Airlie Beach QLD

Sunday 17th June

We left Ravenshoe on route to Airlie Beach with a 2 night stop over in Townsville for A to have a medical appointment early on the 18th. We had hoped to stay at the Bluewater free camp (Camps 7 QLD) which looked great with a playground when we went past on our way up but was full when we arrived around 2pm. Knowing what the parks where like in Townsville we thought we would try Black River Stadium (Camps 7 QLD 37) as another traveller had told us when we where at Mission Beach it's a good spot. So 7km from the Bruce hwy we find the campground set up when the caretaker comes to collect the nightly fee (powered site is $25) only to be rudely told that its an over 50s park. (There was nothing on the signs as you entered the park no the signs from the highway). As we were only staying the 2 nights and already set up she took our money but we weren't greeted with smiles from some of the other grey nomads. My whinge for the day is that they allow dogs yet not children. My children are a lot better behaved than some dogs and their owners we had seen/ heard on the road with dogs barking day and night at any movement. 

Monday 18th June

 We headed back to the strand in Townsville for the boys to play at the water park ( see blog on Rollingstone) and to get some supplies for the cold weather as we head further south (beanies, scarfs, hot water bottles etc) which will allow us to continue to free camp. (Most free camp sites have with no power so we rely on the generator which can only be used normally between 7am to 9pm if not earlier) or our solar panels. Thou talking to other travellers I think a good investment for any further trips will bea diesel  heater installed in the van.

Tuesday 19th June

We packed up and headed to A medical appointment in Townsville. We had driven past yesterday to make sure we could park out the front with the van on. After the appointment we drove 272km to Airlie beach with a stop in Ayr at the Anzac All Abilities playground for lunch and a play. You may ask how do we find places to stop and have lunch / play. Well thanks to an smartphone app I have, an app called Playground finder, which as the name suggests finds playgrounds in your area. It relies on parents adding information of playgrounds which includes photos and a description. There are some we have come across that aren't on the app but hopefully as more parents use it the more info will be available for everyone.

A on the slide at Anzac all abilities playground Ayr

J on the flying fox at Anzac All abilities playground Ayr.

Next stop was the big Mango at Bowen for J to add to his collection of all things big

Onto Airlie Beach. Just before the turnoff to Airlie beach we came across a car and caravan that had crashed on the wrong side of the road. It had only just happened but what a mess, both the car and caravan were written off and the caravan was like someone had got a giant foot and jumped on it with its contents spilling out. There were several other cars stopped offering assistance and with 2 young children on board and not knowing how the people were we thought it would be best not to stop. I do hope those involved are ok.

So our campsite for the 6 nights at Airlie Beach was Big 4 Adventure Whitsundays which is in Cannonvale  just 4km from Airlie Beach. Beautiful park with a heated ( the first we have come across since leaving the big 4 at pambula) 32m swimming pool with 2 water slides, spas and a toddler pool. A great playground and jumping pillow plus mini golf. 

The sites at Big 4 Adventure Whistundays.

Our sites several others round us all backed onto this great little camp kitchen.

We spent the afternoon having a look around Airlie Beach

Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st June

Both days were spent with the boys playing at the caravan park either on the jumping pillow, the playground mini golf or in the pool on the water slides while we did the domestic duties.

J on the waterslide

Rob and A on the 

Friday 22nd of June

We  took a 45 minute trip out to Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay. There is a caravn park here but it not really walking distance to the Beach but lovely and quiet setting more suited to the older children The boys played on the playground on the beach reserve and went fossicking for shells on the beach 

Dingo Beach

Stinger net enclosure at Dingo Beach

Saturday 23rd June

Today we had breaksfast in at one of the little cafes in Airlie Beach before having a look at the markets before heading to Proseprine to have a look at the Whitsunday Agricultural Show.

J and a sand sculptured shark with the markets in the background 

The boys much prefer to have a sit on the display tractors than to go on carnival rides

J enjoyed watching the junior handler classes in the beef cattle section 

J in front of some sugar canes exhibited for judging

I did get to watch some of the horse classes in between the watching wood chop and going through the poultry pavilion. It reminded me just how much work I have to do when I get home to get my horses ready for our show season.

Sunday 24th June

Today we decided to do the boardwalk from the marina into town.

Just a snapshot of some of the boats at the marina. 

With the tide out looking back towards Cannonvale beach

A off and running

At the end of the boardwalk is the lagoon pool and a playground great for the kids

That concludes our time in Airlie Beach we loved it here. We did want to do the tours out to Whitehaven beach and daydream Island but as they were long days leaving at 8am not rertuning till 4 pm I'm the afternoon we decided against it. The sound of spending 2 hours on Whitehaven beach was appealing till then we thought just what would the boys do as A usually has had enough of the beach after 20 minutes. Just give us an excuse to either spend a holiday up on one of the islands or better yet travel up this way again when the boys are older. 

