Day 52 - Crystal Creek

It was a lovely day for relaxing today! Although the night wasn't all that restful with a wind storm during the night bringing down Ernie's light wind awning setup.  1am saw guide lines being pegged in.  We forgot to mention that we figured out how to setup the awning without guild lines back at Palmer river.  There we were on river stones and didnt have the hammer drill necessary to put the pegs in.  A quick easy arrangement using poles to brace each upright was the solution, however it is only a light or no wind arrangement.

By morning the wind had dropped down but still a bit breezy.  After breakfast which included a lovely cup of brewed coffee from Andi and Gem coffee roaster, we headed out for firewood collection and telephone service to check on our next camp at White Mountains National Park.  That was easily knocked off by heading to the next little centre on the Bruce highway, Rollingstone.

With Uncle Andi in firewood mode we collected a heap, enough that we had to take the top box off the roof to fit it in - tonight's fire would be not be short of timber!

With the wind still blowing a bit we headed off to Paradise waterhole for another dip.  Andi was keen to practise his jumping and so he jumped off the big rock with Dad!  

 Dad under water about 1 metre being silly. The water was so clear!

The rock in the foreground was little Andi's big rock that he jumped off.  No fear!

We were there for an hour or so before tummies started to groan and we headed back to camp for lunch.  Sandwiches were woofed down.

Just up the road (2km) were the rock slides, same creek just up river.  The rocks are smooth and slippery enough to slide down with a splash to finish.  Only the little boys were game for this.

Insert link of videos of the boys sliding down the rocks.

Above the slide was another deep pool, waterfall thrown in for free.  We couldn't resist another dip, regardless of the temperature.  The slipper rocks made for a tricky entry but we all made it through.  The big pond was deep as well possibly deeper that Paradise Hole, certainly deeper than Dad was comfortable diving down to the bottom.

  All the family hanging in the pool.

With the temperature not very high, maybe 15 or so, lizards appeared shortly after.  A lovely sun bake to get warm and dry.

The fact that we had the place to ourselves was just amazing, our luck must run out sometime.  Around 3:00 we returned to camp.  Dad was keen to explore the mountains further in the Paluma NP.  With a windy road for 20 or so kilometres he didn't have any passenger volunteers.  They opted to get the fire going and helping Uncle Andi make mud lizard in the camp oven.  

The mud lizard was well cooked in a very hot oven,  we were still able to much the inside through.  Delicious was the overall assessment.

Dad came back around 5:40 with stories to tell about the road, a very windy, narrow path up the top of the range. The road was built in the 1930's to employ unemployed workers as a result of the depression.  Government infrastructure spending has been a made to kick start economies for decades obviously.  It took about a year and included a hand crafted stone bridge of little Crystal a Creek.

The views at the top of the range over the coast was stunning.  The wind had gone, it was warm and the view was simply breathtaking.  Once again, not a single person around.

The views stunning, Dad then headed further into the mountains making his way to Birthday falls.  The track was only 500 metres to the top but you had to walk further to get a view of the bottom.  Estimated to be about 30m high they, like all these rivers, would be really impressive in the wet!

 From the top of Birthday falls

Saw this little fella rock up as I was about to turn back for the car park.  The most confident Echdna I've come across, he actually walked towards me completely happy with me being there, he must be used to visitors.

Dad arrived back around 5:40 and we had a few extra guests in the park.  Dad was somewhat stunned by their use of wood in the national park for their fire and seemingly less oblivious understanding of what no dogs mean, bringing in a huge dog.  It remained chained up but still.  I am not sure what the regulations pertain to indigenous people in the area but it seemed a little strange for them to be completely oblivious to the national park rules.  I am trying not to make this a race thing, that is not my intent. I will have to go and research this a little more.

Having said this, there were numerous traits they displayed during the evening that regardless of shape, colour or origin pushed many of my buttons!  It started with the language, every word under the sun and after dark it seem to just get louder.  The f word dropped on many occasions.  Taking the cake was chopping of firewood with an axe at 10:27 at night, for god sake have some awareness of other people I said.  I was sitting at the fire writing yesterday's blog and felt really sorry for the young family in a pop up caravan that moved in the same day we did, but now would have all that inconsiderate ramble going on outside their site.

Day 51 - Wallaman Falls to Big Crystal Creek (Paluma National Park)

The day started like any moving day, Mum and Dad packing things up while the kids munching breakfast and continuing their games from yesterday.  At least the weather was clear after a couple hours of rain overnight.  It meant a few puddles to clear in the morning but nothing serious.

