Babinda - Bramston Beach

16th - 22nd August 2012
We head south to Babinda and stopped over at a free camp near town for the first night, before moving onto The Boulders for two nights free camping.

The weather at The Boulders was that nice that I went swimming in the creek. After the Boulders we went to Bamston Beach were we had two days of rain, which was disappointing as the beach was so nice. Then arrived back into Cairns again for more treatment. We have bought ourselves a remote control helicopter, which our flying skills certainly need improving (ok mine do, I was sacked as a pilot after only four attempts) hopefully we'll have it under control by the time we next see Landon and Ella.

 

Lake Tinaroo

2nd - 14th August 2012

We headed out of Cairns, up to the Atherton Tablelands. We stayed at the Kauri Creek campground on the banks of Lake Tinaroo.
It was great to put the tinny and kayaks in the water, we spent the time dropping in the nets and had many a meal of red craw. We did no good with the Barra fishing, but then again no one was catching any fish. It is said that huge barra are caught at Lake Tinaroo. The bird life is amazing, we've had water hens, ducks, curlews, kookaburra (that steal food out of your hands, as you are trying to eat) and many more.

Several nights we had a black pig that was grazing across the water from our camp site

Heading out early to check the nets, mist is still coming off the water

Redclaw - yum

We loved the spot so much that we left the tinny, kayaks and trailer on our spot and travelled down to Cairns for one night for Marks treatment then back again for another week.
We've had great news of Mark's blood markers, during the nine treatments he has had of the new drug, his markers have come down for 325 to 22.
From our camp site we did several walks up to the Kauri creek and next campsite, met heaps of other campers. The weather is beautiful, sunny and hot.
Finally had the shower tent out and yes, John & Joan, after numerous attempts and cursing, we got it back in the bag (ok, Mark was the patient one)reading instructions helped. The hopper was looking good at one stage.

On Sunday 12th August we had some visitors from Cairns. June & Brian, from Moe, whom we first met at Paronella Park and have been catching up with them in the same caravan parks, when back in Cairns. Brian and June have been taking Mark & I into the Cairns Base Hospital on several occasions, they are fantastic people. 

Anyhow they knew we were out at Lake Tinaroo, so thought they would come for a day trip, only we hadn't told them which campsite we were at, but they found us in the end.

June & Brian are going on the same Cape York trip, with the Kath & Jeff on Thursday 23rd August.

Daintree - Mareeba

26th - 31st July 2012 

Time to move out of Cairns and get the bus wheels moving again. We set off north of Cairns, stayed one night at Newell Beach, then next morning did a Daintree River Cruise.

We saw a couple of tree snakes

One female had several hatchlings around her.

Heaps of croc's.

Then off to Mossman Gorge, within the Daintree National Park, before stopping two nights at Mt Molley.

Mark at Mossman Gorge

At Mt Molley it was DD day, Darwin Decision Day. We've decided not to travel to Darwin, as Mark would have to drop two treatments for us to got across and back into Queensland. So we'll know stay around Cairns until the start of September before starting to head south.

After Mt Molley we explored Mareeba and camped the night at the Rodeo grounds before heading back to Cairns for two nights, so Mark can have his treatment.

Mark with one of the ponies at Mareeba Rodeo grounds.

Kuranda

Straight after the trip, we were bought back to reality, with Mark having treatment again at the Cairns Hospital.
On the 26st July we arranged a day out with John & Carol up to Kuranda via the Kuranda Railway and returned via the sky rail.

At the Kuranda market we bumped into Neil & Liz as we were having lunch. After lunch we went the the Butterfly Sanctuary.

Back to the market to buy some gifts and Mark's FBI t-shirt.

And we all thought his FBI hat stood for "Federal Bureau of Investigation" but this FBI T-shirt states "Female Body Inspector"

Return trip on the skyrail. It's amazing how high up over the rainforest you are.

Bamaga to Cairns

The morning was filled with sadness knowing this was our last day, but happiness knowing we never had to pack up the tents ever again.
Kath & Jeff spoiled us with a cooked breakfast of eggs & bacon, cooked on the open fire, overlooking the many islands of the Torres Straits.
We said our farewells at the Bamaga airport to Kath & Jeff and the others who were catching the barge back to Cairns.

