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.
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment