Top End Travels - Undara to Cairns

Tuesday 4 June 2019 (H to I on map)

Up for a "bush camp breakfast" (for me dry toast) and everyone very cold. I decided to leave my thermal top on as a jumper.

We had a tour of the lava tubes led by a guide that was fabulous at explaining just what they were all about. We saw lots of wallabies as we drove and some butterflies at the walkways. Some of the walkways go way back into the dark depths of the tubes which is quite a breathtaking experience.

We returned to the main camp area for morning tea at the bus then hit the main road (good bitumen and lots more traffic).

Lunch was at Millstream Falls NP quite close to Ravenshoe and the Windy Hill Wind Farm.

We had a stop at Millaa Millaa Falls which were quite impressive. We tried to photograph Ulysses butterflies which flitted bright blue amongst the leaves. Unfortunately whenever they landed they were almost invisible browns.

We came down the Gillies Highway with its 230 bends and settled into the Shangri-La Hotel right out on the point of the port. Beautiful views, jug and coffee in the room, internet and phone reception. Our farewell dinner was a chatty event and we were able to say goodbye to those who were homeward bound in the morning.

Wednesday 5 June 2019

No early morning start today but of course I was awake. Breakfast at the hotel with the others then Karen, Alastair and I walked to town. I was quite underwhelmed by the building site that Cairns seems to be. Just like Sydney!

Just as we were back near the hotel we received our call from John and Marion who were driving down from Topaz to meet us for the afternoon.

After we were picked up we drove to the Botanic Gardens for lunch and a wander. The gardens highlights tropical plants of course but it is amazing to walk amongst giants of the plant world and see amazing butterflies and tiny birds - Yellow Sunbird - feeding in the nectar producing plants.

Back to the hotel then dinner at Mondo's on the pier before retreating to our rooms and doing a little more updating of the blog.

Thursday 6 June 2019

Up for coffee as the sun was rising.

Down for breakfast with Karen and Alastair. Then I took a walk around the point on which the hotel stands. I was impressed by the mangrove seedlings that are poking up through the rocks on the shore line but I bet they will be removed as soon as they show any signs of blocking views along the walkway.

We walked to town again to do a little shopping and to visit the Cairns Regional Gallery recommended by Marion. On the way we were thrilled to see a pair of Thick Knees and their tiny chick walking through the park. It was so well camouflaged against the path.

At the Gallery we viewed the excellent Blak Portaiture exhibition and also did a little shopping of course.

In the gallery shop we met James from the bus mob and enjoyed a last coffee together on a fantastic mosaic table.

On one of the shop windows Karen spotted a Four O'clock Moth. It was quite still while we were there and we could get really close and see its beautiful furry body.

Some of the banyans and other trees in the city are amazing.

Home then to have lunch at another portside restaurant with great views over the harbour area. Then we collected our bags and caught an Uber to the airport. There we filled in our time until our flight home to Sydney.

Wow what a trip! To places I'd heard so much about from Surrey and his plant collecting trips. Karen had also not seen most of the places but Alastair will be happy not to see another tree or blade of grass for a while.

Map of My Journey - Darwin to Cairns

Top End Travels - Karumba to Undara

Monday 3 June 2019 (G to H on the map)

This morning we woke to a cloudy morning which turned quite cold and windy for an outside breakfast.

We drove back to Normanton passing spoonbills and pelicans and at Mutton Hole Ponds there were waterlilies galore, presumably Nymphaea alexii. We actually stopped for me to get photos and saw lots of brolgas on the edge.

At Normanton we caught the Gulflander train, a tourist train run by Qld Rail, to Critters Camp. This was lots of fun but much less comfortable than our bus.

At Critters Camp Faye and Paul had morning tea waiting for us, much to the envy of the other passengers who were all heading back to Normanton on the return train journey.

Back on the bus with the toilet out of order again so there was a toilet stop at Black Bull Siding before our lunch stop at Croydon where we had a bit of time to wander. It was here we started to hit the Grey Nomads as we got closer to civilization.

We had another stop at Cumberland Chimney where there is a beautiful wetland and lots of lilies and birds.

We travelled most of the day on single lane bitumen until we got to Undara for our overnight stay in the old train carriages. These are much more up-market than when Surrey and I stayed in one many years ago (no phone or internet though) but unfortunately I was not as appreciative of the luxury as I could have been as I had a bout of diorhoea. It was also extremely cold so I resorted to wearing my thermals as pyjamas.