I'm Baaaack... from our impromptu whirlwind holiday.
It can be so hard trying to do anything on your own (toddler always in tow) let alone planning a holiday when you have a FIFO family.
How exciting to wake up one morning and think let's just pack the car and take off....
So we did!
Paronella Park
How amazing is this place! I'm no history buff but was totally drawn in by the story behind this amazing castle and property. Wear sneakers though the tracks aren't smooth and just in case your 24 weeks pregnant like I was you don't want to trip! Cabins don't have ensuites and are very small but nice and clean. Entry covers you for 2 years with a chance to renew for free.
Mamu Rainforest Walk
It was a nice walk but I probably wouldn't do it again considering there are plenty of rainforest walks in this area that are free. Entry is about $20 an adult. You walk along a dirt track before getting to the gangway. A lot of the rainforest was cleared due to the past cyclone and we were walking in the dry season so that lush tropical feel was a bit lacking. Highlight of the walk was the viewing tower toward the end. It was nice and peaceful till the older couple we met at Paronella Park happened to be there too and kept freaking out that Miss 20 months wanted to try go back down the stairs. The older woman's nervousness was making me nervous, jumping every time my little one took a step. Then (as toddlers do) Miss 20 months did a no.#2 and the older woman abruptly announced "Ok men we're all going back down now" to change her nappy, I was less than impressed. I'd just climbed over 5 flights, pregnant without the chance to take in a quiet peaceful view of the mountains.
Tchupala Falls
Quite a lovely walk. Just watch any stinging nettles growing by the path, so maybe closed in shoes are a good idea. No entry fee. The falls are pretty big and impressive but the access stairs down to the water is blocked off. Once again past cyclones have damaged them and it's restricted based on safety reasons. Mind you this didn't stop my partner in crime.
Milla Milla Falls
There are two entries to the falls. There's the road for cars and one for buses. Take the bus access road if you don't want to walk down the stairs or you have a pram like we did. The falls are much better during wet season but still quite a lovely place. The water was beyond freezing when we went but there is a hidden little path around the water's edge that will take you right up behind the falls.
Atherton Crystal Caves
Miss 20 months loved running around in here. You're allowed to take photos and touch anything within reach, music to the ears of parents! It's about $20 entry per adult and not what you assume to be hiding within a simple shop front. The Princess of Uruguay is amazing and there are a few other hidden treasures in there too including a waterfall and 3D balls.
Mareeba Coffee Works
We did the all you can eat/drink chocolate and coffee section that includes the coffee museum entry. The coffee museum is interesting it is almost like looking at every single coffee pot, grinder, tea set, roaster EVER made. It's a self guided tour with those audio remotes so you go at your own pace. The coffee was good too but I really was there for the chocolate. The chocolate was amazing! I've never tried chilli chocolate before or lemongrass or pepper, surprisingly really good! Don't worry the milk chocolate was excellent and they have an abundance of it.
Mt Uncles Distillery
Well I really cant report on this one. I haven't had a drink since we decided to start a family and that was over 2 years ago! However they were missing about 3 or 4 spirits but what they did have (according to partner in crime) was good. Food and hospitality was lovely. On the way out there's a paddock with goats, donkeys and a cow which of course we had to stop at. Miss 20 months had been singing 'Old McDonald' the whole trip so was wrapped to see the animals.
Lake Barrine
Well it's history is interesting. An extinct volcano filled with fresh water surrounded by rainforest containing epic cedars. We only stopped by briefly but the tea house is a lovely spot for a meal. There is a boat to take you on tours if you want and plenty of ducks for the kids to chase around or feed. Apart from that, that's all there really is... oh there is a rainforest walk but at this point in the journey I couldn't be arsed.
Cairns Big 4 Caravan Park
We only stayed one night but so worth it if you've got children. Water park, jumping pillows, playground, multiple swimming pools and free pancake brekky. A bit pricey to stay one night but when you weigh up the odds of a child burning off steam versus saving a few bucks it's worth it.
Balaclava Hotel Cairns
The steaks are AMAZING - nothing more needs to be said.
Cairns Kuranda Skyrail
A little pricey and I'd probably only do it once. Was a pleasant peaceful experience and Miss 20 months loved it. We stopped in Kuranda for lunch and attended the markets. The markets weren't that epic and we were hard pressed to find a nice place to eat. Maybe we weren't looking in the right places?
Port Douglas Quicksilver Boat to Adgen Court Reef
If you're prone to motion sickness or pregnant pack some pills with you. They hand you ginger pills for free on the boat but if you want anything stronger you'll need to pay for them. Unfortunately ginger pills are all I can take so for the most part of the journey there I had to grit my teeth and bare it. On the way back I got out of the cabin and we all played on the deck in the sea breeze which made the world of difference.
The actual pontoon seems smaller than I'd imagined but the food was decent, there was an abundance of crew help and the facilities they had promised were all there eg. diving, snorkeling, viewing deck, glass boat etc. They gave us free stinger suits and Miss 20 months looked oh so cute dressed like a bumblebee with her orange life jacket and black suit. We held her and a pool noodle and took turns snorkeling in the ocean. She loved it.
Josephine Falls
As you drive in here it seems like you'd be the only one... err wrong. It is unexpectedly packed and for good reason. The walk is so lovely set amongst a lush rainforest alongside a creek. Once you get to the falls the water is freezing but its about 30C and humid so you don't end up caring too much. There was only one good rock slide (due to the dry season) but it looked fun - I was on Mum duty so couldn't do it. The only downside and what really pissed me off was a huge tour of Asian tourists carving their names into the rock. It could have been anyone doing it and I'd feel the same way. What gives you the right to deface something that's not yours??
Mission Beach
There's not much here and it was quite disappointing. We did eventually (after a horrendous stay at one motel) find the Big 4 Caravan park with the most charismatic hostess and great facilities. Across the road is Mission Beach Boat Hire. We rented a boat for half the day which was excellent. We drove it over to Dunk Island and a few other nearby beaches. Was a superb way to cap off the trip. Miss 20 months could barely keep her eyes open and passed out for half the trip.
TIPS:
If I could only offer 2 tips from my experience it's:
- Pick up those voucher books you see in the tourist pamphlet info walls... We missed SO many 2 for 1 deals, 50% off's etc. It's worth thumbing through them just in case.
- Stay in Caravan Parks if you have kids. There's almost always play equipment and pools which gives you some much needed 'keep the kid happy' time.
When I get some extra time i'll post up some pictures of each place...
X
...and fell in love!
