Cairns

Driving to Cairns was a pretty drive with lots of interesting things to look at.  We also drove into Innisfail for a Cooks’ look.  It’s a lot large than I imagined.  We reached Cairns in the mid afternoon where we pulled in at the Crystal Cascades Caravan Park in Redlynch.  It was a really pretty park and they even guided Nigel into the caravan spot.  Now that’s service.  Susie and Mick had already set up and wandered up to find us while we were still setting up.  They invited us for drinks but decided for an early night for the kids as they had been up late the previous night.

Our next day we took the quick drive to Crystal Cascades.  It was very pretty and the kids and Nigel went in for a swim. While out taking the walk we met a family from Taralgon that were also staying at Crystal Cascades. Had a quick chat and then continued our tour.  We then drove into Cairns and visited the lagoon where everyone went for a swim. Except me as I read my book and took in some rays with all the over exposed and skinny tourist.  Mostly European.  We had drinks and nibbles with Mick and Susie as well as Al and Carol and Jo and Julie.  Some more couples that were also on the road.

 

Our following day we took the train to Karanda on the scenic railway.  It was a very rushed trip to get to the train because we decide at the last minute to catch it.  We arrive at the Freshwater train station just in the nick of time.  We purchased our tickets and jumped on board as the whistle sounded and the train took off.  We travel through many tunnels and climbed the mountain looking back over the plains of Cairns.  Very spectacular.  The kids enjoyed hanging their heads out the window (which worried me to tears with so many tunnel entrys).  We arrive in Karanda around 10am and walk the main street.  It was a very pretty little town.  We did a tour of the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary where we saw some amazing butterflies including the Ulysses and the Cairns Birdwing.  Both very spectacular.  I took man amazing photos but never could quite catch the Ulysses’.  It was just took quick.  I finally got a shot of a Ulysses but only because it was dead on the ground....lol...(they only live 15 days so there was one bound to be dead).  Our journey home from Karanda was on the Skyrail.  God I was terrified.  The highest tower 280m high.  On average we were 200m above the rainforest floor.  Our journey even took us over Barron Falls Dam.  This was the where I was most terrified as the skyrail slow and came to an almost complete stop.  I was terrified we were about to come off the line and fall in the dam Jordan thought she would play a trick on me and squeal.  Which sent me into panic mode...blasted kids.  I think I lost 10 years off my life from that little trick.  It was a very memorable trip but one I think will only be a once off.  The view coming down the hill back into Carnavour was very spectacular indeed.

Our next few days were recharge days for the kids and us.  The kids spent many hours schooling.  We were taking it a little easy also and really enjoying relaxing around the park.  We did a little shopping and enjoyed swimming and soaking up the sun.  The kids spent time on their bikes at the BMX track and we had nibbles and drinks with the others many times.  We decided to spend an extra day at Cairns.  The kids had been doing some great work on their journals and maths work we decided before we headed for Cooktown we would give them one more good schooling session. 

Our last afternoon in Cairns we visited Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Ellis Beach.  Nigel and Austin paddled in the shallows of Ellis Beach but the rest of us had no want or need to be eaten by crocodiles so we stayed away from the water’s edge.

Paronella Park - Mena Creek

This stop was literally around the corner from Mission Beach.  It took us around 40 minutes to arrive at Mena Creek where Paronella Park is located.  It was an easy drive but the road were only one car width in places so we were glad not to have come across anyone.  When we arrived we found Mike and Susie in the car park.  We said hello and organised to catch up in the afternoon for drinks.  We settled ourselves in and start unpacking.  As i lifted some items of the bed. I dislodge the tv antenna and it slid off the bed and straight on my toe.  Oh the excruciating pain.  I was hopping around the floor in a fair amount of pain when I realised I was leaving a trail.  My goodness I then decided to look down at the toe on to see a very unsightly gash at the base of my nail.....ouch ouch ouch.  I loved to show you the picture but I think you may all be grossed out.  If you really want to see it Haley has a copy...

