ATHERTON - POPULATION: 7,068

MONDAY 5.9.2011: Visited the Crystal Caves at Atherton. Over 40 years Rene Boissevain has made it his passion to collect the best of treasures from all over the world, bringing them together in a spectacular display. More than 600 crystal formation and fossil specimens are on display.

This is the world's biggest Amethyst Geode and has been awarded the title of "The Empress of Uruguay". Standing 3.5 metres tall and weighing 2.5 tonnes.

CAROLE IN "GEOLOGY HEAVEN" - ASHTON (HOLLY & AARON'S SON), WOULD LOVE THIS!

Continued onto Ravenshoe and stayed at the Archer Creek Rest Area.

MAREEBA - POPULATION: 6,806

SUNDAY 4.9.2011: It only took 30 minutes to reach Mareeba, but considerably longer driving winding roads and eventually a dirt track, to arrive at our accommodation at Mareeba Granite Gorge Nature Park. Well worth the drive - there are only 6 powered sites and for the rest it is a case of "drive in and park where you like". A 40 acre bush setting that really has been untouched. The turkeys free roam the area causing the dogs great confusion (never seen a turkey before), plus they gobble a morning revelry!
The property includes the Granite Gorge Nature Park which has resident rock wallabies. The wallabies have been so well trained that they come on cue for their hand feeding. As the sign posting suggests, the self guided tour is somewhat rustic!
 

Mareeba is known for its fine weather, 300 dry days a year - it rained today!



MOUNT MOLLOY - POPULATION: 276

SATURDAY 3.9.2011: Began the day with great enthusiasm - we had finally been able to coincide a stopover with the local markets. Off we went, cashed up and ready to spend big! The picture really tells it all - it shows the three of five tables at the park. We managed to buy items from four of the vendors! Staying a second night at Mount Molloy Freedom Camp.

MOSSMAN

FRIDAY 2.9.2011: Started the morning at Mossman JKC Auto Mechanical Repairs. Too many hairpin bends yesterday had bent the screws holding the storage box at the back of the motorhome. Jason and his assistant provided excellent service and resolved the problem in no time.

Went for a drive to Newell Beach and were fortunate enough to spot some local black cockatoos - brilliant red on their tail feathers when in flight.



We then set off for Mossman Gorge. As the gorge is a National Park and the dogs are unable to venture out, the plan was to drive through. On the way we noticed a no caravan sign so we asked one of the locals if we would be able to make the drive to the gorge in the motorhome. Unfortunately the road would have not been able to cope - probably it would have been us not coping! Spent the night at Mount Molloy Freedom Camp.

DAINTREE

THURSDAY 1.9.2011: First stop the Mossman "Hands on Healing" Veterinary Clinic to deposit the puddles for their day stay. We then set off for the Daintree. Advice received "the road was narrow and a bit winding". HA, greatest understatement - in reality hair pin bends that seemed never ending. 

There were many adrenalin fixes for the day:

FERRY

• Manoeuvring Poodle Palace onto the ferry to cross the Daintree River.
• Travelling the hair pin bends with Carole cemented to the door handle and seat.
• Driving the road where works are being completed on the caved in shoulders.
• For Carole, climbing the 5 story Canopy Tower at the Daintree Discovery Centre - not good with heights!

EXIT OFF THE FERRY

Finally arrived at the Daintree Discovery Centre. The Daintree is one of the few places where the rainforest meets the reef! It is its antiquity that really sets it apart. It is the oldest intact lowland tropical rainforest in the world.

• The Amazon is about 7 million years old
• Kuranda Range 60-70,000 yrs old
• The Palmerston Range near Innisfail about 50,000 years old
• The Daintree is thought to be between 110-200 million years old.

This tropical rainforest ecosystem is one of the most complex on earth. Its plant diversity and structural complexity is unrivalled on the Australian continent and represents the origins of many of Australia's most familiar flora.

Many millions of years ago Australia was warm and humid, and rainfall was plentiful. Rainforests were even found in Central Australia. However, as Australia became more arid there were fewer places rainforests were able to survive.

In the Daintree region, the climate and topography were ideal, so the area became a last remaining refuge for tropical forest and many species have survived with little change. Even today, the descendants of these ancient species retain primitive characteristics - some dating back 110 million years.

The photographs do not capture the height of the rainforest nor the dense undergrowth.

CANOPY TOWER



We had hoped to travel to Cape Tribulation, but due to time constraints with the poodles decided against it. Meandered our way back down the hill to the ferry and then headed for the mandatory crocodile and wildlife tour. We decided on a one hour tour with Solar Whisper.

 

Finished the day at the Daintree Village local.

Picked Madison and Shayden up and although weary, we were advised that they had behaved - miracles do happen!

MOSSMAN

BIT TIRED AFTER CLEANING!

TUESDAY 30.8.2011: Having a "stop, revive, survive at Mossman Riverside Leisure Park. Decided to clean the inside of the motorhome and by the time we finished the fridge, vacuum cleaner and toilet were not functioning. We read the appropriate literature on each item and then decided to panic! Rang Kris Watson (Jayco Sales Manager) from Coffs Harbour. It was finally realised that Kris, who was sounding somewhat incoherent, had been woken. He then advised that he was in Germany. It would have been in the middle of the night so we apologised profusely and hung up. Rang Jayco at Coffs Harbour and the problem was traced to two blown fuses. Two outcomes:

• We may never be able to face Kris again.
• We will have to take out a loan for the mobile phone bill - took three attempts to wake him up!

CAIRNS

MONDAY 29.8.2011: Left for Mossman - big thank you to Rhonda and Sheila for a great time. Before heading off we enjoyed a tour of Cairns Botanic Gardens - still evidence of Yasi damage. The rain forest was the feature of the gardens. On the way to Mossman we stopped at Palm Cove for lunch. Village type atmosphere with a lot of eateries and a long wharf for fishing. There was a tourist feel to the area, but not overwhelming - would definitely have a return visit. Tourist tip - ensure both camera batteries are charged - phone photos! The photos have been transferred to email, but the "intellects" are struggling to transfer them to the blog! It is now November and Sybil has finally figured out how to transfer the photos from the mobile to the computer - yep!  

CAIRNS BOTANIC GARDENS

 

PALM COVE