Tablelands Touring

So it turns out that this was actually our Easter Monday and the other Easter Monday was the Tuesday. Ah well, what is a day muddle up between friends.

On the real Easter Monday we headed to the Atherton Tablelands. On thing my Stepdad really wanted to check out was the area that Mr Sparky grew up in. Also, being a farmer, I think just checking it all out interested him. It was an area they whizzed through 10years ago so I think he enjoyed checking out some of the pretty places and tourist attractions around the place. Sis G really wanted to go to Millaa Millaa Falls (well any waterfall would have done it), Mum was pretty happy to have a look around the Tablelands again and Bro S, well he was happy to go with the flow and the waterfall swimming idea appealed to him too.

First stop, after heading up the dreaded Gillies Range, was Atherton. We checked out Hallorans Hill lookout to get a great view of the area.

We had thought about stopping here for morning tea but then realised that I didn't pack cups (oops). So off we trotted, into town for a quick stop for some cups and to find another park to sit and eat. By then it was more like 'munch' time (morning tea/ lunch). Yes, I just made that up.

After relaxing with the turtles we hit the road again, headed to Ravenshoe (said Ravens-hoe rather than Raven-shoe). On the way there we passed the Wind Turbines on Windy Hill and being the tease that I am I asked Bro S if he wanted to look at them and then drove straight past. We did end up reassuring him that we'd be back. We only did a drive through of Ravenshoe, up the main street and back.

Then it was time to stop in a Windy Hill. It was a bit of a novelty for me to see the Wind Turbines in the sun rather than the fog and rain and it was just a plain novelty for everyone else to see them up close.

Bro S was particuraly interested, giving the information board a good going over.

The wind turbines are actually surprisingly quiet with not much noise other than the obvious turning through air/ moving air sound. The cattle on the farm they are in quite happily graze beneath them.

Then we were off again, along the Old Palmerston Highway, a windy single lane bitumen road that took us through to Millaa Millaa. It is hard to imagine that not that long ago this was a pretty main road, well it was the main road. 

We stopped in at the cafe in Millaa Millaa for some fish and chips. We were getting pretty short on time by then, I had to work that evening, so we took our fish and chips with us to Millaa Millaa Falls.

Another novelty to see the falls in the afternoon sun. More often than not it is raining when I am in this neck of the woods.

I was a lovely day to be hanging out at a waterfall. Sis G and Bro S were keen on a swim and had been hanging for it all day so this was their chance for a quick dip in the chilly water before we headed back to Cairns. I opted out, not because I didn't want to go in but because we were rather short on time and I knew I'd be cutting it tight to be ready for work in time.

It was a nice day, just I shame I had to work and rush us home. It was okay though because I'd managed to get a few nights off so this was one of the very few rush afternoons.

Happened this week: ANZAC Day

Smatterings of Purple

The other morning, I think Thursday last week, I jumped in the car and headed off on am impulsive drive. Maybe impulsive isn't the best description because this plan had been bouncing around in my head, waiting to happen, ever since I saw a splash of purple.

The morning had broken with a rather hazy look and as I wound up the Gillies Range, it was easy to see why. It must have been time to burn off the Gillies to prevent fires later on in the summer heat.

Although the sky closer to Cairns was big and blue with a smattering of clouds,

at the top of the range the clouds had become a bit more than a smattering.

Straight away, right there on the edge of the highway, I found what I was looking for.

Splashes of purple among the green. Speaking of green the poor Atherton Tablelands are looking more on the brown side at the moment. I think recent rain will fix that though.

Jacarandas! It is funny how you don't realise how much you miss something until you don't have it, or more accurately, until you see it and find you want to see more.

You see, growing up in south east QLD, jacaranda trees, heavy with flowers, were the norm at this time of year. Especially in the town I grew up in, where the purple trees were off set with the orange of silky oaks, lining the main street.

I still recall Jacaranda Day from when I was a child, with a parade, markets and the Historical Society's doors wide open for all.

Jacaranda Day stopped for a while there but has been resurrected in the last few years with jacarandas in full bloom being decorated by local businesses and organisations. I unfortunately have been around since it has come back in full spring.

So for me, jacarandas are a reminder of my home town, just as the bright red poincianas make me think of The Station. I thing the pink and yellow of trumpet trees are what really make me think of Cairns.

Some places in Yungaburra had been showered in purple.

This place even had a white jacaranda. Did you know about them? Me either.

Lake Tinaroo even had its share of purple on the banks of the dam.

Coming back from my little side treck to Tinaroo, I spotted a lone jacaranda, very nicely placed for some photos.

In the background some of the Seven Sisters could be seen. They are volcanic mounds and I am sure there is an Aboriginal story to go with the name but I can't find it right now.

After Tinaroo and then ducking back through Yungaburra, I headed on to Atherton.

I knew there was a road lined with jacarandas, just on the edge of town, and they were putting on a show.

I then headed up Hallorans Hill. As you know I have a bit of a liking for getting a birds eye view of places.

From the top of the hill I could again see the Seven Sisters and the patchwork of paddocks surrounding them. Sugar cane, corn and potatoes are the main crops of this area.

I could even see that tractor I had passed on the highway.

There was a good showing of jacarandas in town, at the school.

As the clouds were darkening and looking more storm like I thought it was time to head for home.

Really, I just wanted to view the clouds.

There is something about dark clouds that really set off the purple of a jacaranda.

I didn't beat the rain, in fact I got to travel part of the Gillies in it but when I got to the bottom there wasn't a drop in sight. Pity because the weather was muggy as.

I hope you enjoyed going along with my jacaranda chasing. It has been a while since I've been up on the Tablelands and even longer since I spent time taking photos up there.

Just looking at these I want to go back up and find some more trees. Obsessed, much.

What is showing the season around your place?