Lake Placid & Barron Gorge

Monday, 18 August 2014

 

Lake Placid

Lake Placid

Danger, but swimming recommended!

Small stream entering lake

Ducks (three)

Kuranda Train

Barron Gorge

Barron Gorge

Bridge to the power station

Interesting rock formations

Surprise Creek Falls

Lower falls

Protection from falling rocks

Early Friday morning, the rain stopped (hopefully for some time!) and the humidity rose, and rose.  Although we had cloud cover all day, the temperature was high and the humidity in the 90s; nothing seemed to dry out, including us.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at Cazaly’s with Maureen and James; we all made a donation to the club via the poker machines.  Hard to understand how much money some people must put through them when they just sit all day playing the things.

The sun shone on Saturday and although the humidity was still in the high 80s all day, the ground did start to dry out and our vitamin D levels began to rise.  Apart from a walk to feed the fish, the day was spent relaxing.

Sunday saw more brilliant sunshine, with some power on the sun.  Someone finally agreed that we needed a new coffee maker, so most of the morning was spent visiting K-Marts and appliance stores.  Unfortunately, K-Mart no longer stock their $12 coffee maker and we ended up ordering a more expensive piece of equipment over eBay.  It should arrive next week before we leave here (fingers and toes are definitely crossed).  We were treated to another sausage sizzle, complete with all the trimmings, at dinner time, with the evening’s entertainment being provided by an old rock n roll singer – obviously much enjoyed by the audience.

Today, the weather was even better, if possible, with the humidity starting to drop and making life much more enjoyable.  We decided to check out Lake Placid and the Barron Gorge this morning – two beautiful sites very close to Cairns.  Lake Placid is part of the Barron River and the usual sign warned of the dangers of crocodiles.  However, the notice board next to the warning listed suggestions for activities at the lake – swimming and kayaking were just two!!!  We followed the short path along the lake and spent some time sitting on a rock in the shade (well back the water) watching the ducks, some fish and an eel.  The Kuranda train went past on the opposite hill while we were enjoying the tranquillity.  We then drove on to the Barron Gorge and the power station; how impressive this area must be in the wet season.  There was plenty of water coming down the Surprise Creek waterfalls and the sandy beach was a bit of a surprise.

We have a sneaking suspicion that the parent curlews may be going to nest behind our caravan, as they have been hanging about the same little area for a number of days now.  Will be a bit of a pest if they do …

I had been told by one of the park residents that the owners were finding snakes in the rubbish tins each morning, even finding four snakes in one bin on one occasion.  Needless to say, he who empties the caravan bin each morning was approaching the large bins with some degree of caution.  After talking to the owner this morning about the snake population in the park, it turns out that the snakes are at his house - and under the wheelie bin.  Despite being relocated, the scrub python insists on returning to live under the bin.  One of the joys of living in the wet tropics!