Monday 25^th June – Lake Placid

We had an appointment with fear and terror. The cable car to Kuranda awaited with a smile on its face. We even got there early and there was no waiting to board the terror car. Some of the towers were 70metres high – I personally think some were 7km high or it seemed like that when viewed through clenched hands from the floor of the cable car.

We were all happy and expectant – till we set off and we reached the first of the towers. When it went bump-bump-bump-crunch, well we were not quite as confident. The trouble was that every tower produced the same sounds …….. and same reaction from me.

The Train with a waterfall just in the background

The Train on the curve

The drop into Kuranda

ALL cable cars were empty going the other way!!! Does this mean something?

Baron Falls in full flood

I can't look!!!!!!!!

The first way station on our cable ride

Theonly time we have seen a Cassowary

For Campbell - Pop's EvilTwin Brother with a Friend

No really it wasn’t that bad (yes it was). The views from the cable cars were spectacular as we cruised over the canopy. We took numerous photos but really they do not mean a thing compared to being there. They did not give the feeling of (fear) awe as we floated above the forest.

The trip was broken into 3 sections for the ascent by cable as it required 3 changes of (underwear) cable car. The first stop was Red Peak where we could wander through the upper reaches of the rain forest on an elevated walkway – something we had seen before.

The second stop was Barron Falls where we walked through a trail to the vistas of the falls and took numerous photos. We would love to see it in the wet season. We were also to see this with a different perspective in the afternoon when we came down the mountain via train.

The third was the final section into Kuranda village. This was spectacular as we could see the village laid out below us as we descended across the Baron River, even going over the top of the train that was doing the ascent via rail. We would catch that train in the afternoon. Two trains do the climb in the morning, then stay to do the descent in the afternoon.

We wandered around the village, through the markets (every town in QLD has markets) down to the park, where we had our lunch which we had made that morning.

Before we had lunch, during our wandering through the village, we had run into Deano and his wife and Mum and Dad, and then 10 minutes later we ran into the Ceccere’s, doing a walk and an ice cream stop.

We walked down along the river amongst a grove of paperbarks and ran into an English couple and we chatted with them till it was time to catch the 2pm train back down the mountain.

The return trip was not as (frightening) exhilarating as the morning climb, but we could manage to enjoy the views with a bit less height between us and terra firma. The train slowed and sometimes stopped at the places where the view was a bit special. It even stopped at a station for 10 minutes to allow for that Kodak moment (or is that now an XD Card moment) I managed to get some photos of the terrain, the dam, the river, Fay, the waterfalls and the train doing tight bends as we did the trip to the station at the bottom of the mountain. We then had to catch a shuttle bus back to the Cable Car Terminus, where we left Fanda in the morning.

We had to do a little shopping (at the suburb called Smithfield… there is a suburb of Cairns called Parramatta) then we returned to the park where we had prepaid for a Chinese meal in the morning.

A long day but an enjoyable one.

Tuesday 26^th June - Flying Fish Point

Quite a catchy name for an area – Flying Fish Point. I didn’t point out to them that the fish they have on the sign is a sail fish NOT a flying fish – but who cares?

We picked it out of the area map, but it had been recommended to us by someone along the way. The weather is beginning to go overcast on us.

We booked in and did a walk along the beach then down to the mouth of the river. Flying Fish Point is where the Johnson River meets the Ocean. Let me tell you that the Johnson River is quite a large and wide river. Once again a river we had never heard of.

We found the take-away just down the road, so I walked down to get the fish and chips take-away for tea. We managed to have tea in the camp lounge and got to see our first ABC news for a while. Where are we off to tomorrow? We have sent Emails to some people we met on the Canadian trip who live near Bundy (we will stay there early next week), and the fellow I flatted with 40 years ago when doing the ATC course, Steve (later in the week).

Wednesday 27^th June – Mission Beach

Overcast and misty rain was the order of the day. We had hoped to do the Tully Cane Processing Mill (they do tours) but maintenance/breakdown cut that short – they said we might be able to do it on Friday- I don’t think so.

