Local Travel. North to Cairns Again

North to Cairns Again.

After enjoying Cairns last September with my sister Noeline and brother-in-law Kevin, plans became a reality for myself and N.Z. friends Fay & Bob Sparrow and Allan Read, all fellow workers of Placemakers in Hamilton.
It was the 31st. of August, I caught the shuttle bus to Brisbane Domestic Air Terminal to meet up with my friends who caught an early flight from Hamilton and were already waiting my arrival. I was a little late as there was an oil spill just off the Gateway bridge and many cars were involved in accidents which were being slowly cleared and banked the traffic up for many kilometres both ways.
After a happy reunion we all boarded a Virgin blue plane for the two and a half hour flight to Cairns. On arrival a van from the motor camps took us to the Villa I had booked for five nights, it was comfy, set among lots of lovely trees with a frequent bus service to the city, the large Brothers Club within walking distance and lots of shops close by so we were set up for all our needs.
No time was wasted in planning the next few days. Firstly a must trip to Kuranda, an old gold mining town now alive with craft shops and markets. We booked the refurbished scenic Railway train which followed the old route built by the early settlers through hand hewn tunnels, across many bridges and sharp curves, a stop to view the beautiful Barren Falls which put on a great display after an unusually wet winter. On reaching Kuranda and the beautifully restored station with its grand display of colourful flowers and palms, our bus was there to take us to the top of the town. The markets were full of local craft along with large displays of aboriginal artefacts. I noticed the shops also had a splattering of Asian goods, which is sadly what is happening to what used to be all locally made craft and paintings.
Our return journey to Cairns was on Skyrail Cableway, which takes you above the canopy of the rainforest on the 7.5 klm. Journey offering some spectacular views of forest, coastline and city. A stop to view the Barron falls from another angle, the winding road to Kuranda could be seen far below.
The very pleasant day ended with a visit to the huge Brothers Club to enjoy a lovely meal and drinks.
Next day we decided to hire a car to go to Port Douglas travelling over the most scenic “Cook Highway” coastal road, just one hours drive from Cairns. We stopped along the way to view some pretty unspoilt beaches, especially Palm Cove there were a few small towns along the way. The first stop in Port Douglas was for morning tea at the wharf complex and a walk around the many pleasure and prawn fishing craft and designer shops. A steep climb above the town gave us a grand view of Four Mile Beach, a popular spot during the winter, no swimming in summer because of the jellyfish called Stingers, a shame! The town was full of tourist shops so a little retail therapy was called for. It was agreed by all the seafood lunch we had there was a rip off, shame.
The return journey was through the old sugar mill town of Mossman, with it’s many lovely old pubs and houses. Moving on through the tablelands, over Mount Molloy, then a mix of forest, sugarcane, macadamia and paw paw. The landscape was scattered with huge termite mounds, a stop at Mareeba to sample the Coffee Works plantation cafe, very nice, freshly ground to your taste. We then took the Kennedy highway passing through Kuranda once again and this time driving through the winding roads of the rain forest back to Cairns
Next morning we returned the hire car and decided to explore the C.B.D of the city starting with a walk around the water front, there were many markets, a march past of the armed forces, then on to the popular swimming pool and man made beaches set among lovely landscaped gardens and lawns. Lots of tourist shops and many visitors of Asian origin. We caught the local Sun bus back to our Villa where a few welcome drinks helped to quench our thirsts on this sunny and warm day. The All blacks from N.Z. were playing the Wallabies for the final match of the serries, so it was back to the Brothers club to watch it on the big screen; little old New Zealand had a good win, 34-14 so not much celebration among the Australians. My sister Nancy’s niece Robyn who lives in Cairns came to see me in the club, I hadn’t seen her since she was a small girl, now she is a grandmother!
