Winter 2023

This was a 10 day trip to Far North Queensland starting in Townsville and Magnetic Island, then taking the train from Townsville to Cairns and the next day taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway up to the tablelands.

We drove north to Port Douglas and the Daintreee National Park after which we headed for Atherton to find some waterfalls and craters, and also a great Historic Village Museum in Herberton.

Finally it was down to Tully and into the gorge for more waterfalls before spending the night at Mission Beach. Starting our return to Cairns we stopped off at Innisfail and then a few more beautiful spots along the road.

7 August 2023

We were up at 3.30am to get ready for the drive down to Newcastle, NSW to pick up our flight to Brisbane and then on to Townsville. At usual we arrived early for our flight, but that gave us a chance to get a nice bacon and egg roll and a real coffee before boarding.

We had only allowed 35 minutes between the flight arriving in Brisbane and our Townsville flight departing and often flights out of Newcastle were late or cancelled, but Virgin Australia had us departing on time. And in Brisbane our flight was delayed, so we could relax.

Arriving at Townsville we got our luggage and took the shuttlebus to the ferry terminal.

Townsville, QLD - our ferry awaits.

Magnetic Island, QLD - Disembarking the ferry.

Magnetic Island, QLD - Our Resort Entrance (Amaroo on Mandalay)

We had stayed at this resort on Magnetic Island 44 years ago when it was called Mediterranean Village and we thought it might be fun to stay there again.

Magnetic Island, QLD - the units at Amaroo on Mandalay today

Magnetic Island, QLD - the units at Amaroo on Mandalay 44 years ago

Magnetic Island, QLD - the pool area at Amaroo on Mandalay today

Magnetic Island, QLD - the pool area at Amaroo on Mandalay 44 years ago

8 August 2023

As we had a limited time on Magnetic Island, and we wanted to do a bit of bush walking, research showed that the must do walk was up to "The Forts" from "The Forts Junction" (where the bus can drop you off), so we decided to do that and then to continue on to Radical Bay and Horseshoe Bay where we could pick up the bus again.

The track up to The Forts was straight forward and there was a fair bit to look at besides the wonderful views.

Magnetic Island, QLD - track up to "The Forts" (The Forts Walk")

Magnetic Island, QLD - steps up to the Upper Gun Emplacement (the Forts Walk)

Magnetic Island, QLD - Upper Gun Emplacement (The Forts Walk)

Magnetic Island, QLD - Communications Centre (the Forts Walk)

Magnetic Island, QLD - the view from the Communications Centre (the Forts Walk)

Magnetic Island, QLD - Radical Bay, simply beautiful, even if the way in is hard work

Magnetic Island, QLD - Horseshoe Bay, still beautiful

Magnetic Island, QLD - the township at Horseshoe Bay has got as bit bigger over the last few decades!

9 August 2023

We were returning to Townsville later on in the day, so in the morning we took the bus down to Picnic Bay for a quick look around and to get some coffee!

Magnetic Island, QLD - Picnic Bay Jetty

Magnetic Island, QLD - Nice view to Townsville from Picnic Bay

After lunch we got the ferry back to Townsville, and after booking into our hotel, we took a walk around the city centre and also had a look at the old railway station. When they introduced to "Tilt Train" the bend into the old station was too tight for it, so they built a new railway station just a kilometre or so away. The old station is still used for administration.

Townsville, QLD - still some nice old buildings survive

Townsville, QLD - the Old railway station

10 August 2023

Today we were getting the "Spirit of Queensland" train from Townsville to Cairns. Early in the morning we got a taxi around to the "new" railway station a kilometre or so out of town. We were not surprised when we were informed that the train was running about 40 minutes late. Not really unexpected on a train that travels 1861km in 25 hours. We eventually ended up being about 2 hours late arriving in Cairns.

Townsville, QLD - the "Spirit of Queensland" arrives in Townsville

Townsville, QLD - aboard the "Spirit of Queensland". The seats were rather good and had an entertainment centre in them.

We were able to order lunch at around 11am and it was delivered to your seat around midday. Also, it was pretty good. Methinks NSW Rail could learn a couple of things from this train.

Enroute Townsville to Cairns, QLD - the railway runs along the flat country between the coast and the mountains. There is a lot of sugar cane grown in this region.

Cairns, QLD - as we neared Cairns it looked like there may be some rain around.

We arrived in Cairns about 4pm and there was a shortage of taxis around, so we ended up walking the one and a half kilometres to our hotel. Thankfully we didn't get rained on! We walked around to a small supermarket close to the hotel and got some dinner.

11 August 2023

One of our "reasons" for coming to Cairns was to go on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. This railway was built to bring out ore from the mines on the tablelands and was quite an engineering feat in its day. May I say that it is still pretty impressive. This train runs each day from Cairns to Kuranda, climbing up into the tablelands. On the way there is a lot of nice scenery. The main attraction is the Barron Falls, where the water cascades down over 250 metres to the valley.

Kuranda, QLD - the Scenic Railway train as rather long.

Kuranda, QLD - guess we were in the middle.

Kuranda, QLD - we had a nice morning tea served on board the Scenic Railway

Kuranda, QLD - Scenic Railway train arriving at the Barron Falls viewing area

Kuranda, QLD - the Barron Falls are quite impressive

Kuranda, QLD - how were are climbing up to the tablelands on the Scenic Railway

Kuranda, QLD - we have arrived at the railway station. Time for a walk round town

Kuranda, QLD - the railway station is nicely looked after (as is the town)

12 August 2023

We picked up our hire car early in the morning and headed north to Port Douglas and then on to the Daintree National Park.

