Day 107 & 108 July 29 & 30 2012 - Mission Beach

Sunday there was a market on here in Mission Beach so we decided to go and have a look.  It was billed as a Monster Market - but it was more like a Trash and Treasure market, not much there at all.  On the way back to the van we saw our first Cassowary - holding the traffic up on the road.  We then decided to have a drive to Bingal Bay and have a look at a "Tree House" that we had seen a sign for the last time we were there.  Well when we got there it was a youth hostel.  It was worth having a look at, they have a prime position up on the hill and the view from there is incredible.  We then had a ride around South Mission Beach and had a look at some of the houses that we presume have been rebuilt since the cyclone.  There are some very nice houses right on the beach.  Some of the older houses still have tarps on the roof - apparently this is because they are waiting for their insurance money to come through, seems incredible after 17 months.

Cassowary

Tree House Youth Hostel

Monday we decided to go for a drive - we backed tracked to Innisfail and went on the Mamu Rainforest walk.  It was about an hours drive from here but was well worth going to have a look at.  There are three different walks- a 350 metre elevated walkway, a springboard cantilever which is 40 metres long, the last 10 metres is the cantilever and a tower which rises 37 metres above the ground.  There are 100 steps to the top of the tower.  The views from these walks were incredible over the top of the rainforest - we loved the palms.  Unfortunately there was not a lot of bird life to be seen but we could hear plenty of them in the forest.  When we got back to the van we met up with Mary and Richard who we had previously met at Gregory Downs and we travelled with them for a little while.  They are in the caravan park opposite and hope to get a place on this park tomorrow.  

Elevated Walkway

The Tower

Day 105 & 106 July 27 & 28 2012 - Mission Beach

The past two days have been the same - we haven't done much at all.  I have been reading and relaxing and Graham has been doing jobs around the van.  We have been for a couple of long walks along the beach - the beach here is great the sand is quite compacted so it is easy to walk on.  The weather has been absolutely perfect - about 26 with very little wind.  We did a bit of shopping on Saturday and went down the local bar for a sundowner where we met some other travellers and it turned out to be a really social outing.  We have booked Mission Beach for another week, so we are now here until the 6th August.  Hopefully the weather will remain good.  

Day 104 July 26 2012 - Mission Beach

Had a really good day today.  This morning I relaxed and read my book whilst Graham washed the back and front of the van and then cleaned the car.  We then went to South Mission Beach and got on the Water Taxi which took us on a tour of 3 islands - Dunk, Bedarra and Timana Islands.  Unfortunately we were not able to get off the boat at Dunk Island - after Cyclone Yasi it has been sold again and is now privately owned and the resort has never been re-opened and doesn't look like anyone has any intentions of opening it again.  We were able to get a couple of photographs of the resort and if you look closely you can see that the roof is missing on some of the buildings.  We then had a look at Timana Island and then we went to Bedara which was once an exclusive resort but  after the cyclone is not used as a resort, it is privately owned by eight people.  Our guide today thought that it might be re-opened on a much smaller scale than it used to be in the near future.  We then went ashore at Bedara and we had one and a half hours to soak up the sun, swim and have lunch.  What a beautiful place to sit and have lunch.  In all we were out at sea for about three hours and again it was good value for money, it cost $30 each and it was money well spent.  

There is evidence all around of Cyclone Yasi, it must have been a horrible experience for the people of Mission Beach and surrounds.  You can see how the trees have been damaged on the islands.  Apparenty Yasi was the worst cyclone in history worldwide with winds of up to 285 kms per hour, it was a third again more damaging that Cyclone Katrina.

Dunk Island - the old resort

Jetty at Dunk Island

Bedara

Thought this was an amazing rock formation out at sea

Lovely place for lunch

Bedara

Cyclone damaged trees

Below is something that I downloaded, these were the islands that we went around in the water taxi -

In 1770 Captain James Cook discovered The Family Group of Islands. The largest he named "The Father Isle" and titled it Dunk Island, the second largest he named "The Mother Isle", now Bedarra, and the smallest islands where the children, Timana Island the baby, the Twins and the triplets. Thorpe is privately owned with one residence. This is one of only several Australian islands which are owned Freehold .