Bob and Allan went on an all day trip to the outer Barrier Reef to do some snorkelling, maybe a bit scary as they far away from an Island or pontoon, they seemed to enjoy the day, maybe a little sea sick. Fay & I decided to take a half-day catamaran cruise to Green Island, it was a very smooth trip and we were soon in beautiful turquoise waters surrounding the Island. Fay did some close to land snorkelling; I decided it was more comfy in the glass bottom boat on the tropical reef. Lots of beautiful fish, huge turtles and Gropers, also lovely coral gardens. The Island had many shops scattered among shady trees of the rain forest
Our time in Cairns was over and it was time to collect the hire car, for the drive south to Mooloolaba which will take six days. The late model Commodore was nice and roomy for us four plus all our luggage. Soon out of the city we were back to more sugar cane and banana plantations, then orchards of Mango, pineapples and some citrus. Our first stop was the River town of Innisfail, some ceramic tiles were placed along the nicely landscaped river walkway telling the history of the area, some lovely old buildings were scattered around the town. Moving on, we made a short stop at Mission Beach, a lovely little unspoilt town it was just a short boat trip to Dunk Island. Next stop was for a detour to Lucinda where there is a 5.7 klms. Jetty which has a conveyor belt to take sugar out to ships anchored in deeper waters.
Our stop for the night was Townsville, staying at a Golden Chain Motel which gave us a discount, situated on a hill overlooking the River front Flinders Street with it’s restaurants and night clubs .We found the Cowboys club and enjoyed a lovely meal there. The steep walk back up the hill was a challenge on a full tum; we encountered some choice language coming from a group of indigenous people.
Next morning, breakfast was at a lovely waterfront café, an exhibition of art was on display along the foreshore gardens, some very clever and well presented. A drive to the summit of Castle Rock gave a panorama view of the city, very popular for the early morning walks of the fit and healthy.
Our journey continued south, again passing large amounts of sugar cane, the first rest stop being Ayr, then Bowan, both towns with large sugar mills.
Our destination for the next two nights was the beautiful Airlie Beach, about 25 klms. from the inland town of Proserpine. Our motel was booked from Townsville so as not to waste time hunting for somewhere to stay. With a map we were soon settled in and studying the brochures for a day out to the Whitsunday Islands. A two Island Fantasea trip was decided on, and the helpful receptionist gladly booked it for the next day, also stating four senior fares, much to Allan and Fay’s disgust, pleading they were both under 60, however when the $15 discount was stated they didn’t mind joining the oldies group for the day. The evening round of drinks on the small terrace of our unit put us in a relaxing mood and were joined by my nephew Regan Campbell who lives and works in this dream atmosphere. He offered to show us the town and the best places to eat, but somehow we lost him on the way home, I think it had something to do with a local young lady.
The shuttle bus picked us up at the motel and we soon arrived at Shute Harbour where a large catarmaran started our journey to Hamilton Island, the largest in the Whitsunday group. We passed many Islands on the hour’s trip, very smooth seas and a delightfully sunny and warm day. The Island is the cosmopolitan hub, packed with shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and bistros, it’s harbour is home to yachts and cruisers, you may hire a buggy to get around, passing many resorts that cater for the hundreds of tourists. Back on board the Cat we headed towards the beautiful silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, anchored and served a delicious buffet lunch, then ferried to the beach by a motorised barge which carried over thirty people at a time, to relax and enjoy the solitude and beauty, no buildings, just left in it’s natural state, we did swim but it was still a bit chilly.
After a very enjoyable day out we arrived back to our motel with still a little time to explore the towns many tourist shops, plus Airlie lagoon, set among lush gardens, popular for swimmers and sunbathers, once again, no swimming in the sea because of the jellyfish. Somehow my nephew declined my offer to join us for the evening, I guess him having to work was a good reason.
On the road again south, again into sugar cane country and lots of small towns, passing through Mackay, the only major city till our destination at Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. Once again a motel was booked so there was no wasting time, plus it was getting near our cocktail hour so there was not much time to explore the city, we found a nice old pub for a meal. Next morning a 30 klm. Drive took us to Yeppoon, the Capricorn Coast’s major town, which seem to retain its village style appeal while offering some wonderful restaurants, where we enjoyed another huge breakfast.
Just a short drive today to Gladstone where we planned to stay with Fay & Bob’s friends Maree & David Tyrell who live on Boyne Island. Being near midday we enjoyed a lovely meal served at the Gladstone Yacht Club with its great view over the marina. Yours truly had a small flutter on the pokies and came away $16 in credit. We took a drive around the deepwater harbour and facilities of Port Curtis where coal and other minerals are shipped out. Boyne Island is a fast growing housing centre along with the Aluminium Smelter.