I bandaged up the toe then we all took off to do our day time tour.  We had a lovely guide named Luci.  She was very enthusiastic and was very passionate about what she was showing us and telling us.  The Jose Paronella was one man that had a dream.   He turned that dream into reality and build a beautiful garden and castle home.  It was amazing and interesting hearing each of the stories.  Know that he built 80% of it himself is just stagering.  You can still see his finger mark through the concrete rendering.  The tour took just under an hour but we found it all very interesting and lots of fun.  I loved looking at the wonderful buildings and the picturesque gardens.  I felt almost mystical.  Like faries and goblins played in the gardens.  His amazing Kuri Pines were also very spectacular.  Lovers Tunnel was a little yuck as it was full of bats and spiders.  Not things I like to spend my time with.  The Waterfall was pretty spectacular also and the kids got to feed the fish from the picnic area.

Jose's fingermarks

Descending on Grand Staircase into a
mystical oasis

 

We had afternoon drinks with Susie and Mike and then an early tea.  We then went on the night tour of the gardens and wandered around the gardens looking at them differently again.  Mark the owner took us around the gardens and was very passionate about his park.  I really enjoyed the night tour and seeing all the wonderful lights.  It was very amazing.   If you ever have the chance to go, take it...its a particularly beautiful place.

Just AMAZING at night!

Mission Beach

Driving to Mission Beach was interesting but a little eerie at times.  Cyclone Yasi passed through 5 months earlier and a lot of the destruction was becoming more previlent the closer we got to our destination.  Firstly it was the tree and vegitation.  Just south of Cardwell the trees were stripped bare, leaning or split in two.  They were all pushed over in the same direction so you could tell which way the wind was pounding them.  At we reach Port Hinchinbrook we notice many boats in there yards with sails torn or whole ripped out of their hulls.  As we drove in to Cardwell the real destruction was coming to light.  Trees still strewn over the beach, houses tarped up and destruction notices on others.  It was evident that they needed to do heaps more work but we were later to find out that Cardwell has been forgotten abit and that they are trying to get on their own feet.  The day was also a wet and cloud one which I think did not help with the uneasy feeling Nigel and I were having.  It felt like we were driving into a huge storm.  Coming into Mission Beach was really yuck.  Almost to the point that we wanted to continue on.  But we decided that they needed our tourist dollars so we pulled in for a few nights stay.

The park we stayed at was the Top Tourist Hideaway Caravan Park. They had really cleaned themselves up. They have already put $800,000 into repairing, debrie removal and rebuilding. It looked good to us but when we asked other visited they told us and showed us how the park looked last year. My goodness the difference was just phenominal.

 

Our first day we spent getting our bearings and visiting the main street. (a 1 minute walk from the park)  As we walked back to the park our travelling buddies David, Sandra, Garth and Sharon drove past.  We really are getting to see them at every stop.  They are such lovely couples.  We had a catch up after they had finished setting up then we spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool.  Our second day we walked along the beach and played in the sand.  We found several coconuts and had lunch at a beachfront cafe.  They were a little confused but the meal was lovely.  The afternoon was again spent playing around the park and swimming in the pool.  We even cracked open the coconuts and had a feast of fresh coconut.  Been chatting with many of our caravan neighbours and finding out lots of interesting things about Mission Beach.  I like chatting to new people they always give you some great tips about travelling.

Had a busy morning working on school tasks.  Kids are learning so much on the road about the different areas they are visiting and about the industries around those towns.  Sugar cane is again huge in this area.  And they are not quiet ready to cut it down yet so we still are unable to see the cane mills in action.  Chatted to a lovely couple again today.  Mick and Susie.  A really nice pair.  They are really easy going couple and have given me a few good tips.  We spent the early part of the afternoon taking a circuit drive via El Arish and Tully.  Se stopped at Tully to climb the Golden Gumboot and read about Tully's amazing record.  7.8metres of rain in one year.  We continued our drive down to South Mission where we were able to get out and take a good look at Dunk Island.  It was pretty badly damage in the Cyclone and they think it will be at least a year before it reopens.  Wow...long time but all the rubbish and building supplies on or needed on the island coming and go out on the ferry.  Returned back to camp for an afternoon swim.  Mick and Susie came over for happy hour and we had a really good time chatting and find out about each other.  We told them we were off to Paronella Park(Mena Creek) tomorrow and they had thought they might go also.  If they do it will be nice to catch up for another happy hour.  The kids really liked them also.