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Day 85 and 86 – Macrossan to Ayr – 145klms

Well we decided to change our plans and head to the coast (Whitsundays) via Ayr.

We arrived in Ayr just on lunch time and set ourselves up.      After restocking supplies, we headed out to have a look around Ayr.     We were here about 30 years ago and had the worst pizza ever (which we both clearly remember) and outside the pizza place was the outline of a person that had been stabbed in the street.        We are glad to report that the pizza place is gone (not unexpected) and we didn’t find any more outline of bodies.

We ventured out to Giru where we stumbled upon the Wilmar Invicta Sugar Mill.   This was a large sugar mill and the area around it was just acres and acres of sugar cane.      We got to see a sugar cane burn that night which left our car covered in sugar cane ash and a brilliant orange sky.          The sugar cane trains up here dart in and out of the fields and you are never really sure when they are just going to pop out.

We also took a drive to Alva Beach.     This reminded me of Narrawallee but not an inch on Narrawallee beach’s beauty.

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Day 87 to 91 – Bowen, Collinsville, Bowen River, Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Hideaway bay.

Again, we were in Bowen about 30 years ago and fell in love with it then.      Whilst Bowen itself has grown a little the main business area has not changed too much.     The huge jetty is still here (this is the jetty they used when filming “Australia”).     

The foreshore leaves our harbour to shame.

The Council up here are obviously progressive enough to think that if you create a foreshore that can be used by kids, families, tourists and locals that people will come and spend their money in the town.      The small foreshore has a skate ramp, small water playground, tourist info and beautiful manicured lawns and trees to sit under.      They have also provided small attractions setting out the history of the town.    Amazing.

Unfortunately, the beautiful Horseshoe Bay has fallen victim to the tourist dollar and major developments have been built to accommodate tourists to the area and is now a very popular and somewhat crowded little bay to visit.      

The views, sunsets and harbour are still beautiful, but we DO NOT like the magpies up here.     I managed to talk George into a bike ride from Queens Beach around to Horseshoe Bay and all was going well until mum and dad magpie decided we were fair game.     It would have made a great funny home video.    I had no idea at first what had hit me but after the magpie decided to come back for the 2^nd and 3^rd go, I got the message.        I stopped around the corner only to hear George yelling out “I have taken a hit” and two magpies attacking his head and arms.        He had crossed to the other side of the road and we presume that was where the nest was.       Not to be out gamed, George decided to find a stick to beat the offenders off with, but this unfortunately saw one of the magpies take a last and unexpected swoop into the back of his head.           By this time, he was bleeding from a nick on the face, his ear and a real good shot to the back of the head.     Looking back, it was bloody hilarious but pretty scary at the time.

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During the next few days, we drove out to Collinsville, Bowen River, Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour and Hideaway Bay.

Our trip to Collinsville and Bowen River was interesting and George has decided that he would not make a great tour guide.     Something about missing the turn off, back tracking, dirt corrugated roads and a rather “different” lunch stop.    We did however come across a massive solar farm which needed to be seen to be believed.  Collinsville is famous for its Pit Ponys.

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We have never been in these places before but have been told how lovely the Whitsundays are.    You cannot explain nor can any picture give you an idea of how beautiful the Whitsundays are.    From the luscious sugar cane fields to the bluest of blue waterways, magnificent mountains and beautiful offshore islands it is truly paradise.       We topped our Saturday off with lunch at Cape Gloucester (Hideaway Bay) and I think we will definitely be back here sometime in the future.  

I loved the hype of Airlie Beach, very much as I remember Noosa, however Hideaway Bay was so calm and relaxing.    

On the senior moments of our lives, my handbag decided not to come with us after dinner at the local, but luckily it got homesick and returned to me the next day!!

Thanks to Ali and Annalee Tyquin for sending me some quick snaps of Kate and Glenn’s Darcy, she is absolutely beautiful.    Cannot wait to get a nurse.

Ty, Kiandra and Jay are staying well and no covid.       Jay is keen to see more restrictions relaxed so he can get back to his insane amount of walking, Kiandra has been working from home under the restrictions and Ty is bunking down for exams.

We will head further south this week.    Car has been booked in for service and some alterations and I am catching up with a couple of my nieces at the end of next week which will be great.

I hope you are all well and starting to get some warmer weather.        I warn my Queensland family we are getting closer so if you need to go on holidays it would be a good excuse!!!

Day 78 – Atherton Tablelands to Ravenshoe to Atherton

The rain keeps on coming but nothing stops us!     We are lucky that it really is only drizzling on and off. 

Due to the weather conditions, we hit the road and headed towards Ravenshoe via Mount Hypipamee National Park where we stopped and took a short bush walk into the National Park to view a volcanic pipe.    This “hole in the ground” is 73m deep crater lake.  The crater is now filled with water and has been undisturbed for tens of thousands of years.   The green colour is from a native duck weed which covers the surface of the lake and is home to shrimp and birdlife.

From here we ventured into Ravenshoe via Tumoulin.      The town of Ravenshoe’s claim to fame is that it is the highest town in Queensland at 920 metres.   They have a great information centre with a museum at the back and we were guided to have a look at the Millstream Falls.      

On arrival to the falls, it was a fairly steep ascent to the falls but was well worth the trek.   Not going to tell you how the ascent back to car was but needless to say one male in our party wasn’t overly happy.

After calming his farm, we headed back into Atherton via and the most amazing windfarm.    I love windfarms and am absolutely fascinated by the wind turbines.     It was a real hoot for me to get so close to them and considering the weather that it had cleared up enough to see them.

Day 79 – Atherton to Kuranda to Atherton

Again, due to the drizzle we hopped in the car and headed to Kuranda in the rainforest above Cairns.     We have both been here before but thought as the markets were on seven days a week it would to nice just to wander through the markets.   Well thanks to covid we got there a of course the markets are now closed on Mondays Tuesdays and Wednesdays due to the lack of tourists.     We had a lovely coffee and wandered through what was open and then headed back to Atherton.

Day 80 – Atherton

Rain again so today was spent washing, doing paperwork and catching up on bits and pieces around the van and car that needed attention.

Day 81 and 82 – Atherton to Undara Lava Tubes – 297klms

Rain rain go away and so it did.       We left early from Atherton and travelled through drizzle, mist and fog before arriving around lunchtime at the Undara National Park.        

Well what a place.    This is another must do!!     The actual camp area itself is unique let alone the lava tubes.

The owners have purchased old railway carriages and restored them to create accommodation as well as its main dining area.     Its roof line in the main dining area has also been designed to recreate the roof of the lava tubes.

We were treated to a bush brekky the next day and a guided tour of the lava tubes.    Undara is aboriginal for “long way”.  The park is home to the longest lava tube cave systems in the world created by a volcanic eruption over 190 thousand years ago.   It was amazing.

Took so many more photos!!

Day 83 – Atherton to Greenvale – 149klms

Well not sure what to say about Greenvale other than it is in the middle of nowhere and home to the Three Rivers Hotel made famous by a poem written by one of the patrons and by Slim Dusty created a song from the poem.   Believe me that is all!

Day 84 – Greenvale  to Dotswood – 228klms

Bivouac Junction exactly.        On the banks of the very low nearly empty Burdekin River.

No rain!!

So, we are heading south again from here and will base ourselves in Bowen for a week when we get there.

Life on the road is still good.      George reckons if I take my meds and have copious amounts of coffee in the morning the day will be fine.   Humph he can talk.

George remains the socialite which is good as we have met some lovely people on our travels, and it is always great to here about what other people are doing or not doing as the case may be.       

Some of the long stints in the car have been without radio reception so we have overloaded ourselves with podcasts from the ABC Conversations program.       These have proved a welcome relief from my snoring in the car!!

I want to give a big shout out to Ty this week as he turns 29 on Tuesday.     I promise (god willing) I will be there for your 30^th.     Can’t believe its been 29 years since this tall dark handsome man came into our lives.     Love you heaps mate and are so proud of the man you are and the man you have yet to be.

Love to everyone at home.   It is obviously safer travelling this great country of ours as far as covid is concerned than remaining in Milton Ulladulla.    Who would have thought!!

We have also adapted a new acronym whilst travelling.  SKIDRO – Spending Kids Inheritance Driving Around Oz.    Just love it!!

Day 71 to Day 74 – Rollingstone

We spent these four days exploring Ingham, Forrest Beach, Taylors Beach and Lucinda.  We ventured as far north as the Hinchinbrook Lookout.   The rest of the time was spent lazing around the van, walking the beach, and enjoying our afternoon drinks with Barb and Martin, our next door neighbours.

Day 75 – Rollingstone to Paronella Park (Mena Creek) – 202klms

After farewelling Barb and Martin, our trek north began early as we wanted to spend as much time at our destination, Paronella Park.      

Our morning tea stop was beautiful and scenic Cardwell.   What a beautiful place overlooking the tropical paradise of Hinchinbrook. 

Moving on to Paronella Park our drive was through acres of sugar cane, mango plantations and up through the ranges to Mena Creek.    The scenery of was magnificent.

Paronella Park is indescribable.  You cannot put into words the way the dreams of one man and his desire to bring his childhood fantasies to life in 1930 could still life on today.  Paronella Park is located on 13 acres at Mena Creek in North Queensland.  The park was built by Jose Paronella and he built a castle, picnic areas beside Mena Creek falls, tennis courts, tunnels and bridges and planted over 7000 tropical plants and trees including an avenue of Kauri trees and its own hydro electricity plant.

We spent nearly three hours trolling through the gardens before taking the night tour.  I never expected to be moved so much by the finale of the night and the lighting of castle.  The music, the castle and the most beautiful night sky was magical.

The video below is worth a look. Its only one of three beautiful pieces.

Day 76 – Paronella Park to Atherton – 105klms

After our beautiful night it rained, yes rain.   Who would have thought, when we went to bed the sky was full of stars and the brilliance of the milky way.      This too was the first rain in nearly 12 weeks. 

