ATHERTON TABLELANDS

 

20^th June, 2016

Well we have finally made it to one of our favourite places to spend the winter – the Atherton Tablelands. We're trying out a different spot to camp for a while near Mareeba. We are on a property which has only basic amenities but the view across the paddock is marvellous and the quietness is deafening.  In the morning we awake early to the familiar sounds of gas burners on hot air balloons. What the … ? A quick look out the window confirms that we aren't just hearing things. A couple of hot air balloons are landing in the paddock.

Hot air balloons at Ringer's Rest

We quickly get dressed and go outside for a look see. While we watch a bunch of people climb from the baskets and get into a mini bus. Then another mini bus arrives and a new group of people climb out and into the baskets. The balloons then take off and slowly drift away. It appears we have stumbled across one of the landing spots for some commercial hot air balloonists. Well we certainly enjoyed the entertainment and took the opportunity to pat the resident horses as well.

Wok gets a pat

There are lots of birds on the tablelands and Guinea Fowl are often seen wandering by.

A flock of Guinea Fowl wanders by

The southern part of the tablelands is home to many waterfalls but the northern section also has its fair share. These waterfalls are a little more remote and less frequented. Not far away is Emerald Creek Falls so we drive along a gravel road and hike up the mountainside to the top viewing platform.

Emerald Creek Falls

The view back down the mountain is striking and we are glad that it is now all downhill from here back to the car.

Wok takes in the view at Emerald Creek Falls

The information centre at Mareeba is also well worth a visit – if only to visit the statue of the rather large Brahman Bull.

Robyn gets a pat of the Mareeba Bull

It's our wedding anniversary so we decide to do something different and cross off one of those many items on our bucket list. We visit Jaques Coffee Plantation and take a guided tour of the plantation. This tour though is a little bit different. Instead of the normal bus tour we opt for a 'segway' tour. There are only the two of us and the guide. We spend about five minutes learning how to operate the segways and then we are let loose. Our guide beckons us to follow him and off we go into the plantation. The guide (who also works on the plantation) gives us a running commentary on the history of the plantation, how the coffee is grown and how the plantation is maintained.

Wok and Robyn - Segway professionals ... LOL

Our hour long tour turns into nearly two hours as we zip along between the rows of plants. What great fun! It is definitely a great way to get around. The plantation also has a restaurant where you can, of course, taste all the different blends of coffee that they produce. We decide an anniversary lunch is definitely in order and settle down for a nice relaxing meal on the verandah.

Wok's favourite meal - fish 'n chips (with a salad side dish)

Time for some more exercise. This time to Davies Creek Falls which involves another hike up a mountain to the viewing platform near the top.

Wok at the top of Davies Creek Falls

Once again the view down the valley is very scenic but the rough track up is far from user friendly.

Looking down the valley at Davies Creek Falls

Back at camp that night we enjoy a quiet moment watching the horses munch away in the nearby paddock.

A couple of months soaking up the winter sun sounds just about right.  Yep ... life is grand!