Fletcher Creek to Charters Towers

We again took our time to depart the lovely but quite cold campground. The night was as cool as we have encountered for a while. Thankfully, once the sun was up it warmed quickly. There was not a lot to have to pack up as we had not deployed our awning and had no electric cords to wind up.

The trip was not far, about 45kms, from the campground into town. On arrival, we parked near the Information Centre. We walked along the main street to a cafe that I remembered was not too bad at making coffees. So we had our first cappuccinos for several days along with nice raisin toast.

Following our caffeine intake(cappuccinos) we walked along both sides of the main street. On the way we went into Woolworths to get a few items. Eventually we walked into the Information Centre. We were greeted by Neville who is a volunteer there. He helped us with lots of information and suggestions.

We set off then for the Oasis Caravan Park. Again this was a location I stayed in last year on my way through. We were quickly settled and it was about lunch time. So we had a bit a quiet afternoon.

At about 1700, the camp kitchen became the entertainment centre for the evening.

 We were entertained by a poet/yarn teller/singer, Brenda-Joy (Pritchard). She became known to us earlier in the year when she and her husband, Hal, were camped beside us at Dunedoo. We were there for the Bush Poetry competition but primarily a Kimberley Karavan Owners Group get together. Brenda-Joy is a real character with some great work not only of her own but also by others, such as Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson.

When the entertainment finished, we received our order of wood fired pizzas that were made entirely by the family and staff of the Caravan Park. They were really nice and filling.

So ended another day at another location.

Undara Lodge Resort to Fletcher Creek Campground.

We had a leisurely departure as we had not decided where we were going to spend the night.

It was about 0930 when we drove out of the most interesting Undara Lodge Resort. The winding, sealed road took us out onto the Gulf Development Road. We encountered quite a number of fellow travellers coming in to the Resort. 

After joining the Development Road, luckily I was doing everything correctly as we saw a rare Highway Patrol car that had a Landcruiser stopped. Soon we made another turn onto the Kennedy Development Road  and tracked basically South towards the tiny Oasis roadhouse near The Lynd Junction. We had our lunch and bought a few items there. Quite a number of travellers stopped there.

Following our lunch break we returned to the actual The Lynd Junction where we took the Gregory Development Road. We drove about 55 kms and we entered the little village of Greenvale. (It is worth reading this link.) I stayed here last year for a few nights with Kevin and Liz, former Apex 40 members from Alstonville. They have moved away, but i was able to show Prue where they used to live. We again bought a drink and an icecream from the little roadhouse.

We moved on again and decided that we would make the effort to get to Fletchers Creek camp ground. It was another 150 kms. So we dawdled on and after a while we arrived at Bluewater Springs Roadhouse. It was time for a "Stop. revive, survive" time. So we stopped and had a drink and walk around as well as a chat to the lady who is a part owner. I think she enjoyed the chat as it is pretty quiet there.

At a reasonable time we arrived at the Fletcher Creek 'free' Campground. There would have to have been in excess of 70 other camper vehicles of all description.  We were lucky enough to camp at exactly the same spot I did last year. The rest of the afternoon was restful especially after driving about 360 kms for the day!

Atherton to Undara Lodge Resort.

Another pack up morning. Luckily it was a very clear morning with hardly a breeze. Just my luck as I was not cycling for a few days! We managed to pack up in our quick way especially as we had stowed numerous items before going to bed the previous evening.

Our first stop for the morning, after leaving the Caravan Park, was to Gallery 5. We were the first to arrive but soon after the regulars came in. Of course, our order was as normal-cappuccinos and toast! The staff had become familiar to us and us to them especially after visiting with Geoff and Veronica the previous day.

We left Atherton, after a lovely few days there, by tracking up to Herberton where we visited the Museum previously. There was no need for us to stop again.

We travelled through Herberton then passing through the localities of Kaban and Toumoulin. Last year there was a large gathering of Bushtracker caravans. These caravans seem to be where former Kimberley Karavan owners end up after they have done the rough stuff but with still limited off road ability.

