Coffee, chocolate & bats around Atherton

After the normal morning routine and a quick run through the playground we set off in Pearl to Mareeba, a short 30 minute drive across the Atherton Tablelands. We passed banana, sugar and coffee plantations before arriving at Coffeeworks. This is a coffee roasting and chocolate making business that roasts coffee beans from all around the world as well as a lot of the locally produced beans. We had a run through of the 'coffee story' from planting to harvest, drying and roasting while the kids slurped on some chocolate and cream concoction. Then there was the unlimited tasting to do -there were 3 very excited Davidsons when they saw the chocolate section, with 12 different flavours of chocolate, which they launched into with gusto (and oddly enough with much more concentration and enthusiasm than the previous hour of school work!). Mum and dad had 21 coffees to choose from including full roasted, half roasted, imported, blends of all the above and flavoured coffees, which we sipped away on, shared with a bit of chocolate. After about 1/2 an hour we were all feeling a bit sick and needed to rest the the tummies so set off to see the amazing collection of over 2000 items of coffee paraphinalia in the museum next door. From there we watched a batch of beans being roasted and by this stage the kids sugar high had kicked in, Dad (who never drinks coffee) was feeling rather strung out and mum had purchased a few gifts so we headed to our camping ground for lunch. We were lucky enough to get into a heavily booked holiday park in Atherton and the kids were soon in the pool. At 4 pm we drove a short way up the road to the Bat Hospital, a rehabilitation centre for injured mega and microbats. Most of the bats we saw were fruit bats (flying foxes) as well as a few tiny insect eating microbats. We watched some wee orphan bats (mums died from paralysis tick) getting bottlefed and learnt a lot about these interesting creatures. By now it was getting dark so it was back to our campsite for dinner and a quick game of cards before spending our last night with Pearl : (

Undara Experience to Atherton Tablelands

Murphy's Law that the kids sleep in the day we have to be on tour by 8.00 - a bit of a scramble but we managed to be on Bus 4 with Chris, our hard case Aussie guide, in time. Undara Volcanic National Park was formed 190,000 years ago when the Undara volcano erupted and the lava flowed throughout the surronding landscape, following the routes of old river beds. Now there is an enormous basalt tube running underground, formed when the lava on the surface cooled while the hot lava continued to run underneath. It is fragmented by collapses, where patches of rainforest now grow. The 2 hour Archway Explorer tour took us to 3 sections of the lava tube - it was really spectacular, huge underground tunnels with amazing coloured basalt, some with natural calcium "drawings". We also learnt more about the region's history and vegetation.
On return to camp, we parked Pearl in the day visitor's park and cooled down in the pool, then had a quick lunch and hit the road for the return trip to the Atherton Tablelands. En route back, we nearly ran over a live Eastern Brown which was lightning quick in disappearing into the grass. Once back to the fertile green tablelands, we stopped in at the Mt Hypipamee National Park and did the short walk up to the crater. It is over 120m deep, 70m from the viewing platform to the algae-covered water, and because it is so enclosed, it felt very high! We then drove through Malanda to the Nerada Tea Plantation, Australia's largest tea plantation and
checked out how tea is harvested and made, whilst enjoying a Devonshire tea. From there Pearl navigated some very narrow windy roads through dairy country (and we stopped to see an olive python run over but still alive) to Yungaburra where we visited the 500 year old Curtain Fig, which is a strangler fig with 15m aerial roots hanging down. Camp for the night was at Kairi, in a park opposite the hotel.

Millaa Millaa to Undara

In the morning we were up and away so that we could breakfast at the first of the Millaa Millaa waterfalls - Ellinjaa Falls. From there we moved on to admire the Zillie Falls from a lookout, peering down on the falls from above, and then on to the most beautiful, the Millaa Millaa falls, which are 12m and surronded by tree ferns and flowers.