Ravenshoe and Undara Lava Tubes QLD

Friday 14th June

Today we left Mareeba and headed 87kms to a little town called Ravenshoe on the Savannah way. 

We had decided to stay at the Ravenshoe Hertiage Steam Railway and Travellers rest. (Camps 7 QLD 217) We were greeted by the caretaker that showed us around and booked in for 2 nights on a powered site at $12 per night with gold coin donations for hot showers. They have only opened up the grounds as a permanent camping ground in April this year. Sadly the stem train derailed last year and they were only weeks away from getting it running again much to the disappointment of J.

Our campsite at Ravenshoe, they had just had 7 days of constant rain so was a bit muddy. Here showing the storage boot of the van open.

After setting up we headed out to Millstream falls, Australia's widest waterfall which is only 5km from Ravenshoe. It's a bitumen track down to the look out but very steep on the climb back up to the car park.

Millstream falls

View of Millstream falls from the walking track

We then headed back to the campsite and into town for lunch at the bakery before A had his afternoon sleep. 

Saturday 15th July

Finally after 2 cancelled bookings due to the flu we headed out the 145km along the Savannah Way (only an hour and half from Ravenshoe) to the Undara Lava Tubes just before Mt Suprise. Cost was $52.50 per adults and children 4-15 $26.25 This was for the archway tour, it's the easiest tour but not pram friendly as there are about 250 steps. It's a guided tour ( there are no self guided walks through the tubes) which takes approximately 2 hours and you get to see 3 sections of the lava tubes. We had booked the 1pm tour as the 10.30am full. 

The Lava tubes were formed by the volcano Undara spilling out lava 190 000 years ago. Its thought the tubes are the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater on earth. Undara has discovered 19 sections of the tube with many more still to find.

The archway lava tube

The hidden or secret lava tube, if you look closely you can see the hole

So after our tour was finished we headed back to Ravenshoe where I had roast veggie soup in the thermal pot ready for dinner.

Next destination........Townsville/ Airlie Beach 

Mareeba QLD

Friday 7th of June

Once again we left a little earlier than normal for the big drive  (242km) down to Mareeba. After speaking to a few other campers at the Lions den who suggested the Mareeba Rodeo grounds  (Camps 7.  QLD 188) we headed there. On arrival the place was huge, they line you up at the reception and you are taken to your site by a quad bike. This place is run by volunteers (other travellers) it's $16 a night for power for a couple and my boys were free as below school age (otherwise its an extra $7 per person). There is provisions for 300 caravans on powered sites with an average of just over 100 every night while we were there and is dog friendly. The amenities ( well the ones closest to the main road) were the cleanest I have seen while travelling, sparkly white tiles and white grout and super hot water. There is a laundry there as well if needed. We booked in for 3 nights with the option of staying longer if need be (which turned out to be 7 in the end) There is no stay term here the grounds, its open from April through to November the later depending on demand. Many of the travellers are here for 3-4 months. 

The view from our van to the next row, none of this jamming in like sardines. 

The view from our van to show the huge amount of room

Saturday 8th of June

 Was market day at the bi century park so we ventured down and bought some lovely fruit and veggies. While walking around we hear "Fancy running into you again" we turn around to see Chris and Jan from South Australia. We first met them at Blackall (outback Qld) when they were camped at the same free camp and then again at Longreach and Winton. They were travelling with another couple from South Australia Trevour and Rhonda whose little dog Hamish had become James' little friend. (see the Winton blog post). They left us  at Winton when they headed to Normanton and Kuramba while we headed to Charters Towers. We got chatting and low and behold they too were camped out at the rodeo grounds. 

After the market we headed next door to the tourist information centre and the free the heritage museum of the area with a big section on the tobacco industry. Out the front was a the big Brahman bull so of course we had to have a photo

Sunday 9th June

Today we took a drive to Lake Tinnaroo, a man made dam with inflows and outflows from the Barron River. They had a saling regatta on but the weather looked to be turning nasty so we headed to Atherton for a look around. It's amazing the changes in weather, we left Mareeba only 35kms away the sun was shinning we arrive a lake Tinaroo to misty rain, and 6degrees cooler the same in Atherton, yet when we arrived back at the campsite beautiful and 24 with the sun out.

Lake Tinaroo, when full is 2/3 the size of Syndey Habour

Dam wall at lake Tinaroo which is 45 m high

The other side of the dam wall at Lake Tinaroo.

