Cairns Holiday DAY 5

Today was a BIG day!
We packed the cars up and headed off for a drive throughout the Atherton Tablelands. This is the highland of Cairns and surroundings and was spectacular! So much to do...we couldn't fit it all in the one day so will have to go back next time.


Our first stop was to a coffee plantation in Mareeba. Jacques Coffee was apparently the first ever plantation in Australia. It was so interesting to learn about the process of growing and cropping coffee beans and how they turn them into my most favourite drink! I was in heaven! After our tour we all had a cup and tasted some coffee liqueur. We also bought my most favourite treat - chocolate covered coffee beans!! YUMMMM. We also got up close and personal with some termite mounds, which were interesting.

Moving on, we made our way to Yungaburra to see the infamous Curtain Fig Tree. This was very interesting and quite a sight. This is the most amazing tree you are ever likely to see. It is a picture of a century of natural history – a unique example of nature’s unpredictability and power. As one of the largest trees in North Queensland, the Curtain Fig Tree is fascinating and unusual.


Getting a bit peckish now so we stopped at the Mungalli Creek Dairy for some cheese tasting, devonshire tea and lunch. Oh this was such a yummy place - and we were in heaven! Their fetta was to die for - so I had a fetta and chicken focaccia and the most unusual jam and soda water drink! We were stuffed afterward... this is the view from the tea house.



We then went to Millaa Millaa Falls. There are so many gorgeous waterfalls in this area and we desperately wanted to swim in it, but we picked the only day of the week that rained to go here and we didn't want the girls to be too wet and miserable.

Raelene and I were willing to jump in, but Alex wouldn't be happy with me swimming and not her! Maybe next time.

The further south we drove the more devastation from Cyclone Larry we saw. There were a lot of tarped roofs and still a lot of flattened houses and buildings. The banana plantations were stripped and there were trees everywhere. We didn't go quite as far as Inersvale but certainly saw a lot damage. Very eye opening.

Next stop was Lake Barrine. Surrounded by rainforest, this lake was formed by a volancic process some 1200 years ago - and was just so beautiful. It also featured two historic pine trees that are over 1100 years old and are two of Australia's oldest trees. Raelene spent some time 'tree hugging' and doing her hippy thing!! LOL

It was getting dark now and we decided we had seen quite enough for the day. The kids were soooo good. They snoozed on and off in the car and travelled so well - until we were almost home :( Coming down the tablelands (mountains) was interesting. The only way out was down the windy road that lasted 20kms. It was horrible.... it took over an hour and the curves were so sharp and continuous. Unfortunately, both the kids were car sick and threw up at the same time. Alex has never been car sick before but Isabella tends to get sick a bit on windy roads. We found it difficult finding a spot to pull over, but eventually did and cleaned them up. We vowed never to drive that road again, and next time we will rather add time on our trip and go back the other way. Poor kids :(

Day 5 photos can be seen here.