16 August – Saturday
Another big day being tourists. We started before we even drove out of the caravan park by taking a walk to the site of the 19th Century Chinese camp. All that remains of the camp is the temple and lots of archaeological remains.
Then it was off to Malanda for our first stop at their monthly market and stocked up on lettuce, avocadoes, red paw paw and a few books. The weather was absolutely beautiful, warm and clear. After Malanda, we called into the Nerada Tea Plantation, which was a little bit different to the coffee plantation of the previous day. The countryside on the Atherton Tableland is very similar to the north west coast of Tasmania – very deep, red soil, a large farming area – dairy and beef herds, sugar, potatoes, peanuts, some citrus and mangoes.
Lunch stop was at Millaa Millaa, a much smaller place than the big dot on the map would have us believe, before we headed off on the waterfall circuit. The Millaa Millaa Falls were the first of three and were just amazing – picture postcard perfect, apart from two female backpackers who made sure they put themselves in everyones’ photos. We could only walk into the top of the second falls, but the third lot required a hike down a very steep hill to view them from the bottom. Very nice falls, but a loooong climb back up the hill.
After the falls we headed to Mt Hypipama National Park and a crater formed by gas during a volcanic explosion a long time ago. Of course, there was another waterfall to see here too, at the bottom of an even steeper hill and a narrow, twisty, stony, rooty path without any guard rail. Not only did I have to worry about the usual jungle snakes but there was a big warning sign about cassowaries in the area (these can be very dangerous too). I was in the lead on the track (big mistake) when someone suddenly grabbed me and said, “STAND STILL!” Obviously, there must have been a big snake in front of me, so I did my best to climb on the back of the nearest person, who wasn’t very happy. Turned out there was a little mouse on the track and someone was worried that I might have scared it! Discussion ensued.
After all that walking up and down hills, the caravan and nibbles were a welcome sight.
Another big day being tourists. We started before we even drove out of the caravan park by taking a walk to the site of the 19th Century Chinese camp. All that remains of the camp is the temple and lots of archaeological remains.
Then it was off to Malanda for our first stop at their monthly market and stocked up on lettuce, avocadoes, red paw paw and a few books. The weather was absolutely beautiful, warm and clear. After Malanda, we called into the Nerada Tea Plantation, which was a little bit different to the coffee plantation of the previous day. The countryside on the Atherton Tableland is very similar to the north west coast of Tasmania – very deep, red soil, a large farming area – dairy and beef herds, sugar, potatoes, peanuts, some citrus and mangoes.
Lunch stop was at Millaa Millaa, a much smaller place than the big dot on the map would have us believe, before we headed off on the waterfall circuit. The Millaa Millaa Falls were the first of three and were just amazing – picture postcard perfect, apart from two female backpackers who made sure they put themselves in everyones’ photos. We could only walk into the top of the second falls, but the third lot required a hike down a very steep hill to view them from the bottom. Very nice falls, but a loooong climb back up the hill.
After the falls we headed to Mt Hypipama National Park and a crater formed by gas during a volcanic explosion a long time ago. Of course, there was another waterfall to see here too, at the bottom of an even steeper hill and a narrow, twisty, stony, rooty path without any guard rail. Not only did I have to worry about the usual jungle snakes but there was a big warning sign about cassowaries in the area (these can be very dangerous too). I was in the lead on the track (big mistake) when someone suddenly grabbed me and said, “STAND STILL!” Obviously, there must have been a big snake in front of me, so I did my best to climb on the back of the nearest person, who wasn’t very happy. Turned out there was a little mouse on the track and someone was worried that I might have scared it! Discussion ensued.
After all that walking up and down hills, the caravan and nibbles were a welcome sight.
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