Yungaburra (Tinnaburra)

We had made the decision to make Yungaburra our next base but when we arrived and looked for a camp site we ended up at Tinnaburra on the banks of Lake Tinaroo. This is not as it sounds, as Tinnaburra is really like a suburb of Yungaburra. We chose to camp in the 'No Power' area and actually camped right on the foreshore, a lovely outlook. As we were erecting our awning, our new neighbours Mike and Brett (one either side of us) said: "Your late, you should have been here yesterday for the Blues Festival". Turns out Mike was an amateur photographer and Brett was a keen musician (guitar). We relaxed for several hours talking to Brett, from Winton, and he played and sang two of his own compositions, that were a joy to listen to. Brett hasn't recorded any material yet so you have to be fortunate to catch him 'Live'. You can look up Brett Gillespie at the Winton 'Spar' supermarket if you are passing through. Yungaburra has a lovely village charm about it and there are many natural features around town, like waterfalls, crater lakes and old, enormous trees.

This is Lake Tinaroo looking back towards the head waters, you can just make out our camps on the far right of the photo.

Still Lake Tinaroo looking downstream.

Being entertained by Brett Gillespie.

In Yungaburra now, a Gallery in the village.

While on the river walk we noticed this well fed lizard.

The local Pub, much of the weekend activity centred around the Pub.

The fire escape from the hotel/motel drops you onto the footpath.

Another view of the central area of the village.

A restaurant in the village that features several balconies.

This street was blocked off for the festival.

Lake Eacham, one of the crater lakes not far out of Yungaburra.

Lake Barrine is the other crater lake. We had superb fresh scones jam and cream on the balcony here.

Also at Lake Barrine are these Kauri trees, maybe over 600 years old.

Cathedral Fig Tree, by Lake Tinaroo.

Jude is in the centre of the Cathedral Fig Tree.

Looking towards the crown of the Cathedral Fig.

Looking up into the canopy of the fig tree, there is another world up there. Epiphytes are growing on every limb.

Nearly every space has been taken by these epiphytes.

There is even an Umbrella Tree growing off this limb.

Walking through this bush track and we came upon this rather large blockage.

The Chimneys at Lake Tinaroo. This once was the residence of a sawmill owner who had to move out when Lake Tinaroo was constructed.

Millaa Millaa Falls, another beautiful sight.

Wide angle of Millaa Millaa Falls.

Rocky Creek War Memorial Park

This is another of those traveller suggested camp sites that you tend to pick up along the way. It is strange how only a little distance can alter the vegetation so much. Only recently we were in tropical rain forest, now this area is really dry and arid. Strangely, either side of this area, market gardens, orchards and sugar cane abound. This park was a training base for services during WW11, some of the ruins are still visible today. Now this park is a War Memorial to all the service personnel who trained here. Beside the Memorial Park is a large area set aside for travellers to camp for up to 72 hours with the fees by donation only. It seems to be well patronised too, even though the only facilities are toilets.

The view of the Memorial Park as you turn in off the highway. I think this large paved area in front of the sign may have been the base parade ground.

Memorial Stones dedicated to all the individual divisions that trained at this base during WW11.

A couple of the original concrete slabs still remaining from the training base.

Looking back towards the Memorial Park from our camp site. We felt obliged to display the 'Aussie' flag on our awning to show all the travellers from abroad that we belong here.

Morning and evening we were visited by these Guinea Fowl, it helped that Jude fed them on sunflower seed. The park caretaker told us: "When the fowl have chicks, they are known as 'New Guinea Fowl'." I bet he tells everyone that joke.

Dinner and a few wines makes Jude a happy girl.

Chillagoe

While at Mareeba we decide to go for a day drive to Chillagoe, about 140 km each way. There are three sections of unsealed road between Almaden and Chillagoe, about 20 km in total. The day was clear so off we went, with thermos and packed lunch. On the way out we passed small groups of cyclists on 'mountain bikes'. All the bikes were showing numbers, so we guessed that this must be some sort of competition ride. On arrival at Chillagoe we found the answer. This bike race is known as 'The Crocodile Trophy' and is an international event, apparently. Some riders have participated in 'The Tour de France'. This was day 2 of the event and this leg was 157 km. The race that began in Cairns is to finish at Daintree via Laura and Cooktown, the race is 1160 km in total.

Just arrived at Chillagoe and it's time for picnic lunch at the park.

An old 'Australia Bank' vault. Any wonder they went out of business, there is no door on the vault.

Not the Post Office, but the Post Office Hotel, main street in Chillagoe.

The Hub, Chillagoe Information Centre. While talking to Tonia in the Centre she asked: "Are you staying in town tonight?" We replied: "No we are only here for the day." To which she replied: "You had better not leave it too late in leaving then, the clouds are building up and the road becomes very slippery when wet." Sure enough, it started raining on the way home, we got through but the car got very dirty. Some of the late arrivals in 'The Trophy' were also very wet.

On the way to Balancing Rock.

Here is Balancing Rock, with a bit of support from Noel.

A giant's chair.

The edge of the slag heap at the abandoned smelter, with the view beyond.

Two of the old smoke stacks at the smelter.

A third smoke stack.

Some of the abandoned equipment, entry to these areas is prohibited because of crumbling masonary.

Another photo of more old machinery.

Mareeba Rodeo Park

Along the way other travellers pass along little pieces of travel wisdom, of places that one should visit or stay at. The Mareeba Rodeo Park is one of those pieces of information that we learned of and pleased that we chose to visit.

Looking towards the Rodeo Arena from the camp area. Those clouds look threatening and they weren't pretending, we coped a down pour this night that had the whole park under water, but we were high and dry in the van.

Looking back towards the camp area. There were quite a few campers in with us.

A cricket ground adjoins the rodeo park, it's training tonight.

Part of the Rodeo Arena, plenty of seating here.

The Bull Bar would look different to this on Rodeo Weekend.

On the last morning of our stay here we were awakened by the roar of gas jet blasts. We looked out the window to see this hot air balloon land behind the line of caravans. This photo is just after impact.

We hear another 'whoosh' and here comes another balloon flying directly over our van. The pilot is calling for us to move the vans out of the way.

Directly overhead, the waving passengers are clearly visible.

Touchdown #2 directly behind the line of vans.

Passengers still aboard and the support vehicle arrives.

How deflating!