30/8/2010 Monday Undara – Charters towers day 26

Well today we start heading back home. We packed up early as we had a tour booked for 8:00am before we got on the road.
Paul & I were ready before 7:00am so we went and had a cuppa in the bufet area before meeting up with the others.
There was another Budd on the tour apart from us and they were from England.
Everyone back on the bus to take us to the larva tubes which were very interesting very hard to take photos as they were very dark inside.

Undara Larva Tube

We got back at 10:0am we said goodby to little Ian, Jill and Danial as they were heading back to Cairns for a couple of days before Jill & Danial caught a plane back to Sydney and I hand to work his way back.. Now that we have done that it was 10:30am and we are now on the way to Charters Towers about 4-5hrs.

The weather was starting to close in by now and there were lots of road works on the way so it was a bit slow going.

We arrive at Greenvale at 12:30 had lunch fish & chips and left by 1:00.

Now we are in Charters Towers found the caravan park did a bit of shopping then back to the park for afternoon drinks.

29/8/2010 Sunday Chillagoe -Undara day 25

Well today is Paul's birthday, we still have to move on so up early again and got away at 7:45 we did not have a long run although we want to call into Mt Surprise to have a look.

The drive we took was another dirt road straight down from Chillagoe and what a great drive that was the road was very good lots of animals along the way, more cattle.

Emus running along the road

Now we have arrive in Mt Surprise into the cafe for some refreshments and a look around before we pumped up the tyres as we will be on tar roads from now. Called into the gem shop to have a look and see if there was anything to spend our money on, yes there was but the boys are with us so we reframed.

Main street of Mt Surprise

Now onto Undara Larva tubes for the night, when we arrived there it was still very hot and booked in found our spot set up the camper as the others had to go in a different spot as they were tents.

We did go and visit them had a look around the park found the pool and the dinning area.

The girls hit the little shop to have a look without the boys this time and then went and had a free cuppa of tea while the boys were back at the tent having a quite ale.

The Giggenbachs are back with us so they set up while we went on a sunset and animal tour which left at 5:30pm. We all piled in to the bus for the trip out to the sunset viewing area.

Saw some Wallaroor's which were very chute.

The sunset was going down as we sipped on champagne and nibbles and it was very spectacular with all the cloud around.

Now it was on to see a larva tube with little bats flying around and try and get some photos of them not that easy.
We had tea in the bistro which was very nice that was for Paul's birthday. Well the shackle was given to little Ian tonight for leaving his tickets for the tour behind.

Sunset from Undara

28/8/2010 Saturday Chillagoe day 24

Well today we were going to do something different than driving. We had booked 3 cave tours which will take all day.

It was another hot day in Chillagoe so we thought it would be good to spend it in the caves.

The first cave was Donna cave it took 1hr which was very interesting but not very cool like we thought.

Head in the cave

Small bat

The second was Trezkinn cave I did not think it was as good as the first one and still not very cool this one took 1hr as well. So that was the morning filled up.

We took a drive out to balancing rock and the Giggenbach's decided to leave us for the night and go to Mareeba and look at something in there.

Balancing rock

We headed back to camp for lunch before we headed out to the Royal Arch cave. This was a very interesting cave and took 11/2hrs it had a lot to look at in this one and spots were very cool.

Queen victoria

Shape of a fish

After that we went for a swim in the pool at the park and it was very refreshing.

Had a very simple dinner as it was still very hot.

27/8/2010 Friday Laura- Chillagoe day 23

We left for Palmerville at 7:45am back onto dirt road again today dogging kangaroos and cattle all the way. What a great drive through this way very scenic and a bit slow as it twisted and very boggy in some parts from the rain the night before.

cow not moving off the road

We stopped at palmerville river for morning tea took some photos as we had a look at the trees bending over from the flow of the river when it is in flood.

Palmer River

After the river the road was no better still very pretty and lots more cattle on the road so we had to dive very slow not to hit any and lots of gates to open along the way.  Now we are on the development road on our way to Chillagoe

Brolga's on the side of the development road

We have arrived in Chillagoe at 1:00pm drove through town to find the caravan park, we finally did as we blinked and nearly missed it. Now in and found somewhere to camp, today was another very hot day and even hotter when setting up camp.

