We leave Nanango a day early as we are meeting up with friend and they are going away a day earlier than planned. Driving along the highway we pass through Cooyar, photo of pub, the fields of solar panels. Found that there are acres upon acres of solar panels throughout this area.

Amazing the changing countryside.

Passing through towns thought we would find about Tenterfield but info centre not open so just took photos.

Stayed the night in Gen Innes and lovely old buildings.

Uralla for lunch next day and Margaret got to visit the Wool Room and naturally a purchase was made. lunch at a beautiful mosaic table.

A story to be told about our drive down the mountain a decision made to go down the mountain Thuberbolts Way and not to Tamworth, probably in hindsight not a wise one. Brakes on both van and car going extremely hot and using more fuel than we thought. A stop some 50kms from Gloucester un hook van and then Margaret went to nearest fuel station Barrington Tops, refuelled and then returned hooked back up and onto Gloucester for the night. A bit of excitement we didn’t need.

Off to visit very good friends in Tea Gardens. What a great place beautiful river and sea views around the area Hawks Nest.

Cameron decided to try his hand at fishing, no luck but a bit of fun.

Driving from Tea Gardens along the coast and then M2 to West Pennant Hills.

Margaret, Cameron’s sister, took us for a walk around the area admiring the spring flowers.

We are spending a few days and going to Copacabana, Margaret & Colin’s, holiday home, for chill out time. Sand, sun, beach and family what could be better.

We visit Geoff, Marcie, Camilla, Imogen and their new home, a lovely catch up as we don’t catch up that often.

Went for a tour around Copa and amazing how we visit the lookout and read about Captain Cook and how in 1770 he visited here as well as 1770 further up the coast.

Lunch with Colin’s twin sister Christine and her husband Malcom. A lovely catch up. Lunch next day chocolate factory and dressing up for photos.

Saturday is Grand Final day for AFL. We watch in West Pennant Hills and Victoria Matt, Riley, Marlie & Luna watch in Tassie.

Leaving West Pennant Hills, heading south to colder climate, holding onto to staying in shorts & t-shirt. Tarcutta is our next night stay.

We progress along to cooler weather and are following the river and call into Wodonga and catch up with Dianne, Cameron’s cousin, lunch and then are staying in Kotupna with friends, Steve & Sharon.

Lunch with Sharon at Zambrero’s and shopping in Echuca. A few taste tastings of gin and liqueurs and purchases of course. Now we are in cooler weather, jumpers are on and yes long trousers. I have held off but alas too cold. We arrive at Spring Street for our last visit to Mum’s we are here for a few days to do some more clean up and to celebrate Margaret’s brother 70th birthday.

Bellbrae Estate is the venue and what a day! The weather is perfect and venue is excellent. Great food and company. Victoria Matthew Riley & Marlie have made the trek over for the birthday & football, but with a bad start not leaving Tassie till 4 am due to ship turn around for maternity emergency. Arriving in Geelong 2pm. A long two days for them but lovely to have them here.

What a lovely day catching up with friends of Neil’s and family. Food, wine family friends and weather all made a wonderful day.

Spirit of Tasmania our trip home! 2025…..!!

Till next time !!!!!

Nanango is a small town near Kingaroy with a population of 3700, but swell several times a year for their country festival, rock n roll, running and a lot of smaller events. It is quoted to be the forth oldest town in Queensland, with lots of heritage houses through out the town.

Beef, coal mining just to name two of the towns industries, also plenty of bird life to be seen. We were there for the Country Music Festival, catching up with Judith & Philip and have a lovely time listening to all types of country music and bush ballads.

Vans galore 614 this year but there have been up to 800 in previous years. Quite a sight to see. We had a few meals cooked by the committee and we had breakfast the days of the bush poets as that was a very early start of 7:30 in the morning.

The end they lowered the flag & folded very patriotic and moving. We stayed an extra day and then headed south. Oh dear we are nearing the end of this adventure but still more to come.

Catching up with Judith & Philip this week in Townsville. Washing & shopping are on the agenda to start, then off for a bit of sightseeing, a market and lookout. beautiful weather so soaking up before heading south to the cooler climate.

Market in the centre of Townsville a lovely walk through and entertained with a school band and singers, very impressive.

Castle Hill Lookout, wow didn’t realise Townsville was so big. Judith & I take a morning wander through Castletown Shopping Centre and splurge on my first pedicure, we now have clean & pretty feet…Amazing how dirty your feet get with wearing sandals all day and no soaking of your feet.

