Go West (old man)

Back out west. As we didn’t make Croydon on the Gulflander from Normanton and time was on our side (for a change) we decided to head back west and pick up Croydon and places in between. Along the way we found a cheese maker and bought some, waterfalls and didn’t and some fantastic scenery…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It had been suggested that we saw the caves at Ravenshoe but we were ill-advised – they weren’t there. However we found a train station and moved in for the night…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interestingly this site was just $15.00 per night for all facilities and it was full. They managed to squeeze us in. It was here that we learnt that the “caves” were in fact further inland at Undarra and they weren’t caves but lava tubes. So, next day, further west we trundled into Undarra. Shock horror – the only way to see the lava tubes is to take a guided tour at $55.00 per head and there are no concessions. Well we’re here so we pay. I won’t say that it was worth it but I must say that it is spectacular and very interesting. I guess you do need the guide to make sense of the geology.

These are lava formed tubes from a volcanic eruption just 190,00 years ago. Formed as a consequence of cooling of the fringes as lava flowed down hill, but discovered only because some of the ‘roofs’ collapsed leading to the growth of rainforests in an otherwise barren savannah. They are situated on private land but part taken up by State Government as a national park with the tours run by the landowner. I think they’re doing better out of this than farming. But it is worth seeing……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a caravan park attached to the property but it was too dear on top of the entry fee so we found a free camp not far down the road and had a very pleasant happy two hours. Moving on the next day found us in Mt Surprise a bit before happy hour so we found a place to stay and for $17.00 got a reptilian bonus….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell and “Wendy” entertained the assembled masses for over an hour with ‘tails’ of snake bite victims, information on how to recognise snakes (long and thin typically) and how to treat snakebite by lying down (but not dying). I baulked at his offer to try “Wendy”. I really only like male snakes now cos they have two penises (bet you didn’t know that but Russell told me so). Oh there’s s much to learn, I just wish I could remember better or at least more of the important stuff.

We had drinkies till late with Jim and Joan in an effort to forget the snake tails.