Continuing down

Atherton Tablelands
A diverse fertile plateau that covers nearly 65000 square kilometers.  We spent a long time in this area and could easily have spent more if the weather did not disintegrate into rain again – with no outlook for change.  Before it did however we had a great time.

We picked totally the wrong time to visit the small village of Karunda – due to COVID the skyrail and train were limited to certain days and because of that almost everything in Karunda was shut on non running days (the days we were there).  We were in a campsite with no shade, on a slope – kept sliding of mattress and near a caravan dump point – stunk.  Most of the attractions and restaurants were shut so we cut our visit short.  Cute place though. 

The train and skyrail which we did as a one day later were well worth it, spectacular views but would be much better after the wet when the waterfalls were in full flow.  Not for anyone worried about heights, the skyrail is seriously high in places.

https://www.skyrail.com.au/

Crater Lakes National Parks is another amazing place – 2 huge Lakes, Barrine and Eacham and lots of rainforest. Each lake has a long walk around it through the forest with interesting trees and wildlife. Although a separate walk to a waterfall had far too many leeches for comfort.  We were so lucky in this area to see Victoria’s Rifelbirds displaying – even if it was at the top of a tall tree through branches. 

Such an amazing sight.  Trees in the area worth noting are Giant Bull Kauri Pines and 2 huge fig trees (Cathedral and Curtain).

We also finally managed to see Spotted Catbirds which we had heard from Iron Range down, but never found.

Mount Hypipamee is another known bird and wildlife watching spot in this area and it certainly lived up to its reputation.  Our favourite birds here were the Golden Bowerbird and Superb Fruit Dove.   There was supposedly a nesting Peregrine Falcon but we could not find that – or the Tree Kangaroo seen earlier.

We also did a night spotting tour with a guide and saw various possum species, gliders, frogs, snakes and reptiles.  (See more pictures in gallery at end for possums, gliders etc). Again funny how you bump into the same people, here we met an American guy who we had met on the Mackay Sand reef trip.

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-hypipamee/about

Yungaburra is another small town in the area which is great for Platypus viewing – we did this walk twice and saw them on both occasions, although the water was not clear like in Julatten where first saw them.
 

On this walk we were also lucky enough to see 2 young Victoria’s Rifelbird’s practicing their display.  The young males look the same as females, which confused us at first.

Close to here some advice we were given took us to a cane field on dusk – we saw (briefly) the Eastern Grass Owl, exciting.
Lunch at Nereda Tree Factory found us the elusive Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo (2 of), so pleased with that.

Reef trips around Cairns area

I love the reef so while we were around the area we did a few more trips – not consecutive but in between some of the above Atherton stuff.  Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef day trip –Michaelmas Cay is also a bird sanctuary and this tiny piece of sand had over 7,000 birds on it – which later in the season would be 30,000. 

Plenty of turtles here, we saw both green and hawksbill and great coral, Hastings Reef had much bigger fish and plenty of variety.  Great trip.  Frankland Island, a more family oriented trip as you could get out on the island.  The first side of the island was disappointing but the other side had incredible coral – just a pity I did not go alone but on a guided snorkelling tour.  This should have been better but due to many kids from 3 up the guide spent all her time trying to deal with them so what we saw was much more limited than it could have been.

Fitzroy Island was our last reef visit and we stayed on the island for 4 days.  Our luck was not with us though as the weather turned the first day we were here, odd bits of rain not so much the issue as high wind and rough seas.  We could snorkel early in the day each day but by about 10 it was far too rough and visibility was not great anytime.  Still we saw many turtles, black tipped reef shark and a new one to me a Brownbanded Bamboo Shark.  The island also has a tough walk up to the lighthouse and beyond to the top and down the other side.  Amazing views but very steep and rough, only to be done early or if the weather is cool.

Lists of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish etc seen are below the gallery for those interested.