A visit to the museum and we learn about the Pandora and the box. A replica of the ships hull and then a model of ship on display. Imagine being on the ships for months. Was amazed at the crocks that were used for their food, must have been so heavy so weight on the ship would have been massive.

Lunch at the Coffee Club before our wander through the Botanical Gardens.

Gardens not very big but some beautiful grouping of flowers. Some roses were stolen so not a very big display only just starting to bloom. There were many beautiful big trees and palms.

Along the road from caravan park is Cape Pallarenda, a quarantine station for First World War.

Cameron decided to visit the Military Museum while I stayed at the park relaxing with Judith!

Leaving Townsville we backtrack over the Burdekin River and past even more Cane trains and onto Mackay.

The leap will be our stop for the night, a tavern, plenty of traffic noise, as on the Bruce Highway.

“A legendary and powerful woman named Kowaha from a local native tribe, committed the ultimate sacrifice in. 1867. Legend says she leapt off the mountain with her newborn baby in her arms to avoid capture by white man.. As a result of this event, the Mandarana Cliff and Valley became known as the Leap.”

Sarina is a sugar town for sure pulled into the Information car park and visited the craft shop and then onto to a tour of the Sugar shack, where we learnt about the production of spirits on site and what happens to by products. This mill is the only one that produces the sugar and distillery on the same site.

We visited the Mater Hospital in Rockhampton where our first granddaughter, Zara, was born 15 years ago, Elizabeth & Jez were working in Blackwater.

Rockhampton is well known for the Brahman bulls, and there are many statues around the town to remind you. Especially as you leave or enter the south of town with a roundabout featuring a huge white bull.

Lunch at Gladstone a Barney Point. Lovely park with a beautiful rain tree. Cameron is fascinated with the tree as when it rains the leaves turn on their sides so as their delicate leaves don’t get damaged from rain drops.

1770 we loved not too commercial as some of the seaside towns are we even saw kangaroos in the middle of town.

A cairn commemorates the first landing of the “Endeavour” in Queensland at Bustard Bay. It stand on the site where one of Cook’s crew carved the date on a tree near there they came ashore on the 24th May 1770.

Bundaberg Rum a well known icon so naturally we have to visit and learn all about their processes, not that different from Sugar Shack at Sarina but on a bigger scale. Molasses pit is enormous and the smell so sweet. No photos unfortunately as phones put it on lockers along with keys and bags.

Hervey Bay for the night and a look around at the big pier , a very commercial town plenty of traffic, not our scene, travelling through Maryborough to Nanango.

Stopped for lunch at Kilkivan where there is a statue for the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride, which is held in April. We arrive in Nanago for the Heritage Nanago Country Muster.

Arriving at Glengarry park after traversing the Rex Range.

A short drive to Port Douglas and a quick tour around marina and town, see there is a market tomorrow we will return.

Market day and lots of clothing very little produce but jewellery and trinkets all the go. Bought a a shirt for Tassie weather.

A day in Cairns to catch up with Tim & Sue and check out the area. Beautiful beaches along the way and plenty of time to look as road works along the way and waiting for the green light.

We now on our way south and call into beaches along the way.

We take another road through Cairns and come across the boat stranded for quite some time !!

Along the way we see a fruit market where we have to stop so Cameron can continue to try all these different varieties of fruit.

We decide to stay in Babinda for a few nights at the Rotary Park. Hot showers and toilets, so all set. Had a couple of days of rain so not much use moving on, but there seems to be plenty of sight to see.

We now are chasing cane trains, and as this is height of the season there are plenty around.

We travel around Babinda and we first visit Golden Hole a beautiful water course which you cannot swim in.

As we move onto the Boulders you can see the dark ominous clouds, no sun but still the boulders are beautiful to see.

Staying at Cardwell for a couple of days. What a pretty spot.

Passing through small towns and the amazing murals you come across like Halifax. Of course the mandatory hotel but loves the butchers and the chemist was different as being in black & white.

Taylors beach another little town but the water lilies we had to do a u-turn to get the photo it was beside a little bridge.

Wherever we go we seem to find the cane trains! And photos have to be taken because we may never see them again!!!!

A stop along the way for Margaret as mango is her favourite fruit and an ice cream has to be had as it is not mango season and that seems the only way we can taste it. Delicious!

A tour of Ayr and then decide to stay the night. More murals one for the dance studio stood out. Quite impressive. The statues of birds was out front of the council offices with water fountains. Local stone was setup a bit like the stone henge but obviously a lot smaller.

