Travelling Around Australia: Mareeba to Townsville

August 19^th 2014 to October 7^th 2014

We left Mareeba on 26^th August, but before we did we had a bit of a look around this lovely area. We drove out to Lake Mitchell, which is hard to access; we had to drive through private property via a set of old wooden gates to get a close look. We could only drive across the causeway but another gate prevented us from going any further onto an island. It is private property but this gate was locked. We had a chat to a local farmer further up the road and he said there was a big possibility of crocodiles in the water as one had been sighted a few days earlier and do not go past the second gate. It would have been pretty hard to get the kayak in anyway, but the thought of a crocodile certainly puts you off. Didn’t matter we took some nice photos and had a good look at the lake from this point.

We then drove back to the Mareeba Wetlands and the Savanna Reserve. This is a very pretty area and caters to those interested in bird watching and wildlife. It is very unspoilt and made for some pretty photos. They have eco boat tours, a lodge for accommodation and a nice little cafe overlooking the wetlands. We then went to Coffee Works in Mareeba, where you can have a bottomless cup of coffee for $19 per head and enjoy the coffee works experience. As we are non coffee drinkers we didn’t partake, but we had a look around their gift shop and cafe.

We went to the Mareeba Information Centre and had a look at their historical museum. This was free entry with a gold coin donation. After looking at the museum which gives a wonderful and informative history of Mareeba, including the tobacco industry, the rodeo, World War II and the mining industry among other displays, I would regard it as the best of its type we have seen. We were not reluctant in donating a few gold coins. The community volunteers have done a wonderful job in presenting a first class history of their town.

Mareeba Coffee Works

The drive into Lake Mitchell

Lake Mitchell

Mareeba Historical Museum

Mareeba Historical Musuem

Mareeba Historical Museum

Mareeba Wetlands

On the road to the wetlands

Next we stayed at Atherton for three nights to explore a bit more of the Tablelands. We drove to the Historic Village at Herberton and spent three hours looking around at this wonderfully managed and well set out village. It showcases a rich and diverse Australian history with over 50 restored period buildings, turn of the century machinery and engines as well as thousands of genuine antiques. It was really beautiful and we enjoyed our time here immensely. We then drove out to the very pretty Millaa Millaa on the tablelands; first stop the lookout which gives magnificent views over the tablelands. We then drove the waterfalls loop and stopped at each of the three waterfalls for some great photo opportunities. Millaa Millaa Falls was the first stop and these are the prettiest with a beautiful swimming hole at the base and lovely picnic area. Next was Zillie falls with a view from the tip of the falls only and then Ellinja falls where you walked to the base to get a photo. We drove back to Atherton through Malanda and stopped there to look at the picturesque falls in the centre of town with a man made swimming hole surrounding them.

The next day we took a drive to all the lakes around the Atherton tablelands. We drove around Lake Tinaroo which has many popular camping areas. We had a look at the Tinaroo falls Dam and the lookout which had nothing to look out at; the weirdest lookout we have ever seen. We then drove to the beautiful Lake Eacham which is a volcanic lake and this is where we had lunch and put the Hobie in for a paddle around the lake. It is a very pretty and very popular spot. After lunch we drove to Lake Barrine, another volcanic lake and one where they have cruises. There were some nice photo opportunities here including the tall twin 1000 year old Kauri Pine trees. On the way back to Atherton we stopped to have a look at the Curtain Fig Tree; this massive tree has, by accident of nature created a curtain of roots which drop about 15 metres to the ground.

Curtain Fig Tree

Ellinja Falls

Herberton Historical Village

Lake Barrine

Twin Kauri's

Lake Eacham

Turtles at Lake Eacham

Lunch at Lake Eacham

On Lake Eacham

Rappelling at Tinaroo

That lookout

People have added remarks to the sign

Lake Tinaroo

The Dam wall Lake Tinaroo

Malanda Falls

Milaa Milaa Lookout

Milaa Milaa Falls

Zillie Falls

The next day we left for Innisfail to stay for a few days. While we were in Innisfail we drove north to Babinda and walked to the very pretty Josephine Falls. This is one of the prettiest falls we have seen and the 500 metre walk takes you to three lookout areas; one at the base, one with a river view and one at the top. It is not a huge waterfall, but it is very picturesque. We then drove to have a look at The Golden Hole, a huge recreation area with a deep waterhole. Further north we stopped to have lunch at the very pretty township of Babinda and then drove out the Babinda Boulders. This area has a gorgeous recreation and picnic area, a nice swimming hole and a beautiful walk through the bush to the Devils Pool Lookout and the Babinda gorge lookout. It is quite spectacular to see how the might of the water has carved different patterns in the rocks. There wasn’t much water flowing through but in the wet it would be breathtaking.

We drove out to Etty Bay which again is a very popular beach and camping area. Unfortunately the day we were there was a Junior Surf Lifesaving Carnival in progress and we didn’t get to enjoy the peacefulness of this charming little cove. We then drove out to Mourilyan Harbour where there is a boat harbour, a boat ramp and the huge Sugar Terminal.

