We woke up around 7am and all got stuck into schooling immediately after breakfast.  Done by about 10:15 we decided to head back to Silver and Nondroya Falls.  Amy and Lovely Lynda (LL) hadn’t viewed these magnificent falls yet and I just knew we couldn’t leave our camp at Henrietta before they had done so.

We headed off at 10:30am towards the falls and at last were blessed with a beautiful sunny day with a few clouds overhead.  The rainforest along the way was alive with excitement of the better weather and the birds sang heartily as if jevounated and ready to play.

Jess & Amy road their bikes along the first part of the track down to the intersection of the long and short loop track to Nondroya Falls.  The shorter track takes in Silver Falls and that was the way we headed.

We reached Silver Falls basking in full sunlight and the waterfall sparkling with the rays of the sun.  The pool at the bottom of the falls had cleared and we spent about 15 minutes just relaxing, throwing rocks and the kids playing around near the water.  This place was relaxing and LL thought that this place was in fact the Falls that Jess and I had come across the day before.  Little did LL know of the magnificent falls that awaited her.  In fact I let her believe we were at the falls I had raved about.  LL noted that these falls were good but not better than the Millaa Millaa Falls I had noted the day before.  LL was therefore surprised when I broke up the party crossed Silver Creek and continued up a path on the far bank.

Another 500 to 600m and you hear the deafening roar of the Douglas Creek with its flow dropping ever so regularly along this stretch of path.  As you close in more the roar becomes thunderous as the lower falls of the Nondroya Falls comes into view.  Once spotted and another 30m down the track reveals the true awe inspiring magnificence of the Falls and natures creation.

LL was transfixed by the Falls and declared it one of her favourite and a place of breath taking beauty.  It is certainly that!  Today with the weather sunny and somewhat warmer I decided to take a swim out to the Falls and see them up close and personal.  Strangely the beautiful pool beneath the falls was much wider than expected and with the power of the Falls sending waves at you that splash and break into your face, the swim is a lot tougher than what it looks.  As you approach the falls, where I would expect the water to be deep, the water is just over waist height on a sandy bottom.  This allows you to turn your back on the falls and push backwards towards them as far as you can.  What you soon realise is that any hope of reaching the falls is near on impossible.  The shear energy pushing out from the falls pushes you constantly away and if this doesn’t beat you the constant weight of the water and needle like spray on your back will stop you before long.  The other thing you don’t anticipate is how tough it is to breath close up to the falls.  As the water hits the base of the falls air filled with water rushes past you.  It is like trying to breath with your window stuck out of a moving car travelling along at 100 kph or so.  You get as close as you can and then dive into the water and let the natural flow of water push you away.  What is awesome is to lay on your back drifting backwards just staring 50m into the air and watching the water fall at your feet.  What an awesome place this is…just get here if you can, have a swim and enjoy the true brilliance and magnificence of this place.  You will not be disappointed.

We left this special place with relunctance but also in the knowledge that we would be back some day.  Back at camp we ate a well earned lunch with the plan of walking to Crowley Falls in the afternoon.  Just about ready to go, the kids were enjoying playing on their bikes and enjoying the sum too much.  We felt a little for them because they had not been able to stretch their legs properly for several days.  Besides it was a great excuse to kick back in a chair, have a beer and read my latest book.  A perfect day with a perfect ending.

Cooking my long awaited beef and mushroom pie tonight so lets hope it is a cracker…good day all!

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

First day of spring and a small break in the rain.  It was still overcast but at least not pouring down.  I was woken up at 6:30am by Joey Jess wanting me to take her for a bike ride.  So, off we went towards Nandroya Falls about 2.5 klm from camp.  I had hoped we might be able to mountain bike up the track but after 500m we crossed a creek and left the bikes behind.  A further 300m and we came to the intersection of the loop trail.  1.7 klm to the left and 3.5 klm to the right.  We headed to the left and were soon at Silver Creek Falls which were quite beautiful and well worth the visit.  Onwards and dropping deeper into the gorge for about a 1 klm you can hear the thunder of the Nandroya Falls which topple over a huge drop of over 50m uninterrupted to a beautiful circular pool at the bottom.  Shortly after the Douglas Creek drops again about 10m over a wider area.  These falls are spectacular and a must visit.  The main falls remind me of the Montezuma Falls in Tasmania.

