Merluna Station

After a quick look around Coen(which took about 10 minutes to walk the entire town)  we left for a 2 day stay at Merluna Station.  This station was originally called Pioneer Downs and York  and was owned by James Burne in 1884.  Today the owners are Cameron and Michelle Maclean.  This station  has more than 400,000 acres with heaps of wildlife as well as the usual farm animals (horses and cattle mainly).  After setting up camp we enjoyed the quiet surrounds (and the pool), chatted with the other few campers and with the MacLeans.

Morning tea of apple pie with two big scopes of ice cream was enjoyed at Archer River Roadhouse on the way to Merluna.

 

 

This local character known as "Toots" was a wife and mother who drove and repaired her own truck for 30 years up here in the Cape.  She certainly did not need to go to "Curves" for exercise.

Truck approaching up,  we slowed right down to a crawl as we could not see a thing!

Neil checking our car

 

 

Finally,  we arrived!

 

 

 

This big shed was built in the 1950's and was then converted into a camp kitchen and entertainment area for campers to use. 

 

 

 

Sunset from our tent  (Mick I used Landscape, vivid setting, sunset - I really love my Canon camera!)

 

 

 

 

On our way to Coen

After packing up our tent we left Laura about 9am, the Peninsula Development road soon became a red sea of corrugation.

Car approaching us

Car past us - hope we are still on the road!

Morning tea at the Hann River Roadhouse and met the famous 15 year old Ozzie!

 

Lunch at Musgrave Road House. Many different guests eating there.

 

 

 

The undulating road to Coen was interesting and a challenge,  the road changed colour from cream to red, the trees were small and spindly. 

 

 

 

We arrived in Coen about 2.45 and are staying the night at the Hotel camp site.

 

 

Laura area

This morning we had breakfast with a quest!

Later we visited "Split Rock Aboriginal Art" (see below) and then drove out to "Old Laura", the original homestead still stand as does some of the other buildings,  the butcher hut was interesting!  Weather is warm and a little windy.  The vegetation and rock formation around here are interesting, tropical plants in the mountains.   On our way to Old Laura we went through a very first water crossing!   Tomorrow we pack up again and head off to Coen.

 

LAURA

This morning we left Cairns, travelling west to Mareeba, onto Mount Molloy and then stopping at the Palmer River Roadhouse for a late lunch - the famous Palmer River Steak Sandwich (we had half each).  We travelled into Lakeland and then to Laura where we will stay for 2 nights, there are a few sites we would like to visit before moving on.

 

 

Map of  the Cape - still a way to go to the tip!

 

 

 Cairns

(Monday 4 August)

There were so many sugar cane farms, as well as pineapple and bananas! 

Morning tea was enjoyed in a café at Tully on the way.  It was raining, apparently the township of Tully has lots of rain as it is at the base of the mountains,  a boot was constructed showing the different water levels experienced over the years.  8 metres of rain was received in 1950!   We arrived at Cairns about 2pm, quickly setup the tent as it looked like rain and then had lunch.  We have decided that there is so much to see here that we will do this on our return from the Cape,  there we are spending the next few days preparing the car and stocking up on supplies.  We leave on Thursday 7 August - can't wait,  we have spoken to so many people who have just returned and hopefully we are prepared.

 

 

Our tent and car at Coconut Big 4 Park

 

 

 

The Strand in Townsville

We actually visited Townsville on Sunday 4,  walked along "The Strand" absolutely beautiful, beach, pool, cafés, grass picnic areas and lots of eateries - we lunched here and enjoyed tender, moist calamari, chips and ginger beer along with all the other tourists.  Many older buildings in Townsville as well as many holiday apartments.

Our lunch!

 Magnetic Island behind

 

View from Castle Hill - the highest point in Townville.

 

 

Charters  Towers

On Saturday 2  August we visited Charters Towers - an old gold mining town with many heritage listed buildings.  Charters Towers is about 1.5 hours west of Townsville.  We left the park about 8.30 and arrived back about 6pm.  A long and interesting drive, open country with lots of road trains.    This town was used for the filming of "Breaker Morant" in which 10" of soil was placed down the main street.  There were many interesting exhibits one of which was a pianola that was placed in front of a piano and would hit (play) on the keyboard the pianola rolls were placed inside the unit. 

 

Main Street in Charters Towers

 

Neil with the owners of "The Royal Hotel" on Main Street

This hotel still operates with permanent residents and guests.  The owner is in the process of restoring  the hotel to it's former glory.  There are so many amazing pieces to be found here.

 

Road train on the way to Charters Towers