19th to end August back to Cooktown!

     After spending a week in Ravenshoe decided it was time to keep moving.
   
          Wednesday 26th
      Stopped in Atherton on the way to do a small shop and a new phone for me.(An old farts phone with big numbers and nice and loud) Then on to Mareeba, having a coffee break in a park on the north side. We made our way to the Ringers Rest bush camp about 6km out of Mareeba for the night.

Pretty creek at the Ringers rest

Dot+Yip looking into aTermite nest

There is a lovely creek 1.2km from the camp which we visited and had a swim.
Made a nice walk for us that evening and again the next morning.While down at the creek the dogs checked out this huge Ant nest. The country side is very dry compared to the Tablelands at Ravenshoe, a lot of dust and brown grass, a vast difference in a short distance.

Hotel at Mount Molloy

                      Thursday 27th
  

     Refuelled in Mareeba and headed along the Mulligan highway past the Mount Molloy Hotel.



Resting at Rifle Creek. We were here over 2 years ago on our first venture out and spent a couple of nights then, but not staying today, making our way to Mt Carbine.

Office of Mt Carbine Van park

Dilligaf at Mt Carbine van park

     Revisiting this Van Park again too! I remember the office very well, made from a concrete water tank I think.  We only stayed one night, so never bothered with a powered site, only cost $16.00, and we get a discount for being members of Kui Parks, giving us a huge $1.60 discount, ahh! ain't life
great.

Orchid flower at Mt Carbine

     
               Friday 28th

     I found this little orchid while out walking with the dogs on the morning of our departure this morning.

view out the window at Bobs lookout

     We left mid morning heading north toward Lakeland. Just north of Mt Carbine is Bob's Lookout, climbing up the hill, a magnificent view back toward the south, we didn't stop at the lookout, I took this photo through the bus window.(have to clean the glass!!)
    

North/north-east view from James Earl lookout

     To continue - we travelled the 100km to James Earl lookout and may spend the night here. Once again, a great view. 

At James Earl lookout

     The weather is superb. Our rig looks good with the view behind it.

     All is well for the month of August. Plan to make Cooktown in the next few days. Catch you in September - wherever we may be!

1st to 18th August - Moving about again

  The weather has been really kind, cool evenings and mornings but beautiful during the day.
     To start the month we are still in Ravenshoe but readying to head off to Cardwell on Tuesday.

Bianca+Tony Ravenshoe

     Tuesday 4th
Saying bye to Tony and Bianca at the Tall Timbers Park with the probability we will be back in a week or three. Lovely people.

Windy Hill wind farm Ravenshoe

     Heading off toward South Johnson on the coast, I took a final picture out the bus window of the wind farm.

The Criterion Hotel at Wangan

     Winding our way down the Palmerston highway to Wangan, looking for the bakery to have some lunch, never did find it. We passed it on the way, about 3km back, (apparently!!!!) I took a photo of the pub instead, no! - we didn't have one while there. Moving on, we arrived in Cardwell about 1pm to park up outside Gail's place until Friday when we head for Townsville

     Friday 7th
     Getting away reasonably early we stopped in Ingham to stock up on foodstuffs and  have some breakfast at the roadhouse a couple of km south of town.

Relaxing in camp at Music W/E

   

     We found our way to Toomby's horse land by mid-day on the Hervey Range road where the country music camping weekend is being held by the Townsville and Thuringowa country music club. Set up for a couple of days and took the rest of the day easy, the music is set to start tomorrow.
   


Saturday 8th
  Great morning with the weather being a bit cool but beautiful. Enjoyed our morning walk with the company of our mate, Gail. Had a late breakfast and listened to the music from our camp site at the bus. Gail and I spent some time enjoying the music later in the evening after a great day.

     Sunday 9th

Our good friends Gill+Steve at the country music W/E

    Enjoyed the bush poets this morning, with a late breakfast. More of our lovely friends came to visit us today. Gill and Steve drove out to see us after nearly 2 years. Fantastic to catch up with them and share a story or two.

A lovely way to spend a weekend, time has got away, we'll making our way back to Cardwell tomorrow.

Hinchinbrook Island+channel from lookout on Cardwell range

    
Monday 10th
      Packed up went into the city to catch up a couple of friends and do a small bit of shopping.
Back over the Cardwell range and a quick stop at the look-out taking this picture of the Hinchinbrook channel and island, looking north.