We left Nandroya Falls and headed along Douglas Creek on the extended loop of 3.5 klms.  The track follows the Douglas Creek for approx 1.5 klm before slowly heading back towards Henrietta Creek.  Along this stretch the Douglas Creek again drops with many small falls to delight anyone taking this track.  Without eating breakfast before taking off, we were feeling very hungry, made worse when we started planning our trip to Mt Ossa and what food we would take.  I have promised to fly to Tassie with Jess to climb Mt Ossa so she can also complete climbing the highest peak in every state.

After what seemed like ages we were back to the bikes and headed for camp.  If I had my time again I would head back past Silver Creek Falls.  This is the more scenic and quicker route.  If its been raining there is a lot less mud around.

Both Jessy and me wolfed down a hearty breakfast, got into the car with Lovely Lynda and Amy and headed out to see Tchupala Falls and Wallicher Falls a short distance from camp.  The walkway to both the falls starts at the same spot close to Crawfords Lookout.

This is only a short walk of 350m to Tchupala Falls and 500m to Wallicher Falls.  After about 100m from the start of the track the track splits and we took the right hand branch towards Tchupala Falls.  After a few hundred metres you come to the start of the falls which are quite awesome.  The falls continue on down the valley dropping significantly again.  In the past you could follow the falls down further but unfortunately cyclone Larry in 2006 has caused extensive damage to the track and it is now closed for the immediate future.  What a shame because from the top these falls would have been unbelievable.  Watch the walk track around here because it drops away steeply on both sides of the track.

Heading back up the track we again got to the intersection and this time took the left hand fork.  After a few hundred metres there is a clearing in the rainforest and you can view the falls.  These falls are a wide drop that plummets approx 20m.  They are again quite beautiful.  This Douglas Creek certainly has some amazing waterfalls as it thunders through the valley towards the ocean.  You can continue along this track back to the Henrietta Creek Camp Ground but you must crossover the Douglas Creek twice and then over the Henrietta Creek.  With the rain we have had recently the Creek’s in the area were flowing well and this would have been a challenge.  That at least is the good thing about all the rain…the creeks and flowing nicely making all the waterfalls even more spectacular and brilliant.  Of course the downside is water brings out the leaches and my count so far today was 5 to me and 1 to Jessy.

Back in the car we headed towards Millaa Millaa and the 15 klm loop road around the small township, officially called the “Waterfall Way,” with the Ellinjaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls.  Each of these Falls are easily reached with very small walks set up for the many tourists travelling through this region.  First stop was the Ellinjaa Falls which has a 200m bitumen walk way to the base of the small falls…pretty but not spectacular.  Onto to Zillie Falls.  Zillie Falls is only a walk of about 50m to the viewing platform at the top of the falls.  Unfortunately the view is a little blocked which is a shame because I think by travelling to the base of the falls you would be met ,with a sensational waterfall.  Oh well, onto Millaa Millaa Falls and the best of the three on this road.  The waterfall makes its way over an uninterrupted fall of about 30m into the most tranquil and pretty pool.  Better still on a warmer day you could have enjoyed a beautiful cleansing and refreshing swim in the pool…this would have made the day for sure.  I checked the water temperature and it was cold!

Leaving Millaa Millaa Falls there was no doubt that Nandroya Falls were the best falls we had seen today…hands down.  Yes you have to walk further to get there, but that works to your advantage too because not so many people can be bothered taking on the leaches and mud, not to mention the 5 klm round trip, so you can enjoy this most pleasant, tranquil and beautiful spot to yourself.  It is one of those places of breath taking beauty!