The next town was Ravenshoe. We parked in the main street and noted how few free campers there were in the town. Last year the area had a lot of campers, of some type, located in the park adjacent to the historic steam train. We walked up and down the main street taking in the businesses there. A few vacant shops but there are 2 supermarkets in the town along with 2 medical centres. As we passed by the Bakery we checked out its wares but opted not to indulge!

Our journey resumed by rejoining the Kennedy Highway in a westerly direction. A few kilometres from Ravenshoe, we stopped to take some photos of the sign board indicating “9th Division 2^nd AIF 2/3 Tank Attack”. This told us it was the location of the camp that my father was in when he returned from the Middle East, during WW II. This was a retraining location after desert warfare to retrain for jungle warfare before he went to New Guinea and Borneo. There were tens of thousands of Army troops on the Atherton Tablelands during that time and there are numerous locations marked where each unit had their camps. Those old soldiers would notice a big difference in the area now with wind farms and lots of irrigation just to mention several changes.

The next stop we had was at Innot Springs. It is an artesian bore letting out quite hot water. I used my electronic thermometer which indicated 61° at the outlet. Along the creek it dropped as low as 43°. The Caravan Park had a pool with this water in it for therapeutic purposes but we did not worry about that.

 

Next, we moved on and through the little mining town of Mount Garnet. As tourists we did not find anything of interest as we passed through.

A further 70 kilometres down, we turned off the Kennedy Highway onto the Gulf Development Road. Our next turn off was 17 kilometres along this road which is all sealed. The turn off, to the left, was into the Undara Lodge Resort. We travelled along the still sealed road for 15 kilometres and then arrived at the Lodge Reception.

We had booked in so we had a powered site to park on for the duration of our stay. All sites were well marked out and included numbers. There were a lot of people doing the same as us as well as numerous ones that were just camping either in their own tents or the permanent 5 star tents, complete with water and power.

We set ourselves up and then had our lunch. Half of the afternoon was just taken up with reading and relaxing.

Around 1530, we had gone to the Reception area to board a little bus with an Undara guide, Bill, driving it. Bill is a farming Kiwi (New Zealander) who has leased his farm for a few years while he and his wife travel around Australia doing different jobs. He is very well informed and is well able to share that knowledge. 

As we drove towards the first of the lava tubes, we drove near the “100 Mile Swamp” that has quite a lot of water still in it following the previous wet season and the remnants of Cyclone ‘Yasi’. We drove through dry savannah land and through it were numerous types of wildlife. The area has many basalt and granite boulders left from the time of volcanic upheaval.

The lava tubes are located in the Undara Volcanic National Park and access is only by guided tour from the Undara Lodge Resort. The original owners, the Collins family, found these tubes by accident as they had a very large property and it was sparsely stocked. After they found it was used as a picnic place for friends and eventually they turned it into a thriving business that they still own. As it was becoming popular and was unique, the Queensland Government decided that they would resume the land for National Park. However, the Collins family warned the Government that they would fight it in court. Eventually, the Government came to an arrangement and settlement with a special business lease over the Lodge Resort area. The Collins family have grown the Lodge massively from a small beginning. The area is a must visit area. There are numerous former railway carriages now set up for accommodation along with the permanent 5 star tents. 

The first lava tube we went into is known as the “Road Tube”. The reason for the name was the proximity to the original Cardwell to the Gulf Road.   It is quite massive and an easy walk into it. There is an excellent board walk into the end of it. The local aborigines had a legend that it housed evil spirits so they never went in and as a result there is no aboriginal art around. Some wonderful calcium deposits have left some amazing shapes that the mind can imagine various results. There are tiny tree hair roots hanging through the roof minute cracks in their quest to reach moisture.

The second location we visited is known as the Archway. When you visit this it is apparent by the actual archway that is the remainder of a tube with the board walk moving us over the fallen in sections. There is much more iron oxide in the rock ceiling which allows a different type of pattern to form on the ceiling and walls.  As we wandered through this area, we encountered a little python up on a branch. Some of the visitors were not so pleased to have passed under it. 

The lava tubes are believed to have been formed about 190 million years ago. There are a lot of sites but very few are open due to safety concerns as many are unstable.

After we returned we had a drink at the bar and looked over the dining area which is all under the great big sail roof. It is hard to imagine how many people could actually dine there but it would be more than 100.