On our way we make a stop at the Mamu Sky Walk.      We spent nearly two and half hours walking through the rainforest, along the walkway through the trees to a 10 metre cantilever and onto a 37 metre high observation tower.

Again, our drive further north lead us through beautiful fields of sugar cane, mangoes, tea, and other produce originating from this area.     

On arrival at Atherton we set up and took off for a quick bite and a tour through the Crystal Caves in Atherton.

Day 77 – Atherton Tablelands

The rain has followed us to the tablelands but being the troopers, we are, we ventured out after a sleep in, smashed avo and poached egg and brewed coffee. 

Our first stop was the Mount Uncle distillery and to the finest gin I have tasted.    Needless to say, we left with one of everything (well at least one).    

From there we ventured out to Granite Gorge and thankfully for George the Gorge was too wet to walk to, but we were treated to a wildlife display.   Not sure which was more interesting, the snake or a fellow traveller.

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After the gorge we headed into Mareeba for lunch and coffee at the Coffee works in Mareeba. 

The drizzle followed us onto Yungaburra where we stumbled on the Avenue of Honour, a tribute to the fallen and those who served our country in Afghanistan.     It never ceases to amaze me how places like this produces instant respect and sombre thought.   The avenue was a tribute to a young man from Yungaburra who lost his life in Afghanistan and to all those who unquestionably served their country in such a futile war.

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So, to top the afternoon off, we headed out to Lake Barrine for tea and scones by the misty waters of the lake.      We had actually been to Lake Barrine about 32 years ago, but George still maintains he cannot remember!!   That’s old age for you!!

Whilst the rain is pleasant, it is a lot colder than the coast and I think the gloomy skies after the beautiful sun and beach have left me a little homesick.    Its funny how weather can impact the senses so much.     

We are here for until Thursday before moving on.   We think we will venture back further inland before heading south again.   As we have been to Cairns, Port Douglas, and Cooktown before, we won’t venture any further north and we are definitely not prepared to do the Cape.

Whilst a little homesick, not enough to want to come home yet.

So hopefully whilst it is raining here, home is getting a little warmer and sunnier. Happy birthday to Jason for the 18^th don’t overdo

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Just a short blog this week.

Well we finally reached the eastern shoreline of this great nation of ours.    Surf, sun, and sand -v- dry landscape, sun, and red dirt.    That basically is the conditions we have travelled.

We have been lucky to experience both and have enjoyed every minute, but I have decided that I am a definitely a fringe dweller.  Give me the Australian coastline any day.

Day 63 – Hughenden to Charters Towers – 247klms

We are doing a hop skip and jump to get to the coast by tomorrow for our 10 day stop over.

On arrival in Charters Towers we set up camp and rolled into town to have a look around.  

Charters Towers was founded in 1871 after the discovery of gold.     Over 36 years 200 tonnes of gold was mined.    The town is only 134 kilometres inland from Townsville and was probably the last of the red dirt for us for quite a while.

Day 64 – Charters Towers to Rollingstone Beach – 188klms

We headed off early and thoroughly enjoyed the drive town to the coast through green landscape and then onto the smell of the Pacific Ocean.  

Rollingstone was settled in 1883 and is mainly pastoral land.    We have passed acres and acres of pineapple farms and mango farms.    The local pineapples are to die for, sweet and fresh.

Day 65 to Day 70 – Rollingstone Beach Resort

As luck would have it, we scored a cancellation and are camped right on the edge of the park facing east.   We back right onto the beach and our view is magnificent.    We lay in our van at night and listen to the waves crashing over the rocks.      

Our section of the beach is very rocky (we presume this is where the town name came from) but there are nice sandy patches to the right and left of us.   Unfortunately, no swimming in the ocean at this time of year due to the box jellyfish.

I have enjoyed walking the beach fossicking for cowrie shells and enjoying the sunshine.

We can see Magnetic Island in the distance.

We have taken day trips to Paluma in the Mount Spec Ranges and into Townsville city and surrounds.

The road to the top of the Mount Spec Ranges was through lush rainforest and on a very windy and narrow road.       We stopped at Little Crystal Creek and took a short walk through the rainforest to view the stone arch bridge built in the 1930s and the cascading waterfalls.

We then travelled to Paluma township for a quick stop at the lookout for stunning view back over the pastoral lands and coast.

Our visit to Townsville was very pleasant.       Townsville is home to RAAF Base, the destination port to hop over to Magnetic Island, the home of the Cowboys NRL team and V8 Super Cars street circuit.    What more could a person ask for?   

The rest of our days have been spent at the van park having lots of downtime, drinking, and eating time and for the old boy “sleeping” and “socialising” time.      I know he deserves it but please do not tell him I said that.

We have four more days here before moving further north but back inland to the rainforest area.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and a special shout out to Glenn and Kate on the arrival of their beautiful daughter.   

I have been in contact with Ty and Jay regularly and they maintain the status quo.      

It was nice to hear from Kerry and Lee and my work partner in crime, Mel.

Hope everyone is well and not too sick of reading my blog. 

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