great shower.

Shirley hung the washing out about 12 minutes before the rain started.  We are hoping it was a one-off shower.

As I wind up this chapter we have been on the road for 42 days (excluding the 10 day Cape York trip), averaging 119 km per day and spending an average of $33.20 per night on accommodation.  It has been a slow (and enjoyable) pace compared to previous years.

 

This post is complete (last update 9:30 am Thursday 10 September 2015)

 

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