Cardwell

It was wet and dreary when we packed up and left Ingham but the day improved and we enjoyed a pleasant day. Our tour leader found a wonderful morning tea spot at Five Mile creek.

We travelled just a few kms out of Cardwell and set up in this beautiful bush setting at Meunga Creek -  with a little bit of cheating as we have power and water as well! It is so nice to sit around a camp fire again and to be set up in a less regimented manner. We have the backdrop of a pretty little creek - which unfortunately is out of bounds due to crocodiles and of course it hosts millions of mosquitos! We now lather our selves with repellant rather than body lotion. 

In Cardwell we strolled up the jetty and admired the beach fringed by palms. There’s no swimming here of course  as crocodiles frequent the area. We visited the Coral Sea memorial site which was well done. It’s sobering to read how many lives were lost saving Australia from invasion. 

Mark & Kerri have been telling us and showing us photos of a blue swimming hole at Cardwell, but until we actually visited it and saw it with our own eyes,  did we realise how blue it is. It’s the chemistry between the rocks and water which creates the blue. It was a great spot for a quick dip - and to enjoy the natural spa.

A shorter trek at Attie Creek revealed a series of waterfalls providing more photographic opportunities. 

Today we saw the marina which sadly is in a bad state as it hasn’t recovered from cyclone Yasi and recent floods. So.many big lovely houses probably dropped in value and the marina is being overtaken by mangroves. This afternoon we visited Murray Falls and had a dip in the river Murray - very different to our Murray! The falls are so pretty and accessed by an easy board walk. 

Cardwell was also impacted by the recent floods and reading how many cyclones have struck here, you admire the resilience of the locals. They also contend with humidity, rains, mosquitoes, midges, crocodiles and stingers!

 Kerri has taken her task of booking sites to another level by securing us sites at a caravan park in Cairns for $30 a night - we were thinking we’d be paying much more than that. Luckily we’ll  have more funds for dining and retail shopping! We have 5 more nights before we hit Cairns where we’ll meet up meet Chloe & Bryce. We send our best wishes to all readers ❌❌❌❌❌❌