We now are seeing a cane fire which we thought didn’t happen any more but as we go south we are finding there seems to be more.

Quite impressive monument in the middle of Ayr denoting the area. Burdekin bridge is quite impressive with all its steel structures over the Burdekin River.

Travelling along we see a World War 2 site and decide to detour and see what it is about a little rough up hill track we find these igloos. Charlies Hill. They were constructed in 1943 for radar station with wooden towers constructed for the aerials but only the concrete bases are left. One of the igloos has been used recently for storage of feed for cattle. Very thick walls and impressive structures.

Toured the island in a green bus then a blue bus to see plenty of island beautiful views. Can’t get over how many islands out in the passage.

A lovely day ferry ride to Daydream island the Hamilton Island.

Lunch at the Marina Tavern where the raven made a mess if anybody left any scraps on their table.

A story about the planes taking off Margaret checked out the timetable for departing aircraft’s and the waited 10 minutes past the departure time and just turned her back and the plane took off. Not happy at all after waiting 1/2 for the shot and then missed it…..

Home Hill was a very interesting little town info centre a wealth of information and very happy to impart their pride in their town. We went for a walk and Cameron went missing, hard to believe I know, but looked around and there is an Army Surplus store and yes in the bowels of the shop Cameron in his element but thankfully in the caravan so no room for any more junk!!

The info centre in Home Hill had more information on the Burdekin Bridge. Very interesting!

Time to clean car of the dust and red dirt we have accumulated over the last 18 days. Loads of washing and clothes and car then off to Mareeba to give another wash of the car, at least it is now looking like white.

Today we are on our way to Atherton to see the sights and a break from cleaning well that is our excuse. Mango trees being trimmed and bales of hay which Cameron is impressed as they only 3’ bales. Peanuts were a crop when Cameron was up here 30 years ago but now only the odd crop which we found. Lunch at Gallo’s Dairyland.

Driving back towards Walkamin we call into Tolga see the museum but closed so another visit tomorrow but stop off a Rocky Creek where both our fathers were during the war. Memorial for Lots of Army Units and we find both of parents. Quite moving to see all the units and there memorials.

We revisit Tolga War Museum and the displays are very impressive. They are all about the district which includes the hospitals at Rocky Creek. We then tour around the area visiting Yungaburra, the Avenue of Honour, pub and also a walk to the river.

We have found the these little towns are very impressive with their efforts to keep them alive and the streetscape and parks are all being well kept.

We did a walk around the big Fig tree with its roots to the ground. Massive.

We venture to Kuranda and see the old markets and their cute shops. Cameron even got a hair cut.

Went to the butterfly house and loved the beautiful surrounds and of course the butterflies.

Lunch up at the Wrights Lookout, then a walk to see Barron Falls, and the sky rail line weaving through the forest.

Had a phone call from Trudy Bath to see where we are and to let us know that Sue & Tim Collins were in the area. We phone them and were moving to stay the night in Mareeba suggested perhaps call and stay at Walkamin with us. What a lovely surprise to be able to catch up.

They moved onto to Port Douglas and we moved onto Malanda, but not really a good idea rained all day and of course the whole time we were there.

We did visit the Malanda Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls. We walked through the rainforest at Malanda and cannot get how big these trees are. Fortunate to see a turtle coming up for air. The twisted roots and vines around the tress quite amazing.

Standing still we actually see a bush turkey building his nest. Quite impressive his kicking skills to build up the walls.

On our way returning from falls we see excellent parking in a drain, not sure how the driver got out, amazing what you see a statue Advertising the food mart, very clever.

We stopped at the Chinese Museum and temple and find out just how much the Chinese have contributed to Queensland economy. Starting many businesses such as bananas, lychees and many store to supply the miners in the area.

Decide to move onto Herberton and hope a bit warmer and sunny. Spent 3 days there but the display Village is very impressive, with Buildings from all over the state and the displays of everything possible.

Hundreds of photos later we then visit the Miners Museum and boy Cameron can pick them. We actually get given a guided tour of the museum by one of the volunteers. They are so passionate about their town and its history.

After 3 days at the historic village we decide we need warming up, so we head back up the highway and at Rocky Creek we see the igloo is open so we decide that we would like to see inside! There is to be a big dinner tonight for the 80th Anniversary Second War end, and we are lucky enough to get a look in. Made with wooden trusses which over the years have been replaced and a new roof it is quite spectacular to see. This was the site of 2/2nd district hospital which my dad spent time in with fractured foot. Tents were the norm but a few igloos for the worst cases and theatres. Quite moving to be there, considering there were at least 40,000 soldiers went through the camp not including all the staff, nurses & doctors.