We drove through Tully in the rain which should not be a surprise. Tully is the wettest place in Australia. They even have a largest gumboot as you drive into town. Apart from footwear too large to wear, there is very little to be said about Tully. To be fair we didn’t stop and walk around, we decided to go straight to Mission Beach. We found our park (the council run $20/night – what a bargain. The one across the road is 37.50 and that is the discounted rate). We chatted with the other park residents then had a spot of lunch. We started to do the beach walk but the rain started – it is still raining. I think we will walk down the road to the shops to buy something to eat (we have run out of morning tea/afternoon tea fare). The TV is non existent so we might do some reading a have a DVD. We head further south tomorrow.

Friday 22^nd June Port Douglas

Had a wonderful night in the hotel. Room with balcony over water.

Sheraton Mirage - 5.5acres of pools

that's Our room 2nd from left, ground floor

Went sunbathing at one of the pools where they have sand in the water! All very lovely. We caught up with boys and co again today for brunch before they headed off for the wedding. It has been great to see them.  They had enjoyed their day on the reef. We then booked into a different caravan park. Only little but closer to town and the beach. There are sports grounds adjacent and then CWA rooms. All this land was left to the public in a will and the land must be always used as a caravan park. It is right next to the Peppers resort and would be valuable land. We go out the back gate and across the road and the 4 Mile beach is there. It is very flat and the sand is hard enough that we can ride our bikes along the beach. Lovely!

Riding on the beach

They have seats and umbrellas that can be rented! Haven’t seen this on Australian beaches before. The lady at the park is very friendly and helpful and we would love to come here again.

Saturday 23^rd June Port Douglas

We had a wonderful day out on the Great Barrier Reef. After much deliberation we chose a boat that took us to a pontoon where we could snorkel, go in an underwater observatory and go in a type of glass bottom boat. It took an hour and a half to reach the pontoon.

Fay snorkling

the submersible

One  of Fay's Swimming companions

We went first in what they call a semi submersible and we could see fish and the reef thru the windows of the boat that were below the waterline. Amazing! (An overused word I know) I, Fay, went snorkeling. All the gear is provided and there are areas cordoned off with ropes for people like me to hold on to. Once I figured out how to use the snorkel all was good. It was wonderful to swim among the fish and see the reef. It is not flat as I Imagined but there were like mountains of reef and then it would go down. As we sailed back to port parts of the reef were very visible on top of the water also. Food was provided and all in all it was a fantastic day.

Sunday 24^th June Port Douglas to Cairns.

Left our park early and did the groceries before we went to mass. Actually had a priest! He was very erudite and interesting to listen to. We wondered whether he had a background as a lecturer because his sermon seemed in parts more of a lecture then homily. In saying that though, he was concerned that all visitors were able to get where they wanted to go. We then headed off to the markets. Very big. Bought some second hand books, fruit and a lovely present for a new baby.

We then headed to Cairns. We were sad to leave Port Douglas as we have really enjoyed this area and would be keen to come back again. We are in a lovely Park In Lake Placid. This is on the edge of the Barron Gorge National Park. We are surrounded by rainforest. We are opposite the river where the water comes down from the gorge into the lake and then the river. We have been for a walk and once again it is lovely. I –Fay- went for a ride for about an hour today. I was on bike paths all the way and very flat. Also went around a wetlands. Very enjoyable. Tomorrow we are off to the skyrail and railway.

Tuesday 19^th June Port Douglas

We rode the bikes into town and did the cruise up the inlet. We actually saw a couple of crocodiles, but they were only very small ones.

The captain was reduced to throwing cat food into the river to try to attract cat fish, and it worked. They really do use cat food to attract cat fish, but it has to be a good quality dry stuff, not the black and gold. See the photos to see the result.

After the cruise we wandered around to try to decide when we would go out to the reef and which boat we would go on. As the wind was getting stronger and promised to be increasing over the next few days we decided to wait till Friday or Saturday to cruise.

It was great to be able to catch with Ben and Simon and the girls. They are up here for a wedding. That night Ben and Jane picked us up from the caravan park and we drove to where they and Simon and Kate had their apartment for a few drinks and then we walked down and found a place for tea. It would appear that they lost our dinner order and after 45 minutes we asked what’s going on. Sheepishly the apologies flowed but we ended up with free garlic bread and free drinks, but boy were we hungry.

It was a great night and we walked Jane back to the apartment and then we walked home. The other three stayed out a bit longer. They enjoyed the cane toad races and some karaoke.

