Cardwell Forest

On Wednesday we drove out to the Murray Falls in the Girramay National Park. As soon as we hopped out the car it was intensely hot and humid. So we hurriedly gathered our swimming stuff and headed for the water.  The water was flowing quite strong so the floating devices were handy and made for a relaxing ride with the current!

It was definitely refreshing but there's still something foreign for us to be swimming in these sorts of water holes, knowing that it's safe from crocodiles but in the back of your mind alarm bells are going off.  We loved it there. Mars swam to the other side to try and get hold of the rope swing but the water levels were obviously too low and made it unreachable.

We spent quite some time there and had the swimming hole to ourselves! We had started thinking about leaving when we noticed company had arrived in the form of a snake swimming in the water! Being unsure of what kind it was, venomous or otherwise we decided to make a speedy exit across the hot, gravelly shore and back to the safety (and airconditioning) of the car!

As we made our way out of the park, we stopped for a quick photo of the waterfall that was creating the current downstream.  We only saw it from the lookout but it is possible to hike around to get closer.

We continued driving and made our way to the Cardwell Spa Pools. Being such a hot day we were a little reluctant to get out of the airconditioned car and so queried a few people in the carpark if it was worth looking at. We were strongly encouraged to go see it, so we all hopped out and made our way down to the Pools. 

The colour was amazing. It was so inviting to jump in! The water was warm, even though it was constantly flowing. We all went swimming and Brenton managed to borrow some goggles to check out all the little fish. We were so glad we went down for a look!  Eventually, the main 'spa pool' became available for us all to sit in and enjoy a natural 'spa' - although it was very slippery to get into!

Eventually we had the whole pool to ourselves! We seem to have that effect when we turn up with our tribe! We all had such an enjoyable time and there was no rush to leave as the water was so nice! Another fabulous part of Gods creation..

 

We made our way back to camp, stopping for some groceries and then back to camp where Chad spent some time fishing and watching the boats come in.

Kurrumine Beach

Monday morning we packed up and made our way South to Kurrumine Beach.  We planned to spend the week exploring the area.

We set up camp and spent the afternoon catching up on some school work / blogging.  It was a beautiful camping spot but swimming was not an option at the beach as there was a river/inlet next to the camp area which was home to a number of large / small salt water crocs.  The weather was a bit humid but the breeze helped to keep the temps down.

 

Rowan and Axel were happy to have some space again to play their own games without the other one bothering them!

Despite the concerns with crocodiles, the boys still insisted on going fishing - and who could blame them! Given the big tides, they had to walk out a fair way to find the water. They didn't have any success though.

The next day we walked up the road a bit and accidentally stumbled into an Anzac Day Remembrance ceremony! We had forgotten the date but were happy to attend. It was well attended for a small town!

After the ceremony we spent some time in the park before heading back to the caravan.  The boys were keen to try fishing again! First they had to do some more school work then they were allowed to go fishing.  Chad caught a small stingray but not much else. I was never very relaxed about them running around in croc territory...

 

In the afternoon we drove around the small town and found the boat ramp. Mars was keen to go for a fish there but I wasn't keen on the idea, particularly after he spoke to a local who confirmed that there was definitely crocs in the river - they keep an eye on them while they're out fishing!

Weekend in Cairns

We organised with Matt & Wilma to head to the Yungaburra Farmers Markets.

To get to the Markets we had to take the drive up the Gillies Range - famous for its 263 hairpin corners, 800m elevation over just 19kms! The cliffs / drop-offs looking down as we drove up were pretty hairy and not worth considering what could happen if you didn't take the corner!

We spent the morning browsing and enjoying the local produce, as well as some yummy poffertjes!

From there we drove out to Lake Eacham, a large Crater Lake. Lots of people were enjoying the freshwater swim but we weren't as keen! A lonely freshwater crocodile lives in the lake but would be well fed - the lake has lots of fish!

We took the Gillies Range back down into Cairns, so glad it wasn't raining - the road would be awful!

We headed back to Matt & Wilmas where the kids had a swim in the pool and then headed out for a belated celebratory dinner for Heath's birthday at Hogs Breath.  After a yummy dinner we headed up the street towards the shopping district and enjoyed some dessert.  Chad scored a soccerball from a backpacker tourist (which made his day)! 

After an enjoyable evening we made our way back to Matt & Wilmas where the kids amused themselves by inhaling the helium balloons!

The following day was Sunday so we made our way to church, with Rev vanGarderen preaching. After the service is coffee and cake followed by a communal lunch. It was very enjoyable! Once lunch was tidied up, the second church service could start.

Once church was finished everyone helped pack up and clean up the hall then we headed back to our base where the kids spent ages in the pool stuffing around with Vernon - which they just loved!

We were invited to Matt & Claire Byls for dinner so we spent a very fun evening there and Karli enjoyed some girl company!