Entry 5 – 2023 – April – Hughenden to Atherton Tablelands Queensland.
It was around the two weeks mark we had been back on the road travelling again and it felt good. We had clocked up about two and a half thousand kilometres and were nearing our planned destination region for 2023. Our feel-good senses were ticking along nicely and we had some time to slow up a bit from our motoring endeavours.
About 70 kilometres north of Hughenden was another special location, Porcupine Gorge National Park. The campground required online bookings prior arrival. As per usual there was no phone reception at the national park. There were 3 camp sites available for selection and with no pictures or description of the campsites, we took a gamble selecting a site, prior to leaving Hughenden.
We had previously visited Hughenden and decided one night in Hughenden to be suffice this time round. We filled the tow tugs fuel tank, had a look at some new art works on the towns water towers and headed north to Porcupine Gorge.
We stopped a few kilometres prior of the campground at a lookout show casing some of the scenery Porcupine Gorge National Park is noted for.
A nervous inspection of our campsite selection showed it could work for us. Often when setting camp we check the compass, assessing the direction of the rising sun and its passage across the sky. This was definitively important at a location of this type. We managed to position ourselves between some shade producing trees where we could obtain our best solar energy supply. A requirement for our power needs.
It felt good to be camping in the bush again, one of our treasured loves. It was off on a walk along one of the walking trails to another viewing position of the gorge below. The view at the end of the gorge was a rock formation called The Pyramid.
Other than the fabulous scenic viewing points of the national park gorges, the primary publised attraction was a walking trail providing access to the base of the Pyramid. This trail commenced nearby the campground. We had read there were around 600 steps to negotiate down into the gorge with cross backs helping to transverse the steep terrain. There was a sign at the commencement of the walking trail, within “the fine print,” stating it was classified as a moderate difficult walk.
The day time temperatures were still hovering in the low 30’s C. We were up at daylight, planning to get our “Pyramid,” experience in before the arrival of the energy sapping heat.
We appreciated the good support of our walking boots. Even more so when we were exploring the base of the gorge, mesmerised by its beauty, rock hopping for about a kilometre up stream. The surface was quite uneven with plenty of wobbly rocks to negotiate. The reflections of the surrounding country side in the many water pools provided a wonderful spectacle.
Our bodies were feeling hot and clammy. There were so many stunningly beautiful different pools of water messing with your mind. It felt a bit like “pirate days where the sirens would be beckoning you into their waters/clutches.” We came across a pool with a supremely enticing setting we couldn’t resist.
It was a special feeling having the gorge almost to ourselves. We only saw one other couple a long way off during our time in the gorge. We were about half way up when we started to come across other people on their way down. Some were wearing thongs; many didn’t have any drinking water with only one couple looking like they were prepared appropriately for the difficult hike and hot conditions. We returned to our campsite feeling fatigued around 4 hours later. From our camp position we could see some of these people returning. Many were struggling to stay upright, looking wobbly with each, horribly slow step. It was very quiet around the campground for most of the afternoon. We suspect most were sound asleep, recovering from exhaustion.
We enjoyed being buzzed by many colourful dragon flies flying about. A sign of a healthy environment.
We continued heading north along another road not previously travelled by us. Several times we came across low-lying flood-ways covered by flowing waters. We stopped at each one assessing any dangers we might have incurred before proceeding.
People were enjoying hot baths alongside of the creek, by creating hollows in the creeks sandy base alongside of the flowing water. Early in the morning the hot temperature of the seeping thermal water was most apparent.
Around 75 kilometres up the road was one of our main target destinations for 2023. We parked up at the home of fellow caravan travellers Michael and Sue. Their home was located in the Atherton Tablelands with beautiful views overlooking Lake Tinaroo.
Part of their magnificent setting was a grand entrance along a beautiful tree lined driveway and Michael positioned our caravan/home, door where we had direct access to their home. We stepped from our caravan door directly through their home access door.
There were so many different foodfest meals we participated in. Most we neglected to obtain photographic evidence due to our googling eyes and taste buds taking over our thought process.
We spent the best part of our time outside on their deck, mesmerised by a fabulous setting. We were surrounded by a vibrant rainforest with a splash of views over Lake Tinaroo. Mornings and evenings the yard would be crowded with agile kangaroos. There was the constant presence of many different varieties of bird life. It was special, pleasurable viewing when the kookaburras and rainbow bee-eaters put in an appearance. We even had some vibrant Ulysses butterflies fluttering about one day. Once the sun had settled for the night, a screeching, wailing noise would start up announcing the movement of the curlew birds.
Unfortunately, during our first 7 days at Lake Tinaroo it rained every day, at times for the best part of the day. On a positive spin, the rain helped to keep the lake full, delivering wonderful views across its water ways, with a rare bonus of providing some scenic dam wall overflow visuals and the rooster tail was squirting out at full flight.
We appreciated a second week, still at Michael & Sue’s home with more palatable weather, enhancing our views from their home deck. The departure of overcast skies coincided with a long weekend and plenty of activities on the lake surface.
For several days close friends of Michael & Sue (Annie & Stephen) also stayed in their home, enhancing our food selection delights. There was a planned days outing with Michael taking us on a drive showcasing their nearby country side. We were travelling along a track, cloaked by a beautiful rainforest setting. All our feel-good senses were being tantalised by a most magnificent setting. We saw Michael putting his chain saw into the back of his vehicle prior departure, not thinking much of it. The obstacles along the track started to increase.
Michael managed to negotiate his 4wd under a fallen rather large tree trunk. Our 4wd had a slightly lower suspension than Michaels, but we had a loaded roof rack which thwarted our first attempt to pass under the tree trunk. We didn’t want to concede defeat and chose to let all the air out of our tyres and had two people standing on the side step hoping to gain some extra height clearance. Unfortunately, all of our efforts failed to obtain the needed clearance. Michael’s chain saw was in need to be upgraded to around 4 times its current size. We waved goodbye to the other vehicle as it continued along the track and we retraced our route back to our departure location.
We didn’t tire from spending hour after hour seated, gazing at our amazing surrounds. Often, we would be accompanied by a kookaburra who also stayed with us for extended periods. There was plenty of different foods to try and more visitors. It was a great time to be in the Atherton Tablelands.
We had been at Michael and Sue’s home for two weeks and it was time to continue north towards our next planned destination.
Many familiar sights for us in this post and it was lovely to see pics of Michael and Sue at Lake Tinaroo. We have fond memories sitting out on their deck and enjoying a delicious meal together with the beautiful outlook. Safe travels to you both.
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