We then drove through the Millaa Millaa township stopping in at the local museum which is a treasure chest of history of the town and surrounding area.  The kids enjoyed the museum (which was free) and the lady at the door was a walking information bureau on the area which was great to have a chat and plan the next part of our trip.

Leaving Millaa Millaa we headed back up the Palmerston Highway back towards camp turning off on the loop road, Brooks Road which is a beautiful scenic alternative to the main highway.  Along the way we stopped off at The Mungalli Creek Bio-Dynamic Diary and tasted some nice yoghurt and cheese.  We had a coffee (and hot chocolate) and decided on toast sandwiches for the kids and a toasted foccacia for the adults.  We topped them off a Macadamia, chocolate topped mango cheesecake whilst the kids enjoyed a chocolate mud cake.

With our bellies full we headed back to our camp as the rain came down.  A nice warm shower (after collecting water again…) and off to bed after a great day exploring waterfalls.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

We reluctantly packed up in the rain, which is always a pain no matter what you travel in.  Our plan today to head into Innisfail and then out onto the Palmerston Highway to Heinrietta Campground.  We said bye to Andrew and Liz who we had enjoyed a few nice chats with and headed out from the Boulders through Babinda and onto the Bruce Highway to Innisfail.  We arrived at Innisfail around lunchtime and decided to take a break, get a few basic supplies, such as milk and bread and then continue on.

Leaving Innisfail we received a phone call from Colleen (the kids teacher) and the kids had a chat with her and sang her a few songs they had learnt.  We stopped on the side of the road while the kids spoke with Colleen for about half an hour.

Back on our way we arrived at the Hienrietta Campground about 2:30pm with a plan to check out some local waterfalls.  The Palmerston Highway and surrounds are home to heaps of fantastic waterfalls so long as you don’t mind a small walk.  Unfortunately when we got to camp we spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find the source of some water we had found in the van.  We checked everything and came up with a blank, this even included flushing the hot water system.

With the time at 4:00pm and no water in the tanks (oops) we had to fill one of the tanks 20L at a time over a distance of about 100m and to make matters worse a tap which you needed to hold on that was little more than a trickle.  This took a considerable amount of time and allowed me to get soaked as the rain persisted.  This achieved it was time for dinner and bed.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

I think we are getting more and more rain…it seems to be getting heavier.  Time to have a look at the Babinda Creek later today it must be pumping.

Looks like another great day for schooling and hopefully a walk somewhere later in the day.  We have a couple of thoughts for the day.  One put on the jackets and check out the Water Fall way up around the Palmerston Highway and Millaa Millaa.  Travel to Cairns for some supplies and really ease the boredom or just hang around and play some UNO.

Looks like Mt Bartle Frere is going to have to wait awhile.  Rain is on the forecast for another two days and then it may still be overcast.  I am determined however to climb Mt Bartle Frere before we leave North QLD come rain, hail, shine and dare I say it snow…

Update (live).  We have ended up at Innisfail for lunch at Maccas and a chance to play in the playground for the kids.  We can top some supplies here and will go for a walk to Joesphine Falls later.  At this stage it looks like we will head to Heinretta Camp Ground tomorrow between Innisfail and Millaa Millaa to check out the waterfalls in the region, they should be primed with all this rain.

Update again:  Now torrential rain…wow!

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Still at the Boulders waiting for the rain to disappear so we can climb Mt Bartle Frere summit, Queensland’s highest peak. 

It has been a day full of massive downpours and that means…schooling for the kids…and Free Willy.

Apparently this place (Mt Bartle Frere has cloud 8 out of 10 days and is the place of Australia’s (or QLD’s) highest rainfall – what chance do we have of the rain stopping, huh.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

We awoke after a night of rain and it was still pouring down.  Good day to push hard with the schooling and knock off a couple of days in one.  That’s what we did finishing up around lunch time.  The kids have an amazing school room really, much better than four walls and 35 kids in a classroom.  They get one on one tutoring for 2 hours a day and then the rest of the time to play, I wish I was a kid again!