Wednesday 20^th June Daintree and Cape Tribulation

We set off early the next morning to head for the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. We still passed lots of cane fields. The harvest has started and we have seen some harvesters in actions and trucks on the road transporting sugar cane. Trucks are used up here not trains.  After we caught the ferry across, we had a good drive on winding roads all the way to the Cape. We actually stopped about a kilometre after the ferry to have a look at the first of the lookouts right along this coast. It was a very overcast day and the photos look like they were taken in black and white – you’ll see what I mean.

There were a couple of roosters there wandering around .At the lookout we met a couple who worked for the cruise company we are doing the cruise with. We could see out to the reef. They said their company was the best (What a shock!!!). They also said that some of their passengers had stayed at the Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas and they had a free cruise thrown in – something we did investigate, with no results.

We also stopped at another place and did the walk through the tree tops. This was a great place even if we did pay for it. At one time after walking along the elevated walkway we then climbed 112 steps to the very top for yet another great view.

There were numerous places like this along the way, all free, and all great. Many lovely boardwalks that wind there way thru the forest. They are of various lengths and go thru a variety of foliage including mangroves. The Daintree is older then the Amazon rainforest. So many amazing trees etc. There were trees with buttress that look like cement and the actual buttresses are very wide.

The foliage is just spectacular and the photos do not do justice. 

Cassowaries live up here but only about 1200 are still alive. There are lots of signs to be careful of them while driving. 

We even have a photo of the giant spider, a golden orb spider, whose body was the size of my thumb’s first knuckle and the body the size of my hand. Amazing but non-poisonous.

We also have a photo of a painting of a prehistoric bird from around here called a Thunderbird – yes people! Thunderbirds are go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We drove to the end of the tarred section of the road and not knowing we were already at Cape Tribulation, we kept driving on the dirt track – the 4wheel drive track to Cooktown – only 100km or so up the road. After about half a km we decided we had done the cape trip and found a place to turn around and went back to the tarred road. Going onto the beach at Lake Tribulation was very special. The rainforest comes right down to the beach and then there is the sea. There is a beautiful picture book called “Where the forest meets the sea”. The pictures in there show what we saw.

We drove past the ice cream factory, coffee plantation and the tea plantation, and visited none of them. Imagine us passing up a visit to a tea plantation!

We eventually found our way to our caravan park and settled in for the night – after a walk along the beach (yes! More signs about crocodiles in the area – apparently there is a 3 metre one living in the local creek – we didn’t investigate) Because it was low tide we were able to walk out to the reef about 100 metres away. It was all dark coloured. On the beach there were people riding horses and a family had bought their table from the park to have tea.  

Parked next to us were a couple from Freemantle in WA. They were a great couple and after talking for about half an hour they joined us for a pizza at the camp ground shop and then we went back to their caravan area and had a cuppa and some cake. A really nice couple. This was one of several place to stay up here at Cape Tribulation and from here we were right on the beach. This is the first park that had a bar.

Thursday 22ns June – Daintree and Port Douglas

We set off early once again and after catching the ferry for the return trip we drove into the Daintree village. We followed the river all the way along. It is quite winding. The ferry is the old cable type ferry and the river where we crossed was only about 50metres across and took about 5 minutes.

Daintree village was small and pretty. From the wharf lots of cruises can be taken.

The road to Mossman was only built in 1933 so the wharf was very important for transport of people and goods. Horseback was the other option.  After a brief stop we set off for Mossman Gorge a few KM down the road.

Mossman Gorge is run by the local aboriginal community and is only about 4km off the road in the middle of town. The new information centre which is where you start the visit to the Gorge, was only opened yesterday. If we had visited it when we were on the way to the Cape, we could have driven our own car there. As from yesterday, you park your car and pay $4.80 and catch the shuttle bus back and forward. There is a marvellous raised walkway to the gorge. We had been warned about midges, sanflies bugs etc and advised to use insect repellent before we got out of the car. I [Fay] decided to cover up completely including my attractive net hat - See photo. Lots of interesting stares!

Once again the Gorge was beautiful but I don’t think it was as spectacular as the Daintree and the Cape.