Before we left we spotted the lesser spotted camping tree, it comes out only a few times and seems to coincide with a visit by a famous Ross family.  The blooms are stunning, usually musty coloured.

With the road out being a little clearer than when we arrived, the views of the coastline when we could sneak them through the thick forest were amazing.

 Lush sun-drenched rainforest.

Our trip plan was to go back to civilisation in Ingham and restock before moving a bit further down the coast to Big Crystal creek to meet up with Stu's big brother, Andi and his wife Gemma for a couple days camping.

We got to Ingham with our list of things to do including blog posts, banking (via the internet), quick Skype messages and of course, food, fuel and water ....  It was a Sunday and therefore all the major supermarkets in town were closed.  The independent was our saving grace, but pricy and with small stock levels made it a bit of a challenge to pull meals together for 6 for two days.  However Katie in her usual resourceful self managed this with cool and calm thinking.  Whilst Katie was shopping Dad took the boys for a well earned play time in the centre of town.  That way he could knock off the banking, blog and Skype things.  It wasn't long before we had to pick up Katie.

The park was so nice we returned there for an early lunch. Seems like the spot for travellers as quite a few wanted to have conversations about where we've been and going etc. Most were caravaners and heading north to where the tar ends.

It was just a short trip down the coast to Big Crystal a creek in Paluma National Park.  We made a quick stop at the Frosty Mango for sorbet ice cream.  The looks we got from the other patrons as we drove in, Dad thought something was hanging off the car.  Nope it was just the red colour of the camper indicating we had travelled a bit.  We each an had a different favour ice cream including strawberry, pineapple, coconut and mango.  Rich flavours meant we shared them around as they were quite stong and large!

Arriving at our campsite shortly after we had a bit if difficulty choosing a site, so many to choose from!  Once setup it was off to paradise waterhole just 100m down the road for a dip.

It was paradise, a lovely big swimming hole that as Andi put it had all the good points, a place to swim and rocks to bomb off!  The water was crystal clear (hence the name) and the water was deep, over 3 metres in some spots.  It had trout swimming around freely and with no fishing allowed it was no wonder.  Just a small throw net and good dinner would ensue !  So tempting !

Did I mention that it wasn't luke warm water.  About 5 degrees from spanner water, so it was about 10 minutes of swimming before the sun lizards came out! The rocks were lovely and warm so it meant they were dry in no time at all.

We returned to camp for fire wood collection and to wait for Andi and Gem's arrival from Townsville.  Dad collected a bit of firewood from around the district, there was meant to be stuff for sale outside the park from local stores but it was not evident.  At least the fire that evening was more successful than at Wallaman! Amazing what dry wood does!

Andi and Gem arrived on the dot of 6:30 to much excitement.  They had brought along the gifts that Big Stu had tried to get to Townsville before we left.  Big Stu: they arrived the day we left, the express post arrived after the normal post!  The boys opened their presents, Griff made the comment that he hoped they were shirts because Big Stu always gets us nice clothes to wear!  So yes they were impressed Big Stu!

We spent the rest of the evening having a BBQ dinner and a sit round the fire catching up.  It was great sharing some of our adventures with Andi and Gem.  Lovely weather with a light chill that the fire removed.

Day 50 - Wallaman Falls

The main reason for visiting Wallaman was to see the falls.  These falls are the tallest single permanent drop waterfall in Austarlia, a total of 286 metres tall. Thankfully, as our boys aren't huge walkers, there was a lookout that you can drive to.

 An amazing sight.  Our camp is about 1 km from this to the left of the picture.

 An impromptu jig by Andi 

 A double act?

There was another lookout that allowed you to see down the gorge. It was only 300 metres but the moans started.  "Do we have to go".  Once we for there it all changed! The next thing the boys wanted to do the 2km walk to the bottom, not sure what changed but we went along with it.  So completely ill prepared with only crocs or thongs, no water, food or warm clothing off we set.  It was steep as but a good path, slippery in parts.  It took us a good hour to get down.

 Down at the bottom

 A rainbow in the mist below.

After a bit of rest at the bottom, the accent began,  Down the bottom it was steamy, the sweating started early.  As you got higher the breeze picked up so there was a little relief.  We actually made it up in 40 minutes, faster than the decent.  We were somewhat exhausted and drinks and nibbles back at the car were appreciated. 

For the rest of the day it was clear of rain so the boys relaxed, played tug of war, had fun collecting wood for the fire. With our pastry chef now down south, Dad thought he would try out the scone recipe.  After the rain of last night it would be an uphill battle trying to find dry enough firewood.  We struggled, even a little diesel didn't help and it was a small fire affair.  They resulted in only one batch and they were little under done.  Took nearly an hour to cook as apposed to the 15 minutes.

