Day 2 Atherton the Waterfall Way

I must say the land around here is very appealing.  Lush green rolling hills dotted with very contented cows.  Then in between there are orchards growing, well, I'm not sure, but some are coffee, tea, peanuts and banana's I know for sure.

We had a lovely day driving through this gorgeous countryside discovering the many waterfalls and a curtain fig.

We where not planning on visiting the curtain fig but saw the sign and why not, lets do it.

Curtain Fig

We then headed to the Malanda falls.  The falls where just a short walk from the carpark and did not disappoint.  There was a very interactive Visitors Centre  the kids had a great time making a volcano erupt at the press of a button.  We also discovered what butterflies to see locally and found out what to look for when looking for the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo.  What do you look for, well its poo of course and then look up.  Armed with this knowledge of we went for a walk through the rainforest  James and I looking on the ground for the poo and Pete and Grace looking in the trees for the kangaroo.  I can report, we had no luck only stiff necks.

Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo

Malanda Falls

On we go to the Nerada Tea Plantation.  It would seem that Tree Kangaroos are rather partial to Tea as we found 2 here.  They where up trees and with dark brownish fur, a tail made of fur but not fluffy.  Size wise bigger than a possum and about the same as the Red Panda's we meet at Australia Zoo.   While looking at the Kangaroo's James some how fell over and hurt his ankle,  for the rest of the day Pete was piggy backing him around.  James foot is swollen and we are hoping it will settle down for our walk through the Undarra Lava Tubes in two days time.
 We all sampled tea at Nerada and enjoyed it with lovely light scones and jam and cream.

Tea Time

From Nerada we went onto the Milla Milla waterfall this was a spectacular long fall and very pretty.  There where a few people in swimming, but a bit cold for us.  We then drove on to the Zillie falls ending with the Ellinjaa falls.  It's funny you drive through this beautiful dairy country, turn of the road 50 metres and there are these beautiful waterfalls.

Milla Milla Falls

Ellinjaa Falls

I think you could happily spend a week here discovering all that the Atherton Tablelands has to offer.

Atherton Tablelands

BRRRR  its a bit chilly up here at night.  We have put an extra blanket on our beds and back in our winter pyjama's.
Saturday was a busy day  we started with pancakes for breaky.  Then of to the Mareeba Markets.  Very nice little market, the kids got a lucky dip, we all shared a twirly potato thingy on a stick that was very yummy.  I got talking crochet to a nice lady who also taught herself crochet via youtube.  The markets was next to the visitors centre, that was very handy.  At the back of the visitors centre was a great little historical museum with the entrance being by donation.  It was great and had an old classroom where Pete and the grey nomads reminisced  about getting the cane and blackboard dusters flying past their ears.  There was also an old train, coppers washing machine,  ambulance, blacksmith, pub, butcher and James had fun mowing the grass with an old hand pushed rotary motor.  But what was really interesting was a big display about the tobacco growing industry.  Tobacco growing was really big up here back in the day.  I did not realise how big the actual leaves where, they are about the size of a A4 page.

Jmaes mowing

churning butter

While in there we meet up with some fellow Canberran Travellers we had meet back in Sarina.  They advised us to go to Bruno's coffee plantation.  There are a few coffee plantations up here so we where glad of the advice as we where planning to go to one.  So of we went and found our way past the chickens and cats to find  Maria and Bruno in the roasting shed.  Bruno was busy so the lovely Maria showed us around and explained all things coffee from the planting to the harvesting, fermenting, sun drying and then onto the roasting.  It was all very interesting.  Pete finished with a coffee and I had a tea.  The coffee must have been good as Pete purchased a bag of there roasted coffee

Grace who loves gemstones was then in heaven as we went to the Crystal Caves.   We all donned hardhats with lights and entered the caves.  Every where you looked there was magnificent gemstones hidden away.  It was like a treasure hunt with every nook and cranny of the caves hiding beautiful stones and fossils.  To think this was one mans collections who built the caves and hid his gems in there. Right down the bottom of the cave was biggest Amythest we have ever seen.  This was well worth the money spent for the kids enjoyment in discovery the many gems and fossils.  I know one certain Aunty M who could have been down the cave with Grace all day and unlike me would have known the names of all  the gems.  Aunty M be prepared for Grace to bring her collection to show you next time we visit.