Pearl then had about a 2.5 hour drive, first through Ravenshoe (pronounced Ravens-hoe, not Raven-Shoe!) which is Queensland's highest town (at only 930m). Apart from Windy Hill, which is Australia's largest wind farm (still with only 20 turbines), not much to see here so we hurtled on down the Savannah Way. The landscape thinned out to outback woodland savannah and multicolored termite mounds, the latter huge. We resisted the temptation to detour to see the setting for the Australian Survivor! Arriving at Undara Experience about 2.00, we were rapt with our van park right on the edge of the camp, looking out into the bush. After a laze around the pool, we walked up to the Bluff, a small granite knoll which gave great views over the wooded lava plains to many of the volcanoes. Sarah continued along the 100 Mile Swamp track, while Ben and the kids returned on the same track. Early evening we treated ourselves to a drink in the drinks carriage, one of the many old railway carriages that are the theme of the Undara Experience camp. We then had a lovely meal back at Pearl, on the fringe of the outback savannah!

Bingil and Wongaling Beaches to Henrietta Creek

After waking to the crashing sound of the sea, it was straight onto the beach for the kids and into a morning of coconut cracking, climbing the rope swing, making a shop on the beach, some body surfing and a walk for TREBS to the end of the beach and back. Then, after the very civilized check-out time of 12 noon, we drove around the coast to Mission Beach and down to Wongaling Beach, just south, where a playground and the beautiful beach facing Dunk Island kept us entertained over lunch and the early afternoon. About 3.00 we set off in Pearl again, and drove up via the scenic Old Bruce Highway, flanked by both sugar cane and banana plantations, through to Innisfail and on into the Atherton Tablelands where we stopped for the night at Henrietta Creek in the Wooroonooran National Park.

Maggie memories and beachside at Bingil Bay

Ed - my favourite things at Magnetic Island were...everything. I liked the body surfing best.

Rosa - My favourite things were playing on the beach and watching the fire dancers playing with the fire.We loved it so much.I also loved collecting some excellent shells.

Tom - My favourite things at magnetic island were swimming at Radical bay and body surfing at Radical bay. I also liked swimming and building a sand castle at Florence bay we also went snorkling at Florence bay. My next favourite thing was climbing rocks at Arthur bay we went so high!I also liked swimming at Horseshoe bay beach because I liked looking for shells. My last favourite thing was doing the forts walk because I liked going up on the forts and seeing koalas these are some of my Maggie memories.

After packing up we caught the 10.40 bus through to the Nelly Bay terminal and the 11.40 ferry back to Townsville. Though sad to leave Maggie, we were also all excited at seeing Pearl and hitting the road again. The drive up Bruce Highway was more sugar cane country and a return to greenery after dry old Townsville. We stopped at a playground in Ingham for lunch, and got through to Tully about 5.00ish. We headed for what we hoped was a free camp site at Bingil Bay, the beach just north of Mission Beach and were rapt when we arrived to find the camp right on the beach. So Pearl is parked up not 10m from the high tide mark, and the kids burned off some evening energy on the rope swing and cracking coconuts on the beach. We will be drifting off to sleep with the crashing waves (and a bit of rain from time to time).

The Fort and Picnic Beach

Today we woke to rain for the first time on our trip, although it was still about 20 degrees. The rain didn't last long and after checking out the latest news of the soccer world cup (NZ out but so was Italy - so not a bad result!) we bought an all day bus ticket and headed to our first stop - the Forts Walk. This is a 1 1/2 hour walk (4kms) up to an old Fort that was in service during the 2nd World War after Townsville was hit by a few Japanese Bombers. From this strategic spot up the top of a high knob gunners were able to spot enemy planes and then tried to bring them down before they caused any damage on the mainland. On our walk we were warned to stick to the path to avoid stepping on any death adders (very poisonous snake) and we spotted 3 koalas in trees alongside the path as well as some bats in the old ammo store. From this walk we caught another bus on to Picnic Beach. There was quite a strong southerly blowing (I wish our southerlies were as warm as these ones) and we had a picnic and wandered out to the edge of the old wharf (where the ferries used to dock before the Nelly Bay terminal was built) then caught a bus back to Horseshoe Bay. The kids had a swim then we got ready to go out for dinner which was a 10 minute walk away. We treated ourselves to a pizza, curry and fish at the local backbackers and wandered back home under a fullmoon in the balmy night. Its a pity we have to pack up and leave this little slice if paradise tomorrow - but Pearl awaits us patiently to take us on the next leg of our adventure!

