28th July, Sunday, Daintree Rain Forest National Park.

Rain over night left the ground wetter, muddier and very slippery.

Our first point of call was to meet the manager of the CP and hear his story and watch him feed his crocodile, Doris and then his kangaroos in a little native animal park he is building up around the park. By the way Doris came from Sth Aust. as Boris.

We headed to the Northern most point Cape Tribulation. On our way to the Cape we discovered the roads flattened our not so windy and hilly so we could possibly have gone to the other CP but hindsight is a wonderful thing. We walked along a board walk out onto the beach. Of course no swimming or fishing-crocodiles. We were a little disappointed in the beach not as nice , grey sand and murky looking water of course weather would have something to do with this. Heading back down into the forest we stopped at a couple of other walks that also ended on beaches each one different but with similarities, very tall trees, palms and vines some with lots of undergrowth and decomposing vegetation. Very few animals or birds are around during the day but you certainly hear them at night. Further on we came across a Tour of the Cooper Creek. In search of crocodiles we booked in and off we went the tour was for an hour and the guide was most knowledgable on the vegetation of the creek mostly mangroves and crocodiles we saw 2 males and 5 females so they are out there and one must heed the warninigs. Tea and bed after a great day in the rain forest.

29th July, Monday, Daintree Rain Forest to Cairns 76kms

First before leaving the area was a visit to the Daintree Discovery Centre, 3.5 hours of walking, reading, watching videos, climbing 23 metre a tower, to learn all about the rainforest and its history and importance to the environment, all very interesting and well done. The centre has won many awards including some enviroment awards in the world. When we arrived early in the morning there were about 6 cars and us by the time we left we were almost "parked in" Bill did a great job reversing car and van down the road as there was no where to turn around. Back across the ferry onto Mossman for some lunch. A quick drive to Mossman gorge "I" centre. We phoned ahead for a caravan park and just as well it is very busy in Cairns and our space is numbered triple 000, I think it is normally not a space but they do not knock anyone back. A free sausage sizzle for dinner with some live entertainment all for a gold coin donation to cancer was a good end to the day

30th July, Tuesday, Cairns.

First thing in the morning we walked down to the river at the end of the park it is a fish sanctuary and there were plenty to see, as well as turtles. A drive into town to the "I" centre for maps of Cairns to checkout what to see and at least book a suitable trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. Walking around the CBD we stumbled on the Art Gallery, went in for a look, a Lloyd Rees exhibition which was quite good, andan exhibition by 3 artist I have never heard of all of there work was pencil drawings, some quite good some not to our liking, then there was some sculptured busts with things important in Chinese culture sitting on each of the bust head it was Metaphisica by Ah Xian again not out taste but interesting as each bust had been made out of a different material as were the items on the heads. A very important visit to a couple of wine merchants as our supplies were running low completed our day.

31st July, Wednesday Cairns- Scenic Railway to Karunda - Sky Rail back.

Today we took the train up to Karunda a lovely trip up through rainforest type terrain. The train line was originally built in the late 1800's for access to the Atherton Tablelands, now a tourist attraction. Karunda is a quirky alternative/arty village full of markets selling cheap clothing, jewelry and many selling food. After a look around most of the stalls we had lunch and then decided to beat the rush catch the sky rail back, walking back to the station we looked into a gallery and stayed looking there for 30 mins.they had quality, paintings, glass ware, sculptures, ceramics also the owner liked to chat. Riding on the sky rail back it stops twice for you to look at Barron Falls, quite spectacular and short walk in the rainforest. Barron Falls has a hydro electric system sxbuilt in the 1930's. Bill and I came to an agreement that we have seen enough rain forests for this trip. An early night we have to be at the ferry terminal at 8.00am for our trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