Head to Mareeba and then through Mt Molloy and Rex Range where we get first sight of the sea at the Rex Range Lookout.

We will be staying 3 days at Big 4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park.

Day Thirteen

Wednesday 30th July

This morning we woke to a fog not quite a pea souper. Leaving Morton Telegraph Station for another dirt road experience.

Stopping at the new Weipa sign, another photo!!

We then take roads through the iron range and stop at a beautiful lagoon where there is lovely Lillies in flower.

We set up our campsite then head to Portland Road where we see the beautiful beach, and Torres Strait.

Bought prawns and Mackrell from a fisherman at Portland Road. Then off to Chilli beach and some girls were on the swing enjoying being pushed.

We heard about David Glashien, who had lived in Sydney where he built a multi milliam dollar mining company but lost is all in the stock market crash of 1987, a hermit who lived on Restoration Island by himself with regular visitors

Happy Birthday Ed, so a few games to be played.

The men tried swinging the balls to knock cans along the ground, and then Sally & Matt tried to untie a loop around your partner’s hand. Hilarious.

Day Fourteen

Thursday 31

Lockhart River

Visited the airport where there is a memorial and existing buildings from when the Americans were there.Then to the the art gallery and beach for lunch. Off the track again and visited an old gold fields and the remnants of the steam engines.

Stayed the night in Coen. Tea at the Sexchange Hotel. (Exchange Hotel) with a unique sign.

Day fifteen

Friday 1st

Mackerel Range and Silver Plains.

Stoppping at lagoons to see if we can spot a croc but so far only the one at the beginning of our trip. Interesting facts about the palm that grows with many fronds and the goes to seeds after 20 odd years and then the top drops off.

Stayed at Kalpower tonight no hot showers only cold. Cameron and I decide to have a shower at 10pm and because there is no lights we go into the shower block and are both in there and a woman comes in and says “What is going on here” Cameron replies I am here with my wife” we find out we we were leaving that we were in the Ladies and I suppose she was worried about people vandalising the block.

Day Sixteen

Saturday 2nd

Old Laura Historic site would have been a beautiful homestead but National Parks now own it and all boarded up

Lunch at the Isabella Falls on our way to Cooktown.

Sunset bikkies & Nibbles at the Lookout and sunset. Everybody is complaining how cold it is.

Day Seventeen

Sunday 3rd

As we are doing a tour of Cooktown museum at 11am we decide a tour of Cooktown seeing all the aspects of a remote town.

Visit to the Museum and a very informative talk about the area and Captain Cook. A very passionate speaker and very informative. Looks to see and we buy books for Mark our tour guide as a Thankyou. Plenty of photos of Cooktown and memorial of Captain Cook. Visited Reconciliation Rocks.

After leaving Cooktown we travel along the Mulligan Highway then turn off to to he Archer Point Lighthouse, we travel along dirt to a car park and then one by one we climb a track to the top of the road to lighthouse, where 10 cars are parked and we take in a magnificent view of the coastline and mountain behind.

Stayed at The Lions Den our final night and gave Mark books and and empty cartoon of Jack Daniel’s then we all gave him a can with our names on so when he drink the cans he will remember us. A very interesting place, there is a water level mark from Jasper cyclone in 2023 and how the staff had to climb on the roof of the hotel as the waters rose to the height of the doorway. 1metre of rain in 24hours and then 1 metre of rain in 4 hours, unbelievable. There was tons of mud removed from the pub and was closed for 6 months plenty of money to restore the pub to a working pub.

A very interesting tree the Cannonball Tree.

Campfire for the last time.

Day eighteen

Monday 4th

Photo taken at the Lions Hotel sign and I am asked to get on the Lion and unbelievable.

Bloomfield falls (Wujal Wujal ) and onto the Bloomfield Track stopping on Wukuju Bridge for morning tea, on to Cape Tribualtion for lunch.

then across on the ferry to Mossman, stopping to see the nests of the Metallic Starling also known as the shining starling

Where we depart for Mareeba and Walkamin and our Caravan and the rest of the cars to Ellis Beach outside Cairns and there respective destinations for the night.

Not sure how we can describe the last 18 days there have been scary times exciting times and a sense of achievement, in how we have faced the roads and sleeping in swags.