So after school we decided to put on the rain jackets and head for the Barron Gorge and Devils Lookout in the day use area of the Boulders (just 5 mins away from the camp area).

Check out the write up on this page: http://bushmanbud.com/sight-seeing/barron-gorge-devils-lookout-at-the-boulders-babinda-qld/

What I like about walks with the kids is that we get time to connect and relate as a family.  Whenever we are walking the kids (although sometime not happy about the walk) come alive and chat from start to finish.  On the longer walks we do, I wonder how they manage to keep all the chatter up…sometimes chatting away for over 8 hours…awesome.  When I think about the quality time we have all shared making cubby’s, walking, around a fire, playing UNO, singing at bedtime I realise how lucky we are to be travelling this great country of ours and are blessed to have spent more time with my kids than most parents would in a lifetime.  Sad but harshly true.  Perhaps we should all get one year out of life to experience this.  Imagine the look term benefits a family would enjoy for the bonding experience!  Maybe it should be like paid paternity leave Tony!!!  You can only dream hey…and how fortunate we are to live that dream.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Up at 7:00am and wasting no time we headed for the Boulders.  We had missed out the previous two days but not today.  On the way there we passed two vehicles we had seen the day before so we were feeling very lucky…and we were.  There were two sights to choose from and we had set up camp and were schooling by 9:00am.

After schooling we had an early lunch and decided to play.  The kids had already met friends so I went for a ride down to the Devils Canyon lookouts.  The walk was an easy 750m bitumen based walk to the furtherest lookout and was spectacular.  I rode my bike there and was exploring so didn’t take my camera along.  I will be back down there before we leave for a few snaps though.

Along the way I met a man taking photos of all the ferns in the area.  I stopped and had a chat to him for about 15 mins and he filled me in on many different types of ferns in the area.  In fact I was standing on the walk way and in front of me he could count 60 different species…amazing.  He gave me some useful information about the flora and I left him feeling much better informed and surprisingly interested in the ferns on my trip back up the walk path.  The man was sooo passionate about the ferns that he made the whole thing entertaining and interesting.

Back in the main day use area I found the track that runs 17 klms to the ….camp ground and goes up and over the main range skirting close to Bartle Frere.  I rode 4 klms up this track and had an awesome time mountain biking through creeks, mud and undulating walk path.  Have a look if you have a bike, you will enjoy the challenge of the ride.

Heading back to the day use area I found Lovely Lynda, Jess and Amy at the water hole swimming and playing like the day before.  They were having fun swimming in the water hole and swinging on the rope swing, falling into the beautiful cool creek.  They were having a ball and it reminded me of the pleasures you enjoy when you take risks in life by steeping out of life and enjoying its simple pleasures.

Back to camp, dinner and a nice sleep were now on the cards.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

From the campsite this is a small walk to the day use area and the start of the track.  Barron Gorge is 600m along a well formed bitumen track and Devils Lookout is 450m.

Both these areas are well worth a look for a number of reasons.  Firstly the stunning rainforest walk and secondly the beautiful Babinda Creek that snakes its way through the gorge and finally the immensity of the river in fill flow.  You can look around at the size of the boulders in this river and imagine the river thundering through the gorge picking up trees and throwing them like tooth pics to where they are now positioned.  Imagine the whirlpools created in the river gushing around in the circular rocks, imagine the enormous power of the raging torrent speeding down the gorge…breathtaking.  Make sure you check this place out, it is a tranquil short rainforest walk with great vistas along the way.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

Today we were going to head from our free camping spot a Babinda about 6klms West to the Boulders free camping ground situated about 6 klms West of Babinda set in beautiful rainforest on the Babinda Creek on the boundary of the Woonaroonan National Park.

