178 - Mareeba Tablelands Cairns

O'Briens Creek Mt. Surprise End

We left Croyden with the intentions of staying at Georgetown, however we got there fairly early, so instead of putting down stumps we decided to head on to Mt. Surprise.

Now those of you who have followed our blog, we did this Gulf Development Road through all these places when we were at Undara ( winter 2010), and so I won't say much about this part of the leg, as nothing new has really happened since 2010, apart from a lot of roadwork.

We had two nights at M. Surprise (Bedrock Caravan Park) just to catch our breath. Nice place, had a grog or five at the Mt. Surprise pub and while the bride just chilled out, I wandered around and took a few more photies of the Mt. Surprise end of O'Briens Creek.

After we left Mt. Surprise our next destination was a retreat we haven't visited before 'Valley View" which is roughly half way between Kuranda Range and Mareeba. So our of Mt. Surprise at a reasonable hour, through Mt. Garnett and headed towards Ravenshoe. As per normal Ravenshoe was covered in mist and fog with drizzly rain. That was the first time we have seen cloud in the sky for about 4 months.

Didn't stop at Ravenshoe, nor Herberton, or Atherton. Been there done that. Our next stop would be "Valley View for a couple of days.

The Val And The RetroLiner All Parked Up At Valley View

The Open Showers "Shower With A Friend Saves Water

The Recreation Room

Great spot Valley View - albeit a little out of the way. We weren't to sure whether to push onto our sons house or go back to Mareeba..........Mareeba won out, so after our stay it was off the the Rodeo Grounds in Mareeba.



What a popular and fantastic place is the Rodeo grounds at Mareeba. I have read so much about this place, and it lived up to everything I expected and more. It was also a good place to base ourselves and discover the Tablelands, although we had visited most of these places when we lived in Cairns '99 to '03.

Some of the rigs @ Mareeba

Now this place is huge, although they told us they were quiet, as we were nearing the end of the season, as most of the "Mexicans" were heading back home to the southern states in time for the AFL. There were about 100 plus RV's of all descriptions, but every body that was there if you had a million in your pocket or not much, no one gives a shit. Everybody is just having a good time.

A Lotto Win Maybe

Who Cares What You Have

The lady above is a traveling junkie. She is 85 and continually travels non stop. She has her home, two dogs and her tow vehicle is an old Ford Falcon. Not as old as the Val may I add. She does travel however for companionship with a gentleman in the blue van behind, purely platonic. Who cares anyway............good on 'em I say.

During our time in Mareeba the bride was quite busy. The beauty of where we were at the rodeo grounds, we were close to the amenities, and didn't really have any neighbours. Just loved it there, and only $105 a week. So I guess it is, as close to free camping with all the bells and whistles for a small weekly fee you can ask for. No wonder this place is the choice for most in the far north. You are close to Cairns (and Cairns is not at all RV friendly), the Tablelands, Chillagoe, Cook Town and is the gateway to Cape York.

Some days we just chilled out, others, I frigged around fitting the battery for the van, or went touring. Also a bonus our son who lives in Cairns does the 60 odd kms drive each morning to Mareeba, as he works there. So the occasional lunch hour Mike would shoot around to see the oldies.

What I did enjoy one morning was the hot air balloons on the days the wind is right, they land in the Rodeo grounds. Great sight and quite entertaining for us Geriatric Gypsies seeing one of these things landing in your own back yard.

This is Captain Macca from "The Dodgy Brothers Air" requesting permission to land 

Feeeeeerk watch out for the power lines Macca!!!!!!!!!!!

Put 'er down Macca......you are now clear to land on runway "Paddock"

Touchdown..We made it!!!!!! Well done Macca

Thank you for flying with The Dodgy Brothers now"Get out you mob"

Your transport back to Cairns I will just have to catch it.

Hey Capt. Macca come back here!!!!!!!!!!!

There was always something going on around the rodeo grounds. One weekend they had a camp draft, other times various entertainers. We of course did a bit of touring as well.

One Saturday we shot down to Cairns to see our son, his wife Haylee and the Grandees. On this day they were gearing up for a 80's theme, 30th birthday bash. The trip down, once again have done a million times is always challenging, especially going down the range.....so being a lovely day we stopped half way down to check out the view.

Looking back towards the northern beaches of Cairns

The birhday girl Haylee and grand daughter all ready for the 80's party

Dinner Time

Being a couple of oldies we didn't stay for the evenings festivities plus I didn't want to drive up the range with the setting sun in my melon. By all accounts however the kids had a blast at their 80's party.

So during our time in Mareeba, we did a bit of sight seeing. And again we have been to all these places before, but time for a refresher. One day we went to Yungaburra, a quaint little village, but I think a little tired. Then down to Lake Barrine, Curtain Tree Fig and Lake Tinaroo. Although I did tours through there in one of my many lives in the area, it was good to see these places again.

The bride and the "Curtain Fig Tree"

More

And a little more

From the Curtain Fig Tree we went to Lake Barrine, Lake Tinarro and then back to Mareeba. Didn't look around Atherton or Tolga....been there done that a million times.

The Cruise boat at Lake Barrine

Lake Barrine is a Crater lake

Time for a cleansing ale over looking Lake Barrine

If you don't put that camera down I'll shove it, you know where (he he!!!!!)

On another day we drove up to Chilagoe, and visited all those quaint little towns on the way through. The road is all but sealed, except for 15 klms in various patches. being a Wally I forget the camera. Anyhow an interesting day out, however now have "been there done that."

That now brings us up to date.  Stay tooooned for........don't know yet!!!!!!