Day seven

Thursday 24

Leaving Bramwell Roadhouse we start on dirt and arrive at Billy Landing turn off where we are told about Captain Billy, an aboriginal, and his enterprising business of delivering cattle to this part of Australia! There looked to be lush green grass but cattle didn’t like it so the enterprise didn’t last long. Also tried organising the delivery and carting goods to & from Lakeland downs. But again unsuccessful due to difficulty landing.

After crossing lots of water crossings we come to the Jardine River Crossing and it is working, thank goodness not sure if it wasn’t what we would have done. Our 30 second rule applies again as we are travelling on dirt to Bamaga where we are staying at Loyalty Beach just near Seisia .

Every day there is a stop just before our camping spots to collect wood for our nightly camp fire. As you can see a well organised group we formed a line to collect the wood and put into the Ute. Zelda was in charge on how much we needed.

We are on the sand and have front view of Torres Strait. Watching the sunset with a camp fire so special.

Day eight

Friday 25

The day has arrived to visit the Tip of Australia but we aren’t going to be there till 3pm oh dear we are leaving 9am what are we going to do?

Well plenty was in store first off a visit to the bakery for items to nourish the body!!!!Then to a DC crash site, the plane was on its way to New Guinea and all aboard died there were 6.

Then we went to another site where a Bristol Beaufort Mark VIII crashed after mission and was left to be dismantled for parts.

Then back to Bamaga and out to the Croc Tent where there were purchases for grandkids and of course ourselves. Anything you wanted to mark the occasion of being at Cape York. They were doing a roaring trade with people buying all sorts of tops, hats and Knick knacks.

The adventure is about to start we are progressing to the 5 beach drives. Well you would think a drive on the beach but there was a challenge should have know not a straight drive.

Plenty of four wheel tracks and water to cross. But alas the last climb out was a doozie, all the women stood at the top of the climb and took photos a very hairy sand and then rocks to negotiate before reaching the top. Mark stood and guided each driver to where they needed to be. He was game as far as I was concerned because one wrong turn and a slip and I am sure he would’ve been hit but he assured us he would get out of the way.

Day nine

Saturday 26

Thursday Island day trip

Up nice and early to catch ferry to Thursday Island we need to be at the ferry before 8:15am. 9:30 bus tour around the island.

The island has no water it is piped from Horn Island as Thursday Island is more strategically placed for government being closer to New Guinea, in the main shipping lanes for immigration and bio security.

Cemeteries are very special to the islanders and so well kept.

Amazing that Thursday Island has population of 3500, made up of 900 children 1600 Government Employee and the balance are islanders spouses.

Visited the War museum which is situated in the Green Hill Fort where there is cannons still can be used for special occasions

Horses hold special place in the islanders culture. Stockman go out to the stations and are given 3 horses to break and use and when they come home for the wet season or have retired they are bought back to their home and are let free and if only for the wet season the stockman go back to station and they are then given another 3 horses so it goes on, the horses are owned by no one but ridden by everyone.

Day ten

Sunday 27 July

Up and on the road again more dirt tracks but we cross a river, crossed on the bridge which was a temporary bridge erected in 1942 as temporary and is still being used and some took to the river crossing.

We come to a World War 2 RAAF Radar Station. Interesting to know that the gun placement was never used for enemy fire. Can you imagine a soldier in gear sitting in the gun placement (a steel tank) for you shift in 100% humidity and the heat would be above 35 degrees.

Lunch at Mutee Heads, just over the sea with no people around, quite amazing.

We now backtrack to Jardine River where another crossing is made.

Fruit Bat Falls where we spend 10 minutes trying to find my phone, in frustration Cameron says I will look in my pants pocket and guess what he says safe keeping…A swim was definitely needed. So nice to get into the water and cool off and enjoy the tranquility.

Elliott & Twin falls are further on and we are staying for two nights. Oh the swimming is beautiful no showers but cool waters to swim in. Twin Falls are beautiful and the better place to swim.

Day eleven

Monday 28 July

9am start today we actually on the Telegraph Track for a short time on our way to Canoe Creek. I achieved with out any damage to the car. A bit scary but definitely again worth the drive.

Beautiful warm water, two hours of bliss. You could float downstream and then climb out and walk back, not my cup of tea.

A cane toad was in camp and Louise had her photo taken with it. Yuck!

Day twelve

Tuesday 29th July

Today is the South Telegraph Track, we leave at 8am and stop along the way to have a photo taken with a large termite mound. Then we see the sign fo the Gunshot which we had seen some days ago. More photos.

