Mareeba Rodeo here we come. Marg had never been to a Rodeo before, and John had been to one when he was 7. We got out there at 10.30am They had started having competitions from 7.30am, man they sure start early. They have 37 different events during each day. We watched the women doing the barrel racing. The speed they do that at, is fast . (the winner got around it in 17.96 sec). Then we watched the children doing it that was interesting to say the least. The youngest one was around 2 1/2 Dad held onto the little boy who was sitting on the back of the pony and waving whilst Mum ran holding onto the little pony trying to get round it quickly . The juniors time was 18.41 very quick. They have to run around 3 barrels. Then there was the bull riding and calf roping. The Rodeo rules: If the competitor fails to take his/her stock out 20 seconds after the all clear is signalled, he/she will be penalised 5 points for 5 seconds. Providing that it is not the fault of the stock.
It was interesting to see all the caravans and motorhomes that were parked over night there to see the Rodeo. It is a big event for the area. Included in the show are heaps of side shows and rides.
No we thought about having a try at riding a little bull etc but John said no, he did not want Marg or himself to have any broken bones.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area of Mareeba around the weekend of the 14th July every year.
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| Barrell Racing |
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| Local Rodeo clown |
20th July
John and I had planned a weekend away to the Undara Lava Tubes for some time. Now we had the caravan leaks sorted out and the new tow hitch, it was time for a test run and a weekend away. On our way to Undara we decided to stop at Innot Hot springs for the night and have a soak in the hot pools. Most enjoyable.
Undara is just 275 kms SW from Cairns and lies on the eastern edge of the ruggedly and beautiful Gulf Savannah. The roads are fully sealed and great to drive on . The Undara Volcanic National Park is 762m (2,500ft) above sea level . The Collins family were the first white settlers in this area at a place called Spring Creek, way back on the 13th August 1862. Since then , six Collins` generation have explored these strange formations beneath the land now acclaimed as the the longest lave tubes systems in the world . Approx 160 kms long. They employ up to 35 staff in peak time and in the quiet time 10. They have many different tours at Undara for you to visit the volcanic area. All tours have very experienced guides with knowledge of the local area.
The Archway Explorer Tour: Is a 2 hour tour taking you through lava tubes and learning interesting enviromental geological and historical features of the region. This cost is $50.00 per adult.
The Active Explorer Tour: This is also a two hour tour suitable for the young at heart. This is $50.00 for adults and children $25.00.
Volcano Valley Tours: This is a 4 hours tour with some rock climbing and lava tubes also.$90.00 adults and $45.00 children. This tours includes morning tea.
Wildlife at Sunset. This is a tour of wildlife that surround the area like kangaroos and wallabies, colourful Cockatoos and Lorikeets and many other bird life including the bats , tree snakes etc. $55.00 adults , Children $27.20.
We chose to go on the The Active explorer tour . We found it very interesting in all aspects and would recommend it to anyone who was going to be in the area. A visit not to be missed.The colours of the lava and area is unique . In the evenings around the camp fire they have many different talks about the area. We sat and listened to a guide talk about the wild pigs in the area and what was being done to cull them . Very interesting and a lot of laughs and photos were shown.This happens at 8.00pm to 9.00pm most evenings. See photos below.
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| Undara Woodlands |
Ceiling of the lava tubes
Entrance to a lava cave
Ceiling of the lava tube
Looking up towards to the entrance of the lava cave
Water level inside the lava cave
Rocks in front have fallen from the roof of the cave
For anyone touring around Australia we would recommend that you buy the Motorhome and Caravan magazine from the book agents . A great read and a lot of information can be got from articles that Fred and his team put in it . You also get a dvd of an area that Fred has been visiting and many articles of free camping spots that you can park your RV for the night. These magazines come out once a month.
We were all set to start our touring around Aussie leaving Malanda on the 6th August and make our way to Brisbane to fly out to NZ for a trip to see the family. John had a accident and fell off a ladder when getting down out at the farm on the 26th July . He was only about 1.5 meters from the ground and broke his right ankle in 2 places . After some visits to Cairn's Base hospital it was decided to put a plate and pin across his ankle. The assistance that John was given at the Base hospital was wonderful. Now we have to stay put until the 15th August when we fly out to NZ for 3 weeks. Virgin Airlines have been great, they have made sure that John can have his leg elevated the whole time flying home by giving us 3 seats so he is comfortable and this also on the way back to Aussie. They are having a wheelchair and assistance for us to get him on the plane and off in NZ. Great stuff Virgin Airlines. So looking forwarded to seeing family and friends.
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