Off to Port Douglas and after lunch on the seat next to the church we booked the reef tour, but we had to book it for Saturday as Friday was booked out. This meant we had to stay another day in Port Douglas, so we booked a night at the Sheraton Mirage Resort just out of town and I sit here typing from that Resort. This place has about 6 or 7 pools everywhere, but these are not your normal sized pools. The total pool area here is 5 and a half acres. They are enormous and there was one right outside our balcony (ground floor).

Tomorrow will be a lay day and we will be chilling at the caravan park we also booked today.

We have come as far North as we will go. Cooktown was the next town North, but that requires a 560km round trip – we will leave it for next time. We are revelling in being warm! The weather south looks atrocious.

Monday 18^th – Port Douglas

We were off early 8.12 (no applause please!) as we had a decent drive from Cardwell to Port Douglas approximately 400km.

For the first time this trip we have seen bananas ready to be harvested. Along with all the sugar cane fields along the way it will prove to be a busy time for the area.

The sugar harvesting began late last week so there will be plenty of cane trains and harvesters all around the place. On the way south we will call in to a sugar mill and do the tour and Fay wants a ride on the cane train (not too sure about that).

The roadside vistas have certainly turned green over the past few days on the road. The sugar is close to the height of Fanda and the bananas are even higher.

Tully was the first sugar mill we saw in operation today, but we drove past as the steam was pouring out of the chimneys. The mills will be in 24 hour operation right through till all the cane has been harvested.

The road was an easy drive as the road continually turned left and right and, after Cairns it was a non stop series of round-a-bouts for about 10km.

The road for the last 20km into Port Douglas skirted the coast with views to the right of surf and sand (low tide) and to the left, the tall green forest. Quite a few mountains along the way as well, including Mount Bartle Frere, the second highest or highest mountain in Queensland, depending which information board you read.

We arrived just after 12 and had a quick lunch and walked into town.

Marinas and high price stores everywhere but we did manage to see a fish and chips meal for $8 so that’s lunch for tomorrow settled. Walked through the town and consulted the various travel places and information boards to plan the next day or so. The boys arrive tomorrow so we have tomorrow night’s tea sorted – ah no cooking tomorrow.

The Old Port DouglasRailway Station

The Old Catholic Church

View from back of church

We have booked a cruise up the river for tomorrow morning. The inlet here is called Dickson Inlet. We look forward to a day on the water.

Saturday 16^th June Cardwell

It didn’t take too long to reach our next port of call.

Two years ago Cyclone Yasi made a very large mess of a little seaside town called Cardwell, and we decided that we should boost the local economy by staying here for a couple of days.

On our way to here we passed through another little place called Halifax where they have the monthly markets. Once again we supported the local economy. One of the stall holders there comes from Cardwell and she recommended a park to stay at. We bought some yummy date roll and emu lotion. Try any thing once! She was telling us about the damage to the town. About 60% of people left.  It is the same park that was recommended by another lady a few weeks ago – so here we are. It is across the road from the water (Crocodile signs are once again prominent).

We hopped on our bikes and did the tour of the town and as we were pretty slow we didn’t get back for about 2 hours. We were able to ride all along the waterfront. We were able to see where the mangroves had been pulled out of the water. They have these amazing root systems. On our ride we went to the info place. It is beautifully set up with lots of info about the area with interactive displays. We also walked out on the pier which has been rebuilt several times because of cyclones. The wind was too strong to ride.

We are directly across from Hinchinbrook Island. There are at least another dozen islands that we can see. Hinchinbrook is all national park and the numbers of people visiting is very controlled. You can go over on a ferry but only stay about 30 minutes unless you are staying and doing a guided walk.

After lunch and a rest we then walked along the beach, north and south, for about 45 minutes, with one eye looking for crocs. Again the locals say that the signs are there for a reason. Our walk took us to a Coral Sea War memorial. Neither of us realised that this was the Coral Sea. Displaying our ignorance again! A local man was telling us that the croc numbers have increased because it is illegal to shoot them. So instead of staying in rivers they are now seen more in the sea. Boat ramps are popular with crocs.

We went to the happy hour for a while but you couldn’t take your own drinks and had to buy from the caravan park’s bar - $3 for wine and schooners of Tooheys draught or XXXX (I think I don’t mind the XXXX ).

