Finch Hatton...Amazing!!!

After leaving Bowen, we made our way down to Mackay where we had a guy look at our fridge. We bought a whole bunch of stuff to hopefully fix it with but that will have to wait. We left Mackay and headed west to Finch Hatton. There are gorges, fishing and you can see Platypus! When we arrived at the showground ( home for the next couple of nights) the contents of the fridge had spilled out onto the carvan florr! Including 2L of water! So we cleaned that up and proceeded to set up camp. Chris and I decided to put the awning out, so we did so in the rain!

Once we were set up, we explored around town, met the locals (who were really lovely) and then had some dinner. Because we had had such a bad day, I decided to cook up a treat...Chocolate Damper! It went down very nicely!

So today (19/1/12) Chris and I drove out to Finch Hatton Gorge. There are a few water crossings on the way which were pretty and then we had to walk 2.8km round trip to Araluen Cascades which was absolutely amazing!

It was very hard to get right up to the waterfall because the water was running so fast!

Today I was a little in the wars. I stubbed my toe (whilst wearing thongs) before the walk and then 15m away from the car park i tripped over myself and managed to hit both knees my hands, hip and shoulder, Chris thinks i need a lesson or two on how to fall!

When we got back, it was very hot! In the shade it was close to 35 degrees but I'd say it was 40+ in the sun. So we had a rest before watching the storm roll in and out and then we headed off to Eungella to see the Platypus's.

The Showground

 This little guy popped up ironically behind this sign!

We then drove back to the showground, it too was incredible!

Looking down on Finch Hatton

Tommorow we may try our hand at the fishing here.

Backtracking to Bowen

This morning we had another look around Charters Towers and then headed off towards Emerald. We were very excited about the idea of prospecting for saphires but it was short lived. Of course we came up north in the wet season and it is finally becomming wet! So on the road to Emerald we came accross a road closure. We had two options, go back to Townsville or wade it out to see if it opened in the next day or two, running the risk of being stuck in Charters Towers until the water subsided. So off we went to Townsville, our inland trip cancelled but oh well. It was a good little adventure :)

So we went through Ayr and then stopped at Bowen. We have decided to stay a few nights here because apparently there are some good walking trails (if we decide to take the healthy option) and great fishing. So we will see how we go. It is windy and rainy here at the moment but hopefully it will subside tommorow. Chris still made the most of the afternoon playing in the Bowen Bowl :)

Charters Towers, our first inland experience so far

We drove of from Reid River to Charters Towers where we set up in a Caravan Park. The first thing I did was have a nice long shower and took a 2 hour nap (after our little self sufficient camping, without enough water for a shower in the morning!). I didn't sleep very well last night. I was up every hour making sure that the battery was holding charge for our fridge that did work. Luckily I actually caught it when it failed so we had to move the fride onto the jumper pack to keep it going for the night (thanks Scott for that handy tip, it saved about $50 in food!)

Anyway we also had a little look around...

Our new home site for the night

Looking out over Charters Towers, Known for the Gold mines

A Little Rock Wallaby

Fishing at Burdekin Weir

Black Cockatoos

We also saw our first wild Budgies but i wasn't quick enough with the camera. They were really pretty though!

Our first encounter with a cattle road block (whilst prior travelling at 100kms)

Cairns to Chartered Towers

The scenery changes so dramatically as you travel.
From Cairns to Chartered Towers, this is what we saw...

Tonnes and Tonnes of Bananas and Sunshine

Cane Suger

Cane Sugar and Storm Brewing

Big Train

Red Dirt and Sparce Vegetation

Our First Road Train!

We haven't Arrived at Charters Towers yet because we stopped at a rest stop where we spent the night. We met a couple called Ken and Doreen and my can they talk your ear off! Very lovely couple though :)

Mr Fix it at it again :)

Today we had to take the day to do some repairs on the van. We checked the back window that Chris had sealed again and it was still leaking! So he ripped it out and replaced it with a big sheet of metal and tonnes of silicone.

I put a seal around our hatch flyscreen so the bugs couldn't crawl through.

We found the hole in our water tank which explained why every time we turned a right hand corner, water would spill out! Chris figured out why the car wasn't charging the caravan. But we are still having issues with the stupid fridge. Well I guess you can't fix everything! Luckily we bought the Waeco as well.

So after all that hard work Chris took a rest in the shade after working in 35 degree heat and I thought I would take up a grey nomad hobby :)

Hanging out with my Bro's

Last night we stayed at the First City Caravilla Caravan Park in Cairns. It's really nice here and the facilities are good which makes a huge difference. There are nice big trees around which give beautiful shade which is needed in the 35.C heat we've been having.

We got to see Chris and David today which was so much fun. We swam in the pool pretty much all day and then ate all night :) Our super soakers that we got for Christmas have been the best thing ever as we have used them everywhere we end up going!

Sneaky!!!

Chris using Miray as a human shield!!!

All out war..but where is Pam?

Chris Found her hiding spot! Attack!!!

We have a couple things on our mind that need fixing before we leave Cairns. Still having issues with the fridge and the battery in the Caravan charging. But we will get on to that tommorow :)