Continued to Gail's  in Cardwell for a coffee then to Hinchinbrook rent-a-yacht to bluey's place for a few days.

11th to 16th

Sunrise over Hinchinbrook Island from Cardwell forestry road

    Having a look around the town and Hinchinbrook, nothing much has changed in town it self, the foreshore has been done up since cyclone Yasi in 2011, otherwise it is like I was never away. Hinchinbrook, unfortunately, is almost deserted with the few mansions that are there up for sale or rent. When they were built they were million dollar plus homes, now they are not worth much as no-one wants to live there. It was nice walking the dogs in the morning though, sunrises where every pretty coming up over the island.

Monday 17th
     Back to Ravenshoe today. Will stay for a while until we decide where to next.

     

17th to end July Ravenshoe fun & relaxing

    Well!! - not much to report.

     Saturday 18th
     I was called to duty at the local community B.B.Q.-  organised by the Tablelands council for all Ravenshoe residents and the whole community to get together for a fun day and to ask any questions. I spent a couple of hours cooking onions for the sausage sizzle with many people who had volunteered for the day.
     The weather has been very changeable, had a couple of light frosty mornings a couple of weeks ago, we have had misty days, cool mizzling rainy days, warm to cool fine days and lovely cloudless sunny warm to hottish days, all you could want in the weather pattern, but it is really lovely most of the time!!.
     The Tall Timbers Van park, where are staying, was taken over by new owners a month ago and we have been helping them out where we can, they are new to the game and are going along nicely, making improvements along the way.


Yip in Camp at Ravenshoe

   Dot & Yip are finding Ravenshoe as enjoyable as we are, I think. Yip is pretty relaxed most of the time, meeting new people almost every day.
When she isn't being cheeky or annoying Dot this photo shows what she gets up to. they both have been swimming in the creek (Yip with a bit of encouragement from me) and running amok in the park.

     End of the month is near, we are planning on going to Cardwell, then on to a country music weekend next month in Townsville.
      Catch up with us in August.  Man!! time flies when you are having so-o-o- much fun.  See Ya.

Ravenshoe - waterfalls-dams+Platypus 16th July

      I've been jaunting around the place taking photo's.


Tully Falls on the Tully Gorge

     A fabulously sunny warm day arrived on Thursday 16th, (after a very cool morning) so I revisited the Koombaloomba dam and the Tully falls.
     Was a bit disappointed to find no water cascading down the fall, as I vaguely remember them being when I was last here, 20 years ago. Must be a sign of the times when so much of our natural  beauties are controlled by man, so that water flows when some big bum, on a padded chair somewhere, regulates when a fall is either a dust fall, or a water fall! Oh well!!




Tully Gorge

    

     The Tully gorge is insanely deep and awesome, nature at it's best, as this photo shows.

One of the creeks on the way
to Koombaloomba dam 

     I kept driving, heading for Koombaloomba dam which is the headwaters for the Tully river. 15km of not so good gravel road. I crossed a couple of creeks on the way and took a nice picture of this one, just 'cause I could.




Koombaloomba dam wall

     Just taking my time on the pothole filled and corrugated road, catching as much of the scenery as I could along the way.
    I finally reached the base of the dam wall.


     The river on this side of the wall was a beautiful colour and so clear I could easily see the bottom, no fish sighted here though.



Dot+Yip on the bridge over Tully
river below Koombaloomba dam

  
 A bridge crossed the river at this point making a good photo platform.  Dot and Yip had a good look as they crossed back and forth.








Tully river rapids below the
Koombaloomba dam

     The river below the bridge was flowing pretty fast, churning itself into a white water rafters dream, by the look of it. Pretty as a picture post card.



Koombaloomba dam

    The dam it self isn't very full, just above 25%, one of the signs read, very nice any way. We had a walk to the waters edge to discover how clear the water is, just great.  Time to head for home again for lunch and a bone for the dogs.



Platypus in South Cedar Creek Ravenshoe

      Later in the afternoon walked down the back of the van park to South Cedar Creek, well known for platypus. My luck was in, not one but two, possibly 3 of them. Managed to get a little footage on the video and turned it into this photo, of one of what looked like an adult animal.     Platypus are Monotremes, shared only with the echidna. They are mammals who feed on worms, snails, insects and the like. Very unusual animal with a duck bill, beaver like tail and otter like fur with webbed feet. So, there you go. Fantastic to see them for myself.

    Watched them for a while with Dot  + Yip, who seemed to be wondering what they were in the water.



Dot at South Cedar Creek
Ravenshoe

   



Yip at south Cedar Creek
Ravenshoe

      After a short time they had not returned to the surface, so time for the pups to have a bit of fun on the creek bank.


     A wonderful day, full of exciting new things with the platypus and going back in time to revisit the dam and Tully falls. Life should always be this good!!





Mucking about in Ravenshoe (1st-12th)

     Enjoying a grand time in Ravenshoe.
     No requirement for our services so far from the folk injured in the Café explosion, maybe further along in time, we are available if needed.

     The Tall Timbers van park (where we are staying) is under new ownership, we have been giving them our time, off and on, doing what ever little thing is needed. In the mean-time, cruising along quietly.



Millstream falls-Ravenshoe

   
     On the 4th (as I said last blog) I took the dogs for a drive out to Millstream falls. 20 years ago you could get to the bottom of the falls for photo's, but now only a track to a viewing platform, that's progress I guess! Still, they are just as beautiful as I remember.





Suspension bridge at Herberton
village

     A few days later, on 8th, I drove to Herberton to wonder around the Historical village. I spent 3 hours meandering around the village, gazing in wonder, at times, at the displays. It made me realise how tough it was for people back then.
  The whole village is set up jolly well. The suspension bridge over the wild river is an experience not to be missed, just saying, I've been there and done that!!
 


Horse drawn hearse
(Who's the sad looking one?)

     The horse drawn carriages were many but this one took my fancy, the Hearse, beautiful in a morbid way.

 


Herberton historic Village street

     The town is just like it was many years ago with numerous streets such as this one.



Some of the old tractors at
the village

     Then there is all the old machinery, tractors, as in the this photo, bulldozers, tools, cars, engines of all description, you have to go there and see to believe it.  I had a wonderful time.




HM Bark Endeavour
replica at Herberton village

     I took time for lunch. In the cafe is this model of the Endeavour. really well made, amongst others there too.

    A great day once again.
Back to camp late after noon.



Keeping out of trouble and having a humunganormously great time here in Ravenshoe. Catch you next blog.



    

July - fun in Ravenshoe

    




Millstream falls -going over the edge

The weather has been very changeable, some days are just lovely and sunny and then others are not so nice, with misty drizzle and a bit cool. Having a ball though, can't let the weather hold me up.



Dot at Millstream falls



Yip at Millstream falls

  On the 4th I took the pup's out to the Millstream falls for the afternoon. It is a national park but I didn't let that stop me from giving the girls a look around at the top of the falls. Some of the tourist's there where very pleased to make Yip's acquaintance along with Dot but one couple were not impressed and the bloke was shaking his head as we met on the trail, I said "there many things that people are not supposed to do", so not to worry. We had a glorious afternoon. The falls are the widest in Queensland falling over a basalt rock wall. It's good to see the waters ways around the area flowing so well, something to do with the weather I reckon!!

      That's it for now.
    

June 22nd to 30th Ravenshoe

     Having a quiet time here in Ravenshoe, the weather is very changeable, wet and drizzly one day and beautiful sunshine the next. the advantage is, that it isn't cold, cool at times but very manageable for us.



Little Millstream platypus water hole

     The pup's and I have been walking the town every day, rain or shine.
Found our way to a part of the Little Millstream that is a bit over grown around the banks but a narrow track led us to this largish waterhole which I later learnt is a Platypus hole. I didn't see any that day, but I did see a platypus in the creek that runs behind the van park we are in, on our first day here, but it was such a  brief sighting I wasn't sure of what I had seen at the time.


The top Pub at Ravenshoe

     There are 2 hotels in Ravenshoe, this one that the locals call the Top Pub and another known as The Club Hotel.
     The town has everything one would ever need and is very friendly and so-o-o- green with all the water ways running beautifully. Shame about the drizzly weather but it wouldn't be green without it and I know that it can be lovely here.

     We will be sticking around Ravenshoe for a while, so catch you next month.

June 9th 21st Prairie to Ravenshoe

      Tuesday 9th
    Leaving Prairie today we went to Pentland again to the van park to catch up with washing and household chores.
     Next day to Charters Towers where we are meeting with a family member from Jerviose Station up around Greenvale area, 256km from the Towers, with the intention of spending some time on the station helping out where ever needed.
     Leaving Pentland reasonably early about 30 minutes out we heard a loud bang, Yip nearly jumped over the table in fright along with myself and Dot. Upon inspection we found the rear tyre had lost the entire centre of the tread, still fully inflated though. Decided to continue very steady trying to make it all the way to Carters Towers. Not to be, 10 minutes up the road and the rest of tread came adrift, (much to our fright again).
     So - after changing the wheel we made Charters Towers by late am, had the tyre replaced and settled into the roadhouse for the night.
     Met with the Jervoise Station member and will stock up tomorrow and make our way to Greenvale first up.
         
          Thursday 11th
    Stocked up at last and away by 11am. Blue Waters Roadhouse made lunch for us, nothing here at all, just the roadhouse.
Arrived in Greenvale 3pm, pretty tired and looking forward to a rest, parked outside the Three Rivers Hotel.


Sausage Tree in Greenvale

    This picture of the Sausage Tree is in the grounds of the hotel. Strange thing, I must say! The sausages (fruit I think)are somewhere between 4-6 inches round and maybe up to a foot long.

Me and the sausages on the
sausage tree at Greenvale

It is a native of South Africa. no known uses at all. There are only 3 other trees recorded in Australia, 2 in Townsville Botanical gardens and 1 in the Adelaide botanical gardens.
     We camped where we where for the night.

            Friday 12th
     Jerviose Station
         The gravel road  to the cattle station left much to be desired (grader maybe good), nearly shook us to bits. Still, got there safely with a warm welcome and a cuppa. After setting up we had a look around and some discussion about what was required.

           Saturday 13th
     Decided that staying at Jerviose was not for us and left midday, making our way to firstly Mt Garnet for a small rest then on to Archer Creek for the night.

           Monday 15th
     The weather is a bit unkind, mizzly misty rain, so have gone into Ravenshoe to the Tall Timbers Caravan park. Booked in for week at $100.00.


Little Millstream falls with Yip

Little Millstream falls

     Have thrown our name in to the hat to volunteer ourselves to help in any way needed after the horror explosion at one of the cafes last week where 8 persons where badly injured.

     In the mean time  taking photo's galore while visiting the Little millstream, one of the many waterfalls around the area.
  Friday 19th
  

Millaa Millaa and country from the look-out

     Took the pup's for drive to Millaa Millaa today, via the scenic route , not good for caravans! I know why, but a pretty drive. The town is small but is renowned for the many waterfalls around the area. The scenery is beautiful all over, this one from the lookout over the surrounding country and the town in the distance.

Kauri pine log at Millaa Millaa

In a park in town is this huge Kauri log. It is estimated to be 870 years old. Apparently planted somewhere around 1137!!
    It fell over in 2003, the root system no longer able to sustain the tree.
At that time it was 26 metres to the first branch. (What do you reckon? big eh!) The trunk of it was trucked to its present resting place in 2003 in 3 x 4 metre and 1 x 2 metre lengths making a total of 14 metres of log. 1 metre of the trunk is equal to 4 tonnes of timber.


Millaa Millaa falls

    

Drove to the Millaa Millaa falls while there but gave the others a miss as they are in National park and the dogs are not allowed to visit. These are great though, very picturesque.




   

The Reluctant Cow
a statue at Millaa Millaa

     This unusual statue I found at the end of the road in the town, sort of hiding in the corner. Thought it rated a photo.






Wind Farm at Ravenshoe

     On the way back to Ravenshoe I stopped to look at the Wind Turbines at the Wind Farm. Absolutely Huge, making a kind of slow swishing noise as they moved slowly with the wind, a little weird kind of noise.

          Saturday 20th
     There is a wild life hospital at Millstream we visited today called Eagle Nest owned by a chap named Harry. He has all kinds of animal but the most impressive for us is the 13 Dingo, along with 3 (that I saw) wedge tailed eagles.


Alpine Dingo at Ravenshoe

Black+Tan dingo at Ravenshoe

    



Jim + 4 of the dingo at Ravenshoe

A Tawny Frogmouth Owl at
Ravenshoe

Many wallaby, other birds, emu and all sorts of injured and rescue animals.
     This little owl was a among the many birds I saw.


     Back at camp the day has been fantastic, clouded over in the late afternoon but no rain as yet.




           Sunday 21st
     The weather has turned misty and showery. Nothing for it but - to relax.

                   Stand by for the next episode when I blog again.