We stop at Bertie Creek where we park in the creek for our morning tea.

We progress we stop for lunch on a lonely road in the middle of nowhere.

Then onto the track whee there is still poles for the telegraph still evident. Fires are burning by the road, a controlled burn off.

Cameron and I bypass the North Ellis river crossing and take to easy track, but the worst is to come the South Ellis which 8 out of 10 cars actually were towed through. I am so glad not sure the car could have stood the wall of mud.

Stopped at Bramwell Roadhouse to refuel and then onto Morton Telegraph Station for tonight. It is on the Wenlock River and was also a site of the Telegraph line.

Tonight is a bush shower which I am very pleased to use.

DAY ONE

Friday 18 July

As our caravan is at Walkamin which is 76 kms from Cairns and through the mountains, more convenient we are meeting the rest of the group in Mareeba, ends up there are 3 cars waiting for the trip. 9:30am and the cars are all pulling in with a rush for the loo and then Mark our tour guide introduces himself and the rest of us to the other 6 cars waiting. There will nine 4 wheel drives and the tour guide so 10 car convoy, 18 people plus the guide.. We are handed a list of the cars and we are staying in that order for the whole trip. Gaylene & Jonesy, Scott & Julie, Louise & Ed, Peter, Hanna & Ela, Kevin & Leann, Alison, Zelda & Russell (Raptor 1) Mark & Sally (Raptor 2) & Us.

Meet the fellow travellers and our Tour Guide.

We leave Mareeba and head off convoy style for morning tea at Dimbulah population 975, famous for Tyrconnell Gold mine one of the richest mines on the Hodgkinson Gold Fields. The name Dimbulah is thought to have come from the local indigenous Australian word “long waterhole” referring to the Walsh river that runs nearby the town.

We are passing through lots of one horse towns and Petford claims to be the smallest & oldest active railway station in Australia, so cute. There are 10 cars in our convoy and quite impressive along the highway.

Heading out of town to Chilligoe where we are staying at the Eco Lodge but out the back in non powered site amongst the trees. First time to unpack and see what we have forgotten and try out setup. There are only 2 of us who have swags, 6 have tents and we have a single lady who has her sleeping arrangement in the back of her ute, actually probably the best set up of all.

Off to the Info centre to read about the geological aspects of the area where the gold & copper are found. Marble is a big mine here and told of how black marble is produced.Visit the old smelter where we are told the story of John Moffatt, tin mining magnate of Herberton & Irvinebank, took up mining leases on the Chillagoe fields. 1880’s saw discovery prospectors discovered copper, silver, lead. Zinc & gold. This shaped the future of the Chillagoe area and of North Queensland.

We then head off to the Chillagoe-Mungana caves. Our first taste dirt road in a convoy and the 30 second gap between cars to get clean air. Apparently we passed the test.

Gary is our guide from Parks and Wildlife and down we go into the caves.

Absolutely amazing and so many photos to try and show how amazing they are. We are visiting the Royal Arch caves so named after Queen Victoria, whose head is a rock formation near the entrance to the caves. “Limestone has been weathered, dissolved and reformed by water to create spectacular caverns and passages, decorated by secondary deposits, including stalagmites and flowstones.” We get to see micro bats and and spiders, and thankfully no snakes which frequent these caves.

We then head back to the campsite and thankfully no cooking tonight we have a Welcome dinner provided by Swagalong Tours. We get to social & met the others in our groups. A camp fire and we all sit around and tell stories and we learn about our fellow travellers.

Day Two

Saturday 19 July

Up nice and early as not sure how much time it will take to pack up, breakfast and all by 8am sharp for Toolbox meeting at the bonnet of the Mark, the tour guide’s Ute, a map is spread out and told where we are going and what to expect, for example how much dirt, bitumen and road conditions, then on the road by 8:15am Ha! Ha!

We travel on dirt roads and had a film of us going through our first bull dust and now we have a good coating of red dust.

Morning tea at the site of Thornborough homestead.

We stop at Mount Mulligan, opened in1915 but sadly the site of Queensland’s worst mining disaster which took 75 workers lives in 1921. the derelict remains of the township and mine give an insight into how coal mines operated during the era.

Moving on we head to Mount Mulligan, Lakeland & Palmer River Roadhouse. Caught red claw with nets to have tomorrow night.

Day Three

Sunday 20 July

Leaving Palmer River Roadhouse and our first stop is the James Earl Lookout looking over the ranges and valleys. A forest to behold.

