11-16 August Atherton Tablelands

It has been a while since we have been able to post an update to our blog as we have been in areas that have had no reception, so we will fill you in on the missing dates.

11 – 12 August
Walkamin – Undura
As we left Walkamin on Thursday morning we called into a lovely woodworking gallery where Merril spent her birthday money on two lovely little echidnas. (Thanks Mum and Alison.) There was lots of lovely things there and we could have spent a fortune.

Merril's echidnas

We drove from there through Innot Hot Springs (it was amazing how hot the water was in the creek! Some was close to boiling!)

Darryl testing the water at Innot Springs

Then on to Undara Volcanic National Park where we went on a tour of the lava caves.

Entry of the "Wind Tunnel" lava cave

Inside the "Wind Tunnel". Magnificient colours on the cave walls.
Shame about the lighting!

A special guest joined our tour, Lorrein Pinay. She was the previous owner of the property before it was reclaimed as National Park. This was the first time she had been back to see the caves since she left 30 years ago so she was excited to see the caves and we were so very lucky to be able to hear her stories of life on the land when she was there. When she first arrived they lived in a tin shed that had holes for windows and doors. Her father then built them a concrete block house (as the termites up here are enormous). They had no electricity, water or roads. The kids were home schooled. She told us of the occassion when one of her sons was attacked by dingos and was fortunate enough to survive thanks to the quick reaction of her daughter. Another time she almost picked up a death adder thinking that it was a chux cloth that had been dropped on the ground and many other stories.
They discovered the different caves, usually after bushfires when it was easier to see where cave roofs had collapsed. It sounds like there are hundreds of different caves in the area which will never be opened to the public. They would abseil into many of the caves.

13 – 19 August
Undara – Mt Molloy
Alison, Jenny and Paul recommended that we stay at a caravan park on a cattle farm outside Mt Mollay on our way to Cooktown. What a superb suggestion (thanks for that recommendation.) Each site has a shed which keeps the van incredibly cool during the hot days. There are only two other couples here (even though it is the week-end) and it is so very very quite. We booked in for only two nights initially but have decided to extend to Friday to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. It has been lovely having some time to stay in one place instead of always packing up and driving.

Our campsite. No other vans in sight. Bliss.

Babbling creek on site.

The sign of the day/week.
Eek  - I get shivers just looking at it!

From Mt Molloy we have been driving across the range to Mossman and Port Douglas. The rain has set in so neither area are displaying to their potential. While Port Douglas is very beautiful, it is extremely touristy which spoils it. It reminds us of Noosa. Tourists and tourist shops everywhere. (Oops .. does that include us???)

Port Douglas

Unfortunately as it has been raining we also haven’t had a chance to go bird watching.  A little disappointing this is apparently a wonderful site to see a wide variety of birds.