Day 103 July 25 2012 - Mission Beach

We went into Tully today and did the Sugar Mill Tour.  Although the tour was not as good as we had hoped, we think the guide was new at her job and it was very hard to hear her at times.   We did see the process of producing sugar from start to finish.  We were surprised to find out at the end of the tour that the mill is now owned by a Chinese company.  Apparently it used to be owned by a Farmers Co-operative but has been bought out.  No sugar that is produced in Tully is used in Australia, it is all exported.   They do however generate "green" electricity which is exported to the state grid (enough to power 5,000 homes continually) and is worth $4 - 5 million a year.  


Around Tully there is still a bit of evidence of the damage caused by Cyclone Yasi, with some of the roofs on buildings still having scaffolding up.  


Tully is apparently the wettest town in Australia.   The golden gumboot that stands in Tully is 7.9 metres high and represents the record annual rainfall of 7.900mm (311 inches) which fell in 1950.  We walked to the top of the boot, there was a spiral staircase inside but the only view was over the sugar mill.

Statues outside sugar mill

The big boot

Conveyor belt

If you look closely you will see the sugar going into the trailer

Day 102 July 24 2012 - Mission Beach

We went for a bike ride along the beach this morning, probably rode about 6 - 7 km altogether.  The sand is very compact here on the beach and makes for easy riding.  We then went to the Information Centre and paid $4 each to attend a "Tropical Fruit Safari".  We really did not know what to expect but I have to say that it was the best money we have spent in a while.  We must have tasted at least 18 tropical fruits, apart from a banana we had never tried any of the others. We sampled  Star Fruit Apple, Rollinia, Sour Sop, Carambola, Black Sapote just to name a few.   It certainly got the taste buds going.  The ladies from the Information Centre certainly did a good job explaining each fruit.  One thing that we were both surprised to see was the Banana Flower, it looks like a big seed and the bananas grow inside under the leaves and as the bananas grow the leaves fall away.  I think I have explained that right.  

Some of the fruits we sampled

A slice of Carambola

Star Apple Fruit

Banana Flower

The closest we have come to a Cassowary

Day 101 July 23 2012 - Mission Beach

Said goodbye to Betty and David this morning, they are travelling through to Rollingstone.  We will certainly miss their company, we have had some great nights with them and enjoyed meals together.   We are staying here is Mission Beach for a week.  We did the shortest move ever this morning about 30 metres from the Hideaway Resort to the Council Caravan Park across the road.  We were very lucky and got a powered site for $135 for seven nights.  We are about 200 metres from the beach and it is a lovely view.  The park is not flash but is very adequate.  We have water and power and the amenities, though basic, are clean.  We went for a drive today to have a look at South Mission Beach, then we went to the Information Office to get some ideas of what we can do whilst we are here.  

Day 100 July 22 2012 - Mission Beach

Went for a drive down to Bingle Bay this morning, there is a caravan park there that is run by the council.  It is very small and I don't think we would get our van in.  After this Betty, Graham and myself did a walk up Bicton Hill.  It was a steep walk and was about a 5 km return journey and quite strenuous at times but the view from the top was well worth it.  On our way up we disturbed a big goanna - about 2ft long, it frightened the life out of Betty as it scurried into the bush right in front of her.  There were some amazing ferns in the rain forest and damage from cyclone Yasi was very evident.  Also in Mission Beach itself there are a lot of damaged buildings where repairs are being carried out.  Apparently the resort on Dunk Island has still not re-opened, we are hoping to go over there one day this week.  We went for a sun downer with David and Betty to South Mission Beach - quite cheap they had Corona's 2 for 1 between 4 and 6pm.  

A cute Kingfisher

View from halfway up Bicton Hill

Some of the rain  forest 

Unusual growth on the side of a dead trunk

Dunk Island in the distance from the top of the hill

Day 99 July 21 2012 - Mission Beach

We would have liked to stay at Paronella Park for another night but because of the huge turnover they can only allow one night on the caravan park.  We packed up and headed towards Mission Beach.  On the way we called at the butcher in Silverwood - we noticed on our way through on Friday that he had T-Bone steaks for $11.90 per kilo.  We finished up getting T-Bones, sausages, lamb chops and a rack of lamb at a very reasonable price.  

