Had five days off so packed up the Jayco and headed off last Saturday to Herberton on the Atherton Tablelands, Qld for the night at the Wild Rivers Caravan Park.
Sunday morning off to the Wondecla Markets near Herberton and sold some of Pauline's craft bits and bobs. Later that day off along the dirt road through Irvinbank and Emuford towards Chillagoe. First serious dirt road for the Jayco and she went fine. Bull dust does manage to get in however. Very entertaining drive with a cold drink at the Irvinbank pub.
Chillagoe for two days with a look around the old smelters, balancing rock, arble Mines and then tours through Trezkinn and Royal Arch Caves. Well worth the cost of $13 each for us using the Senior's Discount.
Left Chillagoe and spent a night at Wonga Beach just north of Mossman. Very hospitable lot at Wonga Beach Caravan Park with daily happy hours in well set up gathering area. Were invited back for Christmas lunch.
Did about 460 ks for the five days and never got any further away from Cairns than about 180 ks as the crow flies.
Two hours or so to clean the van and tug and ready for the next trip. Plenty of spots to choose from up here. No too hot just yet.
You did cover a lot of territory in a few days. The Atherton Tableland must be one of the prettiest places in Aus. Did you check out the camera museum in Herberton, put it on your to-do list for next time if you didn't. There's certainly a lot to see and do in the Cairns Hinterland.
Like you, I had no problem with the $13 fee for the caves. I consider that good value for the money.
Re the dust: Nothing is bull-dust proof (literally and metaphorically!)
petengail said
08:21 AM Oct 21, 2010
We stayed a few weeks at Wonga Beach years ago... there was a grumpy old codger living there in a bus who took a shine to us. Turned out he wasnt as grumpy as he liked to make out. I think he liked to keep his distance till he sussed everyone out. Hope he is still there though he would be about 90 today... lovely part of the world though..
loved jimricho's comment re the bulldust... he's not immune from it himself lol
-- Edited by petengail on Thursday 21st of October 2010 08:23:45 AM
biggles said
08:24 AM Oct 21, 2010
petengail wrote:
We stayed a few weeks at Wonga Beach years ago... there was a grumpy old codger living there in a bus who took a shine to us. Turned out he wasnt as grumpy as he liked to make out. I think he liked to keep his distance till he sussed everyone out. Hope he is still there though he would be about 90 today... lovely part of the world though..
loved jimricho's comment re the bulldust... he's not immune from it himself lol
-- Edited by petengail on Thursday 21st of October 2010 08:23:45 AM
Grumpier than you..... LOL
jimricho said
10:03 AM Oct 21, 2010
petengail wrote:
loved jimricho's comment re the bulldust... he's not immune from it himself lol
-- Edited by petengail on Thursday 21st of October 2010 08:23:45 AM
With a combination of effort and natural talent I specialise in it!
Beth54 said
08:06 PM Oct 21, 2010
I've spent a bit of time in the area too. In the past, I've flown or taken the train up to my friends, and had to rely on them to take me places.
They used to live at Rocky Point, north of Mossman. Easy access to Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree.
They now live on the beautiful Tablelands.
Several years ago, my ex and I did Cape York. Now THAT was an experience. Good and bad.
Next year I plan to do a meandering journey up the 'inside' track. (I'm in Brisbane)
Sunday morning off to the Wondecla Markets near Herberton and sold some of Pauline's craft bits and bobs. Later that day off along the dirt road through Irvinbank and Emuford towards Chillagoe. First serious dirt road for the Jayco and she went fine. Bull dust does manage to get in however. Very entertaining drive with a cold drink at the Irvinbank pub.
Chillagoe for two days with a look around the old smelters, balancing rock, arble Mines and then tours through Trezkinn and Royal Arch Caves. Well worth the cost of $13 each for us using the Senior's Discount.
Left Chillagoe and spent a night at Wonga Beach just north of Mossman. Very hospitable lot at Wonga Beach Caravan Park with daily happy hours in well set up gathering area. Were invited back for Christmas lunch.
Did about 460 ks for the five days and never got any further away from Cairns than about 180 ks as the crow flies.
Two hours or so to clean the van and tug and ready for the next trip. Plenty of spots to choose from up here. No too hot just yet.
Ian
loved jimricho's comment re the bulldust... he's not immune from it himself lol
-- Edited by petengail on Thursday 21st of October 2010 08:23:45 AM
They used to live at Rocky Point, north of Mossman. Easy access to Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree.
They now live on the beautiful Tablelands.
Several years ago, my ex and I did Cape York. Now THAT was an experience. Good and bad.
Next year I plan to do a meandering journey up the 'inside' track. (I'm in Brisbane)