First stop was Port Douglas for a look around and morning coffee. We found the town a bit too touristy for us, with every cafe pretty much full and lots of city people. (We don't have any real problem with city people, it's just that they are much more full-on than people who live in regional areas. I guess they need to be like that to survive, or perhaps we have forgotten what we were like many years ago!)

We walked around to the marina for a look, had some coffee and then headed north for the Daintree.

Unfortunately the weather intervened and heavy rain brought the day to a premature end. Naturally on the way home the sun came out!

Port Douglas, QLD - nice large marina.

Port Douglas, QLD - the entrance to the marina is quite narrow.

Port Douglas, QLD - liked this old steam tram that ran between Port Douglas and Mossman.

Daintree, QLD - as we got on to the ferry heavy rain started

Daintree, QLD - the ferry arrives at the northern side.

Daintree, QLD - Cassowaries have right of way. This mother and chick were not concerned by the cars.

Daintree, QLD - Mount Alexandra Lookout

13 August 2023

Today we headed back up to Kuranda and then on to Atherton. After coffee at a cafe there we booked into our cabin and drove the 20 kilometres to Herberton to visit the historic village located there. (This is actually the largest privately owned of its type in Australia and was beautifully presented.)

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - the old garage

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - great display of old cars.

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - the general store had many old products I had forgotten about.

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - the butcher's shop reminded me of our local one when I was a child.

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - naturally the chemist's shop was well organised

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - this takes me back...

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - they had a great 30 minute video on the history of the area. Well worth a watch.

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - time for lunch at the hotel.

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - Elderlie House, owned by one of the founders of the town.

Herberton Historic Village, QLD - there was so much to see and you can get a three day pass if you want to take your time and look at everything.

14 August 2023

A walk around the lake in the Crater Lakes National Park (20+ kilometres east of Atherton) was planned for today, stopping off, on the way, at the Curtain Fig National Park for a look.

Curtain Fig NP, QLD - quite impressive.

Curtain Fig NP, QLD - quite impressive from either side.

A few kilometres along we come to the Crater Lakes National Park. There is a nice 3km walk around the lake (and therefore the crater).

Crater Lakes NP, QLD - nice viewing area next to the car park.

Crater Lakes NP, QLD - the track was in really nice order.

Crater Lakes NP, QLD - on the walk there were occasional glimpses of the lake.

Crater Lakes NP, QLD - great vegetation on the walk. We kept looking for the Hobbits.

We headed back to Atherton for lunch and a rest and then headed down to Mount Hypipamee National Park to look at the crater and also Dinner Falls on a loop walk from the car park.

Mount Hypipamee NP, QLD - well made easy path into the crater (plug) viewing platform.

Mount Hypipamee NP, QLD - the hole is over 100 metres deep

Mount Hypipamee NP, QLD - cameras can never do justice to the real thing.

Mount Hypipamee NP, QLD - Dinner Falls. a nice walk back from the crater

Mount Hypipamee NP, QLD - Dinner Falls cascades.

15 August 2023

Today we drove down from the mountains and into Tully Gorge to look at a couple of waterfalls (Champaign Falls and Ponytail Falls). We did not find any signs to them, but with the help of Google Maps we managed to locate them!

Tully Gorge, QLD - Champaign Falls

Tully Gorge, QLD - Champaign Falls - Lower Falls

Tully Gorge, QLD - nice gorge

Tully Gorge, QLD - Ponytail Falls

Tully Gorge, QLD - upstream from Ponytail Falls

Tully Gorge, QLD - this cassowary was rather pushy. Guess it's been fed too often.

After lunch we drove across to Mission Beach where we were going to spend the night.

Mission Beach is a really beautiful beach and being a beautiful day was no hindrance!

Mission Beach, QLD - lovely beach looking south to Dunk Island.

Mission Beach, QLD - looking north.

16 August 2023

Today we were heading back to Cairns, stopping at Innisfail for brunch and then calling in a few touristy spots on the way north.

Actually, the touristy spots were all really beautiful, but in at least one case too busy for us.

We took a look at the Mission Beach jetty (close to where the Lizard Island ferry departs) and then drove to Innisfail for brunch and to take a look around.

Mission Beach, QLD - Mission Beach Jetty

Innisfail, QLD - The old town hall has interesting architecture

Innisfail, QLD - interesting Court House

Innisfail, QLD - the confluence of the North & South Johnson Rivers

After lunch we headed north to visit Josephine Falls. When driving a motor home past here a few years ago we saw the signs, so this time we stopped for a look. Just a few kilometres back towards the main highway was a sign to the "Golden Hole". How could we resist a visit.

Josephine Falls, QLD - the path to the falls

Josephine Falls, QLD - three nice falls

Josephine Falls, QLD - very pretty

Biggs Recreation Reserve, QLD - just a few kilometers from Josephine Falls is the "Golden Hole"

A fisherman we were talking to at the Golden Hole suggested we visit "The Boulders" just a few kilometres to the north.

The Boulders, QLD - lovely swimming area

The Boulders, QLD - just downstream wre these beautiful rapids.

17 August 2023

Our flight out wasn't until after lunch, so after returning the car we took a walk along the Cairns waterfront boardwalk.

Cairns, QLD - waterfront boardwalk

Cairns, QLD - having a coffee and watching soldiers practice at the war memorial.

Postscript:

Our flight down to Brisbane was delayed by nearly three hours and as a result we missed our last (only) flight into Newcastle, so had to spend a night at a hotel in Brisbane before flying out the next morning. Virgin Australia handled it all for us, including giving us cab charge credits for our travelling from and to the airport. (Because the Brisbane Show was on, getting any "good" accommodation was difficult, but at least they found us a bed to sleep on!.)

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