Day 70

Cairns - Lake Barrine - Yungaburra - Atherton - Mareeba - Kuranda - Palm Cove - Cairns

"I was drivin drivin drivin down the 101...."

Today was a tourist driving day.

We left Cairns at 9 and headed back into the mountains for a look around.

We drove up the narrow winding road to the to overlooking Cairns and up to Port Douglas and the Daintree. Our first stop was Lake Barrine where we looked at the Curtain Fig tree where a fig has moulded into and killed another host tree and it's roots now fall from the sky to the ground creating a curtain effect.

Next, we drove onto Yungaburra which is a beautiful little country town that reminds me of the green hills and fields around Kiama. Lovely old style buildings that haven't changed in a century or more. The pub is designed like a snow chalet with a high pitched roof. Even the Police Station has the oldest sign complete with blue flaking light that I've ever seen .

Moving on, we drove onto Atherton and onto Mareeba. Mostly we just drove through both towns - typical Qld country towns with nice old style buildings. We looked at the Crystal Cave in Atherton and walked past a beautiful art deco pub on the main street - the Barron Falls Hotel.

From there it was onto Kuranda and the hippy village that has really turned into a commercial village. The hippy scene is still there but they are a small pocket only. We had lunch, perused the markets, bought some mango wine and then drove to look at the Barron Falls.

Leaving Kuranda, we drove back down the hill and then headed North and drove up to Palm Cove. Things have certainly changed in Palm since we were last here 14 years ago - lots more shops , hotels and restaurants all jam packed now into the waterfront. There is even a caravan park now wedged in as well !

Back in Cairns it was Pizza, Beer and Footy night. State of Origin 3 on the big screen . Shame about the result but we had a good night.

Leaving Cairns tomorrow for the continuing journey Southward.