Townsville & Other Places

It's been a while!

After our few days in Buderim and the Sunshine Coast we headed north up to visit Nikki and her family for a few days in Yeppoon. Tommaso had celebrated his 9^th birthday a few days before we arrived, Fabrizio has his the day before Tommaso's, then the excitement built for Sienna's 5^th birthday. Although it was a school day she managed to pack enough into the day to last us a month. Mike had his birthday the next day, but it was a rather subdued affair.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye as we again hit the road, destination Mackay. We stayed in a pretty good park, right on the edge of a waterway, a big birdie attraction. The main reason for our visit was to get up to the Eungella National Park about 60 km away. The drive along the plains to get to the mountain range was quite lovely, passing by a few very large sugar refineries. The cane is being harvested at the moment, so there are quite a few big machines out in the cane fields chopping the cane and loading it into the little carriages that then get hauled along the rail tracks to the refinery. Modern technology has caught up with the sugar industry so the cane is no longer fired – pity as it would be a fantastic sight.

Rising up from the valley floor we drove up a very steep road to the top of the range to Eungella. Hopping out to admire the superb view we quickly hopped back in the car – it was 13 degrees – down in the valley it was about 25. What a difference. We continued along and pulled in to Broken River for coffee. Broken River is a great place for spotting platypus, but we were way too late in the morning for them, although we did get to see lots of turtles just cruising around in the sunshine.

Heading back down off the range we made our way to the Finch Hatton Gorge where we then spent a few hours exploring the area and doing the walk into the Araluen Cascades. It was only a short walk of about 3 km along an exceptionally well made track, and well worth the walk.

Next day we were off again, destination Townsville. Mikes GPS, which is usually very reliable decided that it was time to play tricks with us again, so it took us about 40 km out of our way to the Bruce Highway, but hey, it was a road we had never travelled before, then when we arrived in Townsville instead of taking us by the ring road it decided to take us the most convoluted route through the city. Still we got here in the end.

Day one we explored the city, which involved the drive up to Castle Hill Lookout. Castle Hill dominates the city skyline and all roads to the city run around its base. The views up there are expansive and just stunning, almost 360 degrees of the city and looking straight over to Magnetic Island and the Coral Sea. Coming down from the heights we parked over at Kissing Point and did the Ethno Botanical and coastal boardwalk. This extensive boardwalk is a relatively recent addition to the city having been built on the former military base right on the foreshores. The trail then leads up into the headland where native plants are grown in abundance and the plants are signed giving their names and the aboriginal usage. A very informative and beautiful walk. Later we wandered off to the fort where there is a memorial to the Australian US joint force which defended the Coral Sea.

Next day we left early to catch the ferry over to Magnetic Island, only 20 minutes away from Townsville and like Manly in Sydney 1000 miles from care. We rented a little 'topless' Daihatsu to takes us around the island for the day. Everywhere is just beautiful, lovely beaches, plenty of picnic areas and small clusters of shops. We did manage to do The Forts – this trail (all up) takes you up to the highest peak of the island. It was from here in WW11 that the army built lookouts for defensive purposes. The views are just magnificent and 2 of the lookouts from WW11 remain to clamber up into. It was quite a hot day yesterday, so the walk down was welcomed.

Today we have done some very necessary shopping, stocking up on stores before we head out tomorrow morning. We plan to stay tomorrow night in Richmond, a small Qld outback town, then we will have one night in Mt Isa and follow up with one night in Barkly Homestead. Then we hope to have two nights at Cape Crawford before reaching Katherine for a few days respite and to visit the gorge once again. Internet may be an issue, so not sure when the next installment of adventure will be. Till then...