Yungaburra and surrounds

The bonus of coming to this area to stay was that we were able to meet up with Mark & Kerri again and spend a very happy day together. We met at Lake Barrine, which is a crater lake, and walked the 5km circuit around the lake then enjoyed the famous scones & coffee at the tea house. 

On the circuit through dense rain forest, we passed these twin Kauri Pines which are about 1000 years old and huge! 

We then visited Lake Eacham, another crater lake which is set up beautifully for day trippers and was really a lovely spot. We undertook another short walk - well it was supposed to be a short children’s walk but we ended up a little lost and walked a few more kilometres so we ended up with lots of steps for the day! We spied many fish, an eel and these turtles who breathe under water through their bottoms! 

These rainforest walks are just so beautiful and a far cry from our daily walk around the Murray. 
After our walk, we had worn off the scones so headed to Yungaburra for a late lunch - which was too late for the pub and cafes so we ended up buying chips and eating them down by Lake Tinaroo.  The Afghanistan memorial at this southern arm of the lake is very well done and quite moving to read.

We certainly feel very blessed to have spent another day with family - there won’t be any more chances to get together for a while as we’re heading south and they are in Cairns for a little longer. 

We are camped in the private camp ground amongst sugar cane and other crops - and right by the Barron River before it enters Lake Tinaroo. On our morning walk we even saw a couple of elusive platypuses. At night, little marsupials come out to play - and get into rubbish bags if you aren’t careful!

We toured the area and love the pretty Yungaburra township - especially with the beautiful  colourful hanging baskets and pot plants.  We found a swing bridge and looked for more platypus at the viewing area but only saw this one!

The Curtain Fig  tree always amazes us as it’s huge - and to think it’s a parasite which eventually takes over and kills the host tree.

Tomorrow we pack up and head towards the Cobbold Gorge, where we are booked in for a tour on Saturday. We are really looking forward to that as we’ve heard and read so much about this place. We’re gradually bringing out jackets and jumpers and guess soon the shorts will be replaced by jeans! Lucky we have a very efficient diesel heater in our van. We trust everyone is well - till the next chapter of our travels, we send our love ❌❌❌❌