Atherton Tablelands then on to Cairns

Started out fairly late from Mission Beach to travel north but firstly to the Atherton Tablelands, which are behind the coastline and rise to around 900m above sea level. I drove to Innisfail where I turned off the main highway towards Milaa Milaa. The number-one crop before ascending to higher ground is still sugar cane, many of the fields in bloom with millions of silvery featherdusters waving at me wherever I drive.

Even though this is a tropical area, at this altitude it looks almost like somewhere in New Zealand

As I get to higher ground, various fruit plantations, Banana, Papaya, Mango. There are several waterfalls in the area, so a bit of a detour would let me see 3 of them in various tropical settings.








Two different waterfalls in the same area


I had very much intended to perhaps spend a night up there at the table lands, but found it rather a lot cooler than what I had anticipated, particularly with a strong southerly airsteam blowing in from the coast. I continued on to Cairns where temperatures were a lot more pleasant, even though there was also a strong southerly blowing down here.

My first impression of Cairns is that of a cosmopolitan tourist town, catering to a variety of tastes and budgets. It does feel really nice though driving through what seems to be a thriving city. I like it very much. I have also found a Trailer Park not too far from the town centre which will allow easy access to restaurants and shops to help me re-plenish my fridge with drink and food.

Tomorrow, after some shopping I will be going on to Port Douglas, Mosman Gorge that I am really looking forward to. I will need to cross the chanel before going on up to Cape Tribulation.