Once the crazy, choppy ferry back from Maggie Island was over we drove further north onto Paluma Range National Park. Our final destination going up the East Coast is the Atherton Tablelands to work on the spuds but after speaking to Chris Potato (from South Australia) and then speaking to Paul Potato (Atherton) we found out that the spuds wouldn't be starting until end of September/beginning of October so we had a good few weeks to kill. We love stopping off at the National Parks, you just wouldn't be able to see this part of Oz if you travelled by bus, having the car lets you stop and see so many beautiful places rather than just staying on the main highways. Oh yeah and you don't have to put up with other annoying French and German backpackers!

We arrived in the National Park, pitched our tents and checked out the facilities; toilets, cold showers and free gas bbq's, not bad when your only paying $10 a night. Well you're supposed to pay $10 a night but in our case it was free since we're cheapo travellers and didn't put money in the honesty box. Ha that's what they get for letting a family of Huntsman spiders live in the showers!! There were a few other campers about but it was pretty chilled out and quiet. On our second night a school trip showed up & we're thinking oh god that's the peace shattered but they were actually really well behaved, good little Aussie children! Within the Park there are a few gorgeous waterholes that you can take a dip in. On our first morning we headed out for a run then cooled down in Big Crystal Creek, it was soooooo cold but felt amazing! We were a little bit sweaty after our run and I was feeling even more flustered after taking off on a sprint and nearly throwing myself in a bush because I heard rustling in the bushes beside me! It turned out to be a kangaroo but I was convinced it was going to be a killer snake!! Dean was in stitches! After having our cereal and tea outside our tent we jumped in the car and drove up the windy National Park road, through gorgeous rainforest, up to the tiny town of Paluma. There were a few beautiful creeks, walks & viewing points, complete with a long drop toilet that a Redback lived in…….oooooo scary! After chilling out in the sun back at our tent we drove out of the Park, back onto the highway and went to Frosty Mango, mmmmmm tasty mango ice cream for Dean and passion fruit for me; it was only about 11 in the morning, fatties! We finished the day off with yet another bbq, thank god we got to them before the school did or we would have been waiting for hours to get some munch.

The next day we drove to some other water holes within the Park, they were gorgeous. We only came across two other people whilst we having a swim so basically had the whole area to ourselves. That is definitely a rare occurrence in Oz where there are thousands of backpackers tearing around the place! Just to make our nice peaceful morning a bit more fun I decided to fall head first, fully clothed, into one of the pools; that'll be the last time I stick my toe in to see if it's cold! Dean got to be action man, climb up the rocks, then throw himself down a jabby looking rockslide. I definitely would have rather fallen in than slide down that thing!

Since the spuds wouldn't be starting for a while we were on the lookout for some other farm/fruit & veggie work to get some of our visa days ticked off so we arranged to head to Mission Beach and do some volunteer work in exchange for food & board. After a FREEZING cold shower that I shared with one of the baby Huntsman's we headed off to do some slave labour!

Lots of Love

Chelle & Dean xxx