We had all stayed with the Tyrell’s last year but this time it was just a one-night visit. By this time I had almost lost my voice, and being very sore and to the delight of everyone I never did much talking. David tried out his old remedy cure of boiled up onions, garlic, and honey etc. quite a horrible mix to drink, maybe it did help but I couldn’t wait to get to bed with some Panadol. Next morning we took a walk along the beach with the dog while David stayed back to cook a huge breakfast for us before we were once again on the road, this time more inland and through much more sugar cane, the old town of Gin Gin and then turning off towards Bundaberg, the city noted for its sugar and rum productions, inland but only 15 klms to the very popular Bargara beach. Allan and Bob wanted to do a tour of the distillery, where Bundy Rum has been distilled since 1888. I have done the tour many times so I joined Fay and went into the city. The tour took an hour and you get to sample two glasses of their fine products.
Carrying on with our journey we travelled through lots of native wilderness to Childers, a heritage town surviving on fruit orchards and market gardens, a few years ago the backpackers hotel burnt down with the tragic loss of 26 young lives, it has been restored as a memorial to these young people and has a large mural with them as a group, very sad.
We arrived in Hervey Bay, our stop for the night and hopefully contact Allan’s cousin. The town is the gateway to Fraser Island, I have never listed the town among my favourite places, there seems to be no centre, but the area is growing rapidly, big companies have built huge branch shops to cope for the influx of people. The marina and jetty area is nicely landscaped, plus lots of apartment buildings dominate the shores.
Next day, our last stage of our trip, we did manage to locate Allan’s cousin and had a very nice morning tea at their lovely hilltop home. Our first stop was Maryborough, another beautiful old heritage town, they were holding an annual town cryers competition, we tried to find an old friend Kevin Maynell, he had shifted and was not home at his new address, next was Tin Can Bay, settled near the Southern tip of Fraser Island which can be reached by barge on an 8 minute journey, it is also a nice quiet relaxing place for holidays or day visits, close by Rainbow beach is another little sleepy spot, with it’s coloured sands. A short drive took us to Gympie, an inland gold mining town, plus sugar. With still a lot of daylight left we took a country road to Kenilworth, winding among rolling country farmland. The small town has quite a few craft shops and a very tasty cheese factory. The road back to Mapleton was through some lovely hilly bush country with some great views of the surrounding valleys. Completing the circle through Nambour we finally arrived at Mooloolaba in time for a relaxing drink, charging our glasses to a prost for a wonderful holiday.
The next few days were for enjoying the beach, the water was still a bit cool but with lots of sunshine it was ideal for sunbathing so my friends can boast a Sunshine Coast tan when they go home.
A trip to Brisbane by train is the way to go, we drove to Landsborough, left the car there, the journey took just over an hour and we were in downtown Queen Street Mall, arrangements had been made with other kiwi friends, Colleen and Ben Ryan and Don and Glad Hewitt for lunch and a chat, plus we had a chance to cast our votes for the New Zealand elections. With our rail ticket we were able to use the river Cat Ferries and local buses so a nice cruise on Brisbane River for an hour was relaxing and rewarding.
One night we stayed at my sister Nancy and brother-in-law Johns home just 5 minutes drive from my place to enjoy a barbecue and meet up with more New Zealand friends Kevin and Olwyne Mc Quillan previously from Hamilton.
We dined out in the evenings, as there are lots of clubs and nice restaurants; a favourite is Sketti, for pasta and pizza and just around the corner from my place. Also a seafood fix at our favourite place down by the canal.
Fay, Bob and Allan had some serious shopping to do, Bob as usual buying clothes and toys for his grandchildren, we enjoyed a few hours and a nice lunch at Kings beach in Caloundra, just 15 klms south of here and all too soon it was time to prepare for a sad goodbye to my friends, we had a farewell breakfast on Kawana Island overlooking a man made beach and all the huge homes scattered along the shoreline, there was still time for a final swim and sunbathe before they caught the Airport bus for the flight back to Hamilton.
So ends another wonderful holiday for us four, plans are already started for our next venture which will be in February 2007, a few days in Melbourne and then a driving tour of Tasmania, something to look forward to, maybe they will be able to make a short holiday here for the sun next winter?
Till next time, it’s goodbye and many thanks for the friendship and travel companions of Fay, Bob & Allan.
Cheers… JIM