Qld Tablelands extravaganza

After a wonderful time at Porcupine Gorge, we headed off for a night at Fletchers Creek which is just north of Charters Towers. As we approached, we were a little concerned with the “Parramatta Road caryard” appearance however as we turned in, it was so much nicer than first appearances indicated. In addition to great advice from several campers, we met a couple who sold us soap “with a twist” – a “willy hole” was their major point of difference (not sure what this means ... John reckons the hole is pretty small but it seemed adequate to Jane). Given we were obvious suckers, having bought a bar, the lady tried to then work on Jane to buy her crocheted blankets but Jane was too quick, whipping out her own creations.

Next day and getting to dodge lots more “special road ornaments” including two ex-cows .... they must hurt  when you run into them .... we camped by the side of the highway at 40 mile scrub. Got to meet an ex-copper (where did he get the money for all of that!) and the “unfriendly one” who became a great guy once he plugged in his cochlear implant and realised we were there. Don’t judge a book.....

We splurged on two nights in a special caravan park at Undara Lava Tubes. We went into the camp area with no power or water, the mostmagic spot within the caravan park . We swam in real (ie clean) swimming pool and had hot showers that didn’t require John to carry the water to them. He spent an especially long time luxuriating in “endless hot water”. We coughed up and did the 4 hour tour which was magic, walked around in the bush and as a last minute decision, had a restaurant dinner. Not sure why, but we didn’t have high expectations of the meals and so were thrilled when they came out and were brilliant. Overall we’d rate the Undara Experience (their name for it) as a terrific experience.

After two nights, we again packed up and, having paid $2 a litre for some diesel, moved on fearlessly confident we'd make it to the next Caltex servo. We went through to another magic free camp, this one at Archer Creek approaching the Atherton Tableland. We only had one night there and in hind sight really should have stayed longer.

We headed into Ravenshoe and like most Tourist Info centres, got the good oil from a knowledgeable and extremely helpful volunteer. He reminded us that the Mareeba “toss the idiot off the wild horse’ Rodeo was on the following weekend and that this is something to either be fully embraced or given a wide berth. We chose the later and stayed two rounds (ie 3 day max * 2 times) just outside Tolga/Atherton at the Rocky Creek War Memorial. This is a brilliant memorial and was also a nice place to stay. And once again, the “do do do do” music played loudly. Jane started talking to the elderly folk set up next to us and for no particular reason, they mentioned that one of their sons was a Project Engineer at MasterFoods. Yep, you guessed, it, he worked for John for many years. He also won a regional “best invention” competition within Mars Incorporated with one of our neighbours who also works there! We really just want to meet people we have no connection with at all!!

Whilst in the Tablelands area, we went to the Herberton Historic Museum, planning to make this part of a double loop of the area ... we stayed so long we didn’t finish the first loop! And a surprise benefit .... John was able to order a new fleet of cars and machinery for work! Everyone will be so excited and no fighting over colours - choice is rust, rust or dual tone (rust on rust). .


The waterfalls make this place a highly memorable experience and Tinaroo Lake was a very scenic day out. We also had morning tea with the Mum of one of our favourite neighbours ..... and finally left around 6pm, what a  great day. John got into a riddles competition with several of the grandchildren present on the day. It was hard to tell him he lost miserably to kids in grade 4 and below but unfortunately true. Never mind, he had the opportunity to redeem himself the next morning at the Tolga Markets .... but somehow was defeated again by much more agile minds.

One place we came to on an east coast cruise a few years back was Granite Gorge. We decided to head back there and do the longer walk. This was rewarded with some spectacular scenery and Jane discovering “panorama mode’ on her camera which is now a fav!!

We had a late (late late) night, seeing in 11pm after watching a movie (Django Unchained – much better than it sounds, not rated 'R" and a “typical” Quentin Tarantino movie).

Next stop was Mt Molloy. Nothing in particular to do there, but “everyone was talking about it”. So to keep up with the Jones's, we headed off into the mist and rain clouds and arrived at a particularly nice spot. After getting settled, we ran into “Cowra Man and Woman” and their travelling companions. We first met these guys at the dump point (chemical dunny emptying pit ... where all the best friendships are formed) at Winton and again at both Archer Creek and Rocky Creek. We spent most of the arvo with them talking rubbish and generally thoroughly enjoying the rainy afternoon.

And so ends another rambling from J&J.

Lesson of the week

The rain has been a welcome stranger after weeks of dry dusty campsites!