Sat, 29th Apr, 2017 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld (exploring Tablelands)

Beautiful morning – just a bit cool as we (Mum, Dad & I) headed south on the Bruce Highway. Lots of road works still out to Edmonton as they are widening the road for accommodate all the traffic from the outer suburbs.

Stopped at Bellenden Ker café for a cuppa. Picked up some tourist brochures – good map.

Bellenden Ker is the second highest mountain in Queensland (1593m) and has a Telstra tower at the top with a cable car for the workers’ access. Steve’s uncle Greg had to go up and down it a lot.

Just before Babinda I stopped to photograph this beautiful garden. They have been working on it for years.

Did a drive into Babinda for a quick look and out again – home of the Babinda Boulders but we didn’t stop for a dip!!

Crossed the North Johnstone River before we turned west up the Palmerston Range. Perfect day for a photo of Bartle Frere, highest mountain in Qld (1622m) and Bellenden Ker.

Up the range past the Mamu Skywalk which we did before we left Cairns.

Stopped at Crawford’s Lookout to enjoy the view over the North Johnstone River – flowing well too. At least they are keeping this lookout clear of trees. Mr Crawford was the surveyor and Dad has one of his surveying instruments which Dad restored.

Next stop was Henrietta’s Creek and campground. Steve and I stopped here on our first trip in our caravan. It was a work camp area when they were building the road. Dad remembered coming here with Scouts and they built a big fire to make lots of coals then put corned beef in a pumpkin and then buried it in the coals to cook.

Wild ginger is growing well in the creek.

Continued on to a pull off area beside a waterfall with information about the local aborigines, sadly the sign hasn’t been maintained.

Into Millaa Millaa. Checked out the Museum first – of course we have some history here.

Cute little swallow. Rang Ian (who bought Millaa house) to arrange meeting him for a look around the house.

Lunch at the café – they make the best pies and have some beautiful furniture.

Love this one.

Ian is sad that the property isn’t looking great for us but the bugs got into the lawn they had managed to restore and now with all the rain the weeds and grasses have taken over again. More mowing needed. They have done so much as it was in very bad shape. They have done the roof and fixed all the leaks and have been working on replacing the bearers, beams and floorboards – such a big job. Up the front steps.

He found someone to restore the door panels using the correct timber which is wonderful.

They have secured the ceiling so it can be patched and repainted keeping the old plaster moulds etc.

Into the kitchen/laundry area. Walls removed due to rot. A chap involved with The Block wants to help create a design for this area of the house. They have lots of people wanting to be involved in the house’s restoration and even people who will lend/give timber furniture for their aim of creating a B&B/museum or whatever it turns into.

Down into the cellar which is all clean now. Even has a few bottles keeping cool. Still some thick glass from the floor above which Erica got cut into pendants for us.

The man in the bath is still there.

Back to the main room and around the other side to the next floor restoration project of the dining room area.

Back out the front – never noticed the door knocker before. We have a bit of Millaa house with us in the van – metal hooks we hang our keys off.

Down the steps and the path then more steps to the circular drive – one day it will look fabulous. It was always a dream of mine to do it up but such a big job – so glad someone has taken on the challenge and we get to visit.

Said farewell to Ian then drove around to Millaa Millaa Falls. A few local ‘chooks’ wandering around.

The falls are looking lovely with the extra water. Some crazy person was having a swim.

Selfie time.

Continued on along the Waterfalls Circuit but didn’t do the walks to the other falls. Back through Millaa, through Malanda and into Yungaburra. Around to Maralyn’s place for a cuppa with her and Marijke. The dam is still very low, about 50% capacity – view from the front of their place.

Maralyn had cooked a lovely moist Banana Cake so I photographed the recipe – very simple.

About 5pm the temperature started to drop so we said farewell and headed down the Gillies Range. It has been a perfect day.