Rather than brave the massive expanse of rainforest on our own we decided to go on a tour. We booked with Captain Matty's Barefoot Tours and had a fantastic day - it really was a day to remember!
Firstly we were picked up from outside the sharehouse where we are staying at 8am, and greeted with a hug from Matty the tour guide. On board the tour bus we then began the ascent to the tablelands, up a very long and windy road. The road had been closed due to an avalanche that had damaged the road during the recent heavy rainfall, but luckily for us the damage had been repaired and the road was useable that day. After about a half hour drive we reached the top the views were breathtaking!
Our first stop was the Cathedral Fig Tree. A huge strangler tree that is over 500 years old! It was enormous and strangely beautiful. It is one of the largest trees in North Queensland, you can even stand inside!
Next stop was Lake Eacham. An extinct volcanic crater lake, that was formed over 12,000 years ago and is surrounded by rainforest - amazing! There were a number of species of fish and turtles living in the lake. We were able to have a swim, but at 9am the water was still a bit too nippy for us, instead we took in the amazing view!
Then back in the bus and on to Dinner Falls & the crater. So the crater is a 138m vertical crater that was formed by an explosive eruption of volcanic gases, but is now a lake, the top is covered in a green algae but it is water underneath. We stood on the viewing platform looking down into it, I didn't get to close to the edge as Im not a big fan of heights...
Dinner Falls was a short walk down through the rainforest from the crater, we were warned not to touch the caterpillars that were crawling on the floor, handrails, pretty much everywhere, as they make you itch!
Although the water was cold we went in for a swim and stood under the waterfalls, which was amazing!!
The crater
The itchy caterpillars!
Jamie enjoying a spot of swimming at Dinner Falls.
After an hour or so of swimming in the falls we trekked back up the hill to the bus and to an Aussie pub for lunch in a local town Millaa Millaa.
Loving the Bundaberg rum!
To the pub for lunch!
Millaa Milla was a really small town,however we did a little bit of exploring after our lunch.....
A statue of Christie Palmerston, who was the first European to find a path through the rainforest, the local highway is named in his honor and closely follows his original path. He was also one of the first European's to find gold on the upper Russell river in the late 1800's.
If you see a Cassowary, don't run.....back away slowly......
Millaa Millaa Falls
Milla Milla falls was beautiful. We went for a swim in the pool and walked behind the falls which was amazing! Then swam though the waterfall (just about made it - the current is so strong, not one for the unconfident swimmers!)
The spectacular view from Crawfords Lookout.
And our final stop for the day was Josephine Falls. An amazing set of waterfalls which had a natural smooth rock slide that dropped into a pool of crystal clear freshwater - we had great fun!
When the river is in full flood its too dangerous to swim, so we were fortunate that there hadn't been any heavy rainfall recently.
So we had an awesome day checking out the rainforest and waterfalls. We learnt lots about the places that we were visiting, saw some beautiful butterflies and dragonflies too!
If you're in Cairns its a must do - check out Captain Matty's Barefoot Tours.
Ps. Whilst walking to Josephine falls we spotted this guy lurking in a tree.
We were advised that he's a 'baby' Golden orb spider... the adults grow to the size of your hand!
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