We had to pack up the kitchen at night, with last nights little visitors they had up sized for tonight's excursion.  Bandicoots came out and joined us.  Certainly weren't worried about people being around trying to go right into the annex while we sat at the table!

Insert picture of bandicoot from Stu's phone

Day 49 - Undara to Wallaman Falls

Left reasonably early at 9am even after a quick chat with other campers.  There were a few that left very early around 6 or so. They must have had a big day planned.

We were looking to do a bit of a walk up Mount Kalkani, a volcano that last erupted just some 20,000 years ago but has a perfect cone remaining.  We got there within 10 minutes of Undara.  Sensing the boys weren't super keen on the full 2.5 km walk we just walked to the rim, and around a bit then returned.

The plan was take a shorter road on dirt to go back to the coast as opposed to going south and then north again on tar.  Turns out it was less kilometres but it took just as long.  The road took us past lots of cattle stations, so cattle grids were the order of the day.

 Lovely scrub country

 Dad and Andi sharing a moment

 Crossed the Burdekin river again, last time it was about 100 metres wide.

 The road to some degree followed Leighharts track.  Just a bit further along here we came across 30-49 tents planning for the community cricket match.  Out in the middle of nowhere!

Another bit of excitement was coming across this little fella.  About 6 foot we estimated.  Uncle Chris would have been in my lap by now!

 We reversed back a bit and he came back for another looksee.

As we got closer to the coast the rain increased.  We had to go over the mountains through Mt. Fox before we popped out on the coastal plain, we then turned north to head back up them for the campsite.  The roads were interesting, windy and narrow, and the rain it all the more exciting. It's called rainforest for a reason!

It was our first setup in the rain, not heavy rain but enough that it was best the boys hung in the car.  Octonauts on the iPad had them in the car while we got Ernie setup.  The wet weather added a new angle to cooking and eating.  The bugs loved our lights so we resorted to eating our Spaghetti Bolanaise inside Ernie.

Listening to the rain it was rather soothing and we were asleep by 10 ish... For the first time ever Katie was asleep first and by 8ish too...she could of just been really tired or it might of been the fact that Dad pretty much knocked her out with an annex pole while setting up! 

Hopefully it clears up as two days in the rain will be interesting!

 Our camp the next morning.  Check out the sun!

Day 48 - Cairns to Undara

Its moving day and the first for a while with the old crew of Mum and Dad.  Getting the old routine back didn't take long. Although there was a hiccup with pack up due to a pole not being dropped enough meant an undo and repackage was necessary.  On top of this, it was our first pack up in the rain, we knew it would come and Cairns was one of the more likely spots.  Apart from that all was good, our departure was around 9:30.  We were packed and ready to go till we remembered we had left the egg and bacon pies that Katie had cooked in camp kitchen the night before, so back we snuck into the park to collect them.

We were heading for Undara Lava tubes today and had booked ourselves on a 3:30 tour.  It was estimated that it would take at least 3 1/2 hours to get there so we had a schedule we needed to keep. A quick stop for fuel and to get Ernie's press stud repairs and we were off.  Note to self: buy press stud tool for $10 off eBay, $25 minimum service at repair shop for such a small thing!

Off up the hill we went, actually it's was some serious hills called the Gillies ranges.  From sea level to 1000 metres in an hour and a bit.  The road pass was about 19 kms.  Griff and Katie who just love windy roads were a little over the last 10 kms.  Not much of a view because of the rain, cloud and fog.  About half way up we were surrounded by cloud.  The views would have been spectacular.

 A early shot of the climb from Charlie's perspective.  The temperature was dropping in the opposite direction.  At one stage got down to 15! No one dared open a window!

 The weather was a little inclement.

Went through Ravenhoe, queensland tallest town.  Lunch at mount Garnet, quite little place that had digger scoops on display.  Just the bucket but no text or plaques to say why.

Egg and bacon pie was munched with great gusto.

 Even the locals thought egg and bacon pie would be good tucker.

The landscape flattened out as we made our way south west towards Undara.  You can't see the tubes without a tour, the reasons stated were safety but I am sure that there is a financial incentives for the private owners who do the tours on the behalf of national parks.

We pulled into the park at around 2:30 so had time to find the campsite, unpack things necessary for the 2 1/2 tour and wander back to the tour meeting place at the office.

A satellite image used to describe the location of the tubes, the dark bits are thick rain forest or lakes.   So there are a few tubs around, the only found a second set when they built the road in, they had no idea a second tube existed.  The tubes we concentrated on were from the Undara volcano, and formed some 190,000 years ago.  The numbers are impressive for the volume of lava, it could fill Sydney harbour 3 times, flowed at a rate of 1000 cubic metres a second and the list goes.  They are about 32 kms long in total but there are roof collapses and they are now made up of 69 sections.  What I can say is they are big.  The photos don't do it justice.

