Well! That was quite a hair-raising trip to get here and we picked the "easiest" route on the Navman. Round and round and up and down, just like the big dipper. Ross said this can't be right, but when we looked at the map the other ways of getting here from the south were worse, so the Navman was right. Atherton is on the Atherton Tablelands up in the mountains. We knew that, but we didn't think it would be such a climb. We have been here before, but approached from the north which was lots easier. The first time we were here was several years ago and we used Atherton as a base to go on the Kuranda Railway and Skyrail and to see Mareeba as well as other places we missed north of here.

As an after thought I have posted a picture of another funny sign which was displayed in the laundry at Rollingstone. Some people obviously missed the sign as when I was coming back from my walk one day I heard a lady complaining about a bird pinching her level rider clip and then the lady next door to her said mine has gone too.

Yesterday (Friday) we did some grocery shopping and I also bought some books (Big W store) Atherton must have prolific readers. They had a great selection of books. I had to choose some authors I don't know, so Sue should be pleased if the books are okay!!!
We also called in to a place now called Chinatown, but back in the late 1800's was a town (Cedar camp) for 2000 or so Chinese who came here to prospect for gold. The actual size of the town was about two acres so it must have been a bit crowded. There really wasn't much to see except a Chinese Temple made out of corrugated iron and some plaques stating what had once been in that spot. It is an archaeological site and the remains of the town still lie under the ground.
The caravan park is okay set in lots of trees with birds whistling most of the time, especially in the early hours of the morning!!!

Saturday
You wouldn't want to know but last night (in the dark) a Whizz-Bang
pulled in beside us.It took them 5 attempts to set up on the slab instead
of setting up next to the slab which is the norm in a caravan park.
Every time it whizz banged we had a laugh, because we had been talking about how unlucky some people were to have one of these pull up beside them. What is a Whizz bang I hear you ask? Have a guess and we will see who gets it right. All will be revealed in the Cooktown entry. Just thought we would give you something to think about!!!
Today we plan to go to Yungaburra and Lake Tinaroo just 20kms east of here.
They are supposed to be nice with some interesting things to see.
Lots of photo opportunities I hope.
Went to Yungaburra and Lake Tinaroo.
Lake Tinaroo was pretty but not a patch on lake Mulwala for size. Not much to see there except people boating and pinicing on the shore.
After that we continued on to Yungaburra. They have a market day once a month, at the last weekend of the month and of course that's what weekend this is. Now this is one of the biggest town markets I have seen. people come from all over for this one including Cairns. Ross even met a supervisor he had worked with on several jobs who lives in Cairns and had come to the market for the day. Cars and people absolutely everywhere. Luckily we managed to get a great spot in the Lions Club Carpark for just $2.00.
So after buying some Rawleighs Salve which I have just run out of and haven't seen for years and a very strong peg bag, one kilo of prawns (for Ross) 1 kilo of lady finger bananas and two jars of Rosella Jam as well as a frankfurt and a sausage and sour kraut in a roll each we walked around for a bit and went off to see the Cathedral Fig Tree and the Curtain Fig Tree. They were both very impressive and in beautiful rain forests. We got lots of photos and videos some of which we have attached for you to see. We also photographed the information about the trees if you are interested.
We then drove back to Atherton arriving about mid afternoon where we read and rested for what was left of the day.
Sunday
Today we drove to Malanda as the brochures said it was a lovely town with some touristy attractions. We saw Malanda Falls, (see photos). We then had a walk in the main street where we found an interesting statue, (a man, a horse and his dog) Since there didn't seem to much more to see or do in Malanda we decided to go another 40kms to Millaa Millaa where there is tree top walk and a waterfall drive. We got there but couldn't find where these attractions were, but we found some huge sections of Kauri trees and some more sculptures. On the long way back to Atherton we called in at the lookout and also Mt Hypipamee which had a huge crater hole The crater was actually the highlight of the day. After a walk of 300m we came to a viewing platform where you looked down into this vast hole which had water in the bottom covered in a green growth. I am frightened of heights so I very gingerly looked over the side while Ross took the pictures. The water itself at its deepest point is 80m deep.The depth of the cavern to the water is approx 65m.
Monday
Nothing to write about today. A day of rest and relaxation. Tonight we pack up ready to move on to Cooktown tomorrow. Our neighbors tell us that Cooktown does not have very much to offer, but each to their own so we will see!