Kiwikoala: July 2012

14th June 2012

Time for a weekend away . We decided to go to Innot Hot Springs, about a 1 1/2 hours from home. We were both looking forward to a soak in the hotpools. These natural thermal springs reputedly have healing powers (just like Rotorua Hots Springs in NZ). The spring water was originally bottled and sent to Europe as a healing remedy until 1900s .
It is a lovely camping ground plenty of room for large and small caravans. The cost is $27.00 for two and that includes power.
When you go away you don't think that you may meet some one that you know especially for us being in another country. We had just set up our caravan and were talking outside when we heard a voice call "Margaret." Blow me down here was my boss from Rural Remote, Anne and her partner Gavin were up there also for a bit of R & R. It was great to have happy hour with friends and a soak in the pools. The outside pool temperature was 34 - 36 degs . One inside pool was 40 degs and another small one inside was 45 degs with a cold water pool to hop into to cool off. We were in the 40 degs pool for a short time but it was a little too hot for us.

Marg & John outside the van (Kiwikoala )

Innot Hot Springs

Under cover pool 34 to 36 degs

Inside pools at Innot Hot Springs

Parking area for some of the vans etc

Looking out over a wet land area at Innot Hot Springs

River supplies the hot pools.

A lovely country Hotel at Mount Garnet ( just past Innot Hot Springs)

Archer Creek free camping area

On our way back home we decided to check out the Ravenshoe Steam Railway.
Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland. Situated on the Atherton Tableland , it is surrounded by World Heritage rainforest's with 350 species of birds, 14 species of kangaroos and 12 species of possums. This town was once a thriving logging industry a new alternative-lifestyle population has now developed. There is a great free overnight camp for people with caravans. motorhome, and people who wish to sleep in their vehicles, parked adjacent to the steam railway.
The train is the last operating D17 loco in the world. It goes past the Millstream Falls through the Tully Gorge pass the Koombooloomba Dam and the wind farm . The round trip is 1 1/2 hours. We thought we would have a ride then decided there was not enough time. Which in hind site was good as the train derailed with 120 people on board it that day. No one was hurt. Maybe next time we go there we will have the ride if it is up and running.

Ravenshoe steam railways D17 loco

D17 loco pulling tourist carriage

Pete what are you doing under there. Where's Barb

Millstream Falls

Here are some photos of a Tree Kangaroo which I was lucky to get thanks to some visitors staying at the local caravan park here in Malanda that txt me when it came down for a feed.

Lumholtz Treeclimbing Kangaroo

This Tree Kanagroo is a female and is blind in the left eye.I took this photo about 2 meters from it.

1965 Buick and a1963 retro caravan

1965 Buick and 2 retro caravans at Malanda Caravan park

Mount Quincan near Malanda 6.30 am taken on my way to work.

Anne's pet Butcher bird out at the farm

7th July 2012,

This weekend it is the Malanda show, where all the local farmers and family put produce and crafts and stock into. It starts on the friday night with a parade by the local schools or who ever wishes to put a float in it. On saturday there is judging of the livestock, horse jumping, dairy and beef cattle etc and locally grown veggies and crafts. Marg decided to enter some of her folk art she had just learnt how to do from Anne her sister in law.