The non Rotating Empress of Uruguay

We arrived back the park at 4 had a reviving culpa and then I discovered a bush walk behind the park.  The Widow maker it was called.  I should have known then to turn back.  It was a steep uphill climb, my heart was ticking away at a hundred miles an hour, this walk just didn't seem to stop. " Come on Mum" said the kids.  Well once up top my god the view was worth it.  Views of Atherton and over the patchwork of this lush green rural landscape dotted with lakes and dams.  huff puff Just Beautiful.

Cooktown

Cooktown we like it here and feel kinda chilled.  Its a big moment for the Red Elephants as this is as north as we get.  Lets face it Cooktown is Queensland most northern town and it does feel a bit frontier like.    There are loads of various 4wd around mostly pulling campers all covered in red dust and we know where they have been, "The Cape."  You could say so close yet so far as it is another 1000km from here and mostly on dirt corrugated roads.  We do feel a little bit envious and like we are missing out, but, we  will save "The Cape" for another time.   Who's in?

Spooky Black Mountain

Actually we are lucky to be here as on the way in we passed the Black Mountains where people have been known to mysteriously disappear.  SPOOKY!  The mountain s made from large black granite boulders.

View of the Endeavour River from Grassy Hill

The Coral Sea and way beyond Cape York

Cooktown is the place that Captain Cook in his ship Endeavour  became unstuck on one of the outlying reefs and had to spent some time here.  Apparently its always blowing a wind here and we have not been disappointed.  The town itself is only little, (for people reading at home I would compare to the size of Braidwood) and fronts onto the Endeavour River that is fresh water.  On the other side of Grassy Hill is the Coral Sea.

So what have we done…   a load of washing, swam in the pool, read a book, walked the river front.

It was on the river front walk that we came across 2 unusual things one being a musical ship and the other ,eek I am in scary crocodile territory although have not seen a live one yet.  Or dead for that matter.  We have also been up Grassy Hill to check out the magnificent view 360'  as I say the Endeavour River winding its way, the Coral Sea and the Cape whispering us north.

Grace playing the musical ship

Recent Sighting

Pete has been on a guided fishing expedition, but I will let him ramble about that.


Today we went to the Captain Cook Museum that was also a museum on anything Cooktown so it seemed.  It was housed in an old nunnery and convent school.  Interesting for us but maybe not so for the kids.

We also went for a drive to the famous Lions Den Hotel.  Have you heard of it?  We hadn't until a fellow traveller, yes grey nomad, told us about it.  The Lions Den is over 100 years old and seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but in fact in its time it was in the middle of somewhere, the gold rush.  Back in the day miners used to pin their pay packets to the walls and on the next visit use the money enclosed.  These days there is money stuck to the walls with peoples name on and all sorts of souvenirs people have left behind including signatures and messages left on the walls.  If you ever visit see if you can find the Red Elephants!

Lions Den Pub

Red Elephants in the Rainforest

Mossman Gorge we thought you would drive to a carpark and then begin your walk in the rainforest.  But no!!  What we are beginning to call the good old Queensland upsell,  you must pay to get in, this does however include a shuttle bus up the hill to begin your walk.  The walk is very well marked and is a boardwalk for some of the way.  There is a very jumpy swinging bridge that is of course loads of fun for kids and big  red elephants to cross.  Walking through the giants of the rainforest you feel very small and insignificant.  The trees reach high up to the sky with the first branch way way up.  The roots of the trees reach out as far as the tree is high.   Ferns are huge and green and reach out above your head.  Everything is very green.  This rainforest that has been here for eons will still be here way after we are all pushing up daisies.

