Ahhhhh, this is what it is about.....

Hello everyone. I really appreciate all of you who are following our travels, and I like to read your comments. Internet access is spotty here, and mobile phone coverage is nil, so I sometimes feel a little isolated from family and friends.

On Monday, we decided to take a short trip to Tinaroo Dam so Rick could catch some fish and Red Claw. It is not too far from here, around 70kms, I think. After fuelling Winny, and checking tyre pressures etc, we headed out of Mareeba towards Atherton, and detoured at Tolga, through Kairi, and on to Tinaroo. There are several camping spots around the lake, with fireplaces and (kind of) level places to park vehicles. We drove into 3 different camp sites before deciding that we liked Kauri Creek.
We then drove back to Kairi to get the appropriate fishing and camping permits, and back around to our chosen campsite. What a beautiful peaceful spot. We stayed 2 nights, and Rick tossed his nets in the water, but only caught 2 Red Claw. The couple camped just below us had a bucketful; but they had a boat, which appeared to be the way to go. We were told that the water was too cold for Barra. How hot do they need it to be? We thought the weather was perfect.
(Definitely a place to return to at some stage. I imagine it would get a bit crowded when the Barra are bighting though.) http://www.athertontablelands.com.au/pages/lake-tinaroo/

Photo below at Tinaroo Falls.
Driving through the forest to get to the camp areas.
The view in front of us at Kauri Creek Camp, Tinaroo. So peaceful.
Winny parked at Kauri Creek, Tinaroo. Waterlillies in the Tinaroo Dam, just in front of us at the campsite.
Walking in the rainforest, before the leeches. Rick in a tree in the rainforest. Some of the trees are HUGE! Very interesting sculpted-like root formations. Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree..........just behind Winny at our camp, only a few feet. He took the bait fish off Rick's fishing line. Cheeky bird!
We took the track from the campsite to the Regeneration Forest Walk. The sign said 5km loop, so we thought easy peasy. Well, it took us almost 3 hours, through a rugged forest track which was not as well marked as stated. And, after reading the brochure when we returned, it was further than 5 kms, and was rated for fit and experienced walkers only. HA! We made it anyway! (not bad for a couple of grey nomads) But I wasn't too keen on the leeches attacking my ankles. I think they were attracted to my white sneakers, as Rick didn't get any on his brown shoes.

After climbing up and down muddy tracks, wading across creeks, climbing over fallen trees, brushing through thick undergrowth, we finally found our way "home". It was a good walk, and my calf muscles will attest to that. LOL

Photo, leech territory in the rainforest.

The total of 2 Red Claw that Rick caught. He shared them with his sister, Ann. Luckily I don't like them, so more for for those who do.

Fossicking

Last Sunday we decided to go on a side trip to a place called Mount Gibson, where gem topaz can be found. We headed south west through Mareeba, then south through Atherton and Ravenshoe, then west to Innot Hot Springs; around 150kms. (one way.)
Although we are already in the mountains here at Ann's, we found ourselves travelling higher, and the road between Atherton and Ravenshoe was downright scary (to me). This is supposed to be a major highway???

Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland, and just before we entered the town is a place called Windy Hill Wind Farm. What a view from up here!
Just the other side of Ravenshoe is Millstream Falls; we drove along the bumpy dirt road to the picnic area, then walked down the steep path to the falls. Very nice spot.

Sunday night we stopped at a free camp at Archer Creek, right by the highway. There were quite a few motorhomes and caravans parked here for the night.

Next morning we drove to Innot Hot Springs, where we got directions from the shop how to find the fossicking area. As the track had been washed out in several places during the recent wet, we had to hike in; around 5km to the diggings. It was hot and sunny, and we were looking out for snakes, but fortunately didn't see any.
To our surprise, there wasn't anyone around. We felt like the only people on the planet in this remote bush setting.
Not sure if we have any gems yet, as we haven't broken up the bits of rock we dug out of the creek.

Hot and sweaty, we hiked back to Winny, then drove a bit further down the "highway" to see Mount Garnet. Not much there, so back to Innot Hot Springs, where we booked into the caravan park for the night. Hot water bubbles up from underground in the creek here, and people dig a pit in the sand to have a soak. The caravan park has 6 pools of spring water, all varying temperatures. We had a relaxing soak in a nice warm pool, and chatted to other travellers. Ahhhhhhh, very relaxing. Please see link http://www.innothotspringspark.com/

Next morning we had another soak in the hot pool before departing at 10.30am for the drive back.
We stopped in Atherton to have a look at the Crystal Caves. We found this place very interesting. Please see the link.
http://crystalcaves.com.au/

We arrived back at Ann's house at 5.30pm Tuesday. Now we need to plan our next side trip, as there is a lot to see in this corner of Australia.

(I apologise for the photos being in the wrong order.)

This vehicle was parked outside Crystal Caves. It does get driven.

Amethyst inside the Crysal Caves shop.

Rick beside the largest Amethyst Geode in the world.
Amethyst flowers; all natural.
View of shop in front of caravan park Innot Hot Springs.

Creek at Innot Hot Springs.

Millstream Falls.

Millstream Falls.

Hotel at Ravenshoe. The highest pub in Queensland.

Ravenshoe, main street.

View from Windy Hill.

Windy Hill Wind Farm.

Windy Hill Wind Farm. These things are BIG!

Kuranda photos

The famous Kuranda train. The train in the Kuranda Station.

Skyrail crossing the Barron River in Kuranda. Creek crossing in the rainforest in Kuranda.

Fungi on a tree in the rainforest.

Barron Falls

Taking it easy

Hanging around at Rick's sister Ann's place; taking care of a few things. We are living in Winny, parked on the grass by the house. We have use of MIL's small car, Yaris, to do errands in Mareeba, Kuranda or down the Range in Cairns. Kuranda is a very nice village in the rainforest, here are some links:

http://www.kurandascenicrailway.com.au/

http://www.cairnsconnect.com/region/kuranda.php

http://atherton-tableland.com/

This is Molly, one of Ann's 4 boxers. I have included this photo especially for Rick's daughter. Ann's property is 5 acres of grass and trees, and Rick had some fun mowing the other day.

We had lunch at this place in Kuranda. Views of Kuranda's main street, which features rainforest trees.