1st August, Thursday, Cairns -Great Barrier Reef

We had the car parked in a free all day car park by 7.45 and a short walk to the ferry terminal had us on board wainting to go by 8.30, ferry not leaving until 9.00 for 1.5 hour catamaran journey tothe reef. The sea was quite choppy and some passengers sea sick. An Asian gentleman was the first to get sick and all the passengers knew it for the rest of thejourney needless to say he set others off including yours truly. I have been on all sorts of boats, shapes and sizes and never a problem. Arriving at the platform there were many things to chose to do, glass bottom boat, semi submersible boat, snorkelling, scuba diving and helmet diving. We chose the glass bottom boat 1st and half an hour of driving around checking out the reef and fish was amazing. Coral, I expected to be more colourful, greens, blues, browns, red browns and greys being the colours, fish all colours, yellow, blues, greens, black and white just fantastic. Next was morning tea and off in the semi submersible, if I thought the glass bottom boat was good then the semi submersible was so much better you get so much closer to it all and you can pick out someof the fish that camouflage themselves. A buffet lunch was provided of which I ate little not wanting to be sea sick on the trip back. Bill went snorkelling and said it was great to see the coral and fish up close it was really different to seeing crom inside the boat. I was to afraid as I am not a good swimmer and I like to know that if necessary I can stand up. Another trip in the glass bottom boat (the semi submersible had been lent to another tour group whose boat was out of action) this time we saw a turtle, then it was time to get back on the boat for our trip back to Cairns. No seasickness on the return and we made sure we sat away from the Asian gentleman who still looked green on the way back.Bill and I both agree that there is very little to do in Cairns other than touristy things. Beaches are ok as long as you watchout for stingers (box jellyfish) and I guess if you have family living here that would be OK. to. Arriving back at our car at 5.30 we worked out why the particular area we parked in is free our car was a lovely shade of green the tree we parked near is also the home of Fruit Bats. Whilst I cooked tea Bill did his best to clean the car as tomorrow we leave Cairns

2nd August, Friday, Cairns to Bluewater Rest Area 309kms.

Today we left Cairns and meandered our way, through Innisfail, Tully, and Ingham. These towns are all towns we had heard about one way or another but knew little about. Innisfail we stopped and bought bread and a pie for lunch, had a drive around the town, nothing overly exciting, onto Tully again nothing to get excited about the same with Ingham at least we can now say we know where they are and I must say they are bigger than what I thought they may have been. The main scenery was sugarcane and more sugar cane, with the occasional banana plantation and for the first time this trip pineapples. Any wonder so many of us suffer from obesity Aust.is the 3rd largest producer of sugar after 2 Sth. American countries. It took us sometime to find somewhere to stay. 3 Rest Areas were full especially those close to the beach. Fourth one lucky, just, several other people drove in to stay and unable to fit in the 2 small areas left drove off.

3rd August, Saturday, Bluewater Rest Area to Riverview Rest Area (via Townsville ) 100kms