Ferns

Perfect tree for climbing

The day after we headed over the Daintree River to the Daintree.  This was very exciting as we crossed on a barge all of us including Brindi, poor Willow stayed behind at the Wonga Beach caravan park.  As we crossed we all had our eyes open for crocodiles but there were none to be seen.  Five minutes across the river we came to a wonderful lookout that gave us a great view back down the coastline to Port Douglas.   On recommendations from fellow travellers we went to the Daintree Discovery Centre.  For a not small fee  we where given guide books and self guided headsets.  There was one guide for adults and a different one for the kids.  We then proceeded to walk through the rain forests on boardwalks listening to our headsets that where very informative.  The boardwalk started at rainforest mid level so half way up the trees and above the ferns.  We then climbed a 5 level Rainforest Canopy Viewing platform this gave a us a great birds eye view of the rainforest.  We cam down then walked at floor level.  The kids enjoyed the interactiveness of the walk but did get a little hungry towards the end.  We took our lunch in and had a picnic lunch.   We then proceeded up towards Cape Tribulation.

 We where on high alert as this is cassowary territory and there where signs along the road to slow down and take care.  As we where beginning to give up hope  "STOP Cassowary!!"  Brindi came to a screeching halt and out we all got.  I have learnt that if you come across a cassowary they can become quite aggressive and it is best to put something between you and the bird,  I choose Mr Red Elephant and the kids choose me.  What a magnificent creature so much more colourful than the old Emu.  It has two  red dingle dangles hanging from his beak  a vibrant two tone blue neck and to top it of a big knob on top his head.    We stalked Mr Cassowary for a while and didn't seem to mind he criss crossed back and forth across the road.  May I mention that  prior to this spotting we had been looking in the rainforest for our friend  but it seems that his 6  toes are a bit precious and he prefers to walk along footpaths.

So up to Cape Tribulation, must say we where a little underwelmed.  We did however do a good walk on the way back down that walked half through the mangroves and the rainforest was rather pleasant.

All Red Elephants slept well.

Tjapukai - Aboriginal Cultural Park

Last night the kids had a big decision to make.  We had been planning on going to Hartleys Crocodile Adventures but another family then told us how good the Tjapukai Aboriginal park was.  So.. the kids had to decide which one they wanted to do.  They made a list and Tjapukia ended up being the winner because they had seen Crocodiles at Australia Zoo but if they went to the aboriginal place they could learn to throw a boomerang.

To Tjapukai we went, we where greeted by aboriginal men in their lap laps and traditional body pants and the women where dressed similar.   We went to the womens hut and learnt about bush foods and medicines.  Then down to learn spear throwing,  I think the kangaroos will be safe when the red elephants are on the hunt.  Boomerang throwing seemed to be more our thing.  One came back and landed right at my feet.  Grace and James boomerangs also returned to them.  Next was a corroboree  where the story of the kangaroo hunt was performed.  We also got to join in singing and watch a traditional fire ceremony.  Oh and yes the Red Elephants did join in the corroberee centre stage dancing the Brolga, Cassowary and Kangaroo.

James then had his face painted warrior style and of we went to have a lesson in the Didgerido  for some reason the joint seemed to empty out.  Not sure why,  Mr Red Elephant embraced his inner indigenous and made a bit of noise.

Back we go for more Boomerang throwing and spear throwing.  The guys where really good and put their bodies on the line when the boomerangs looked like they would decapitate Grace and James.

We decided we needed more practice with our dancing so we had our own private Red Elephant dance lesson.  The guy who was teaching us was so good, he really did look like the animals he was dancing.

Story Rocks different from my Blog that rocks we painted story rocks.  They tell a story and are good luck omens.

Grace and I returned to the womens hut to learn some basket weaving.  The lady did not turn up but we meet another chap from Torres Strait  who was of to make a grass skirt  he said we could join him.  He ended up showing us how to make a lightning bolt weave from coconut leaves.  I hope he got to make his grass skirt for tonights performance!

The kids wanted to stay to watch the last corroboree of the day, so we did.

Red Elephants at the Reef

On recommendations from friends we paid the extra and went all the way to the outer reef.  This takes a little longer, your in a boat for 1.5 hours.  The good news is NO Red Elephant suffered from sea sickness, we are a hardy bunch.

