25th - 31st October 2020
Ok well this week we have been a little bit lazy and haven’t done a real lot, but when we have done stuff we have made full days off it – no wonder we need days off in between !!
On Monday we took a drive down to Cardwell to explore the area as we had hear a lot about the Cardwell Natural Spa – unfortunately when we asked about it we were told that it was closed as they haven’t had any rainfall for a while to fill it up. I guess that’s what you get at the end of the dry season. So we went for a bit of a walk around the town and checked out the jetty as we were told not to walk along the beach as there has been a crocodile in the area. From the jetty we could see heaps of jelly fish which we assume are the beginning of stinger season !! On the way back to Mission Beach we called into Murray Falls for a look at a beautiful water fall – now that was worth the drive out to. You could also swim there if you desired, but we didn’t have our bathers on so we decided to do the walk up to the viewing platforms instead – amazing view over a beautiful waterfall. We also took a detour on the way back and checked out Tully Heads which is a quaint little fishing village. Oh and the thing we have been waiting to see the whole time we have been at Mission Beach decided to make an appearance about 5km out of Mission Beach – A CASSOWARY !!! Yay at long last we got to see one up close, he was happily strolling along the strip between rainforest and road and wandered down into a little creek to have a bit of a wash and a drink. Then he casually strolled across the road (not taking any notice at all or in any hurray of oncoming traffic) and into the rainforest across the road. At long last we can say we have seen a cassowary up close and personal !!
On Wednesday we drove through cane fields and past cane trains busily collecting tones of sugar cane to Paronella Park. But first i have to tell you about Jeff’s stupid idea of parking under a tree where nobody else had parked so we could have a picnic lunch – bad move as why don’t people park under trees – LOTS and LOTS of birds nesting – oh and what do birds do !!!!
On our arrival at Paronella Park you are greeted in the car park and they take you inside to pay and on a half hour tour around the park. OMG the story of this place is amazing and is well worth a visit. After the tour they allow you to wander through the park and explore it at your own pace. Unfortunately the day was very hot and humid but the story is just so amazing. The admission price also includes the evening experience as well. In between we took a quick drive (25km) into Innisfail to – yep you guessed it WASH the car lol. Then it was back to The Mena Creek Hotel, which is 100m up the road from Paronella Park for a quick counter meal before heading back to PP for the night display. Great meals by the way !! The whole Paronella Park experience is very well done and well worth a visit, the guides are very knowledgeable and during the night experience you get to meet the current owner as he gives a little talk on how they became the current owners and all the ordeals they have encountered during there time as owners – Cyclones, floods, and COVID. Highly recommend if you are in the area stop for a visit.
Friday we went for a drive up to Tully Gorge, beautiful drive through banana plantations to get to the gorge. Wow don’t think i have ever seen so many bananas. The Tully Gorge drive is a beautiful drive along the Tully river which i believe is popular for white river rafting as the river has plenty of white water. Beautiful river and beautiful scenic drive up to the gorge.
We ended up staying in Mission Beach for a month as it is such a beautiful place and a great place to base yourself to explore the area and the beaches are stunning.
We leave here Monday for Airlie Beach……..