Once back in Cairns, we retrieved the bus & boat out of storage, had time for a quick freshen up, then John & Carol called past our caravan park and took us into Cairns. We met up with Ray, Rosalie, Sue, Col, Norm, Chris, Brian, Lenore, John & Carol, where we had a lovely dinner together.

It was the end to a once in a lifetime trip with an amazing group of people. Mark & I will be catching up with some people on the way home and others once we are back home.

Thank you everyone for such a great holiday. It was our holiday within our holiday.

The Tip

Our second last day of the tour and we are off to The Tip of Australia. We get going early and arrive at the tip, where we were able to walk along the beach, due to low tide.

A short climb up to The Tip (Pajinka)

Are we there yet??

Finally, Mark & I at The Tip

With Bling (stuffed with an empty wine bladder). Suggestions were made that the bladder could have been full, for a celebration drink.

All of our tour group at the Tip

Looking back at the Tip

We had morning tea back at the beach, after our walk to the Tip, then off to Somerset for lunch.

Mark on Somerset beach

Bling at the back of the bus, after a hard day out.

The end to another beautiful day in paradise

After our last supper together, speeches were made from Ray (our elected Major) and Sue. Then Jeff & Kath presented us all with certificates.

Thursday Island

Jeff and Kath take us all across to Seisa, where we catch the ferry across to Thursday Island. Thursday Island, usually known as "TI" or Waiben, its traditional name is the administrative and commercial centre of the Torres Strait Islands.

TI is 39km north of Cape York and has an area of about 3.5 km square and an estimated population of 3500.

From the ferry we hop onto the Peddells Bus Tour around the Island, we toured the Green Hill Fort, built in 1891 -1893 which contained both WW11 and pearling exhibitions, onto the cemetery and through the town.

After the tour some of our group went across to Horn Island, while the rest of us explored the island on foot, did some shopping and then had lunch at the pub.

We got back to camp for a wonderful roast dinner.

Fruit Bat Falls to Loyalty Beach

Packing the bus was just part of the morning routine

After leaving Twin Falls, we backtracked the next morning, along the Old Telegraph Track to Fruit Bat Falls. We had a swim at Fruit Bat Falls before morning tea, what a way to start a day.

Fruit Bat Falls

We left the Old Telegraph Track and headed north on the Bamaga Road, we had to catch the Jardine River Ferry to get over the river.

Jardine River Ferry

Mark & Pam on the ferry

Lunch stop at Indian

After our lunch stop at Injinoo, we pulled into Bamaga. Bamaaga has an Islander population of approximately 700 people, the main industry is tourism mainly during the drier months of the year, as the Development Road is impassable during the wet season and the ferry across the Jardine River does not operate.

We had time to explore the shops and pub, while Kath and Jeff went and stocked up on supplies.

Mark & Neil checking out the local glasses

 This community had a really great feel about the place, the people were very friendly and happy. Back on the bus and off to Seisia to pick up meat.

Wandering what happened to the horse!!!!!!!!

Off to Loyalty beach, all knowing that this was our last time we had to erect tents, we leave them up for the next crew heading south.

Loyalty Beach Campground

The chopper chicks, Sue, Lorraine & Pam preparing for their helicopter flight

The helicopter taking off from the beach

It's happy hour again. Ray, Rosalie and John deciding what to have.

End of the day, the sun setting overlooking the Torres Strait.

Moreton Telegraph Station to Twin Falls

The Moreton Telegraph Station is located on the Wenlock river, just some 195 km from 'The Tip'. This telegraph station was built in 1887 and ceased communications operations in 1987 with the introduction of the modern era of telecommunications.

While tea was being cooked, we had time to check out the walks and the hot showers.

Moreton Telegraph Station

The sign up in the the was put there in the 2003 flood, from a boat

The only dingo spotted on the trip

Mark & Lorelle at Bramwell Junction Roadhouse

The number plate tree

Mark & Lorelle beside a termite hill

Our tour bus beside a termite hill

A very refreshing swim at Twin Falls

Again once tents and kitchen was set up we went down to the Twin Falls for a very refreshing swim.