We sat under the tree near the camp having lunch as it was much cooler there. We decided to go for a walk to see what was in town came across and information centre so we went in to see where we had to book to see some caves. On our way back to camp we found a souvenir shop and had a look in there.

We then drove to the smelters to have a look at them and while we were there we got in contact with the Giggenbach's to see where they were and they found us out on the smelter road. Junta had been bitten by something a few day before and she had a big welt on her leg.

Smelter Chimney

Our cars at the smelter

We then went out to a vintage car museum to have a look at what he had and it was all ford cars very old trucks and cars very interesting and the guy seem to know his stuff.

Mustan (vintage car)

Vintage jeep

That night we went out to tea at the Post office Pub which was steak and salad for $12.00 what a great meal.

Wendy got the shackle tonight for making a baby cry at the hotel.

26/8/2010 Thursday Archer river- Laura day 22

We pulled out of the park at just after 7:30am heading for Coen. We had to stop at the Quaranteen station so they could make sure all our fruit and vegies were ok. We arrived in Coen and I had to load my stuff onto the blog as I got internet connection just as we pulled in we were there for 1/2hr the others had ice cream and pies while they waited.

Back on the road again heading to Musgrave just out of there on very corrigated road we nearly had a push bike rider on our bull bar as he was all over the road. We are now in Musgrave stopped there for morning tea and ice creams again. Now onto Hann River roadhouse everyone got out for a quick look and some photo's before moving on.

cow outside Musgrave roadhouse

Hann Roadhouse

Had a pull off are at Kennedy River for lunch by the time we had finished it was 1:00pm, so now we are on our way to Laura which is not far away.

Once there we found the camping ground behind the pub, all tents and camper set up and it was a very hot day.

After we had a sit under a big shady tree we drove out to split rock to see the aboriginal painting. It was a very hot walk up the painting but very interesting.

Split rock

Split rock

Now back to camp for dinner and after the boys went and had a drink in the pub and Danial did not come back until very late. When the boys came back from the pub we were sitting in the cool and then it started to rain really hard so into bed we went. The rain did not last long then the stars were out, but some of the group were already asleep. Ian McKinley got the shackle for leaving his towel in the shower.

25/8/2010 Wednesday Iron Range N.P – Archer River day 21

Today we had a late rise after yesterday's adventures. We left camp at 8:30am to take a very scenic drive to Chilli Beach When we got there we had a walk on the beach and took some photo's for a short while.

Now we went to Portland road to visit a cafe for morning tea. While we were all sitting having a lovely coffee and tea on a beautiful veranda overlooking the water a large scrub python (cecil) curled up in the rafters.

On the way to Mt Tozier little Ian was in the lead and he saw our first cassowary and took a great photo he all so saw 3 big pigs and 4 piglets on the side of the road.

We went through the Pescoe River which was on the main road and was not as treacherous as the crossing we had been further down the river yesterday.

Next stop was Wenlock river where we had lunch and a swim for awhile as it was such a lovely place and the water had a lovely little flow so there was no croc's swimming with us.

Well now we are almost at Archer River Roadhouse to stay the night. So we paid for our camping in the shop and then the boys found a spot to set up camp.

We did some washing while the boy's had a quite drink. So we decided to have dinner at the roadhouse which we had a Archer burger which was the biggest burger I have had. Now we are all sitting around having a cup of tea.

24/8/2010 Tuesday Seisia-Iron Range N.P day 20

Well the day started pretty good we left Seisia at 7:30am we arrived at the Jardine ferry at 8:20am once over the other side we headed for Bramwell Junction and arrived there about 11:00 and a whole lot of rally cars pulled in whilst we were there.

rally cars at Bramwell Junction

Sebastian was having trouble with his starter motor in his car so he decided to leave us and go to Coen to try and get it fixed. So Werner & Junta decided to travel with them so they did not have to go alone.

We departed them at the turn off to Frenchman's track, When we then ventured onto the track we went a little way and we came to Wenlock river so we decided to have our lunch.

comming down Wenlock river

I drove through this river and for a little while as there was some good things to practice on Paul had to sit in the passengers seat for a short while.

