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.