We arrived at Mission Beach mid morning and we are staying at the Hideaway Holiday Village which is on the Esplanade about 150 metres from the beach.  This is our first visit to Mission Beach and from what we have seen up to now it is really nice, miles and miles of beach and beautiful views over to Dunk Island.  We have booked in for two nights at the moment but are thinking that we will extend and maybe stay for another week, there is a council caravan park opposite here and the rates are much cheaper than this caravan park, so we will move over there on Monday.  The council caravan park is right on the beach.  

Tonight David cooked the rack of lamb on his weber and I cooked roast vegetables in the convection oven. Have to say the lamb was absolutely beautiful.  

Day 98 July 20 2012 - Paronella Park Mena Creek

We have had a really big day today.  Left Kurrimine Beach and drove only 30 odd kilometres to Paronella Park at Mena Creek.  We have been told so much about this place and told that it is a must to visit, well it has certainly lived up to all expectations.  We have had a great day.  We arrived here at about 10-30am and then Betty and David arrived about 11-30am.  We went on the midday tour of the property which too about an hour and after lunch we did a self guided tour.  Tonight we have been on the night tour - they light up all the old buildings and the waterfall.


The good part about this place is that your entry fee to the park is inclusive of the nights accommodation in the caravan park, so although we paid $35 each for our park entry it did not cost anymore to stay the night in the caravan park and we had power and water.  We also got a free pass so that if we do come back this way it does not cost us to go back into the park, the pass lasts for two years.  

Jose Paronella's dream was to build a castle.  He arrived in Innisfail in 1913, having sailed from Catalonia.   He worked hard for 11 years, creating his wealth by buying, improving and selling farms.  He then returned to Spain and discovered that the girl he had left behind had married someone else so he proposed to her younger sister and brought her back to Australia where they purchased the land in Mena Creek.  The first thing Jose built was the grand 47-step staircase so that they could shift building materials between the lower and upper level.  Over 7000 trees were planted including a very impressive avenue of Kauri trees.  It is incredible see all the old buildings, a lot built so that they have a direct view of the magnificent Mena Creek Falls.  North Queensland's first hydro-electric plant was built in 1933 to power the 13 acre park.  The park was opened to the public in 1935.


Jose Paronella was a man born way ahead of his time.  

I could write lots more about Paronella Park and its history but it would take too long the  website is -  www.paronellapark.com.au - and I can assure you the story is well worth a read.

The Castle

Grand Staircase

Mena Creek Falls

Refreshment Rooms

Swimming Hole

Falls from the swing bridge

Swing Bridge Over Falls

Falls at night

Refreshment Room 

Fountain

Day 97 July 19 2012 - Kurrimine Beach

Woke up to a beautiful day today.  Graham did a few jobs around the van and I just sat and read my book.  We went for a long walk along the beach.  One of the ladies of the caravan park gave us a piece of fish yesterday - doggie mackeral - we cooked it for dinner tonight and it was really nice.  It was a very light white fish.  

Day 96 July 18 2012 - Kurrimine Beach

What a difference it makes to the day when the sun is shining.  Everybody on the camp had a smile of their face this morning and were all much happier.  We have had a lazy day, apart from a long walk on the beach and doing some washing all I have done is read my book.  Graham washed the front of the van and changed over the wheel nuts, the old ones had gone rusty so Jayco gave him a new set.  We are amazed how far the tide goes out here, it is almost as far as the tide at 80 Mile Beach.  We saw our first Pelicans of this trip today, they were scavenging around the boats coming into the ramp.  We went out to dinner tonight at the local motel they had a three course roast dinner for $15 each.  It was really good and you could eat all you wanted.