We couldn’t get a decent TV reception here so we cooked tea on the camp BBQ and then went to watch the ABV news (is there any other?) then settled back for a mystery also on the ABC.There is a very nice lounge area near the camp kitchen. Someone then came along about half an hour later and asked if the Wallabies game was on the TV? We did find it but we switched back to the ABC till the end of that then watched the wallaby game – quite a finish!

The poor people we were watching the Rugby with had taken their daughter out of school 2 weeks early and were headed to the Cape with three lots of friends, till their Landcruiser’s motor blew up at Cardwell. They hope to get going again some time this week when their new reconditioned motor arrives from Melbourne and is fitted by the locals - $11,000 later

Sunday 17^th June – Cardwell

Up reasonably early and off to church at 8.30. It was only a liturgy of the word as the priests numbers here doesn’t allow a mass every week. We were also invited to morning tea afterwards and it ended up with 10 locals and us sitting in the foyer of the church have tea and cake and sambos. There are about 6 churches in the one parish now. These people do a great job keeping the faith alive in these places. I remarked to one lady that it will become like in early Australia where priest came round very irregularly. She said this is what happened to her grandparents who had 3 children before they were able to be married by a priest. There was a lovely man there who must have been much older then he looked because he talked about building the Mt Isa railway back in the 50,s. He was very entertaining with many stories. Cyclone Yasi went through the town and the police station on the main street had water and sand 9 feet high sloshing through the building. The church basically suffered the same fate.

The local Lions club had organised a fun day at the local oval to coincide with the opening of the Cardwell version of a Men’s Shed. We wandered up after church but we were a bit early so went home for a cuppa.

We then drove in Fanda up into the hills behind the town to the Cardwell Lookout. Well that’s where we were supposed to be going. After we drove 5km to a lookout 3.4km from the road, we turned around and backtracked and took another side road up a hill and we found A lookout but we don’t know if it was THE lookout. A very dusty and hilly road, but it was in pretty good condition as it was a logging road. In the quiet of photo taking time at the top of the hill, you could hear the logging trucks over the hills.

We then drove back to the oval for a sausage sambo for lunch. Here we chatted with another character who studies wars and told us everything we have been taught is wrong! Most things were wrong in his view! I imagine he is a character around town. Bought the papers and relaxed. I (Fay) decided to go for  another ride this afternoon. Pretty little town though many places for sale presumably because of the cyclone. That’s about us for today. Hope all are well and happy as are we!

Friday 15^th June- Lucinda

Yesterday afternoon we spent playing rummicub and a new game called sequence with our neighbours. Lovely people from Sydney who have travelled for about 12 years on and off. He was a teacher at Gymea high for 29 years. They were very entertaining and pleased to find someone to play games with. Sequence is a bit like Connect 4 but with cards. We won both games! Absolutely stunning park with loads of room.

Woke up to another glorious sunny day. We set off this morning and headed to Ingham. On the way stopped at Paluma National Park. We were very adventurous and went on dirt road and even through water. The water was only a few inches deep. It was so clear. We kept driving but came to a big dip in the road so backed up a hundred metres to a campsite. There were some sort of turkeys wondering around. We chatted to people from Perth who are permanently on the road and have no home. We didn’t go any further into the park.

Our exploration side trip

We continued on to Ingham - sugar cane country. Sugarcane on both sides of the road ready for harvesting. Also yesterday we saw pineapples growing.

sugar cane both sides of the road

We stopped at the information centre which is also the site for a lovely wetlands. This has been developed over the last few years and is lovely. There is a boardwalk through one part that Adrian and I went on. As always the people at the centre were very helpful. Ingham is about 20 kms inland and we wanted to stay on the coast and that is why we are at Lucinda on the coast. We did our shopping and headed off. This little village has a huge sugar loader, 5.75 kms long out into the water. We assume it is the main loader for Qld.

