Well the gods were smiling on us for our departure with a perfect day weatherwise.
We are heading anti-clockwise which means heading north first but not directly up the Bruce Hwy. We like to stay off the main highways as much as possible. Travelled through to Goomeri for morning tea then on to Ceratodus just north of Eidsvold for first night. Had stayed here previously and toilets are some of the cleanest we have come across.
Thursday 6th May 2010
Away relatively early lunching at Duaringa which had a very large rest area for over-night with hot and cold showers available for gold coin donation. A possible one for the future but right on Capricorn Hwy with railway line with coal trains at rear so possibly noisy location. Spent the night at Bedford Weir 25kms north of Blackwater (Qld capital of coal mining). There is a memorial at the weir for a little 4 year old girl was washed away and drowned in November 2008 when a bladder across the weir top to hold extra water burst. Was renowned for red claw but floods have washed away weed beds that the y feed on so only very small ones present. As we found out as we travelled further north you really need a boat to either fish or put pots down in these lakes and weirs. Even out here Jeanette got a few bites from sandflies, midges.
Bedford Weir
Friday 7th & Saturday 8th May 2010
Headed for Lake Elphinstone to camp for 2 nights. Passed some massive open cut coal mines, particularly Peak Downs and Goonyella and towns such as Dysart and Moranbah that have been built to accommodate miners. Even with the GPS it was difficult to stick to the correct route because there were so many private mine roads throughout the region and one public road even had a large sign to say it was a private road and must have prior permission from the mine company but knowing that it was the only road heading in the right direction for our destination we just kept driving.
Lake Elphinstone was a large fresh water lake which had been dry for quite a number of years due to the drought but had water for the last two years. Hot showers if you bring wood and fire up the donkey. Great location but best to steer clear of the weekends as skiers and jet ski riders from Mackay and Moranbah come up and bring their quad bikes. They are drinking from the time they arrive til they go to bed about 2.00am and playing load music the whole time.
Peak Downs Mine
Lake Elphinestone
Sunday 9th May 2010
Headed off early, was going to have a look at Collinsville but too early for anything to be open and nothing striking about the town anyway. Originally had intended to head across Burdekin Falls Dam Weir to Ravenswood but the weir crossing was closed due to water over weir. Was quite looking forward to Ravenswood with its gold mining history but this will be for another trip. Thought about staying at Home Hill Rest Area but when we arrived it looked like where all the backpackers camped because of full amenities and it was right beside the railway station so would have had trains to contend with. Moved on to Mountain View Lake Caravan Park at Giru. Very small park, basic amenities that were not up to scratch but were being replaced in a few weeks. Probably worth another visit because it is off the highway and quite and only 44kms south of Townsville.
Monday 10th May 2010
Caught with an old work colleague from my bakery days in Townsville for morning tea then out to Toomulla Beach for overnight. After the Xmas experience at Balgal Beach (next beach northwards) thought there may be a number of campers but for the first time we were by ourselves. Good grounds, clean amenities; Jeanette plastered herself with Bushman’s just in case but not as bad as Balgal Beach for sandflies, etc.
Toomulla Beach
Tuesday 11th May 2010
Short day on the road to Hull Heads. Great spot at the mouth of the Hull River. Now have hot & cold showers and toilet for $12.50 per night (council fee). Others camped here were catching bream and queen fish but not originally intending to visit Hull Heads I did not have any bait otherwise would have stayed a second night and, in hindsight, wished we had.
Hull Heads
Wednesday 12th May 2010
Another short day on the road to Babinda which, typical of Babinda, was extremely wet, couldn’t get off the roadway to camp on the grass which travellers usually do because it was too boggy and we even had more rain during the night. Is a nice location with creek outlook but far too crowded and close to the toilets with travellers coming in continuously during the night so just felt a bit unsafe. It is amazing how many people we are coming across that are living out of their cars for various reasons. Some of these people seem to be down and outers whilst others have just been dealt bad hands in life and are struggling to survive.
