The Rain stopped for a short time - Sandra & I walked over to the Showgrounds, where there was a Camp drafting event in progress, it was great to see the Cowboys and Cowgirls showing their skills on horseback as they manoeuvred small bulls around the arena. One bull took a short cut and smashed through the chute gate, they had to halt the event and weld the gate back together.
We had watched the Camp Draft for about an hour and then headed back to the pub for happy hour, it was another great night we were drinking with a Pommy Couple from Hervey Bay - Barry and Jill, another pair from Melbourne - sad to say but I have forgotten their names, and two from Temora - Bill and Joy. Those Pommies sure no how to party, they were great company to be with.
Up early this morning there is a break in the clouds so we hope to leave for Sarina, but it was not to be, the heavens have opened up again. We have pulled into another country pub this one is at Carmila, and only $10.00 a night with power and hot showers.
08/06/2007. San and I are now in the Bluewater Caravan Park at Yabalu 20km north of Townsville. Whilst at the pub stay back in Carmila we retired early on the first night as there was no T.V. reception, the rain was bucketing down, in bed we could hear little kids laughing and playing, we looked out the window it was pitch black and still raining heavily, the pub was closed, there were no lights on anywhere and not a child to be seen (spooky), next morning Sandra was talking to the Barmaid who told her that in the 1950's the top half of the pub was destroyed by fire, she did not now if there was any loss of life.
We now know we are in Croc territory as there are ACHTUNG signs at all the creeks and rivers telling us to be aware of Crocodiles.
The long weekend is now with us, we are glad to stay put in the park as there is carnage all over the country. 4 people killed in a collision with a 4wd vehicle at Mt Garnet near the Atherton Tablelands, a family of 5 died at Somersby when floodwater's washed part of the road away. There is huge destruction caused by the floods in the Hunter Valley and on the Central Coast of New South Wales, our Kids are in the thick of it, Shelly had to be evacuated from work as the flood waters were coming in on the lower floor of Homemakers, Joanne had water coming in through the garage door, the whole area is in black out, Kylie has borrowed my generator from Shane's place to keep her fridges going until the power comes on. We feel so helpless being so far away.
Green Frogs are everywhere up here in North Queensland.
Sandra got a shock to see this one in the Loo at Bluewater
13/06/2007. Today we drove from Bluewater Caravan Park to Bluewater Rest area 3km up the road, that's the good thing about us been on the road we can travel as far or as little as we like, there is no time constraint's what so ever for us. But the main reason was because I wanted to watch the State of Origin in a peaceful spot and not having those Cain Toads near us saying I told you so. ( the Bastards Won Again 10-6)
14/06/2007. Today we have only travelled 20 minutes up the road to Balgal Beach. This is one of the best free stays that we have stayed in, with the ocean at the front of the park and the river and mountains at the back, and all around there are coconut trees swaying in the breeze.
The photo below is of the river and Kiosk which is also the Bar, Restaurant, Bait & Tackle sales, News Papers and the usual Tourist Souvenirs. On our last night here Sandra and I had a great Seafood Platter for 2.
Prior to our visit to this lovely spot there was a sighting of a Crocodile sunning itself on the boat ramp at the rear of the kiosk.
Balgal Beach Kiosk & Boat Ramp.
17/06/2007. With the rain not letting up and the freezer battery getting low we have decamped Balgal Beach to Palm Tree Caravan Park at Ingham for 3 - 4 days?.
There is no problem here in Ingham with the drought as the rain has not let up and is still bucketing down, we have not had a good sunny day since leaving Theordore well before Gracemere.
About 5km before Ingham we crossed "Cattle Creek" which is a renowned spot to sight a Crocodile, I would not have been surprised to see one on the road as the creek had risen so high. Sandra and I are getting so bored siting around waiting for the rain to ease up, we have gone for a drive to the Tyto Wetlands here in Ingham, it is spectacular with a huge population of birds and Wallaby's you can get really close to them, it would be great to see all of this in bright sunlight.
21/06/2007. Today we have left Ingham ( still raining ) and we are now camped out by the Sea in the Wanderers Holiday Village at Lucinda, as with most parks in Queensland we are packed in like sardines, but we feel like we are in Paradise (if only the bloody rain would stop).
Lucinda has the largest cane loading jetty in the southern hemisphere, it extends for 5.7 kilometers out to sea into deeper water. Fishing is really good with Barra, Grunta, Cod and Bream being caught (but not by me). Whilst typing out this Blog the T.V. is on and the Weather Man is saying that this June is the coldest and wettest on record with the day time temperatures around 13 deg.