Caravan Park from the beach

Kurrimine Beach

Day 95 July 17 2012 - Kurrimine Beach

Went for a drive today down to Etty Bay, Mourilyan Harbour and Cowley Beach.  We are right in the middle of a big sugar cane and banana growing area.  Everywhere you look there is sugar cane growing.  There wasn't much at Etty Bay just a caravan park and a really nice beach.  At  Mourilyan Harbour there is an on-shore sugar and molasses handling and storage facility, and a single sugar loader situated within the natural harbour.  The sugar comes from South Johnstone, Mourilyan, Tully and Babinda,  There was a catamaran at the harbour with quite a lot of damage to one side, we wondered whether it may have been done during the cyclone.  At Cowley Beach there wasn't much except once again a caravan park, the beach didn't look as nice as some we have seen.  

Beach at Etty Bay

Beach at Etty Bay

Sugar Plant

Cyclone damage????

Day 94 July 16 2012 - Kurrimine Beach

Woke up to heavy drizzle and decided to take our time packing up.  Before we knew it was 9-30 and we still had not had breakfast.  Anyway we left the free camp in the rain and we arrrived and  Kurrimine Beach at around 11-30.  It was still very overcast and quite cold.  Anyway someone was looking after us, we missed the turning for Kings Reef Caravan Park and turned right at the junction of the road where we came across the Council Caravan Park near the boat ramp.  We noticed that it was only $21 for a powered site, with water as opposed to $38 at Kings Reef so we decided we would stay at the Council Park.  It is quite basic but we have a concrete slab and the facilities, although quite old, are kept clean.  We have a great view of the beach (if only the sun would shine).  We went for a long walk around Kurrimine Beach in the afternoon and looked at the other caravan parks, and we are quite pleased with what we have got here in comparison to the others.  We will probably stay here for four nights.   Kurrimine Beach did suffer some damage during the recent cyclones but the locals seem to think that it has helped as all the old houses were damaged and have had to be replaced.  It is quite a nice area and there is a lovely old Chapel which belongs to the motel next door.  Apparently you can get married there and you get a discount on the reception at the motel.  It is only used for church services about twice a month.  Not much else here so I think it will be four days rest and relaxation.

Tradewinds Chapel by the sea

Day 93 July 15 2012 - Innisfail

We were going to stay at Flying Fish Point but when we got there they did not have a site that would accommodate our van, so we drove back to Innisfail and we are staying on a free camp - Fred Drew Park - it is a bit close to the road but there are a lot of vans in here.  Tomorrow we are going to Kurrimine Beach, which looks really nice.  The weather here is a bit cooler and certainly not as humid as it was in Cairns over the last few days.  We did a big clean of the van today, Graham even took the air vent off the front door and cleaned inside it.  It was surprising to see how much dust there was in there.

Day 91 & 92 July 13 & 14 2012 - Cairns

Friday we went for a drive to Yorkey's Knob.  We had been there years ago with Yvonne.  The beach is really nice and it is a great area but there is no caravan park.  We had a walk along the beach.   We had dinner with Betty and David again, Betty got some Grunter from the fish market in town and we also had some smoked mussels, and for entree we had marinated squid.  
Spoke to Betti (Whybrow) before dinner, she leaves for England tomorrow.  It was a bit sad saying goodbye to her.  It will be strange when we get home and she no longer lives round the corner.

Accommodation at Yorkey's Knob

Beach Yorkey's Knob

Saturday we went back to Rusty's Fruit market to restock the fruit and vegetables as we are leaving Cairns tomorrow.   Whilst we were in the market we treated ourselves to a foot massage - very relaxing.  

In the afternoon Betty and I went to the Botanical Gardens in Cairns.  The tropical plants are incredible.  I have put the photos of just a few on here, there are too many to add them all.  The visitors information centre is a relatively new building with mirrored facets which reflect the surrounding tropical bush.  It isn't a big building but it is very impressive.  We were going to go for a drink along the front after the Botanical Gardens but it was impossible to get a park so we went back to the caravan park and had a drink there.  Once again we had mussels and Grunter for dinner and then we had strawberries and ice cream for desert.  

Visitors Centre 

Taken through the mirrored wall