CARDWELL, TULLY AND MISSION BEACH

Travelling so far, we have not had too much rain but last night at Ingham, the rain started and did not let-up all the following day so did not venture too far up the highway after stopping into Cardwell's information centre.  Well worth the visit.

Yes, this is Cardwell's Iconic Crab.

Yeah, the rain has stopped after 36 hours - darn, we forgot to get up and sweep off the water before closing the slide outs so have a couple of wet carpet areas!!!!

We stopped at Tully to view yet another Iconic Golden Gumboot - climbed up inside it and viewed the frog from above as well as the surrounding exhibits of the local sugar cane industry and mill.

Looking for cassowary in the wild even when we got out to South Mission Beach where it is boasted of them wandering through the caravan park.  Not today but we did enjoy a stroll down the beach looking out to Dunk Island and back south to Hinchinbrook Island without the cloud cover.

Yes, another Large Icon to view at Wongaling Beach shopping centre

Stopped for the night at an unusual setting - at a passionfruit farm.  Bit wet under feet and Very Big Horse Flys so did not enjoy a stroll through the vines and surrounding bushland.  Had to hide inside Duz Us so not pleasant.

Greeting from this large lizard.

Back to sunny days.

Now into banana growing area as well as tea, chocolate beans and sugar cane.

WATERFALLS - WETLANDS AND WANDERING THE SURROUNDING PLACES

Leaving Townsville we had to stop at the Frosty Mango to get some frozen mango for our shakes. Wayne and I had to also had an ice cream for morning tea!!!!

This north Queensland is well known for its large iconic statues.  I will show you plenty while up here.

We stayed in the CMCA Park at Ingham for four nights to explore this area.

Jourama Falls Lookout Walk - 4.2 plus kilometres from our rig up to the top!!  Whew, we made it to enjoy the view from up here.  Peaceful also amongst the huge boulders where the creek meandered through the trees and pools to swim in to cool off.

Not too much water as there hasn't been any rain here for a long time

Larger pools further down amongst the trees for swimming but did see a Ulysses butterfly here.

WALLAMAN FALLS was our next days travel to see Australia's highest single drop waterfall is an experience not to be missed.  Driving up through the National Park we had to stop/slow down several times to let the cattle wander along the road!!

Obviously used to traffic but not shy at all.

The road climbs higher and higher into the tropical rainforest before one arrives at the viewing area to see this magnificent waterfall.

No we did not walk down to the base as it looked  sheer drops and after yesterdays trek we only took the short walk to view the gorge further around.

With the appearance of being held together by two rusty nails, the very quaint and photogenic weatherboard clad Trebonne Post Office has been operating untouched for almost 100 years.

Yes - the Post Office  is still operating from here.

Sunday 17th Sept. we took an early walk across the road and into the TYTO Wetlands.  This has a variety of walking tracks that explores the 120Ha of urban wetlands near the town's centre.  It supports over 230 different species of birds, and is a must see for all visitors.  We spotted at least 15 or more species while we were wandering through the tracks.

An Agile Wallaby watching us as we walked past him.

So many of these crimson finches

CONGRATULATIONS JAYDEN ON YOUR THIRD GRAND FINAL WIN - GO CARINA

Proud Dad

Later that day we walked over the boardwalk to the tower and into the township to view the artwork especially the Mercer Lane mosaics.

This 42 metre mosaic tribute to the cane cutter and sugarcane industry in the Hinchinbrook region.  An amazing community art project worth a visit.

The following day we took a drive out past Victoria Mill which in one of the largest sugar mills with its chimney stacks stand at 66m and the mill is capable of processing up to 3.74 million tonnes of sugar cane annually.

Out to Taylors Beach, Forrest Beach before going on up to Lucinda where one can view the longest sugar loading jetty in the world at 5.7kms.  We crossed over to the old sugar jetty over looking the Hinchinbrook Island Channel.

We watched a vehicle drive up there and before it was halfway it was hard it see!!!  This fisherman had a job getting bait fish out of his net before the pelican had a feed.  

On the old sugar jetty looking towards Hinchinbrook Island with the dark rain clouds gathering amongst the peaks of the rainforest.  Yes, rain is on the way.

SOURING TEMPERATURES SO HEAD FOR THE HILLS

Today we decided to explore the Hervey Ranges and find the Heritage Tea House which was the former Eureka Hotel built over 150 years ago. Wow.  What an interesting place steeped with the history of the cattlemen and travellers bringing the cattle and stores through the ranges from out west into Townsville and return.

One can just see Magnetic Island through the smoke haze in the distance.

The 150 year old Eureka Hotel now a popular Heritage Tea Rooms.

Loved the teapot for my green tea while Wayne totally enjoyed his flat white coffee.

Upon returning down the ranges back to the tourist park the temperatures have soured up to 34 degrees celcius.  Whew - so time for a soak in the swimming pool.  Thank goodness for the cooling breeze.

MAGNETIC ISLAND AND OUR TOWNSVILLE FAMILIES

Have had a couple of lovely days dining with Stu and his beautiful children out at Bushie Beach Tavern and then Daryl and Amanda and children at home last night.  They lead a very busy life with all their work, sports and dancing commitments amongst other happenings at the moment so were lucky to see them.  Would you believe Daryl was watching the same Grand Final last Saturday morning that we were and stood on the same sideline and watched the presentations after the game and none of us saw each other!!!!!  SO Annoyed we did not see each other.

Callum, Charlie Marcus and Sienna have all grown up sooo..... much.

Woke to an overcast day to journey overseas to Magnetic island for the day.  By the time we arrived at the jetty at Nelly Bay the sun was shining so hopped on the bus immediately to travel over to Horseshoe Bay over the opposite side of the island.  Walked the Esplanade to decide where to eat for lunch then sat under the shade of the palm trees fronting the beach overlooking the calm water.

How cute are these hire cars to explore the island in.  

Later we caught the bus back to Picnic Bay Jetty where I remember when back in 1994 the Masters Netball Team that I played a tournament up here in Townsville came over for a visit and we got off the ferry here at this jetty.  The whole village is now much quieter than I remembered it but the banyo trees are still here where I took photos of all the girls around them so had to get one pic of myself under them this time.

Talking to this lady in this shot, she remembers back 30 years ago arriving on the ferry here also.

Look - there's Neemo with all the other beautiful coloured fish in this aquarium at the Picnic Bay Hotel where we sat and waited for the next bus to take us back to the jetty to come back to the mainland.

A great island to explore for a couple of days I reckon.  Pity we only had the one day over there.

TOWNSVILLE

We have arrived here and have found a quiet tourist park with 50/50 of permanent residents and caravaners.  We watched Stu Bell's son play his final game of league on Saturday.  Reminded us of watching our own grandson's not that many years ago and WOW - just heard Jayden Twin is playing in the finals down in Brisbane.  Play hard and good luck darling.  We await to hear your results.

We decided to take a stroll up to Kissing Point Fort looking out over to Magnetic Island before descending down the path to the cafe beside the swimming pool along The Strand.  Beautiful day to spend strolling the foreshore.

Had to walk off that "not so nice" fish and chips lunch!!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Yes, we feel that the time to move on north and explore new places is right so off the Bowen for lunch where we had a great weekend when living in Mackay some years ago and found the fish and chip shop down at the jetties then on up the highway as far as Ayr and out to Alva Beach for a couple on nights.  The folk in the caravan park are mostly here for the fishing it seems as a large majority of folk have the dune buggies and go fishing out the back of the van park and on to the mangroves and beach.  Wayne and I took a walk down the main road to the public park beside the beachfront then walked the sand south before finding our way back amongst the dunes to the caravan park.  Quite a walk in the morning sun!!

THE BIG BURN BETWEEN TWO PROPERTIES

Sunday afternoon 3rd September Tony and Graham prepared themselves to get the gullies between their two properties and up the side boundary right out to O'Flynn Cres.

We four had our jobs, - Tony driving his tractor (water truck), Wayne on the end of the hose, Graham as fire starter and I manhandled the rake to put out the little edges so the fire wouldn't spread.

Whew - that was one HUGE task completed and now the boys just need some rain come summer to get the new growth to come away on the remaining standing trees.  I must say, Wayne and I were only glad we could help them with this mammoth task and so now Tony can get on with his many other dreams and schemes.
Tuesday 5th we fare welled Tony as he went back to work and we had our last night here.  Had to have one last bon fire around the fire pit.  Cleaned up our paper rubbish and even our old Golden Oldie green jumpers from the Christchurch tour. (1995 I think)??????? Yes we still had them and Wayne wore his frequently but, I made him get rid of them as we were given new jackets from Tony.

Had to captor the full moon as the twilight descends over the property.