10 August - Day 10
Charters Towers - Atherton Tableland

We have travelled quite a few miles since the last post. We are constantly amazed at how the countryside changes. The outback was very green - due to the recent rain, but the coast is sooo green! It is almost lime green in places.

We called into Mission Beach on our way to Atherton Tableland. Very picturesque.  While we were there, everyone was looking at the sky. Just standing there looking. We looked - and couldn't see anything. People at the shops were standing outside looking at the sky. We walked down to the beach - and everyone was just standing looking at the sky. So we joined them and looked at the sky. It was like peer pressure - one person does something and everyone else joins in. We could not see anything in the sky - it was blue (beautiful! ) and clouds. So we continued walking... and they continued staring. As we returned, we finally saw what they were looking at - tandem parachutists, coming in right at the spot where we were standing. No wonder they were staring - it wasn't some weird experiment to see how many people you could get to stand and look up in the sky after all!

Hang gliders at Mission Beach.

Beautiful Mission Beach

Cassowaries apparently live in the forest around Mission Beach - and we loved the signage. They claim the sign of the week.

Sign of the week at Mission Beach.

While up at Atherton Tablelands we have stayed at a lovely park at Walkamin which was recommended by Jenny, Paul and Alison on their recent trip. (Thanks for the recommendation!)  It is an extreme contrast to the last few campsites we have stayed at! There is even a herb garden that can be used by campers!

We spent a lovely day today touring around Tinaroo Dam. Again a very beautiful area. They were releasing water from the dam which was very spectacular.

Water being released at Tinaroo Dam.

Malanda Falls
(Darryl was in photography heaven - and Merril crocheted another square for her granny blanket!)

Curtain Tree Fig - 500 years old

It had started raining at lunch so we decided to stop at Yungaburra Hotel "The Finest Place in Town Since 1910". Darryl loved the architecture - inside it was like stepping back in time. (Darryl's comment - "They did a great steak burger. It had three pieces of steak!")

Yngaburra Hotel

We loved Yungaburra. It was very quaint and beautifully presented. A town with a lovely atmosphere.