This Easter we decided that it would be beneficial to make a journey to the north. We've gone south on many occasions visiting family and medical appointments and catching up with old friends. We felt it was time to explore the north of Queensland, in particular, the area around the Atherton Tablelands and Cairns.
The following picture diary of the trip should suffice to stimulate a memory of the experience.
Our first stop was at Mt. Inkerman. Here we stopped to view the landscape and read the stories presented.
From here, looking to the west, we could see the northern part of the Great Dividing Range. This range runs from Tasmania right through to the tip of Cape York. Mt Kelly is a prominent feature that rises from the surrounding plains. This mountain was a special place for the Bindal people as it provided plenty of good food including tubers, birds and other animals.
James Morrill was a survivor of a shipwreck, the Peruvian, which struck a reef to the west of New Caledonia who was adopted by the Bindal group of the Birri Gubba people. He lived with his adopted tribe for 17 years, learning many survival skills. When he learned of pioneer graziers nearby, he approached them and was accepted into their company. He was treated as a celebrity in recognition of his incredible survival story. He remained a strong advocate of the indigenous peoples in the Bowen area. His skill in communicating with the Aboriginal peoples promoted peace between the two cultures and saved many lives. He married Elizabeth Ross and their decendents still live the area. He died aged 41.
Driving north of Townsville, we noticed a sign advertising a waterfall. Being of a mind to explore, we turned aside and discovered Jourama Falls.
The area involved a beautiful campground, a short walk and a fantastic waterhole with a small waterfall. We were very glad to have found it.
Our goal for the first day was to reach Paronella Park. We arrived in the mid afternoon and quickly went to explore the park.
This table and bench set is one of several. They are made of concrete and built by Jose Paronella so that his guests could enjoy a picnic by the waterfall.
Under this building was a cafe, which operated until it was damaged by a flood in 1946. Further damage has been caused by cyclones in 1986, 2006 and 2011.
As night fell, we decided to take the night tour.
One of the characters of the place: this eel regularly appears to greet the visitors to the park who travel through in the night tours.
This avenue of Kauri Pine trees were planted in 1933 as seedlings.
We returned the next morning to get some additional photos in the morning light.
We explored the museum, which housed some of the original objects that were used when the park was originally in use.
This drawing gives a hint at what the picture theatre and Ballroom may have looked like, based on anecdotal evidence.
This picture is what the stage of the Ballroom looks like now. This part of the park was opened as in 1935 as a dance hall and picture theatre. It was also used for wedding receptions. It was burned down in 1979 due to an electrical fault.
These fountains are gravity fed from the top of the falls. This was Jose's final project and was rejuvenated by the Evans family in 1993.
This is North Johnstone Lookout. It takes in a view of the North Johnstone River. The lookout was cut through the trees on the Palmerston Highway. This view takes in the Wooroonooan National Park, which also includes the two highest peaks in Queensland. An annual average rainfall of over 8m occurs in this area.
We didn't go for a walk down. The walk down the hill was 4km return and estimated to take 2 hours. The grade was difficult due to the steepness of the terrain.
We moved on to the waterfall circuit. Where we visited three different waterfalls. The first we visited was Ellinjaa Falls.
Be backed it up with Millaa Millaa Falls.
And then on to Zillie Falls.
We ended the day by going to the Mt Hypipamee National Park to check out the crater lake there.
Apparently this huge hole was made by volcanic gases that blasted through the rock.
On the way back from viewing the crater lake, we walked by Dinner Falls near the headwaters of the Barron River. It was one of the highlights of our day. This was a beautiful spot.
We stopped the night in Atherton in a unit at the Big4 tourist park. The next morning, we left to check out the Crystal Caves.
Leaving the Crystal Caves we started out of town. Providentially, we received a phone call telling us that we had left a sleeping bag in our unit. Back we went to get it. Then we spied a sign advertising orchids for sale at a house across the street from the tourist park.
We bought two orchids and then attempted to leave, but our car battery chose that moment to cease to work. We thank God now that we were still in Atherton and not further abroad. A new battery and $235 later we were back on the road and off to see....
...The Curtain Fig.
Leaving the Curtain Fig, we drove on and visited Lake Barrine. Here we went for a short walk to see the Twin Kauri Pines. These trees are more than 6m in girth and are apparently more than 1000 years old. They grow over 50m tall. These trees are restricted to the Atherton Tableland area. They can only survive between 600m and 1000m above sea level, in areas with high rainfall.
We also briefly stopped at Lake Eacham, but it was raining so we didn't stay long. Apparently, there is a freshwater crocodile living in this caldera lake.
From here, we journeyed down the range to Cairns. We stayed at the Coconut Holiday Resort, which was a destination on its own.
On Wednesday, we decided to spend the day at the resort. The children spent the morning swimming and playing mini golf. In the afternoon we visited some friends.
Thursday. Time to be a tourist again. This time, we went to Kuranda via train. In places, the train slowed down so that the tourists could take some photos.
Barron Falls!!!
In places, the train track corners so tightly that photos like this can be taken both forward and back.
One of several smaller waterfalls that we encountered on the train journey.
We left the train and went into the Kuranda township...
What could be better than ice-cream? Ice-cream in Kuranda of course!
This plane was donated and placed here in Kuranda at the Heritage Markets. The history of this particular aircraft is this:
In 1942 a C-47 DL was produced in California. It formed part of the USA 5th Air Force, which came to Australia in 1943. It was named 'Geronimo'. It was based in Mareeba and Brisbane in 1944 and then was then given to the Australian Government.
'Geronimo' was then refitted and flew as part of Australian National Airways in 1945. It was then handed over to Trans Australian Airways in 1946. 'Geronimo' remained in service as a passenger aircraft until 1956 and then was refitted for aerial survey work.
In 1957 it was given to East West Airlines. It ended service in 1976 and sat in Tamworth waiting to be dismantled. It was flown to Maitland in 1978. This was its last flight.
It was used in an Australian film 'Sky Pirates' in 1983 when it was repainted and renamed to 'Miss Fortune'. It was transported to Cairns on semi-trailers. After the film it was placed in a scrapyard.
'Geronimo' was saved by the Heritage Homestead who received the plane as a donation.
Last stop for the day was the Kuranda Butterfly House. This was the best part of my day.
On Friday we travelled north as far as Port Douglas and then turned inland to travel to Mareeba.
These photos are of our children, who enjoyed some surf, sun and fun at Port Douglas.
On the way up the range, we stopped at one of the several lookouts...
In Mareeba, we first went to visit the Chocolate Works. Which in reality was a tiny kitchen inside a huge shed full of random ornaments, antiques and other crafts.
After spending an exorbitant amount on vegan chocolate, we travelled a short distance to join up with friends of ours and spend Sabbath with them.
On Sabbath afternoon, we went to see beautiful Emerald Creek Falls.
And we found this beautiful spot on the way back down.
The next day, we packed up and headed back south to our home.