Before going there, I decided to get on the roof of the caravan and clean the solar panels and to try and figure out the issue with the “Fantasic Hatch.”  I worked out that by reversing the car along side the van and hopping on the wheels held by the dual wheel carrier I could safely climb onto the roof of the van.

I cleaned the solar panels and checked the output in full sun.  We were getting about 21 amos which was down on full capacity.  This confirmed my suspicions that one of the solar panels was not functioning properly.  I checked the fuses in the battery and regulator compartments but found all in order…back to the drawing board I guess.

Next the Fantastic Hatch.  There is a switch on the hatch similar to that on a fridge or car door which allows power to the fan only when the hatch is open.  These switches get dirty and get sticky.  They can, however only be reached from the roof of the van which is a little bit of a pain.  This was the problem the switch had pretty much ceased up.  I took apart the switch but no amount of cleaning or WD40 would get it function properly again so I joined the wires together to act as an override whilst I could source a replacement switch.  Perfect, fan is now working again.

It was now 11:00am and we figured we had probably missed the boat as far as getting a spot at the Boulders was concerned.  We decided to leave the van at Babinda and drive to the Boulders free camp first.  Arriving there confirmed what we already thought.  Oh well, we left with a new determination to get there tomorrow.

We did however go to the day area and have some fun.  There is a great swimming hole at the Boulders (croc free) and Bushman Bud, Joey Jess and Orangatang Amy were quick to jump in and out cool down.  While we were swimming some other kids came along and showed JJ and OA a rope swing…awesome.  The next ½ hour was spent getting enough courage to let go of the rope swing and the next half hour having great fun dropping from the rope into the creek.  The kids had a ball and I enjoyed videoing the experience.  The drop off the rope was really high so I was impressed with the courage they found.  Check out the video here:

After the fun was had, the skies darkened and it began to rain…hard.  It was about 2pm and pointless going back to camp to spend the afternoon inside so we decided to check out Bramston Beach.  It certainly was a nice beach with some Islands just off the coast(for exploring if you have a dinghy) but for me Cowley Beach was a better spot.  There were two caravan parks here, one private and one run by the council.  The council park was the pick of the two, more shade, better spot and far cheaper.  The private caravan park looked run down, had no shade and was $30 plus a night.  The only downside of the council park is that it did not cater for power.  I however would pick the council park every time for sure.

We left Bramston Beach and still had plenty of time left in the day and so we headed for Josephine Falls and the beginning of the Bartle Frere walking track.  By the time we had reached the walk track to Josephine Falls it was pouring down.  We got the wet weather gear from the back of the car and we were off.  Other than me who had left my jacket back at the van and had to improvise and use a tarp.

The walk to Josephine Falls is an easy 700m one way walk on bitumen and is easy for all fitness levels.  At the falls there is a swimming hole at the base of the falls with a water slide courtesy of huge slippery boulders.  This would be cool fun on a warmer sunny day.

The falls themselves are fed from Babinda Creek which starts high up near the peak of QLD’s highest peak – Bartle Frere.  By the time the water hits the falls the creek has swollen into a cascading torrent and is an amazing sight as the water spills over massive boulders and down the three tier falls…this is spectacular, especially with beautiful rain forest as a back drop.

There are three viewing platforms for the falls and creek as it cascades through the gorge, each worth a look.  Josephine Falls is a must !!!

Back to camp, dinner, Wipe Out and bed…awesome day!

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia

The plan today was to leave Cowley Beach and spend a couple of nights at the Boulders Free Camping area on the border of the Woonooranoon National Park.  By the time we got there (just after lunch) all the spots had been taken (only five available) so it was back to Babinda where there is a pleasant but very busy secondary (but much larger) free camping spot.  We found out that you need to be at the Boulders by 10:00am for a chance to camp there.

Earlier in the day we had lunch at Innisfail on our way through to the Boulders.

Back at Babinda we parked next to the playground and watched the kids play and had a relaxing end to the day.

Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia