Townsville to Cairns

Onward and upward, we left Townsville on Friday to continue our trip north.  First stop Balgal Beach where there was a sign warning people to watch out for snapping tom – the croc – and of course we wanted to see him but alas he was nowhere to be seen, it appears the signs may be quite old.  Never mind we had a nice feed of fish and chips at the little café there before continuing on to Paluma and Little Crystal Creek.  Here we found a cool series of waterfalls and swimming holes running into a creek which flowed under an old stone arch bridge

– Tony had a swim but I decided I needed to be photographer for the day hehehehehe – some photos need to remain censored (I promised).

Back on the road we went through Ingham and stopped briefly at the pier at Cardwell where I saw a big turtle, just wasn’t quick enough with the camera.

The next day we drove into Tully where you can still see signs of the cyclone that came through and I got to see a cane harvester up close. 

We also started to see signs of crops other than sugar – in the form of banana plantations. 

Carrying on the Bruce highway we turned off to Josephine Falls another beautiful swimming waterfall spot. 

After checking out all the levels and seeing people slide down the natural rock water slide we decided we really should have a turn as well – it was pretty cool although Tony had to go down more times than I did so I could get the photos,

the next waterfall was The Boulders and then it was time to find a spot for tea and to spend the night – good old Rotary.

Another early start the next morning and I had my first taste of cane which Tony had stopped and cut for me – quite sweet not much to it really.  Started to drive up into the Atherton Tablelands we saw another change to the countryside with more farming areas even a cowshed or two and what we presumed was a tea farm.  Stopped on the road and looked at Crawfords lookout and then had a look at the Wallicher and Tchupala Falls

and then followed a loop road and checked Ellinjaa Falls

 and Zillie Falls

(where Tony tempted fate by standing at the edge of the falls)

and finally Millaa Millaa falls. 

By now it was 9.30 and I was starting to feel a bit peckish so stopped at Millaa Millaa Village Lions park for breakfast.  Back on the road after feeding the rumbling tummy stopping on the roadside at Malanda to take a photo of the old fergusson tractor. 

Next stop was Lake Eacham where Tony had spent some time 30yrs ago – it had changed a bit and he definitely felt the need for a memory swim so I joined him to cool down – a small but pretty lake. 

Carried on down the road a bit to Lake Barrine which Tony had a boat cruise on also 30 yrs ago – a bigger lake which didn’t look as tempting to swim in but we did walk to the twin kauris!!  Back on the road to check the curtain fig tree which was impressive but really hard to catch on camera, checked out a couple of peanut shops and then called into Rocky Creek memorial park which had an overnight stop next to it. 

Another early start after a cool crisp night – heading for Kuranda and Barron Falls. 

The falls themselves are very impressive and would be amazing to see when it was in flood.  It was a very nice walk down a boardwalk in the treeline down to the train station and after breakfast in the carpark we went back down and waited for the train to turn up – quite a few more carriages than I was expecting obviously a popular trip. 

We then drove into Kuranda Village and had a stroll around this pretty little town before carrying on to Cairns.

Magnetic Island - a beautiful and relaxing paradise for a few days

Well the decision was made to head to the island despite the not so flash weather so we got our gear organised, brought food and tickets and caught the 8.45 ferry to make the 20 minute journey to Magnetic Island, leaving George to fend for himself in the carpark for a couple of days.

We arrived at the Nelly Bay terminal and then caught a bus to Bungalow Bay Koala Village.  The Village is set amongst the bush and our dorm was an 8 bed a frame bungalow

– when we checked in they did ask if we realised we would be sharing with 6 others in bunk beds – I don’t think they have many ‘older people’ in the dorms.  Anyway we got checked in, claimed and made our beds, found the kitchen and claimed a locker for our food and then hit the walking tracks. 

Rock wallabies

Down the road to Horseshoe Bay, over the ridge to Balding Bay, over the next ridge to Radical Bay, down the ridge to Florence Bay – all quite nice little bays but none that we felt obliged to stop for a swim at.  From there it was along and up!!!! The road heading for the “Forts Walk”  This walk took us to the some ruins of a fort which operated during WWII it also had the added bonus of spotting koalas on the way. 

Command post and observation tower

Shall i leave him here?

We saw “Kingston” an eldery male and a mother and baby – soooooo cute.  After finishing this walk it was back to the Village – with Tony promising to carry me the rest of the way after 5.30pm – he was lucky we made it back by the skin of our teeth – a big day, walking appro 13km over 6hrs. 

mother and baby koala

After a shower and tea we met another couple and  joined in a camp trivia game – didn’t come last but didn’t do that great either L

Day 2 saw us buying 2 all day bus passes and heading off to find some snorkelling.  After a bit of debating we settled on what we thought would be the most likely beach and from there had to find the best spot to go in.  So we made our way around the rocky edge of the shoreline and it was here that I frightened (or maybe he frightened me) a shark basking in the shallow waters. Once I convinced Tony that it was actually a shark he threw a rock into the water to send it on its way – it got such a fright that it launched itself onto an exposed rock but after a few moments thrashing around finally managed to wriggle his way back into the sea and hopefully in a direction opposite to the one we were going.  Eventually we found the right spot and enjoyed an hour or so of snorkeling - despite the weather and sea conditions not been that great we managed to see some pretty fish and coral as well as a moray eel, a stingray and a black spikey thing like a big sea egg (yet to be identified). 

So the snorkeling over we discovered that our route back was not so easy as the tide had come in - so the decision to carry our packs over our heads and wade waist/shoulder deep or go via the boulders - hmm do you sense another 'Tony adventure' coming up?  So over the boulders it was with me at times saying .....I cant do this and Tony saying yeas you can its easy just.....  he made it look very easy but me with my crap balance, fear of heights and narrow things and ultra crap upper body strength meant it took a little longer but we made it thanks to my honey.

That night we took advantage of our free pizza vouchers and had pizza for tea and then took advantage of our all day bus pass and went for a night tour of the island. 

Picnic bay from Hawkins Pt lookout

Our thrid and final day was spent doing a couple of walks and trying to find another snorkeling spot which sadly was not to be - the visibility was pretty crap and added to that the coral were spawning so there was brown whatever in the water.

Said a fond farewell to magnetic island and caught the 4,25pm ferry back to Townsville and George who was patiently waiting for us.

A beautiful island and a fantastic time.

Ayr and Townsville

Well we made it safe and sound to Townsville after first going over this amazing bridge - what is just as amazing is Tony got a good shot of it from George - good work hun.

After Ayr we made a slight detour to Bowling Green National park where we had lunch and went for a wee wander to the lookout.

Alligator Creek

From there is was a straight run to Townsville.  A town with a population of approx 160,000 people with a large military and airforce presence, in fact most of the employment is from these two sectors.  Townsville boasts Castle Hill - a cool red rock hill 286m high which is apparently only metres away from being classified as a mountain.  It was used as a vantage point during WWII and has 4 short walks which allows you to see the whole of Townsville and surrounding countryside.  It also has the coolest toilets that i have seen yet.

Toilet block on Castle Hill

Also at Townsville at the moment is a beach art sculpture competition and much to Tonys horror i took a photo of every scultpture - 35 in all - i wont however bore you with them all but here is a wee taste.

This one is made from old plastic bottle tops

one for Keith

2d chalk art which by standing in the right place turns into a 3d photo - cool

the yummiest sculpture

And now we are sitting in the park contemplating a trip to Magnetic Island - the weather is not overly condusive and has been blowing a gale for the past few days - a bit calmer today though.  Watch this space to find out if we ventured over or not.

Love to all in NZ