Next stop was the Lakeland Roadhouse where we had photos taken of the loo’s quite unique. The Gateway to Cape York and a walk through there interactive displays. Quite impressive as this is where we are heading. A visit to the Lakeland local store for some much needed coffees for the addicts.

Lakeland settled in the 1880,s while the gold rush on at the Palmer River. Red soil basin that grew vegetables & cattle for the miners now a days large holdings growing peanuts, bananas, potatoes, beef & hay for stations out west.

Aboriginal Rock Art at Split Rock is our next stop and quite a walk to the rock art but well worth it. To sit and take in the bird calls and the rustling of the leaves. We see our first capos tree in bloom and bearing fruit.

We stop at Laura for lunch and to refuel.

Tonight we are staying at Artemis Station which is famous for the critically endangered Golden Shouldered Parrot being bought back from extinction. I did see one but not a very good photo. Lovely hot showers provided from a donkey hot water service.

Day Four

Monday 21

Stopping at lots of villages and Hann River is one of them.

Morning Tea Musgrave Roadhouse, we see our first freshwater crocs and turtles. This roadhouse was one of the telegraph stations that is still in existence. Memorabilia and some original ceramic insulation cups left on display.

We stop at a lookout to hear more about the history of the area. More dirt roads to arrive at Meluna Station where we are staying tonight.

Tonight is the first night to breakout the mosquito net, getting quite warm in the swag. A quick dip in the above ground pool if that is what you call it. It was very welcoming after the warm day Meluna Station dinner cooked, silverside and roast veges pav, cheesecake and ice cream Yummo!.

Day Five

Tuesday 22

Fog this morning to start our day. Weipa today traversing over first road bitumen, arriving at Weipa,took a tour of the town and Mark pointing points of interest like the supermarket, lunch at Red Beach explaining how Bauxite is mined and the trees that are important to the 1st nation are kept and then replaced in the exact spot after the bauxite has been mined.

Set up at the caravan park and the afternoon to wash, refuelling and groceries. Not that we need much because very little room. We all gather for a sunset but a bit of a fizzer as it pours with rain just as the sun sets.

Day Six

Wednesday 23

As we were late booking we did not have a seat on the bus for the mine tour but Wayne (Jonesy) has worked in the mines decides to give Cameron his seat and go with his wife Gaylene.

Cameron thoughts on Mine tour.2 hour bus tour around the mine and Weipa. .Bauxite mining is relatively easy compared other types. All trees to be replaced and remove from strip usual 1/2km wide and 2 metres of top soil removed to the side. Leaving the red bauxite, shovelled to belly trucks 350 tonnes to plant. After 2 to 3 metres of bauxite depth mixed replaced top soil and the trees. Mine then moves onto another area. School leavers are guaranteed work if they would like, a mine controlled town. Weipa even though a mine town there is a council that runs the town a mine person, indigenous elders and people elected by the community.

Leaving caravan park after mine tour and an early lunch, then on the road to Branwell Roadhouse. Dirt & bitumen, 80kms our speed limit but have to keep dropping as dust, dips and river crossings along the way. Once we reach the bitumen we all stop and a bike adventure group come out of a bush track. We were all taking photos of them. Pulled in to Branwell Roadhouse and we are camping at the back., along with the bike group, 30 with full protective gear and red dust.

Our cars are all red from the dust and wet patches. Setup and we then go onto the Old Telegraphic Track and both of us had a go pretty scary. Deep gully to drive through the Palmer River.

More to come …….

Leaving Innot Springs with dark clouds on the horizon we actually have fog to contend with through the mountains. Cameron spots signs for past World War ll sites on the side of the road so pull over to take photos and met up with a returned Afghanistan Vet, who is organising the resigning of the sites, making a app and map eventually. Had a very interesting talk. As both our fathers served time here we decide to return in August and follow up.

Visit Ravenshoe info centre and obtain a map of the camp that was at Ravenshoe during the war. As we don’t have any site booked tonight we need to move on so shall return next month.

Mountain fog and winding roads to Millaa Millaa where we stop for lunch drizzly rain, but plenty of interesting photos to be taken.

Statues and massive wood logs.

Looking at the map decide on Kurrimine Beach. Haven’t seen sea for awhile and great choice absolutely gorgeous even though overcast skies.

A drive today drizzling rain so visited Tully & Mission beach.

The gumboot height is 7.93 metres high, and erected because it has the highest rainfall in Australia and you need gumboots to walk around.

