We have spent the last week migrating further north from Townsville to Cairns. Our time in Townsville was very enjoyable, catching up with old friends and visiting some of my favourite places. For those that have spent time in T’ville, you will be pleased to know that the JCU crowd are wonderful (as always), the beer at The Brewery is still cold and refreshing, and the coffee at Coffee Dominion is still of the best quality.
After tearing ourselves away from social activities we headed north, stopping at Paluma, Wallaman Falls and Mission Beach on the way to Cairns. Unfortunately, with the wet season not very far off, we had to pick the top couple of stops along the T’ville – Cairns route and have decided to come back to the others at another point in the future. This said, we did catch up with our old family friend Steve at Mission Beach and very nearly didn’t leave this idyllic spot.
At all of the above locations, we were shocked by the damage that Cyclone Yasi has inflicted. Many of the walking tracks in the national parks are still closed due to tree falls and landslips, and there is evidence everywhere of large trees that were blown over and hillsides that were obviously totally denuded of vegetation and that are only now starting to regain some foliage. I tried to capture some of this in the photos (on flikr), but really, you need to see it to believe it.
The bird list is growing at a phenomenal rate – some days up to five or six new species. Some of the best spots of late have been Alligator Creek (south of Townsville) and the Townsville Town Common – literally hundreds of Brolgas and thousands of Magpie Geese at this wetland. Despite the Ivy Tea Cottage closing down, we still managed to hunt down a Victoria’s Riflebird at Paluma (in the wild rather than sharing Devonshire Tea, no less). So far, no success on the Cassowary front, but we are keeping our eyes pealed and Troopy is taking care along the roads.
We are now in Cairns and heading out on a dive boat first thing tomorrow – 10 dives on the outer reef, with the promise of 23 degree water and 20 m visibility. Fingers crossed the reefs are in good condition and that the fishies are feeling friendly! We’re also expecting some humpback whale spotting and Luke is hoping for sea birds.
There are a few of photos from the last days on flikr, and I’ll post some underwater shots later in the week, when we’re back on dry land. Also check out the big thing page for the latest – The Big Gumboot (Tully) and The Big Cassowary (Mission Beach). The shot below is from Troopy’s sticker board – she’s been collecting stickers from big things and world heritage areas, and as you can see, she’s been getting around!!
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