We all had a sleep in until 7, which is quite a record in the van, the heavy rain overnight made it perfect sleeping weather. We restocked yesterday in Mission Beach and with the coastal rains forecast to continue it was time to head inland. How far we go who knows. Back in 2000 Janene and i did most of the ‘big loop’ and travelled this way heading all the way across the top end on what is now called the Savannah Way.
Our first stop after taking the compulsory Cassowary signs was near Innisfail at the Australian Museum of Sugar. It could have been a dud but was well worth the stop with the kids learning the full history of the industry in Australia way back to the ‘slave labour’ used in the 1800’s and then the mechanisation of the industry in the 1900’s with lots of farmers creating weird and wonderful machines to cut the cane.
The kids loved climbing in the model T Ford and old Steam Engines. Tas wanted to go and get some real sugar cane and as per usual up this way there was plenty of choice.
We headed further north and then turned west up into the Atherton tablelands along the Palmerston Highway. The rainforests in this area are dense and with the rain continuing it was slippery and muddy underfoot when we stopped to take in the views.
We continued on after lunch and headed on the waterfall circuit, stopping at a waterfall and then Milla Milla Falls. Some backpackers jumped in for a swim right over under the falls and I asked the kids who was up for it. Mya and I took off first with 2 noodles crossed on the surf mat. The wind generated at the bottom of the falls was strong as was the water falling upon our heads as we went under the falls. The view was special from the inside of the falls looking up at the rocks and Mya was very proud of her adventure. Tas was next on the cruise under the falls and we had all had a wonderful time.
Our destination for the day was Innot Hot Springs another 55km up the road. We were in road train territory so had to watch out on the single lane road, not to mention the cattle!
Innot Hot Springs is a tiny place with a motel and caravan park both backing on the hot thermal water in the creek. We set up camp, trying to dry out the rig and had a look around with Ella trying to copy Tas’ wheelies in the park!
Post an early dinner it was time to check out the man made variety of hot springs – there are 6 in the park, the kids loved jumping from the cold to the hot pools. An amazing day of adventure and with the 5 of us together on the road it feels good!
Sat 19th May
After morning jogs for the parents we hit the road again and called the family from Mt Garnett. We only had a 100km or so today to Undara Lava Tubes so reached our destination and set up in the campgrounds. A family with 5 yr boy twins is next to us and Tas is in heaven riding bikes around the sandy roads of the complex. We booked into the Archway Explorer 2hr and our guide Tim was very knowledgeable of all things Volcanic. The kids were amazingly behaved, for the full 2 hours there was no whinging, fighting, or attitude. They really soaked up the info about how the lava tubes were formed and enjoyed descending into semi darkness walking through cold water to explore some of the intact tubers where millions of years ago lava flowed.
We also saw a variety of wallabies and kangaroos in the late afternoon eating the new sweet green shoots which are growing after some controlled burn offs in the National Park. It was definitely beer o’clock on our return and after an early dinner pre prepared by Janene (masterstroke) we hijacked a younger couples fire next door who needed some assistance getting it going. Mya had checked out the lollies up at reception and came up with the idea of cooking marsh mellows. We had a great chat with couple from Netherlands and then put the kids down after another big day of adventure in the outback.
Sun 20th May
Up and at it with a great run on some of the bush walking tracks. It is definitely weird running after doing nothing but cycling for the last 6 months. Along the trail I learnt about the old Telegraph line passes through this region. It was set up the 1880’s to communicate from the coast across to Normanton on the Gulf. It is pretty amazing to think these days we expect mobile coverage where ever we go but in those days Morse code transmission would have only been for news and emergencies.
After some bike repairs and seat adjustments Tas and I went on a little adventure and whilst Ella was sleeping Janene took the two big kids on a walk up behind the resort to the Bluff to take in the 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape. Tas had a near encounter with a Kangaroo at high speed on the decent and took evasive action which left a 10m long skid on the dirt track. We spent the afternoon poolside.
Dinner was great at the Bistro but if you asked Mya for her top five moments of the trip one would be the Volcano dessert at Undara, hot chocolate cake with a runny chocolate sauce centre that ‘erupted’ when you sliced it open. Yummy, yummy!
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