Ellis Beach to Horseshoe Bay

Sun 22 May - We drove the bumpy road out of Lake Tinaroo to the Kennedy highway and on to Mareeba where we shopped. Back on the road, thru Kuranda and the descent down to Smithfield at the coast and north on the James Cook highway to Ellis Beach where we had booked for a couple of days. We walked along to the stinger net where we had our first swim in the sea (very nice) followed by a dip in the camp pool. We booked a trip out to Fitzroy Island.

 

Mon 23 May  - A nice sunny day. A nice swim in the pool before lunch and back to the surf for a dip and then a swim in the pool and a read in the sun.

 Tues 24 May – Drove out of Ellis Beach south and into Cairns where we parked, made our lunch, packed our bag and walked to the Ferry terminal for our day at Fitzroy Island. The weather was a bit overcast with the possibility of showers.  We debated where we should cancel to tomorrow but decided we would risk it. A ¾ hour ride on a cat to the island. We spoke to a local who advised us that we did not need full rash vest suits as  it was too cold for the stingers, despite the signage, and that the best snorkelling was at the south end of the beach. We took her advice and tried the south end. Our new gear, provided by Claire, worked great. The views were ok but cloudy skies are never the best. We sat on the beach and ate our lunch until a shower sent us looking for shelter. We sat in a restaurant/bar area while heavy rain fell. After about an hour it stopped so we walked to the other snorkelling area at the north end of the beach. The views were much better with great coral, fish, and even a turtle. Another heavy shower before the ferry back to Cairns. A great day but would have been so much better had it been sunny. Our camp for the night was in Cairns at a camp we were in last year.

 

Wed 25 May – South on the Bruce highway. We were held up by an accident before arriving at Babinda and turn inland to the Babinda Boulders. There was a camping area there, but it was full, so we found a park in the day area and walked down to the river. It was a clear swimming area, so we enjoyed a great swim in the cool water. Boy, can the Aussies moan about water that is about 22C, as being really cold!!!

 Back thru the nice village of Babinda to a cheap camp which was quite full. We walked back to this typical country town.

 

Thru 26 May – We are booked into Etty Bay tomorrow so have decided to stay another day here. A nice sunny morning so we shifted sites for more sun. I did a few jobs in the morning and we read outside until we were eventually driven inside by yet more rain.

 

Fri 27 May – A short drive back to Innisfail, where we headed inland 11 days ago, thus completing the big circle around the Atherton Tablelands and back along the coast. Back out to the coast to Etty Bay. We stayed here about 15 years ago. The camp is right on the beach, and we have a great site looking straight thru to the sea. We walked the length of the beach and will hopefully be able to swim here tomorrow when the surf club is on patrol. This bay is where there are lots of Cassowaries mainly as dogs are banned from the whole area. Sitting having a pear by “Andy” and one came right thru our awning wanting a bite. They are big and quite intimidating. Today has probably the best weather we have had so far, and the forecast is good for the next few days!

 

Sat 28 May – Val did some laundry this morning. After lunch we took our chairs to the beach. No surf patrol but we risked a quick dip in the sea. Very warm. After sunbathing, a read, and watching the sky divers landing on the beach we went back to the camp. Another perfect day. We were glad that we had come back here.

 

Sun 29 May – Drove out to the Bruce Highway and back to the coast at Mission Beach. We stopped at Woollies to find it was closed on a Sunday! We checked into the same camp we had stayed last year but were on a much better site. A bit costly however!  The Sunday Market was on over the road, so we went in search for veggies, as we are out of them. Nothing but craft stuff, so we found a shop for some lettuce and tomatoes. In the afternoon we went over to the beach at low tide. Tried for a dip but saw something moving in the water and beat a hasty retreat up the beach. The threat of crocodiles is a bugger, since the culling of them stopped a few years ago. Had a nice safe swim in the camp pool. The weather is beautiful with no cloud and a nice temperature around 28C.

