Atherton Tablelands

Monday 27 May 2019

So far we have mainly stayed with the Solos, but from now on we are going our own way.  The Solos are still forming a tagalong and will do so for the next few months, because the will go to the Dam Fine Rally in Townsville and Christmas in July at Mareeba, an Italian Festival and what not.

We don't have time for that this year, so we will only go to north Queensland to visit friends and a relative of Kevin's.

We travel back to Longreach where we stock up on groceries at the local IGA and drive on to Winton where we find a nice spot for the night at the Long Waterhole Rest Area.

We spend part of the day walking through Winton, but we have both been here before so there isn't much new to explore.  The beautiful information centre with the Waltzing Mathilde scene was destroyed by fire a few years ago and has never been replaced.  The new one is not as interesting and too expensive anyway, so we decide to skip it.

The new Waltzing Mathilde Centre

Tuesday 28 May 2019

 After this short interlude we're on our way again and travel a long and rather boring road via Hugenden to the Campaspe Rest Area where we spend the night.

Leaving the Long Waterhole

Interesting cloud formations

Wednesday 29 May 2019

On Wednesday we travel on to the Archer Creek Rest Area via Charters Towers.  Long stretches of road and not much of interest for photographs, so I haven't much to show.  I also forget to take pictures from time to time... ;-)

Roads and vegetation change all the time

Thursday 30 May 2019

We visit Kevin's longstanding friends Marion and her partner at Ravenshoe.  It was a very pleasant visit, but Marion's health unfortunately doesn't allow a long visit, so we are soon on our way again.

We're in an area that Kevin knows very well, so he is my guide for the coming days.  First we visit a nearby wind farm: Windy Hill.

One burnt-out generator - cause unknown

Then it's on to Millaa Millaa where Kevin's brother-in-law Eon lives.  We pay him a short visit, drive on to Malanda where we have a look at Malanda Falls before we travel on to Atherton where we will stay the night at another friend's place: Margaret.  We're running out of gas for cooking, so that needs to be rectified too.

Vegetation is becoming greener in the wet north

The beautiful views of the tablelands

Turkeys at Eon's place

Millaa Millaa

On the way to Malanda

Malanda Falls

A selfie, just for the fun of it

Friday 31 May 2019

We're staying another day at Margaret's in Atherton, or rather, we spend more time in the hospital than at Margaret's place.  My big toe is not looking so good and Kevin insists I have it seen to.  So, most of the time is spent waiting with a break for lunch.  My toe is x-rayed and the doctor thinks that a small sliver may have broken off my bone.  Anyway, I've had my tetanus shot, so I am not too worried.  It will heal over time.  I don't like all the fuss and the time waisted waiting...

Saturday 1 June 2019

Saturday we spend at the Herberton Historic Village and at the Mining Museum.  Too many pictures to show here, so I have created a separate page for whom is interested.

Sunday 2 June 2019

We take our leave from Margaret and Ralph and drive to Gallo Dairyland where we have coffee and watch the cows being milked.

Later we drive to Eon's place again at Millaa Millaa where we spend the night.  This time no turkeys in the yard, but a stately peacock:

Monday 3 June 2019

We leave Millaa Millaa again early in the morning, but not before Kevin has seen the nurse at the health clinic.  He has an appointment to see her about Eon, who's health is deteriorating.  When the discussions finish we move on and Kevin wants to show me more waterfalls on the route.  The first stop however is at the Falls Teahouse where we have coffee and then on to Millaa Millaa Falls.

The Falls Teahouse

Another selfie. We can't help ourselves.

A very frisky little snake on our path

Next follow the Ellinjaa Falls:

No selfie this time.  Kind souls offer to take our picture!

But wait, there is more! Next the Mungalli Falls:

The Johnston River

We stop for the night at the Fred Drew Rest Area.  We are early enough to relax and have happy hour.

Looking at both pictures though I suspect that the second one was taken on another day....

Tuesday 4 June 2019

After a few weeks on the road we need a laundry again, so we stop off at Innisfail.  

On the road again we take a detour to Tully and the Tully River Gorge.

Tully River

Cardstone Weir Lookout

Swift Water Rescue training

Tully River

  

As the afternoon draws to an end we stop at Bilyana Rest Area for the night.

Wednesday 5 June 2019

We drive to Cardwell where we stop for coffee and visit the Visitors Information Centre.  I have been there a few times before and it is certainly worth a look.  

Kevin remembers the 'pie man' at Cardwell so we stop at the rest area and enjoy a delicious pie for lunch.  And Kevin remembers even more from former trips, so later we stop at the lookout over Hinchinbrook Island:

We're forever getting closer to home, but not yet, although our next stop is called Home Hill, called the Home Hill Comfort Stop Rest Area.  A great place with even a laundry and free showers. (no pictures, sorry)

On the way to Home Hill

Thursday 6 June 2019

The last part of the trip is not the most exciting part and the roads seem longer.....  It's probably part and parcel of every trip.

Next stop is at the Leap Hotel near Mackay.  We park in the hotel grounds amongst other motorhomes and caravans and have our evening meal at the hotel.

Friday 7 June 2019

On Friday we stop over at Yaamba Rest Area.

Saturday 8 June 2019

By Saturday we have arrived at Childers.  We stay the night at the Childers Free RV Camp.  It's a nice and clean parking area and provides a dump point and drinking water.  I have stopped there before myself and was quite impressed.

We spend some time at Childers and visit the old theatre, The Paragon.

Sunday 9 June 2019

On Sunday we arrive at Camp Cooroora, a former scout camp, near Cooroy.  Here we join the Solos again who have their midweek outing.

I have not taken any pictures, but it was a great mid-week, playing disc bowls and cards and generally chatting with old friends, or sometimes we call it our second family.

We leave on Wednesday and are home at Bongaree where we stay the night.  The following day is spent shopping and next we are home at Alexandra Hills.  The end of a 6-week great trip.