On departing Cairns we drove up the mountain range to Kuranda, then on to Atherton, a total distance for the day of 90km. Settled in at a great free camping area at Rocky Creek War Memorial park, which is about 12km north of Atherton and near the small settlement of Tolga.
This is a very popular area with a maximum stay of 72 hours. On our first night there we counted a total of 22 vans and motorhomes. This goes to show that more and more travellers are choosing to stay at these "freebies", what with the current cost of fuel and the high prices that some caravan parks are asking.
The next day we secured our van, packed a picnic lunch and took off just with the Landcruiser to explore the Atherton tablelands area and in particular the "Waterfall Circuit".
We visited a cheese and chocolate factory, met a group of four very interesting Brazilian guys who were travelling in a rented motorhome throughout Eastern Australia. We were able to pass on a few tips and suggestions, for which they were very grateful. The next day we had intended to drive to Lake Tinaroo, however we awoke to a very cold and miserable day - and yes, drizzling RAIN. At least that's what we thought it was - it has been so long since we last had any ongoing precipitation... Consequenty changed arrangements saw us paying a visit to a fantastic woodwork and craft shop just down the road in Tolga. This is one of the best we have ever visited, as apart from the very high standard of the displayed woodwork and the unusual nature of most of the work we were also allowed to roam in the woodwork workshop and talkn with the tradesmen. As it was now mid-day we decided that we would "up camp" and move west to Ravenshoe. This is only about 65km, however we felt that by m!
oving further inland we may escape the rain. Our next camp was at Archer Creek on the Kennedy Hwy. about 12km west of Ravenshoe. Another very popular area, with around 20 odd here on our first of 2 planned nights. Left the van the next morning and drove back into Ravenshoe to make some phone calls and stock up in preparation for our continued progress into the remote western region of Far North Queensland. At the time of writing this blog (Thur 26/6) I have just counted 18 new vans and motorhomes parked here for an overnight (or longer) stop. By staying for 2 nights we are able to catch up on maintenance chores and Gail has just cooked a piece of corned beef on the open fire. I queried whether she had intended it to be "smoked" as there seemed to more smoke than fire. We have just heard that the annual rodeo is on at Georgetown over the weekend, so we may make that our stop for tomorrow night. Only about 120km, so our "short hops" continue for the moment. In fact we just wo!
rked out on the computer that since leaving home we have only averaged
90 km per day travel. It certainly makes for a more relaxed trip. At this rate expectto see us in 2010.... just kidding.
Regards to all and keep those emails coming.
"kevinh@pocketmail.com" or "windmill67@bigpond.com"
Kevin and Gail.
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