Kristys Clip 8

As has been the case with most of the big cities we’ve driven through Townsville was simply another major town with the usual tourist attractions.  After spoiling Chris with bacon and eggs for father’s day we headed to the Townsville street market.  The kids were able to pick up a couple of pressies for their dad.  After a cruise around town we wandered into the Townsville Marine Aquarium.  Never before have I been so impressed by fish.  What an amazing exhibit.  However the highlight of my day was going on a guided tour through the turtle hospital.  I’ve discovered a new love for these beautiful animals. They’re so peaceful and endearing.

The following day we packed up and drove north with no real destination in mind.  We had heard of several pretty beaches to stop at on the way to cairns and thought we’d just pick the one we liked best.  I’m not saying that our information was misleading; I just think people haven’t been there since a little storm called Yasi passed by.  Some of these tiny coastal towns have been completely flattened.  You’d never have heard about them on the news and you never will.  They are simply little towns that got blown away and now seem to be re-emerging as a new entity 

Having picked up a few brochures of the surrounding area we drove inland where we got to a point that required us to dump the van.  Reluctantly we did so and it was only about 5 minutes later that I realised why.  We meandered up the one lane mountain road.  We were rewarded 30km later with vision of Australia’s highest single drop waterfall.  Beautiful.  Further rewarded we got to feed star shelled turtles.

 

We finally settled on staying at Cardwell.  Now this is a place that you may have seen on the news.  It was quite honestly heartbreaking to drive into what was once a beautiful beachside township. Most houses those that weren’t levelled still have roof tarps on.  Sand still covers people’s lawn form the storm surge and subsequent flooding.  It was like being in a bush fire ravished area the only difference being that the trees trunks, completely stripped bare of all foliage are not black.  What was planned as an overnight stay extended to 3 nights based purely on putting money directly back into the town.  Oh that and happy hour every day providing us with budget drinks.  Talking to the locals was interesting.  There’s a real irritation itching at the skin of those who live in these small towns.  For all the money that was raised it appears that very little of it has made its way to towns like Cardwell.  The theory is that the state government filtered it all directly into the tourist hot spots.



The Tully Raingage


 

Paronella Park is west of the coast.  To get there we passed through other destroyed towns like Innisfail and Tully.  Decision made, id never live in a cyclone prone town.  Paronella Park provided us with beauty beyond belief.  The park itself was owned by a Spanish immigrant who dreamed of building a castle, so with no building experience that’s exactly what he did.  Now many of it is left in ruins but it’s still one of the most impressive history lessons I’ve ever hear.  We did both the day and night tour which all of us loved.  Especially the kids.  What kid wouldn’t enjoy feeding eels, fish and turtles, swimming under a waterfall, watching bats fly overhead and running free through a rainforest which provided the best ever hide and seek playground.

After a silent night in Paronella we headed back to the coast to Kurrimine Beach.  Another recovering Yasi town.  Nevermore has the Aussie spirit shone through than in this town.  The caravan park owners got Yasi’s aftermath cleared and open for business in just 13 days.  A miracle in itself.  A month later the owner was called on by a neighbour to put out a developing wild fire.  Marcus answered the call arriving on his Dingo the cut a break in the direction.  In a devastating blow the Dingo exploded and Marcus was engulfed in flames.  He says he remembers the first couple of minutes of pain before thankfully passing out.  He remained in a coma for a month.  He’s now required to wear a pressure suit over his entire body and has to drive 100’s of kilometres every couple of weeks to receive treatment at Royal Brisbane.  He continues to run his business with a smile on his face.  What a great bloke!

Back inland we head as we zig- zag up the coast.  The Boulders hardly even rates a mention on the map but proved to be a beautiful natural attraction.  One of few croc- free swimming holes in the north.  Having a swim was not without its dangers though.  Many signs are posted around the park reminding visitors that many people have died swimming in the area when they’ve been swept down the waterfalls.  The Boulders also offered us our first encounter with a wild Cassowary.  It proved to be the seagull of the north, turning up every time dinner was served.  So determined to share a sausage with a German tourist that he chased her around the picnic table until she finally dropped the food.

On the word of a lovely German couple we have decided to head to The Daintree and Cooktown faster than planned so it looks like we’ve got a bit of a drive on our hands.

Until next week, take care,

Kristy.