WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER     ATHERTON

After breakfast, set out for another driving day, encouraged by another morning of blue sky amongst fluffy white clouds. I remembered my camera this time.

Took the Kennedy Highway south, then turned off for Tumoulin – a tiny village which we wanted to drive through simply because it is the highest sealed road in Queensland, and also the highest railway station. We did not stop, though.

Continued on to Ravenshoe and then south on the Tully Falls Road. This took us to the Tully Gorge Lookout – a view over the Falls and also down the Tully River valley. At the picnic area at the Gorge Lookout, saw an absolutely huge cane toad – the biggest one I have ever seen.

The Tully Falls must have been really spectacular before the river was dammed nearby, for a hydro power station. But now they are dry. I suppose they may flow in the Wet season, if there is enough heavy rain upstream. The dammed water is let out through the hydro station, further downstream, thus the river itself flows from that point, strongly enough to allow white water rafting on it, downstream. The view down the valley was rather dramatic.

 

 

Retraced the route, then turned off to visit Little Millstream Falls, where we had lunch. These Falls were lovely. They are just a little way upstream from the main Millstream Falls that we visited on the way to Mt Surprise, and are equally well worth visiting.

From Ravenshoe, took the Old Palmerston Highway towards Millaa Millaa, turning off part way there to go see the Souita Falls. These were very similar to the other falls in this area.

By the time we got back to camp, we’d driven 216kms. It was a long day.

I still had time to roast the pork for tea, with the usual vegies. It was very nice. The only issue is that using the electric frypan does not allow the rind to go crackly.

Phoned K – now that we have a better idea of dates – to ensure mail was sent before the end of this week, to Charters Towers. That should ensure it is there when we get there. He told us there were big storms in our home area last weekend, but no damage at home.