5.7 km Jetty to Sugar Cane Loader LUCINDA
29/06/2007. We have had to stay here in Lucinda for an extra 2 days as I have the Flu and it has knocked me about a bit, it also looks like Sandra is coming down with it now. To make matters worse the sun has been shining for a day and a half and this place has come alive, we would like to come back here at another time and get our share of Fish.
Tomorrow we leave for Cardwell, it is only about 80 km up the road.
01/07/2007. We arrived at the Cardwell Beachcomber Tourist Park yesterday, this place looks Fantastic the sun is out, the lawns are a lush green, and there are a lot of coconut trees here in the park. I have said it before but I will say it again, they only care about the all mighty dollar up here in the north.
We are once again packed in like sardines, we have to park the car beside the caravan next to the roadway. Today our car was hit by a boat trailer as the driver was passing our van, with only a small scratch no real damage, we later got an apology from the guy.
Today (Tuesday) Sandra and I drove about 40km up the road to The Murray Falls State Forest high in the Mountains above Cardwell.
The falls are spectacular with plenty of water coming down, and at the bottom so Crystal Clear, there is camping here and at only $4.50 P.P. per night.
We will try and camp here on our way back down the coast.
A highlight was to see an Ulysses Butterfly the colour is a brilliant cobalt blue.
The Beautiful Ulysses Buterfly
The Unofficial Emblem of the North
Sandra at Murray Falls.
If you are very lucky you might just see a Cassowary in the camping area.
We leave here tomorrow heading to Etty Bay for about 4 days, Sandra and I will be glad to get out of this Caravan Park, it is poor value for money at $157.20, we expected a little more than they have to offer.
7/08/2007. We have arrived at Etty Bay. The scenery in this park is just fantastic, the best beach we have seen so far in Queensland. We now know that we are well and truly in the Tropics with rainforest's all around us, Exotic birds, and the most beautiful Butterfly's and as well we have the elusive Cassowary's on the beach and in the park.
The Beach at Etty Bay as seen from our Van
Cassowary on Etty Bay Beach.
14/08/2007. Today Sandra and I are staying at the Fishery Falls Caravan Park for 1 week, we are just 30km south of Cairns. This is without doubt the best van park that we have stayed at in Queensland. We are in a valley with mountains on both sides of the Bruce Highway, sugar cane all over.
This park was in the thick of things during Cyclone Larry and suffered a lot of damage, but to their credit the park owners have done a fantastic job cleaning up this lovely park, the have planted over 5000 new trees - palms - ginger plants and hedges.
Cairns Waterfront.
We were very disappointed with Cairns it is just another big City, there is no beach here the nearest one is about 35km away, but they do have a great marina with a lot of boats that you would have to be a Millionaire to own 1 of these.
My next boat?22/08/2007. Having left Fishery Falls Sandra and I are now camped at Mossman for 1 week. The weather is not so good with rain and wind on most days it makes it very hard to get out and about. The drive up from Cairns was a bit hairy with the road narrowing about 40km up and not a great lot of room when towing a caravan, in parts the road is right alongside the coast.
We are not that impressed with this part of the country it is so hard to get in anywhere, you have to book way ahead and get what ever is vacant, it's not like you see in the brochures.They are in full swing with the Sugar cane Industry and almost all the towns have a mill, they are processing the cane and the smell of Molasses is very strong.
We went for a drive today (Tues) up to Newell Beach, about 30km from Mossman, we had tried to book in here last week but they did not have any vacancy's so we were glad we could not get in, we did not like the look of this place, after that we drove on to Wonga Beach, the caravan park is big and spacious, but at $29.00 a night it is a bit to pricey, the beach was dreadful as all the debris from the Daintree River collects all along the waterfront it looks like a rubbish dump. Wednesday26th. Sandra and I drove up to Mossman Gorge about 8km from camp, we are very high up in the Rain forest now and the humidity is unbearable, we both feel like we have been in a Sauna. This place is not as spectacular for us as Murray Falls was, but none the less it was a good walk. I need the exersize.
Strange Looking Trees here in Mossman
Friday 27th. Yesterday Sandra and I went on a River Cruise up the Daintree River, it was the 1st day since we have been here that it has not rained, the day was overcast but a good day all the same . We only sighted 1 Crocodile, you can understand why people get taken by them, we were only 20 feet from it before we saw the thing it was about 12 ft long, also sighted were 2 Pythons in the canopy of some trees over hanging the river, 2 Papuan Frogmouths, some Sacred Kingfishers and an Orange Footed Scrub Fowl. It was a top day! we leave tomorrow for the Tablelands, hopefully the rain has eased.
1 comment:
to mum and dad.great job on all the blog's.very informative.kylie
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