We returned to our Karavan to organise our own dinner. It was a lovely day.

Atherton area final day

This morning was an overcast but dry morning. So it was gloomy until around 0700. Even on a clear day the sun does not get up until around 0635.

Prue did a few things around the Karavan and was getting ready for whatever we were doing today.

As usual, I set off on my bike. I really have enjoyed the circuit that I have found. This morning, although it was dull, I was able to enjoy the passing scenery as there was no fog around where I was cycling. After having the massage and getting back to the Karavan much later than we normally do, I felt a bit drained or in other words lacking energy. I did manage to do the ride without any stops so maybe I was imagining my lack of energy.

After I showered, Prue and I went into Gallery 5 for cappuccinos and I had a muffin as I was ravenous after my ride. While there I made a phone call to a friend, Geoff, who lives near Yungaburra. We arranged to meet back at Gallery 5 at 1030.

I dropped Prue at the Crystal Caves. She spent around 2 hours there. My priority was to refuel as the warning light was on and I had no idea how much was left in the tank when that occurs. It holds 15 litres when it does come on. I went to Home Hardware to get a few minor items. Then I returned to the Karavan to do a few little jobs.

As arranged we met Geoff and Veronica at Gallery 5. I spent time with Geoff last year as I came through but Prue had not seen him for a few years and both of had not seen Veronica for even longer. It was so nice to catch up with them both. AS they had not seen a Kimberley Karavan, they came back to the Caravan Park. They were really impressed by it  and Geoff was also impressed with the Mazda Freestyle cab. After Geoff and Veronica left it was almost time for lunch.

Our trip for the afternoon was to Herberton to particularly visit the Historic Village. It is a place to view items, vehicles and buildings from long ago. Herberton has a lot of history relating to mining but also rural industries.  It is situated in amongst hills and it mostly perched on the slopes above the Wild River.



We returned to Atherton and did some grocery shopping and finally returned to the Karavan for a little relaxation as well as pack a few items for our departure tomorrow.

Atherton Day 4

Today was like most others. 

I went off for a bike ride around parts of this beautiful Atherton Tablelands. It is so nice to cycle along the roads with the deep red soil alongside with all the different crops growing, from potatoes, peanuts, wheat, rye grass and many other crops, too. The sights are wonderful with Lake Tinaroo to the east with a backdrop of mountains and on turning to go back the hills and mountains to the west of Atherton.  Eventually, back in the Caravan Park and then a shower.

This morning we set off to go past the village of Yungaburra on our way to the area known as crater lakes. Our first lake was Lake Eacham. We stopped and walked part of the way around the lake. On our way, we saw quite a lot of turtles and varieties of fish. It is a wonderful restful area to waste a bit of time.

The next stop was at Lake Barrine. as we had not had our regular cappuccinos the Lake Barrine Teahouse was the location. We indulged a little having scones as well as the cappuccinos. Sitting in the Teahouse taking in the magnificent vista is something we all should do sometime. It is a really lovely peaceful area with lovely gardens and nice walks available.


 

We took a short walk to see the twin Kauri trees. They are massive but recorded history indicates that these were nowhere near the biggest examples that once lived in the now non existent rainforest. They are so high and only appear to twist a little near the top.

After leaving Lake Barrine, we returned back through Yungaburra to turn off and visit the Curtain Fig Tree. This is a wonderful example of the rainforest working and how some tress evolve and survive. There are many other examples of trees in the area that live in the rainforest.

We returned to the Karavan for lunch.

Soon after lunch, we had booked a massage each. We went to Remedial Complete. I had been to this practice last year and I was lucky enough to have the same therapist, Emma. She does a very fine job. She used cupping. I had never experienced this before and it feels very beneficial. It does leave marks for a while but that is something that fades soon. Prue had Stacey who also used cupping. We both enjoyed the massages and recommend the practice should you be in the area.

Early evening, we drove across to Yungaburra to our former Gunnedah friend, Susan, and her brother John. We had a nice evening with a nice easy BBQ meal along with a few wines or beers. It was an evening where we all did a lot of chatting.Having been some years since we all were together there was a lot to catch up on.

So ended another great day.