 The archway which is about 12 metres high.

 The archway from the other side

Back from the tour, and had a quick chat to a couple that knew some of the people connected with one of the program's Katie managed on behalf of DAFF before we went to go and unpack Ernie, only to find that we had to cut off another lock,  they fill,with dirt and water and finally cease.  We had protected them for most of the trip by taping them up, we thought that with fewer dirt roads this wasn't necessary, turns out we were wrong!  Out with the hacksaw, it was a high tensile lock so it took a bit of time.  Dad was nackered after he got through it, only to find that he needed to do the other side of the lock as well! 20 minutes later, Dad was over it but the lock was removed.

Just a basic setup but it was dark whilst still cooking dinner.  Chicken satay eaten inside the tent as the wind made the temp a little chilly.  

Day 47 - Cairns and farewell Chris

Aim of the day was firstly to de-cape the car before it's service.  Charlie was going for his 60,000 service as well as to have the air bag light sorted out.

Insert picture of Chatlie before his wash from Stu's phone.

The dealership was very fancy with drop off areas and a lovely lady Jade that took note of everything.  At the end of the day they still hadn't solved the air bag issue, the error code indicates a harness replacement is necessary and the parts would take a week or so to arrive.  So we organised for the parts to be in Canberra when we get back.  It means that we'll be without Airbags till we get home.  The staff commented that it would only be a problem if we had an accident!  Ha ha.  We didn't really have a choice as staying in Cairns for a week or so wouldn't have worked.

Back at the park the boys were itching for a swim.  We didn't get there last night as we arrived too late and it was getting dark once we had setup.  In between the bikes and the pools the kids were in second heaven.  The toughest choice of the day is which pool to swim in or do they play in the water park?

The other job for the day was to say farewell to Uncle Chris who was flying back to Albury today.  It has been great having Chris come along and I am sure (I hope!) that he enjoyed his time as well. After a few tears at the airport and short wait to see the plane take off we went back to our jobs.  We had to get some more gas and a replacement gas lead as the other one got dirt in it and wasn't working really well.  Another victim of the dust!  A trip to the usual suspects (BCF etc) resulted in strange looks and no answers.  A drop into the independent camping store Geopickers, and with really helpful staff we had our jobs ticked.  Highly recommended.

The final thing to tick off the list was shopping for the next three days.  Katie had a unescorted (kid free) excursion so it was ticked off in no time at all.  The boys were back in the pool and water park.  Dad just felt cold watching them run around in the reletively chilly temps.  The kids don't feel the cold until their lips start to turn blue!

Bit of a frantic evening for Mum cooking up egg and bacon pies (for lunches over the next couple of days) whilst we could use the stove in the camp kitchen and cooking fish and chips for dinner. It meant that by the time dinner was done, it was bed time and a good sleep was deserved. 

Day 45 - Lakeland to Palmer River

Yesterday after our visit to Laura, we drove into Lakeland for the night. The park had plenty of awesome timber sitting there at a communal camp fire but because of the breeze they weren't keen to use it as some safari tents were in the ember firing line.  Not sure how big a fire they would have there but the tents were about 20 metres away!  Never mind we will research camp sites further south as we r keen for one last camp fire with Uncle Chris!

 Our camp at Lakeland. Uncle Chris was the first to feel the cool change, putting on a jumper and trackies, even after a hot shower!

 With built in exercise for the kids!

The kids made friends with a couple other families, one travelling for 8 weeks similar to us, and another 7 months and doing the lap!

So off we went, our usual departure time of 9:30.  Bit of a side story, no matter how unpacked, settled or pre packed we are, our time of departure is always around 9:15 or 9:30!  Something always comes up to delay departure.  Not that we are in a rush but it's intriguing.

The scenery in the area is stunning.  The landscape is a mixture of hills and plains, all green and lush and then opens to open scrub.  The hues of the landscape were awesome.

Camp for the night was a spot by the Palmer River, set up just before lunch.  Then a lazy afternoon was had by all. Early evening saw popcorn being made, drinks, dinner, campfire and dessert (camp oven jam roll and toasted marshmelows). In Chris's book the jam roll is actually called baked mud lizard so it takes a bit of convincing to get Andi to even try the smallest bit!

 Mum relaxing 

 The perfect campsite

 Next to a lovely river view

With the full moon out there was really no need for our lights - it was a spectualar evening.