We left our overnight stay and were in Townsville at 10.00, found a place to unhitch and leave caravan for a few hours. Found the "I" centre. Another hand full of brochures and a city map and we once again became the tourists. A drive along the Strand area, Townsville have made quite feature of this area that fronts onto the beach. Lovely parks and gardens, a nice spot for picnics etc and many eating places and apart from the "stingers" in thewater a lifegaurd patrolled beach. Further around was Rowes Bay this area much more to my own liking, less people and less touristy, again nice beaches with views to Magnetic Island and back to the city. On our return to the city precincts we purchased a huge pineapple for $4 and Canteloup for $2.00. The pineaple is huge and so sweet, it will not last long with me around. Since we have been in this area I am not sure why, but distant views always appear misty or hazy not very clear it does add a little mystique to what we are seeing. Up to Castle Hiil a very steep drive, again magical views all round. it would appear that the challenge is to walk up the steep hill and down again as many younger people were doing so today. Castle Hill can be seen almost every where you are in Townsville a great Red Rock majestically overlooking the city. Back to the caravan for lunch and to hitch up and move on, there were many indigenous in the area just sitting around but after the constabulary paid us a visit and suggested we move before night fall they can become bits of a nuisance so we are told. Many of the indigenous were sitting in the park when we arrived at the parking place this morning. From our carpark were walked and visited the North Queensland Tropical Museum. One whole floor is dedicated to Pandora the ship that was despatched from the UK to catch up with the men from the Bligh rebellion, but it sank just off Townsville and in the 1970's it was found and some artifacts have been recovered along with the story there are many it ems on display other parts of the museum are dedicated to the rain forests and the Barrier reef of Nth. Queensland and private peoples collections. Much of the museum is aimed at children, inter active, this also helps us "oldies" to read the info.quickly. The saying "Pandoras Box" comes from the ship, in that when Pandoras crew caught up with Bligh's renegades they were put into a large box type affair at one end of the ship in leg irons and manacled hands for 5 months, they were fed and allowed out to use the toilet and to bathe. If you wish for more detail I suggest you "google". A stroll back to out car and the decision we did not need to see any more of Townsville this trip, we head out. A fuel stop and 40Kms towards Charters Towers, River View Rest area (found on Wiki Camps) is our camp for the night.

4th August, Sunday. River View Rest Area to Rest Area near Belyando Crossing

Bill is in his element a camp fire tonight first for more than a week, he is busy, busy collecting wood and getting things organised. Mind you a fire is not required for warmth just effect and Bill likes to cook on it.

First things first, we arrived in Charters Towers, somswhere I had always thought I would like to go. Gold, built this town in the early1900's and many buildings have been kept in their original architectural style not pulled down nor given a modern day look. A walk up and down Tower Hill that overlooks the town and gives a history of mining in the immediate area was most enjoyable. A drive around town which did suggest it was Sunday nothing open and no people around. No pies today, a sandwich for lunch and some delicious fresh pineapple, fuel and we left CT, heading for Emerald, we need to be there Monday and hope to have car serviced Tuesday. This rest area will at sometime appear on Wiki Camps.

5thAugust, Monday, Belyando Crossing Rest Area to Emerald 301kms

The doona isbackon the bed after a freezing cold night that one or other of us was awake. We had an easy drive to Emerald the change in terrain was from grassland country to crops of various kinds. At lunch time we were in Clermont so today was pie day. A call at the I centre suggested to us there isnot much happening in this town. Bill had thought he might like to do a mine tour but they don't do those any more. A photo of their murals on industry around the district was the high light!! Fuel and we headed for Emerald, we have the DMax booked in for an overdue service and needed to suss out where. We are at the show grounds tonight as all CP's are booked out. We have telly tonight so can catch up on whats happening, apart from an election.

6th August, Tuesday, Emerald.

Bill had the car booked in for a service at 7.00am so he was up, gone and back at van by 8.00. We ate a leisurely breakfast and then went down the street for a walk and for me to have a haircut. Whilst I had a haircut Bill returned to the caravan and started to clean some of the red dust off it. After my haircut I walked around some of the shops for a look, found a quilting and patchwork shop, I found it necessary to at least have a look, right now I don't need anything and walked out not spending one cent. The shop had a large range of fabrics and some that I liked. For my sistersand sister in laws interest they also had a large range of Lisa Chandler type fabrics including those we have recently been working with, Australian Wild flower prints. Bill picked up the car around 1.00pm and after a quick lunch we drove out to Fairbairn Dam built in 1968/1972 for irrigation and domestic use, in the era of Bjelke-Peterson. We then took a drive out to the gem field area around Anakie. It has been quite enjoyable not to have to pack up and move on today, that will happen tomorrow. We now know why all CP's are booked out here is a "Gem Fest" in Emerald this coming weekend and everywhere you look they are camped, a few more here at the showgrounds than last night. For $20 a night electricity, water and toilet and shower if required, pretty cheap really.