Clear blue skies this morning for our first pre brekkie walk.....just awesome! Into the village, coffee then walk back along the beach...views of Dunk Island....exploring the rocks and marshy area nearby our resort.
Fruit and yoghurt for brekkie before heading off for the day, firstly along a gorgeous coastal drive hugging the shore through Bingil Bay...real rainforest meeting the sea!
Then back on the Bruce Highway north. Retraced our steps of yesterday and drove past Innisfail to Babinda. On the recommendation of one of Raym's colleagues, we drove the 7kms on to Babinda Boulders. Awesome walk through dense rainforest vegetation to various viewing spots of the incredible boulders - formed by the running water of Babinda Creek at the base of Bartle Frere - Queensland's highest peak at 1622m. Tracks were all solid asphalt - certainly prerequisite for such high rainfall, damp areas. So picturesque! Loved watching so many young people braving the elements to swim in the "Devils Pool" water hole.
After tea and a snack at the Bakers in Babinda starting heading south for a short distance then turned off the highway again to Josephine Falls. Another amazing rainforest walk and despite what ultimately became heavier rain the spectacular views of the pounding waterfalls were well worthwhile. Just great!
Dried out on the drive back to the highway then south again turning off just past Innisfail onto the Canecutter way. Scenic drive through yet more miles of sugar plantations usually both sides of the road or if not banana plantations, interspersed with other tropical fruits. And the rail lines are unending.....Criss crossing the road continually. Through little townships of Wangan, south Johnstone on to Paronella
Park. What an incredible, somewhat bizarre attraction ....the remnants of a castle built in a rainforest adjacent to the Mena Creek Falls.....orchestrated by Spaniard Jose Paronella. Guided tour divulged an intriguing story ...thanks for the recommendation Sue Weber!
Adjacent Mena Creek Hotel was a welcome drink stop before continuing our journey on to Silkwood, back to the highway and home to Mission Beach. A brief detour on to Wongaling just south allowed a visit to Woolies. A rest and shower and change before into town again (drove this time) for a pleasant tapas dinner at "Peppervine". Quite nice.