Three beaches and a sunset on Magnetic

The 'insect sprayer' came at 10 am to spray our unit so we packed up a picnic and we headed over to Florence Beach on the north-west side of Maggie Island. This beach has some of the best snorkelling on the island and Tom, Ed and Dad had a snorkel around the fringing reef as the tide was going out. There were a few fish, clams and some interesting corals to be seen. We spent about 2 hours here with the kids building a HUGE sandcastle on the beach. Next stop was Radical Beach for lunch (to get out of the wind). A fantastic golden sand beach and the kids spent nearly 2 hours body surfing and wave jumping in the surf, with mum and dad in for a quick refresh when it got too hot lying on the beach. There was one beach left to explore on the way home called Arthurs Beach. This beach was smaller than the previous 2 but had great rock formations down one end of it where we all did a bit of rock hopping/climbing. From here we were all beached out so it was back home to catch a wonderful sunset at Horseshoe Bay. Magic!

Horseshoe Bay Day Two

Another relaxing morning though on the beach by 10.00 to make the most of the good weather. Got out the double kayak for the kids to enjoy while we soaked up the rays on the beach. It was early afternoon by the time we headed to the pool before back to the unit for a late lunch. Mid-afternoon we set off down Horseshoe Beach to walk to the end - quite a stroll - then back via the lagoon. Saw lots of butterflies in the trees on the way back. Enjoyed the early evening on the balcony before choosing Noodies for a delicious Mexican/Spanish meal, the kids enjoying the entertainment of fire dancers on the beach during dinner. Unit 4 in the background of this photo of Rosa on the rope swing.

Horseshoe Bay to Balding and Radical Bays 22 June

After enjoying a relaxed morning, we set off about 10.30 for a walk to Balding and Radical Bays. From the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay beach, the track climbed through a steep gully of closed forest to more open eucalypt woods at the top. As we neared the top,we spotted a koala nestled asleep in a tree, exciting to see one in its natural habitat. We first rockhopped down to Balding Bay - the boulder formations on the way down were awesome. The beach itself blew us away, a beautiful secluded beach only reached by track, nestled amongst the boulders and hoop pines. The kids were also fascinated (from a good distance) by the nudists, as this is also Maggie's unoffical nudist beach. After relaxing here for a while, we then hiked back up and along to Radical Bay, another stunning beach, where we not only enjoyed lunch but also the rock wallabies perched on the rocks at one end of the beach.

After walking back to Horseshoe Beach we discovered it was after 3.00 - again, the kids having done a good walk (4.6 kms) with no complaints. We spent the rest of the afternoon on Horseshoe Beach topped off by the pool, although the day never moved beyond being overcast (but very warm). As we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks, the kids played on the rope swing and playground opposite. A lovely evening in Unit 4!

Magical Maggie

Packed up ready for Magnetic Island then headed off to Castle Hill (300m) - Tom and Sarah walking up the Goat Track while Ben, Rosa and Ed drove to the ferry terminal to make our booking then met us at the top. Fantastic views of Townsville and Magnetic Island from the many lookouts. Having not warmed to Airlie Beach, we are the complete opposite with Townsville. It has such a good feeling, and we really like it - a laidback low key and very attractive town.

After admiring the views, we then made for the ferry terminal where we bade farewell to Pearl who we have left parked at the terminal. We caught the 10.45 car ferry and in a smooth 35 minutes were stepping off on "Maggie", which is what the locals call Magnetic Island. We shared a taxi across to Horseshoe Bay and checked into "Sails on Horseshoe" which is where Sarah's aunt and uncle have a unit. WOW. Magnetic Island, and Horseshoe Bay, are just magical, really beautiful and interesting looking terrain, and amazing beaches. The whole place has such a relaxed feeling and holiday vibe, but it is not at all crowded. Horseshoe Bay itself is just a tiny cluster of shops/cafes along a beautiful beach. Our unit is just lovely (and of course such luxury after Pearl!) and definitely the pick - two whole bedrooms (!), upstairs and overlooking the beach so that we can sit on the balcony listening to the waves lap. Needless to say we spent the afternoon on the stunning beach finishing off with a dip in the pool. Then it was off to Nelly Bay to get the week's supplies, drinks and nibbles on the balcony, then a luxurious bath before bed.