Sugar Loader - 5.75km out into the bay

Tyto Wetlands

Hinchinbrooke Island across for us

Yet another croc sighting

Adrian and I went for a ride this afternoon and found the other part of the village which has resort type style of accommodation. Our ride took us past mangroves and I thought I rode over the discarded skin of some sort of animal. At our park there are about 150 spots. These are mainly occupied by people staying here for 6 months. They come from down south. Some have been coming for over 20 years. Fishing is big here and they have vans, cars and boats. Many stay from March to October. The sites all have big awnings and the people also play golf and bowls. They got together for a chat about 5.00 so we joined them. They were very friendly. We walked to the beach and once again signs about crocodiles and recent sightings. The beach had people fishing and swimming. Last week apparently 2 crocodiles were sunning themselves where we saw people fishing and swimming today, and where we were walking earlier! We were recommended to have fish and chips at the local shop so we did. We had dinner overlooking the water. No crocodiles in sight! It should start to get busy here as the sugar cane is ready to be harvested. As we drove out from Ingham, the sugarcane railway lines criss-crossed the road everywhere so we may get to see them drive. We might go thru a mill and have a ride on a train.

Thursday 14^th June – Rollingstone
(You could call this place Bonney Doon - "Ah. Feel the serenity)

As you can see we have moved from Townsville. We have not seen Mick Jagger but if you want rock, you have come to the right place. Elton John isn’t here either but more of him later.

We arose early and took off for points North. We travelled all of 60km before we setup for the day, and here we are in Rollingstone. This is caravan park of the beachfront and we have a beachside site.

As you drive in for 5kms from highway, the end of the road is the park. There are no cars driving past or shops! We neglected to buy bread so Adrian drove back to shop for some. It is expensive here but beautiful. As I sit here on the grass I see sand, the sea, lots of sandbars, tide rolling in and islands in the distance. There appears to be a natural breakwater made of stone and coral we think.

We have been for a walk along the beach and were amazed by the number of rocks on the beach.

Rockin' on the beach

After paddling and walking out as far as possible on sand bars[no surf because of islands] we get to other end of beach on our walk and discover signs saying don’t go in water because of crocodiles!

Crocodile Rock

There seems to be a creek/ swamp next to park. There are lakes in middle of park we think are grey water areas. The place appears to have its own sewerage plant. We are about 50 kms north of Townsville.

The Elton John connection is to do with a sign we have just seen when we went for a little walk around the park. One we hadn’t seen on the whole trip. See the photo.

We will probably only stay here for 1 day

Tuesday 12^th June - Townsville

Afew things we forgot about yesterday. See yesterdays entry for photos.

Along some sections of the beach they are doing reclamtion work with the world's biggest sand bags. I have never seen bags this big and they are filled and carried by machinery.

The walkway/cycleway along the beach goes for about 3 km which Fay has mentioned. But wherever the way goes near the roots of a Moreton Bay Fig (we think they are) they have built a bridge over them. There must be about 20 of them in the 3km distance.

Also along the beach, wherever you could access the beach, there were stations where you were warned about the stingers in the water - some quite dangerous. At these places, they had a 2litre plastic bottle full of vinegar, which is what you apply when stung.The next step is CPR, Ambulance etc!

Yesterday during our walk along the Strand (no not Monopoly), the road along the water, we stopped at a cafe to have a quaffe. Whilst there we could see a little float plan, The Red Baron) doing his joy flights around the bay. When it was time for the flight to finish he would do a barrel roll, stall the plane and come sweeping over the water loosing height and head directly for the cafe we were in. He would then turn along the beach and land on the water about 50meteres from the shore. I guess it was the calmest piece of water he could find, but it did look like he was doing a beatup on the cafe - perhaps he owns the place!

On to Tuesday and our trip to Magnetic Island. .We caught the bus from outside the park – seniors half price. We had to change buses once we got to town but we waited less than 2 minutes. The ferry was a twenty minute trip (it’s only 8KM to Magnetic ). The senior’s fare was half price at $14.50 – It does pay to be a little old after all.

Immediately on landing we caught another hop-on hop-off bus which took us to Horseshoe Bay on the other side of the island. The bay was magnificent and took the opportunity to walk along the beach to one end and back.We psaddled in the water it was wonderful. The whole island is the result of volcanic action and the rocks[tors] are ENORMOUS. If you want to remove a piece of rock you need to blast it as drill make no impression. The bus drivers were very friendly and helpful. The island is consideresd to be a suburb of Townsville. and plenty of holiday accomodation. Backpackers are what keep the island going as Aussies only visit on long weekends.  A shame really as it is absolutely beautiful and accessible.  Once again there was NO surf as the bays around here are protected by the other islands. The bay had its own lifesaver, on duty and the stinger nets. There are quite a few islands here.