On our drive with see a paw paw crop and a stall so of course had to stop and buy as it is Cameron’s favourite, at least fresh doesn’t have the smell, which I can’t stand.

We took a wrong turn off and ended up a South Johnston on the edge of Innisfail.

We are travelling 30 kms today such a big day!!! Take note John & Michelle, we are going to Parenella Park, Mena. I am sorry but there are quite a few photos we absolutely loved it.

We are staying at The Paddock a caravan park owned by Paranella Park, and I will have to say one of the if not the best parks ever. You could have a ball in the amenities block, very very clean and plenty of facilities.

After all the photos didn’t show that every building Jose built there is a view of the Mena Falls. Very impressive.

Not much comment for those photos.

We had a wonderful time at Parenella Park and we now are going to a sister park Mamu Skywalk. Another venture of Mark he holds the lease on the land. Well what can I say photos don’t do it justice but the trees are a sight to see and so dense. Again plenty of photos.

We ventured up the highest fire tower in Queensland but unfortunately we didn’t take a photo but the above photos were taken from it. There was 101 steps to the top, but a fantastic view of the tops of the trees and dense vegetation.

We are staying at Walkamin for 5 nights. A lovely park and the owners Mark & Katri are very energetic always mowing, watering and cleaning the grounds. Grassy sites and storage which we are going to use for 17 nights.

Caught up with Clive & Linda at the distillery then tea at their van. Lovely night, beautiful sunset .

Our van now going into storage for 18 days as we continue on our next adventure!!!!

Well we are at Undara Lava Tubes for 3 nights. Booked for a tour tomorrow of the lava tubes.

Setting up and meeting the neighbours, mainly Queenslanders. We now have a story which bets all, take note Steve & Sharyn. Well there is always one in every park, the leaf blower. We are in a park with gravel roads, trees and leaves everywhere and then we have our leaf blower blowing leaves over everyone else but there now is one that goes one above, he had a paint brush and was cleaning under the bonnet of his car. Oh dear have seen everything and not a camera in sight, ritual started again next day.

The main area is made up of many train carriages from around Queensland and adapted to a cafe style, very impressive. A drink and catching up on emails as no wifi or internet at site.

Quite an impressive park, having areas designated for unpowered, tent, self contained units,and glamping tents. This is one park where there are fire pits all around and all glowing.

Lava tubes what can I say very impressed with our tour guide, Mel, and the tour. As you will see plenty of photos. The area’s unique geology has resulted in an unusual environment . After many volcanoes, I think about 80, last one erupted 10,000 years ago, there have been many lava flows which has created these tubes and unique landscape of Savannah and rainforest.

There are bottle trees, iron bark and cork trees or some say bat tree as leaves look like bat wings, there is even a fig tree.

We descend down stairs through lots of basalt and come to an arch which over the years has been created from a collapse on either side and a diversion of the basalt hitting a granite wall.

There is still water in the tube and has submerged the walkway but we can get our feet wet and amazing how refreshing it is not as cold as I thought it would be. The water is clear and we are amazed at the root of a tree winding under the water. We had a photo taken and amazed when we view our photos there is an extra person Ha ha!!!

We progressed to the Collins Rd Cave. We can actually walk all the way in and see where the cave actually becomes a waterway.

The colours are amazing from all the different minerals. Didn’t take note of all the different one only remembered the talk of all different colours.if you look closely to the photo you will see the bubbles in the basalt of escaping gas.

Next day we partner up with a couple from Townsville John (our phantom photographer) & Tanya and they drive up out to the Kalkani Crater and do the rim walk. Quite informative about how crater created and on the horizon you can see the lava collapse ( a dark green line) and the Savannah.

Campfire tonight and time to move on John & Tracey off home and we progress onto Innot Springs two nights.

Called into Mount Garnet for an ice cream and photos opportunity.

Passed through Mount Garnett population of 532, went to the info centre and took photos of the Pub, can you believe it….

Innott Springs, had a heart failure with the price but forgot about what they charge to swim in the pools, so wasn’t so bad after all. So relaxing you can go for room temperature to 44 degrees, and then plunge into a room temperature pool to cool yourself. Great setup, family operation, with mainly unpowered sites and a few powered.

Lake at the back of us where the birds were having a wonderful time can’t believe the turbo chooks (native hens) are here as well, so noisy at night. Met a couple from New Zealand who were here 10 years ago and he was explaining the changes that have been made since they were here.

We have two night and made good use of the pools and relaxing, wonderful.

Where to now ???????