Linda and I can never have enough of the wildlife. Whether it’s kangaroos, koalas even a scary croc, we’d be excited to see it. Maybe a little too excited to see a croc. So today we went for a hike in the Cattana Wetlands.
It was a short drive from the condo although we did manage to get lost once. Apparently my GPS didn’t distinguish between Cattana Road and Cattana Wetlands. Or maybe I wasn’t conveying the information correctly.
Walking through the Wetlands felt like walking through a jungle. Tall trees with climbing vines perched over stagnant waters, home to crocodiles, at least the signage indicated so. The cackle and singing of birds flitting high and low, a bit shy but also a bit curious to the trespassers into their world.
With all the sounds and smells, we saw very little today. I saw a little red bird I believe was some kind of finch, a bird that looked very much like our white egrets, I heard the raucous sounds of either parakeets or lorikeets, and of course the turkeys which are everywhere. But with all that not a croc to be found. Not a kangaroo to be seen or any other endearing creature.
It was a lovely walk, however, albeit the mosquitoes which were a pesky lot.
In the afternoon we headed to the Cairns Botanical Gardens. We had coffee and scones in the little tea house followed by a short stroll around the lush and colorful gardens.
Our next adventure was to the Atherton Tablelands. We needed an early start because it was a long drive. I might say a long, harrowing drive with its serpentine road ascending a tall mountain, rarely any guardrails and cars descending going like bats out of hell. Bruce clutched the steering wheel tight and said, “I know how pilots feel with people’s lives in their hands.” Quite unnerving and never ending.
We stopped at Heales Lookout to take in the majestic view.
Finally making it to flat ground, we needed to take a break. We found a quaint place on Lake Barrine which is in Crater Lakes National Park.
There is an old fashioned tea house restaurant on the lake that is surrounded by colorful gardens. It reminded us of Maine with its wooden porch adorned with wicker furniture and country charm.
For a mid morning snack, we shared a banana filled crepe with bacon and pineapples. It was delicious.
From Lake Barrine we traveled on to a small town called Yungaburra. Our Lonely Planet guide said not to miss this place, especially if we had limited time.
At the visitor center, the volunteer gave us a brochure which mapped out the wildlife and botanical walking trail. We set out looking for platypus and tree kangaroos but found ourselves in a rainfall. And where were our rain jackets? Tucked nice and safe in our car? So we did get wet and didn’t see much but a wet trail and a creek.
At the end of the trail we walked over a suspension bridge which lead us into a neighborhood and we were lost. Luckily a woman was on her porch and gave us some direction.
All that walking we were hungry again. And it just so happened that we walked right into the backyard of a cute little cafe. More coffee and scones. And the owner gave us a hint on where to see the platypus.
Off again we went to Peterson Creek to find the platypus. And we did. Very, very exciting. Unfortunately, she was swimming under the bridge and the light was poor so our pictures were not great. I didn’t want to use a flash and startle her. It is always so much more fun seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Back on the road again we saw a sign for curtain fig tree. We decided to stop. It was amazing. This tree is 500 years old.
We visited several waterfalls on our way home. Malinda Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Mungalli Falls.
Our last stop was the Crawford Overlook.
Tomorrow we look for Nemo!
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