Monday 10th of June

We had planned to head off to today but Rob had come down with the flu. So the boys and I headed up the Skybury The Australian Coffee centre for morning tea of scones jam and cream. While I ordered a latte J had a baby Chino and Poor A had to settle for water and a banana. (The joys of having food introlerances)

While A had his afternoon sleep J was busy walking some of the dogs here or playing ball with them. His too favourites was a Beagle cross called missy she was only a pup and 3 year old Rottiwheeler named Carly, Most days he played with the dogs or rode his bike around or play soccer. While there was really anything for the kids to do the boys sure had fun.  

Tuesday 11th June

Another home day Rob was feeling better so the boys and him attempted some cricket at the cricket nets. Washing and cooking needed to be done.

Wednesday 13th June 

Today we drove 54km to a little town in the tablelands called Malanda in hope that the butcher shop there would have some gluten free preservative free sausages for A. Sadly all they had were chicken and corn and corn is just one of the many food introlerances that A has. Just before you come into town we stopped and had a look at Malanda Falls. A lovely waterfall with a swimming hole there.

Malanda Falls

We then headed over to Yugaburra to have a look at the curtain fig tree which is one of the largest trees in tropical North Queensland. Beautiful area with a boardwalk from the road which is suitable for prams. Before heading back to Mareeba for A afternoon sleep.

Thursday 14th June

Poor A had caught Robs flu with a temperature of 39. He spend most of the days sleeping so we had what we call a home day, ( where we just hang out at our campsite)

We really like this campground friendly people amazing sunsets and just so much space and still close to everything (Cairns is only 45 minutes away they tell me). Definelty one to return too

An amazing sunset over the back of the rodeo grounds. 

Thankfully A was much better on Friday so we packed up and headed to our next destination........Ravenshoe 

The Lions Den Hotel and Cooktown QLD

Wednesday 5th June 

With a big drive ahead (234km) up the range from Mossman to Mount Molloy and then up the Mulligan Hwy to the Lions Den Hotel at Helenvale (Camps 7 QLD 3) we left Mossman a little earlier than usual. The drive up wasn't what we expected it the highway was up and down and the surrounded by range.

We had been told previously to make sure we book ahead if we wanted a powered site ( which we did while in Cairns) and on arrival I'm glad we did as there are only 9 powered sites but plenty of unpowered sites. Powered sites are $28 per couple and children under 6 are free. We set up camp and decided to have a late lunch of pizza at the hotel. 

The Lions Den hotel was built in 1875 and was frequently visited by the miners working in the area. The signatures that line the walls was a way the miners could remember how much they had left in their pay packets or how much they had spent as they used the leave the pay with the publican for safe keeping. So the tradition continues with a gold coin donation to the royal flying doctors service we were able to write our names on the wall. 

J Rob and A outside the Lions Den Hotel

Inside the Lions Den Hotel

Leaving our names on the wall. 

The powered sites at the Lions Den Hotel

While A had his afternoon sleep J and I went down and explored the little Annan River that runs along the back of the camping sites and is crocodile free. J really wanted to have a swim but it was far to cold for me.

The Beach Little Annan River at the Lions Den

Further up stream from the beach at the Little Annan River

The camping side of the hotel was packed out and it wasn't till someone said it was round one of State Of Origin Rugby did it click. Everyone had come in to watch it on the big screen. 

Thursday 6th June

We had originally decided to spent only the night at the Lions Den then head up to Cooktown, however with Cooktown only being 28km up the road and we had such a nice spot here at the Lions Den (expect no reception on the phone which does worry me with A medical conditions, but at least there was a public pay phone out the front of the pub if we needed it) we booked another night, settling for a day trip into Cooktown

First stop in Cooktown was the James Cook Museum (which was an old convert for girls) where they have on display the original anchor from the HMB Endeavour. Entry was $10 per adult and the boys were free as they were under 5. 

Next stop was Grassy Hill and the look out. Grassy hill was where Captian Cook climbed up to see how he could navigate around the reef so he could undertake repairs to his boat hence the towns name of Cooktown

Looking out to the reef from Grassy Hill - a similar view to Captain Cook maybe

The Grassy Hill Lighthouse

Looking back toward Cooktown from Grassy Hill

Heading back into Cooktown we stopped at the monument of James Cook and the the boys had a play on the Musical Boat (Similar to the musical fence in Winton) where you can strum and tap making all kinds of sounds. Both attractions as set on the banks of the endeavour river. 

On our drive back to the Lions Den we stopped at Black Mountain National Park look out.

Black Mountain National Park

The main feature is the granite boulders originally formed from Magna, some reported to be the size of a small of house.

Close up of the Granite boulders.

On return the the hotel A had an afternoon sleep while J played with some new friends he had made on the playground before we headed to had early dinner at the Hotel

We decided that we wouldn't attempt The Cape (Cape York) we felt the boys were to young and our main reasoning being A with his medical conditions help is a long way away, perhaps we can do it on our next trip once A has had surgery. So therefore our next stop..... Mareeba