AROUND INNISFAIL

3^rd May, 2013

We’re shifting camp today – swapping our inland rainforest site for a coastal rainforest site.  Another long drive of a massive forty kilometres to Etty Bay which lies just to the south of Innisfail.  Etty Bay is a pretty coastal beach surrounded by Moresby Range National Park and the rainforest truly meets the sea.

Etty Bay

There is a small caravan park, kiosk and surf lifesaving club and over the next three days we pretty much have the whole place to ourselves.  Walks along the beach are very pleasant

Strolling along the beach at Etty Bay

and the lifesavers tell us that the coming weekend will be the last time that the swimming pool enclosure will be used.

Marine Stinger enclosure at Etty Bay

The marine stinger season is at an end and the enclosure will be winched in, rolled up and stored until the stinger season starts again in spring.  That means that surfers will only have to contend with all the other nasties of the ocean depths such as crocodiles, sharks, stone fish, sea snakes, etc. etc.  For the people that run into a marine stinger that hasn’t heard about the season ending … there is always an old tried and true remedy to help should one happen to get stung.  A bottle of vinegar is on hand at the medical aid poles strategically placed along the beach.

First Aid pole at Etty Bay

Of course pouring vinegar over the stings is only the first step.  Getting to a hospital as quickly as possible is imperative and CPR may be necessary before one even gets that far.  Many people have died after an encounter with a marine stinger and they should not be taken lightly.  With the national park wrapping around the bay we are not surprised to see a cassowary wander by and meander down the esplanade.  We are however surprised to see an uninvited guest sunning itself under our awning when we return from a beachside stroll one day.

Lizard on the concrete under our awning at Etty Bay

This beautifully marked lizard wasn’t fazed by our return and took its time in vacating our site.

Who's a pretty boy?

After a few days we decide it is time for a change and move to the northern side of Innisfail and check into Flying Fish Point Caravan Park.  We were looking forward to some nice strolls along the beach and maybe even a spot of fishing but the weather took a turn for the worse and a rain depression settled in for the duration.  In between the showers we managed to take a few exploratory drives around the area and spotted a cassowary taking its morning constitutional.

Can you see the cassowary ....?

It’s amazing how these large birds blend into the landscape.  You would think that they would be easy to spot but they just seem to disappear into the background once they are in their rainforest habitat.

There he is ... easy to spot ... maybe not!

After being cooped up in the van and watching the rain fall for a few days, we decided to get out before the creek behind the caravan park got any deeper.  We had been told of a caravan park that seemed just right for us at Walkamin which is a small town (only a post office/general store and some houses) on the Atherton Tablelands near Lake Tinaroo.  As we approached Walkamin the cloudy skies parted and the sun appeared.  We were greeted warmly by Di in the office at the caravan park and within minutes were settled onto a site.  What a delight this caravan park is!  Spacious sites set around a large undercover meeting area where all manner of social gatherings take place.  With no playground or swimming pool, families with children probably would not find this park appealing but the amenities are kept spotless and it is only a ten minute drive to either Atherton or Mareeba for shopping.  Most of the touristy type things are within a half hour’s drive and Cairns and Port Douglas are about an hour away.  This place suits us fine and will be an ideal base while we are in the area.  And while the coast is still experiencing heavy cloud and rain we have sunshine … what a wonderful place!