 

Mon 30 May – Back down to the beach. Many people swimming as the tide was better. We had a great swim, but you are always aware of what’s around you. Sat in the shade and read. After lunch we rode our bikes along the beach, with Dunk Island out to sea, for about 6kms, including crossing wading/wheeling a small river. We ended up at Woollies (open) where we bought some meat to freeze. Back to the camp via a bike path for a cool off in the camp pool. Not much food in “Andy” so we went out for pizzas at “The Pirates Den”, one of the many restaurant/bars in Mission Beach. Excellent!

 

Tues 31 May – We drove out of Mission Beach back to Woollies - getting a bit sick of this place, where we did a big shop. Back on the Bruce Highway for a short trip before heading back out to the coast to the mouth of the Hull River. We are in a small, lovely, cheap Regional Council camping area. A nice walk to the river mouth and back along the beach to our camp. A great sunset looking up the river. Quite a few bities, however.

 

Wed 1 June – We drove south on the Bruce for a short distance before turning inland. This is all sugarcane country and the harvest has just started. The crushing mills are working, belching out huge plumes of brown smoke. They fire the mills using the waist cane. Not very environmentally friendly!! We drove into the hills to a National Park at the Murray Falls. Our camp is in an area of gum trees with the noise of the falls ever present. Only a short walk to the falls which were impressive. Downstream there are some swimming holes but around the edge the mossies were horrendous. After lunch we followed a track which climbed up above the falls with great views of the surrounding country. The mossie coils were lit most of the day.

 

Thurs 2 June – We moved “Andy” to get some morning sun as our batteries are very low. Val hand washed and I scrubbed the floors. They were filthy but are sparkling now. The mossies seem to be a bit less today, so we walked down to the swimming hole and had a great swim in the very cool water. Shifted again to catch the evening sun. Only a few in the camp, but they must think we are nuts!!

 

Fri 3 June – Had to turn off the fridge in the night as the batteries were so low again! We left the Murray Falls and joined the Bruce stopping at Cardwell and Ingham on the off chance of getting our batteries seen to. No luck as all the auto electricians seem to have covid. As we need to be on power at a camp, we chose Rollingstone, a new beach for us. What a great camp. Many of the sites overlook the beach while the rest back onto several large beautiful, ponds. A local told us the camp was once a Barramundi Fish farm. There was also the best swimming pool we have found this trip. Head of Communications (Val) rang several battery places in Townsville, and we will go there tomorrow on our way south.

 

Sat 4 June – 50kms into Townsville to a battery place where our batteries were tested and found wanting! They supplied 2 batteries at a reasonable price, and I fitted them, another $20 savings. We left Townsville and headed south for 100kms to Home Hill where are in a showground which we have been in before. Chose to go off power to test our new batteries. All good. A lovely sunset over the sugarcane.

 

Sun 5 June – Another 100kms to Bowen. We stayed here last year at a camp on the bay but discovered a much better beach and camp at Horseshoe Bay. We have booked here for 3 nights and went straight down to the beach for a great swim. No crocs here as we are away from any rivers and in a very sheltered bay. After lunch we returned to the beach (only a short walk) with our snorkelling gear. There are a few coral outcrops and some fish just off the beach. An afternoon of swimming and reading on the beach before a dip in the camp pool. Not a great pool but with sea swimming as good as it is here, not really needed.

 
Mon 6 June – We drove off site to a garage where we have booked “Andy” in for a much deserved service. They were a bit disorganised, so we shopped for an hour and returned to get the job done. Meant to take an hour but ended up taking 2 hours. Back to the camp for lunch and Val booked a camp at Tailem Bend and tickets for the Australian Supercars 29 – 31 July in South Australia. Back down to the beach for another couple of swims. We have decided to stay here an additional  night and will celebrate my birthday at a restaurant in the resort over the road.

Tues 7 June – It was very humid in the night, and we had some light rain. Cloudy and cool this morning. First cloud since we left the Atherton Tablelands 12 days ago. We walked a track from the beach up to a viewpoint and then to Murray Bay returning via a WW11 radar site giving a 360 degree view of Bowen and its beaches. I have booked “Andy” in for new front tyres and will get them fitted when we leave. A few spots of rain in the afternoon.