Babinda Boulders

Etty Bay

Josephine Falls

Mourilyan Harbour

The Golden Hole

Next we stayed at the very charming Paronella Park at Mena Creek. We stayed for one night which included entry to the park, a day tour and a night tour plus the added bonus of being able to roam through the grounds at our leisure. Paronella Park was created through the dream of a Spaniard who wanted to build a castle. Jose Paronella found his 13 acre property beside the Mena Creek Falls and turned his dream into a reality. He built his castle, picnic areas on the lakeside, tennis courts, tunnels and bridges and tropical plants and an avenue of Kauri trees. He opened it all to the public to enjoy his beautiful piece of paradise which included a huge ballroom and a movie theatre. Jose built a hydro turbine to supply power to the park. Due to cyclones and other natural disasters a lot of the park is now in disrepair, but it is still oh so beautiful and the story equally so. The park no longer belongs to the Paronella family but has been owned by a Victorian couple since 1993 who have kept the dream alive. I won’t tell you the whole story but if you are interested look it up and you will be enchanted.

Paronella Park

Our next destination was Mission Beach where we stayed for five nights. The accommodation at the Caravan Park was over the top expensive, and the owner was not very friendly, but the council caravan park opposite was always full. Never mind, five nights was enough time to spend here. The township is only small, but with plenty of eateries and souvenir shops. We took a 4 kilometre walk every morning along the beach and we took the Hobie out at Clump Point Jetty and paddled across to the boat ramp and back which was about two kilometres. I was a bit toey because of the threat of crocodiles, but we did it without incident. Only the tourists swim in the ocean here and not the locals, which tells you something methinks. We drove down though Wongaling Beach and South Mission beach for some photos. Beautiful views of Dunk Island are right along this part of the coast. It was an enjoyable stay and we caught up with Sue, Mick and James who stayed in the council run caravan park for over two weeks.

On the Hobie at Clump Point Jetty

Mission Beach

Clump Point Jetty

Wongaling Beach with Dunk Island in the background

South Mission Beach

On our way to Paluma Range National Park and the Big Crystal Creek Campground where we were going to stay for four nights, we stopped at the lookout over Hinchinbrook Island. This island is the world largest island National Park and is very massive and very mountainous. Big Crystal Creek is beautiful and our four nights turned into four weeks. This campground is lovely, quite large and has toilets and showers and fresh water. It also has a deliciously inviting big waterhole to cool down in called Paradise Waterhole. There is a big day area with free barbecues close by which is utilised frequently by locals. Further up the road are the Rock Slides with a couple more cool waterholes to swim in and a rock slide into one of them. We drove up to have a look at Little Crystal Creek where there is a beautiful stone arch bridge built back in 1930. It is very charming and picturesque but the water is freezing. It would be nice on a very hot day. Big Crystal Creek campground is situated 65 kilometres north of Townsville and about 40 kilometres south of Ingham. There is a fruit stand nearby where Coral will sell you some beautiful fresh fruit and vegies, eggs and wood all on an honesty system; a Service station about six kilometres away is where you can get basic food items and gas bottles. We only had to drive out of the National Park a few kilometres to collect the wood for our beautiful open fire; the advantages of a chainsaw and the great dry timber around the region are invaluable.

We have met some lovely people here; some locals, some travellers but all very nice. We enjoyed a couple of happy hours with Phil and Michelle, who are from Tasmania and are travelling like us. Lucy and John, Peter and Carol, Brendan and Marissa; sorry if I have forgotten any of you, but we all had a wonderful time together. Cameron and Fiona and their two kids Kiralee and Braedon spent a couple of nights here on their way to Cairns and then came back for another night on their way back home to Campwin Beach, south of Mackay. We enjoyed their company for a few happy hours and will be visiting them on our way down. We were delighted to spend six nights with our cousins Rosie and Chris who are travelling up the coast and called in to see us. We had a great time together including watching the AFL Grand Final bush style. It had been a couple of years since we had seen them so it was great to catch up on all the family gossip and spend some time together. We built up a good friendship with the rangers and Clarence bought us a beautiful feed of fish and Alex came to have a drink with us on our last Friday night there.

We took the drive with Rosie and Chris up to Paluma Village, stopping to have a look at Little Crystal Creek, some lookouts and Birthday Creek Falls, before enjoying a beautiful Devonshire Tea in Paluma village. We then drove up to the Paluma Dam and all along the way we had some fabulous photo opportunities. Paluma Range National Park is very beautiful and we enjoyed the day out before sadly farewelling Rosie and Chris. Greg and I drove back to Ingham and then up to Wallaman Falls in Girrigun National Park which is the highest single drop waterfall in Australia. The road up is extremely steep about a 600 metre climb within 15 kilometres, but it is breathtakingly beautiful. In Ingham we had a look at the very pretty Tyto wetlands and took a photo of the original Slim Dusty’s Pub with No Beer.

Our wildlife neighbours at Big Crystal Creek

Big Crystal Creek

Grand Final day with Rosie and Chris

Our wildlife neighbours at Big Crystal Creek

The walk to Birthday Creek falls

Birthday Creek

Birthday Creek Fallls

Pub with no Beer

Tyto Wetlands

Little Crystal Creek

Paluma Dam

Part of the drive Paluma Range NP

Rock Slides

Old Post Office at Trebonne neat Wallaman

Wallaman Falls

All in all we very much enjoyed our stay at Big Crystal Creek Campground and would highly recommend it. It was a most relaxing time and the longest we have spent anywhere on our journey thus far, except for our four months in Darwin last year. The weather was perfect except for two days of light rain and were able to swim every day. We are currently in Townsville for one week and are looking forward to exploring this area.

Cheers til next time.

Travelling Around Australia

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Mareeba to Townsville

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