Purposeful Meandering Atop Oz - Week 5

Our penultimate week started with us so close to Cairns that by the end of Sunday we’d be back in civilisation watching the NRL grand-final, but to get to that point we had to undertake our last dirt-road adventure. Waking Sunday morning there was a bit of indecision to whether we’d stay another night or not, after confirming some accommodation in Cairns we all packed up and headed towards Cairns. Our first stop was the picturesque Bloomfield Falls before we started down the Bloomfield Track. The track southward was very easy compared to those of past weeks, the highlight for us was seeing a Cassowary in the wild. All too soon we’d finished the Bloomfield Track and where back at the Daintree River ferry crossing. A short time later we were in Port Douglas checking out the local markets again and grabbing a bite to eat. By mid-afternoon we’d checked into a caravan park in Cairns. We quickly made ourselves at home in the camp kitchen where we ordered in pizzas for Sikky’s birthday. Having seen no TV for weeks settling in to watch the NRL grand-final. 

Monday was a public holiday in QLD, so we took the opportunity to have a lazy start to the day. For many of us, vehicle repairs would have to wait another day as very little was open. The first priority was to catch up on the mountain of washing that needed to be done, next was the chance to grab some much-needed fresh groceries followed by some further sightseeing around Cairns. Returning to the caravan park the heat ensured it wasn’t long before we were trying one of the many pools on offer in the van park. This park had so much to offer for the kids, it seemed to be hours before we seen them again. There were jumping pillows, water-slides, so many pools, basketball and tennis courts and then there was the “adults only” relaxation spa that we seemed to gravitate towards. It worked a treat in getting rid of our aches and pains, oh and some of the ground in red dust that our bodies had collected. No one seemed to know or care but happy-hour kicked in early and we spent the remaining hours of Monday enjoying a few beverages.

Tuesday was fix it day, after another slow start to the day many of us headed out to the four corners of Cairns seeking parts and repairs to our cars. For us, we were booked in for a wheel alignment, so dropping the girls off for a bit of retail therapy Ethan and I went and got the car looked at. All too soon we were done and had met up with the girls again. We grabbed a bite of lunch before heading out to do some more sightseeing. We headed out to the Cairns hinterland where we found a place called Crystal Cascades. This picturesque freshwater stream flowed over shallow rapids, down waterfalls and through deep rock pools. We spent a few hours jumping from one swimming hole to another, there was plenty of fish and the occasional turtle to see while we swam with them. Returning to the van park it didn’t take long before we were back in the refreshing pool as we did our best to beat the hot weather. By nightfall we’d gathered in the camp-kitchen where we spent much of the night feasting on fresh fruit and desserts we’d all made. It was pretty much our last night we’d all be together before our group started to disseminate and head our own ways home. For us however, we had another full day in Cairns.

Wednesday started with goodbyes as our group started to go their own way, for us though it was to be a day filled with fun and excitement as we headed to the Great barrier Reef. This natural wonder a “must do” for us and by early morning we were on a big catamaran heading to the outer reef. The 90min cruise didn’t feel long and soon enough we were donning our snorkelling gear and jumping into the turquoise waters. Watching the expression on our kids faces as they explored the numerous pockets of coloured coral was priceless. At every turn there was something new for us to see, Sam was the first to see a Nemo fish while we all seen lots of starfish and sea cucumbers on the ocean floor. All too quickly we were tucking into a hearty lunch before we once again returned to the water where tried the underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat. With our reef adventure coming to an end we had one last swim before the kids got to handle some of the sea creatures the marine biologist had collected for “show-n-tell”. Returning to the Cairns marina we all commented on what a great day we’d had on the reef but thought Ningaloo Reef in WA is just as nice. Back at the caravan park our day’s adventure soon caught up with us and after a relaxing meal it was time for an early night to bed.

Thursday was moving day for us. We bid farewell to the last of our group before heading south down the Bruce Highway. We didn’t get too far down the road before we detoured into Babinda Boulders where we changed to our swimmers in anticipation of a refreshing swim. For Leonie and Sam it was certainly refreshing, to the point it was freezing bloody cold. Ethan and I seen the looks on their faces, their teeth chattering and quickly back-peddled to high ground where we stayed nice and dry. After bit more exploring of the boulders we headed back into Babinda where we enjoyed a lovely meal of pies and pastries from the local bakery, Leonie even commenting that the pies were on par with Yatala Pies. Pushing on we passed through Innisfail and the endless fields of sugarcane and bananas before arriving at Paronella Park. This concrete jungle built in 1930’s by one man is amazing. Built beside a waterfall, Jose` Paronella had the foresight to generate electricity years ahead its time, he built 2 castles and numerous other out-houses on the property all for the enjoyment of others. For us, we spent much of the afternoon exploring the park and learning the incredible history of the parkland. By evening we were pleasantly surprised to be joined by another family from our group who’d also come to the park. Together we enjoyed the evening spectacular as the park is transformed with lights and music. A fitting way to end a beautiful day.

Friday and we had one final part of Paronella Park to explore before getting on the road. Jose`s water turbine still generates electricity to this day, enough to supply the park all its needs plus some back into the grid. Back on the road we headed across to the coast where we stopped at Mission Beach for a look around this quaint coastal hollow and the views across to Dunk Island. Continuing southward we stopped at Tully and Cardwell where there was a lot of mixed emotions for me, as I’d been to these towns only 24 hours after cyclone Yasi and the resultant devastation caused by it. Back then the towns looked like a war zone whereas today Tully is once again a thriving sugar mill town, Cardwell is a picturesque seaside town where we enjoyed lunch today. I did notice however there were a few vacant blocks of land in Cardwell where houses had once stood, while Hinchinbrook Marina seems to have not recovered after the mass devastation. Continuing a further few hours and we found ourselves in Townsville where we quickly found some accommodation before doing some late afternoon exploring along the Strand. We spent our evening relaxing and doing a whole lot of nothing as the temps were still in the high twenties well after dark.

Saturday dawned for us with an air of sadness as today was the last whole day we’d spend together as a family before the girls had to fly home. We had a lazy start to the morning, the only thing getting us out of bed was the burning heat on our swags. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast before heading out to do some sightseeing. Townsville is flanked by huge pink granite hills and we soon found ourselves exploring one of these hills which is the home to the “rich and famous”. Many of them sharing million-dollar views in equally expensive houses. From there we headed up Townsville’s major attraction. Castle Hill (mountain) towers some 300m above the city and is the centrepoint to the town with its 360deg views, we spent plenty of time up there admiring the spectacular views. To the west we’d spied an even higher mountain range, so 30min later we stood atop Mt Stuart which offered even broader views of the township and surrounding areas. Once back in town and now mid-afternoon we headed to the Strand where we enjoyed a beautiful family walk along the esplanade watching likeminded people enjoy picnics, swimming or relaxing in the sun as Townsville baked mid thirty deg temps. As dinner approached and with our holidays all-butt over, we headed to the Cowboys Leagues club to celebrate a great holiday.

Why do holidays seem to go so fast!