James

Pete doing a selfie underwater

Mum ,Grace and James

Fish Fingers no Fish Feeding

There was lots of upgrades offered on the way out, dive experiences, guided snorkeling, helicopters, dive helmets and even a massage.  Sadly no fries or steak knives!  All our snorkeling equipment was supplied.  We all snorkeled up, Pete has snorkeled before, Grace has done a little bit with  her Uncle and James and I where newbies.  It was such a strange experience putting my face in the water with goggles and breathing through the snorkel  but once I relaxed and forgot about my breathing I was OK.  I had Grace holding onto one arm and James the other.  The water was lovely and warm, even for me.  No wind, no clouds and lots of sun.   The water was a lovely blue colour but clear, think blue loo.  We saw lots of coral, its still not as vibrantly coloured as I imagined.  Swimming with the fish was just amazing and the colours of the fish, well that was great.   James did quiet well, but even with his wetsuit on he still got the shimmy shakes and had to get out and warm up.  Grace who is half mermaid  could have stayed in all day.

Mermaid Grace

We snorkeled on 3 different occasions only to be interrupted by a cold little boy and lunch and going out in the semi submersible boat.

The semi submersible boat is sort of like a submarine.  I must say I am rather proud of Mr Red Elephant who normally does not cope well with small confined spaces such as a submarine!!  But he went in and he did look like he was going to do a runner before it took off.  With the excitement of seeing all the fish and coral under water and a few sharks and Barracuda's he embraced the submarine.

Blue Submarine

We watched the fish feeding and had Wally or is it Barry the big Murray Wrasse swimming around our feet.  What and experience.  James loved going down in the viewing tunnel with glass windows where you could watch the divers and the fish.

Wally/Barry and Zebra Fish coral in the background

As we departed the boat all the crew members where lined up to say good bye most passengers just walked past them, NOT, the Red Elephants we ran down the line giving them all high fives and wooping it up as only Red Elephants can do.  What a great way to end a terrific day on the reef.

Cairns - So Far

So far in Cairns we have enjoyed a walk along the Esplanade that involved playing in no less than 4 playgrounds , one water park and one lagoon.  The lagoon was decorated in various six packs and scantily dressed backpackers.  We also watched the emergency helicopter make a landing and afterwards Pete and the Kids went up close to investigate the chopper.

We have also made use of the pool at the park we are staying in.  The pool has a pirate ship with a slide down into the pool.  The bears had a most enjoyable time and Grace and James practiced their water saving techniques on the Bears.  You will be pleased to know that all bears are alive and well and as an added bonus are a little bit cleaner.

Today we took a ride on the Kuranda Train up to,yep, you guessed it Kuranda.  The train was a lovely old timber train with 15 carriages.  We chugged chugged over many bridges and through tunnels past the beautiful Barren Falls.  I was looking forward to the Kuranda markets but I must say was very disappointed.  Our very own Hall Markets in Canberra are much better for homemade arts and crafts and produce.  Kuranda just seems to be hippie, australian souvenirs and others bits and bobs you could buy at any old shop.  Speaking to other people at the Skyrail they where also disappointed by the markets.

Barron Falls

So we caught the Skyrail back down the mountain.  What a great experience.  There we are in our own little bubble floating along up above the rainforest canopy.  We also had a fantastic view back to cairns and the coastline.  Looking down we could see how big the ferns are and the stag horns growing n the tree tops.  Just beautiful.  I would highly recommend the Skyrail and the Train.

Hmm Cairns itself is just not a Red Elephant type of place.  We have gotten used to staying in quiet sleepy little towns and villages.  Cairns is big and bustling and we can hear traffic and sirens.  Apparently the park we have chosen is in a bad part of town and people have had things stolen out of their cars and vans.  So I do not feel entirely relaxed and comfortable here.  There are gigantic bats that fly in at night it is not unusual to see Red Elephants making their way to the toilets swinging brooms and towels around their heads to ward of the low flying bats.  The good news is I have caught up on my washing of sheets and towels and clothes.  The car has had a service and tomorrow we are doing the much anticipated reef.  Tune in tomorrow night for a full report.

Caravan Set Up - Red Elephant Style

1. Dad unhitches Willow from Brindy

2. Connect our tap

3.Uh oh  Cant reach

4.We use Graces long legs to connect the power

5.Wind back legs down

6.Wind the front legs down

7.Pipe for grey water

            

8.Connect grey water pipe to Willow

9.unlock bed end

10.Lift Lid

11.Pull Down BedA

12.Push up Roof

12.Push Up Roof

TA DA  we have a Caravan set up!!

13.See any Possums say the Bears