Hoped on the bus again and went to Nelly Bay which was where the ferry let us off in the first place. It was time for fish and chips and we eventually found the take away and then we found the beach and had lunch by the water. We did another walk around the place and headed back to catch the bus once again and went to Picnic Bay which is on the Western side of the island. Once again it was very sheltered from the waves and the wind.

Real estate can be had here from $250,000 up to 1 million if you want a waterfront place. From what one of the locals said, the backpackers are basically carrying the island at the moment. I’m sure there are deals to be had.

On the bus once again and back to catch the ferry back to Townsville. The bus connections this time round were not quite as successful. There was a half hour wait for both connections. It proved to be a long but wonderful  day.

Wednesday 13^th June _ Townsville

We had planned to do a bit more sight seeing but it developed into a lazy day. We went to one of the numerous malls around here and had a quaffee. We then split up and walked around the mall. A little bit of shopping in Woolies and Fay had a hair cut. We also made a big purchase of a TV aerial as we are a bit sick of no TV, and some classic ABC TV series, I Claudius and Rumpole, just in case the TV aerial didn’t work. We had a bit of trouble finding a place to park at the mall and we had to do it the aircraft way and do a circuit. We ended up parking between Maccas and the servo, but at least we got a park.We found a vinnies on the way home and have stocked up on reading material.

I am happy to say that the aerial works a treat and we will not have to venture into dangerous territory tonight to watch the State of Origin. Well it’s working at the moment – and we will not be moving Fanda just to make sure.
The tide is out across the road and many sandbanks are revealed.

Sunday 10^th June – Charters Towers

We went to 9am mass at Charters Towers then headed off to Townsville.It was a lovely mass. Lots more people then usual because it was a celebration -120years I think. The priest chose to explain his sermon using McDonalds food[across the road from the church]. He said we are what we eat and this was the analogy he used  for the Feast of Corpus Christi. Charters Towers has boarding schools and he said he did not use the food at the mass for the boarders as they may have fought him for the food. They had a big school reunion so there were lots of extra people at church. They had a big dinner on the Sat night and the venue had to be changed at the last minute because a possum ate thru the electrics of the original venue! As we were driving   once again the topography surprised with the rate of change of the landscape. Just outside of Charters Towers there was a large free camp site on the Burdekin river.There were a lot of vans there and we were surprised at how high river bank was .It must have been at least 15-16 metres high. We stopped along the way at another free camp site for morning tea. This was also on the river and very well set up.

We were shocked coming into Townsville. Traffic lights! Haven’t seen any since Canberra.

Where to stay in Townsville? Fortunately we had been told about a park at Rowes Bay, so with Fay armed with a not-very-detailed map, we threaded our way through the outskirts of Townsville and, after stopping at a shopping centre to do a bit of shopping, we arrived directly as per the instructions from Fay. What a navigator!! There are quite a few caravan parks in Townsville, as you can imagine, so we looked at the one recommended and it was right on the water. We walk across the road and there you are. They are all more expensive then inland but I (Fay)need to be near water!

Monday 11^th June - Townsville

This morning it was 16 degrees! So warm. I said to Adrian we may just stay here!

Across from us is the beach and a cycleway that goes for 4kms out to headland. We rode along there this afternoon. Lots of beach access and signs very emphatic about no camping or motorhomes.

The first foot in the water

This morning we drove into town - only a couple of kms. The water front stretches for about 3kms. This is beach, playgrounds, eateries, cycle track etc. It is called the Strand and it is lovely. There are 2 patrolled beaches and heaps of other areas to swim. They have a big fenced area that is stinger free that is also lovely. People have always swam at that spot and it has gone thru regular transformations.

Vinegar for the Stingers - They are all along the beach

The giant sand bags for the reclamation prpject

The Red Baron Float plan doing joy flights - we didn't.

Our Riding path with bridges over the Moreton Bay Fig roots

We enjoyed walking along here and I had to have a paddle. It wasn’t cold! This is s lovely park but no arranged camp dinners as in the country. We have chatted to lots of people. One lady came and checked out the van as they are thinking of changing theirs. We are amazed by the variety of vans and how you rarely see two the same. We are eating outside because it is much warmer.

Tomorrow we are off to Magnetic Island for the day! We can see the island from where we are 8km away!  Life is good!