July - Mt Surprise, Undara, Greenvale

23/7

Very damp and cold this morning. Packed up with the intention of moving to Ravenshoe but only stayed there long enough to get groceries and fuel, and empty the loo. Should have stopped at the hot springs – next time. Drove to Mt Surprise along the Savannah way. Lovely dry warm spot at caravan park. Jo & Joes. Cooked on their BQ and chatted to a couple from Melbourne.

24/7

Up early – bus to Undara National park $75 half day tour. Well – had enough exercise to last a month or more!!!! Great trip to the lava tube. Bus left here at 8am with 21 of us – got back at 2, and a delightful guide –Steve - absolutely full of interesting stuff. Got to the Kalkani crater – and walked to the top. Whew – but we stopped for a puff 3 times on the way up. Easy track but UP! Then we walked right around the crater – could see for miles. Actually see green ribbons of trees where the lava tubes have collapsed and the trees grow better in them. The tubes run for about 160km but only about 7km have been explored at this stage. Only 2 lots allowed to take guided tours in to them.

Then walked down again- boy - my legs felt that. Drove round to the tubes and scrambled down rock falls where the roof had collapsed to get inside them. Amazing.  Ceiling about 6-8 m high with lovely soft silt to walk on. Saw a couple of tiny bats. All had a torch thank goodness. Lovely and cool in there.

So – have booked another night here – want to do washing etc. and it is just very pleasant place to stay. Might go for a walk around the town tomorrow.4 shops I think.

25/7

Lay day again. Park emptied out heaps this morning but pretty full again now. Did washing, then went for a walk into townJ Another 2 CP’s – only $17 at both. General store & garage, pub, coffee shop & garage with gem display plus birds and mini ponies, gem shop/PO. Have booked for $12 dinner tonight – Thai Curry chicken with rice. Lots  of chatting – lovely evening.

26/7

Left around 9 and drove to Oasis roadhouse then Greenvale – 3 hours to do 150km. So many roadworks then normal road then just a strip of seal down the middle and often rough edges so had to be careful. Fortunately not a lot of traffic. In fact was wondering why I seemed alone. Lots more Savannah land but getting a bit more rocky looking. Heaps of cattle and many grazing the long acre. Seems to be plenty of water in dams and ponds. By the time I got to Oasis there were lots more nomads on the road. That park had no power so were not taking bookings – what a waste – all the ones able to free camp anyway! Had a hamburger then on 50 km down to Greenvale. Actually backed up on to the site right beside the concrete slab!!!! Beside a rodeo ground here, and noisy crows.

‘Grader’ grass still everywhere.

Went for a walk to see the Sausage tree – an import from Africa – with no known uses - and only 4? in the country. Talking to another 2 couples then had dinner – Chicken Kiev. A lot of workers here. The town ‘died ‘ when the nickel mine closed some years ago and the whole town was bought by someone for a bit over $1m. Is reviving now. Golf course, good pub, motels and not sure what else.