Thursday 13th to Monday 17th May 2010
Set the caravan up on Leea’s front lawn for four days to catch up with Leea, Robbie, Sam and Jade. The kids thought the caravan was great and spent all their time out there when we were in the van. Went fishing with Robbie in the Barron Rvr on Friday, netting some prawns on the way out for bait and whilst w got quite a few bites neither of us had any luck but had a very relaxing day out on the river. Saw a 5’ croc sunbaking on the bank as we travelled down to the river mouth.
On Saturday we went to watch Sam play soccer. Not how I remember it. At Sam’s age they play 4 a side and it is very defensive having to penetrate the opposition four every time you got the ball so very difficult to score goals. Sam’s team almost got away with a win at 2-1 but let a goal past in the last minute for a draw. It is massively popular in Cairns with hundreds of players through all age groups and quite a few girls playing as well.
Topped up with groceries on Sunday for Monday departure. Jeanette went with Leea to drop Jade off at ;pre-school which was probably a mistake as there were a lot of tears. Sam had been coming down with a cold which was noticeable when he was playing soccer on Saturday so he was too sick to go to school.
It was not an early departure as we were only travelling a bit over 100kms today. As we had topped up our water tanks and had a full load on was a bit concerned about travelling up the Kuranda range but need not have worried as it was an easy drive and once past Kuranda it is a good road to Mareeba. Camped the night a Rifle Creek just out of Mt. Molloy. Busy freeby and difficult to get a spot where there was adequate sunshine for the solar but as we had just come off power it was not critical.
Jade Loved Breakfast in the Van
Tuesday 18th May 2010
Headed for Cooktown through Mt. Carbine, Palmer River and Lakeland. Lakeland was a contrast to all other countryside in this area as it was so fertile as a result of volcanic eruptions in the distant past. Crossed over two ranges, the first Desaully Range north of Mt. Carbine with spectacular views then Byerstown Range south of Lakeland which gave a preview of the fertile district ahead. Closer to Cooktown passed over part of the Annan Gorge with water cascading down rocky gorge. Due to narrow windy road was unable to stop for photos. Just north of here is Black Mountain National Park with views of the eroded black granite rock outcrops which is rather eerie with many stories of people and even herds of livestock being lost in the mountains. There is a warning not to enter the area because of the dangers and only fools would attempt to do so.
Black Mountain
Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st May 2010
Spent three nights at Cooktown Caravan Park which was a little bit out of town but the best of those parks that accepted dogs. Very quiet, shady and really clean amenities with very friendly owners.
Cooktown is steeped with history associated with Captain James Cook’s landing there in June 1770 as well as being the major port for the Palmer River gold rush in the 1870’s. We visited the cemetery which was a history lesson in itself and emphasised the hardships that the early settles had to contend with. Walked the historical sites in town, visited the botanical gardens and Finch Bay. Unable to climb to Grassy Hill due to construction work on the road. Decided to do the walk to Cherry Tree Bay in lieu but after a near encounter with a snake thought better of it.
Scenically Cooktown is a very attractive town but three days was enough for us.
Captain James Cook Statue @ Cooktown
Main Street Cooktown
Finch Bay Cooktown
Endeavours River Cooktown
Musical Ship Cooktown Riverfront
Friday 21st to Monday 24th May 2010
Left Cooktown on Friday morning for the 200km trip back to Mt. Carbine. Staying at the caravan Park which is very cheap with very clean amenities and once again very friendly owners. Saturday morning went to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea for Cancer Council. This was very well organised by a group of local women with a fabulous morning tea, all home baked with raffles and cent sale. The owner is conducting a walk of the property at 4.00pm to explain the area and its history. There is about 160 bird varieties in the park and this provided plenty of entertainment at breakfast time in trying to identify as many as possible.
Caravan Park owner, Robert, is a wealth of information providing talks about the area, the geology, history and flora and fauna, then a short walk to a hilltop to take in setting sun over savannah country and surrounding ranges.
Decided to stay an extra day so we arrive in Mareeba on Monday for top up shopping.
