Leaving Townsville after a relaxing few days, we headed further up the coast.
You can't travel through North Qld without a few waterfall stops, first of the trip was Jourama Falls, whilst things are not quite wet season levels it was still a great little intro, kids were keen for a swim so off we tracked.
We didn't quite make it to the falls but from all reports there are plenty more to see.
On the walk back we had a couple of encounters, firstly with a goanna, kids all excited and wanting pics. About 5 mins later our first snake of the trip, kids not so excited. Only a little tree snake trying to get across the path, just happened to between Cindy and the kids. No real danger but a god wake up call for the rest of the trip.
Back in the car we headed for the beautiful town of Mission Beach, what a place. lovely beach that seems to go for ever.
As we are only in town for a night we thought it best to get out and do a little exploring. Went for great walk along the boardwalk and up over the headlands.
Managed to stop and spot some of the locals (Turtles) that Mission Beach is famous for. We were unable to find the other famous resident, the Cassowary, much to Charlie's disappointment.
There were even a few people ride along the beach, much to Emi's delight......more horse pressure to go with the dog pressure.....going to need a bigger place.
Not a bad way to see the sites.
Couldn't spend all day looking at the scenery, the kids had a pool to use at the caravan park. Good slide and they too full advantage, anyone would think that they only like the pools on this trip. Things will change when we get further up so good to take advantage when they can.
Nice night in the camp and up nice and early for a walk on the beach.
Anyway pack up, one last swim and off to the next stop, Paronella Park.
What a great place in the middle of nowhere, well it is on the old Bruce highway. It is a place of great history and a fantastic story to go with it. Was a good option as there is camp sites that form part of your entry ticket. Also meant that we could do a day tour and then the night one.
It was very worthwhile and we all seemed to enjoy it on many levels. There was a great collection of resident turtles and fish to feed as well as the standard Warning signs for crocs, alas no crocs for the CCC.
The Night tour was great and well worth staying the evening for, managed to get some great pics as well. We went back in to the park later that night to see the other waterfalls but the lights were not working, instead Charlie and I thought it was a good idea to try and catch some freshwater shrimps, there were heaps. After a little while we managed to get one, no pic though, too many noises for Emi and she and Cindy had already headed for safety.
One last quick look around in the morning before heading further up on to the tablelands. It was here that we came across the first of main waterfalls, Nandroya Falls. It was a medium walk in but well worth it.
Good option, quick drive up the hill to Milla Milla falls.
Enough waterfalls for a while, time to head to our camping site for the next few days, Bonadio RV and Nature Park on the banks of the Barron River, what a place. One of the gardeners at Paronella recommended it and was a great little find.
They have mown along the river banks with great walks where you can sit and watch for platypus. Was hoping to see one, well that was a surprise, we saw about 6 the first night and about a dozen the next, even caught a could on the morning just before we left.
Was a great place to base ourselves so we can explore the local sites.
On the second day we decided to do a road trip around the Tablelands, time to see a few of teh amazing fig trees. First one was Curtain fig tree near Yungaburra
Scattered across the tablelands are multiple Crater lakes and this was our next adventure. Lake Eacham is a smaller lake in size but 65 metres deep with a great walking track around the lake. Kiddies a little reluctant to do the walk, something about snakes and animals.....all is ok.
Charlie thought it was about time to see if his new boat would float away, unfortunately came straight back in.
On to the next big thing, and it was big. Cathedral Fig, what a monster.
From here we headed around Lake Tinaroo, land of the massive Barra. Shame it was a little cold and the barra would be all in the deep holes, speaking to the locals, things don't really fire up until middle of summer. There are heaps of great camp sites around the shore and very popular when all things are firing.
It was time to head back to camp and see if we can find a platypus or two before dinner. Found a few.
That night the kids got a chance to feed the other animals that come in after dark in to the camp kitchen, possums or all things. These are not as annoying as the ones back home.
Morning pack up and off again towards Cairns, quick stop at the Tolga pub for Maso, sorry no stubbie cooler.
Taking the option to do Kuranda on the way through, we stopped at the Australia Butterfly Sanctuary. Was great to get close to the famous Ulysses butterfly.
After looking through the markets (or whats left of them), things were very quiet up there, we headed down the hill in to Cairns for the next few days.
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