TREBS hit Townsville

We hit the Bruce Highway (100 metres from where we spent the night) and travelled 2 hours through sugar cane country to Townsville. We went straight to the Reef HQ to catch some great aquarium action. With the biggest coral aquarium in the world and a huge predator tank full of sharks we were quite happily entertained for a few hours. The icing on the cake was visiting the turtle hospital which had 3 in-patients with various injuries. The sickest one had been hit by a boats propellor and the other two were recovering from bacterial infections. Townsville has a large grassed, park like area along its waterfront with pools, playgrounds and heaps of grassy areas for picnicking. We chose the end of the bay, which had a huge salt water pool and playground, to spend a couple of hours in the 25 degree, blue sky day. Late afternoon we checked into a camping ground for the night and packed up a few things in preparation for our week on Magnetic Island. p.s Rosa did a fantastic job preparing dinner tonight!

Big Fury rafting in the Whitsundays

After normal morning routines, we managed to fit in a quick game (boys mini-golf and girls Monopoly Deal) before checking out, parking Pearl in the visitors car park and being picked up for our "Big Fury rafting in the Whitsundays". It is not a raft as we know it, but simply a large open-air sports boat with four 225 outboards on the back. The day was deceptive as we headed out of Airlie Harbour, the first half hour was calm but it then became quite choppy. After an hour of speeding through the Whitsundays, we stopped to snorkel at an island reef site. All 5 of the Davidsons checked out the coral and fish, Rosa decked out in a stinger suit (even though it is not the season!). It was then another half hour of getting quite wet (except Tom and Rosa who were parked up next to the skipper!) before we landed on Whitehaven Beach. This is renowned as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The sand was certainly super fine and very white, and the water beautifully clear. A delicious lunch was served just in from the beach, with the resident goannas Bruce and his mum hanging around and flicking their tongues at us hoping for some meat. Another bit of excitement was spotting a small olive python on the pathway. Had a lounge on the sand and a play in the water here for a couple of hours before beginning what was a pretty wet and wild ride back to Airlie Beach. Arrived back drenched about 5.00. Once back at Pearl, we hit the road, driving for just over an hour to a free roadside camper van park about halfway between Bowen and Ayr.
The Aussie mosquitoes have had a ball mauling fresh NZ meat, and TREBS on tour are pretty eaten so lots of SOOV going on!

Airlie Beach rest day

Today was a good catch-up day before we hit the road for some more adventures. We had a family match of mini-golf then it was off to the pool to hit the water slides. Tom and Rosa rode the slides all day and we all had a relaxing day by the water. The boys hit the mini-golf course for another round after lunch while the girls gave Pearl a spruce up before heading back to the pool. Late afternoon we caught the local bus down to a boardwalk which took us about 2 km around the marina and ended at the Airlie lagoon, a large man-made salt water lagoon beside the harbour. The kids had a swim while the sun set then it was back to the Big4 for dinner and bed.

Waterfalls at Finch Hatton to Waterslides at Airlie Beach

Awoke to a misty morning overlooking the valley, and after the usual morning routine, took off in Pearl down the steep windy road to Finch Hatton Gorge, still part of the Eungella National Park. A short 1.6 km walk saw us at the Araluen Falls, a spectacular waterfall and swimming hole. Dad and the kids braved the icy water, while Mum resisted the temptation and acted as photographer! It was very scenic, made even more so by the variety of butterflies fluttering overhead in the forest canopy.
From here, Pearl made a lunch stop at the Pinnacle Hotel for a "famous in the Pioneer Valley pie" - a typical old Queensland pub and a relaxing place to fuel up.
It was about 1.5 hours drive on to Airlie Beach, all the while passing through solid sugarcane country and seeing various aspects of the harvesting process. We drove into Cannonvale/Airlie Beach about 3.00ish. Our first impression of Airlie Beach driving in was of a larger Picton, and then of a hot Queenstown, as in a tourist mecca with a lot of backpackers. We checked into a BIG 4 holiday park and talk about one extreme to another. Last night was a self-registering camp perched on a quiet mountain top while today the reception was like a hotel, automatic doors and all. Still, we are in kids heaven with a huge pool, waterslides, jumping cushion, mini golf and so on.

A whole family game of Monopoly Deal before bed.