Through some more water and some of them were a bit tricky as Ian got a little stuck in one and little Ian had to pull him out with a snatch strap.

boggy hole

Paul going through boggy hole

We have now come to the rivers of all rivers after descending down a big rocky hill. When we got down there was no turning back especially for us as there was no room to turn the camper. The boy's assured me that everything would be ok, as they walked the Pescoe River which was belly button deep and worked out all the deep spots and the very rocky spots. The bras were on the cars and the snatch straps attached to the front.

little Ian coming out of Pescoe river

After watching the two Ian's go through with finger nails clenched into the dash board it was now our turn. As we plunged into the Pascoe river the water came over the bonnet and hit the windscreen like waves on a beach. With a lot of bouncing and negotiating a lot of tree ruts on the exit side, we exit the mighty river only to find a very steep tricky inclined. Paul accelerates I shut my eyes and held the dash even tighter when we finally get to the top I threw the door open and threw up. Only to meet Rhonda who said who awesome was this, and Jill said thank the lord we made. The boys were congratulating each other for a job well done.

Us coming out of Pescoe River

Now we are on our way to Iron Range N.P through various flood ways and dips with small amounts of water in them nothing like we have been through today. Finally after 5hr of traveling we have arrived at the rangers station to find that they want $5.15 to camp in the national park for the night.

By the time we found a camp site it was 5:45pm and getting very dark so a quick tea was in order then to bed.

Little Ian got the shackle last night for backing into a tree.

Tonight the group helped me write this part of the blog I think they exaggerated a little to make it sound good.

Comming out of the river valley

23/8/2010 Monday Seisia day 19

Last night blew and rained so we were not sure what we were going to wake up to. The morning started a bit ordinary then got a bit better so we did some washing of our clothes from yesterday when we had to do the rush job packing up tents and camper so we could shift.

Today we are going to have a drive we found a cemetery which was very interesting

Cemetery with artificial flowers

We are now on our way to look for the plan wrecks so that should not take long and we found a track so we had to drive down to see what was there and to our surprise nothing. First we had to stop at the pie shop so we could all get something nice before we started off.

WWII Plane wreck

DC3 Plane

When we got back to Banaga the others stayed and did some shopping and we came back to camp and had some lunch before we did our shopping.

This afternoon we just got everything ready for the trip back down the coast. Tied up the cars and tents ready for tomorrow. After that was all done we just sat around the camp the boys went and had a look at the big container ship loading up cars to go back to Cairns and other things.

MV Trintiy Bay Ship

22/8/2010 Sunday Seisia day 18

Today we are heading to the top of Australia so on the road at 8:30am as we had a few things to look at before we got there. The wind was blowing a gale all night and even this morning not sure if it will continue all day.

Sebastian was in the lead today and Giggenbach's tail end. 1st stop Loyalty beach caravan park; next was Punsand bay this time we could park and go in and have a look at the beach and the facilities.

While on our scenic drive Werner car got a flat tyre so Ian McKinley went back to help as we were in sand and could make things very interesting. They did not take too long everyone just waited on the track until it was all finished lucky no one else was on this track.

We arrived at the Croc tent this is were we can buy T-Shirts and other sourviners from. Stayed there for a little while before moving on as she told us about a 4x4 track we could take so off we go.

Croc Tent

Punsand Bay

By the time we did the very pretty drive it was 12:00 when we enter the car park for the “Tip”, we then had to walk over some rock and get to the water this did not take long just missed two bus loads of people which was good.

The tip

WE HAVE MADE IT to the top there were still a lot of people trying to get there photo underneath the sigh so we had to wait until we could get in as we wanted individual photo's and a group one.

It is very windy up here and now that is all done we can go back to the car.

Group Photo at the top

We will continue on to Summerset beach for lunch and after lunch we went for a walk on the beach and the there were some locals with 5 big turtles on there backs as they had caught them, the story goes they only catch them for funerals and weddings to eat.

Turtle

Now onto the rest of the 4x4 track over the beach which was really pretty but still very windy. The boy's found a really good track so we had to try it out well we made it ok but the two Ian's they got stuck on the rocks and had to winch themselves out so now Ian has used all his gear he bought.

Scenic Drive

Scenic Drive

We arrived back to camp to find it was like a war zone as the wind must have been very strong here as the tents had blown down and the awning of the camper had come down nothing broken though.

Camper packed up quickly

Small Gecko

Sunset over Seisia beach

We were able to move sites out of the howling wind which was good so everyone packed up and shifted.

After an easy tea we sat around and did shackle nominations tonight Paul got is for not taking his tow bar off before 4x4 and doing it half way through.