Leaving behind the sun, sand, mangrove swamps and mosquitos and changing our bearing to the North West we climbed up to the Atherton Tablelands arriving at our farm stay campground adjacent Ellinjaa Falls.

Malanda

After enjoying a waterfalls tour and a look around Millaa Millaa, we broke camp two days later heading about 40 kilometres north towards East Barron. Entriced by the spectacle of the 1911 Big Pub we stopped for lunch and a look around Malanda. Built from local rain forest timbers, the pub features a silky oak staircase and floorboards.

East Barron

The locality of East Barron is between the towns of Atherton and Yungaburra. Here, Bonadio RV and Nature Park, became our home for the week.

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Yungaburra

Just a few minutes north of Bonadio’s property is the quaint historic village of Yungaburra with many heritage listed building including the Catholic Church.

Yungaburra is close to the southern end of the massive Tinaroo Falls Dam (aka Lake Tinaroo) into which the Barron River runs. The dam was built in the early 1950s when tobacco was the major crop grown in the area. Supplying irrigation for farmers and water for local towns, the dam also produces hydroelectricity. Also a very popular fishing, boating, camping and holiday destination.

Herberton

Herberton Historical Village is a significant outdoor museum just 18 kilometres from Atherton, set on 16 acres and featuring over 60 restored period buildings from the tin mining era. Herberton also boast an excellent Mining Museum.

As well as hundreds of tons of old rusty implements and farm equipment, the historical village has something of interest for everyone with even the faintest love of history. The owners started collecting in the 1970s and have spent an estimated 70 million dollars on the accumulation.

Watsonville

What trip to Queensland would be complete without a visit to Watsonville, named after Robert Watson who found the first tin deposit in the locality. Just eleven kilometres from Herberton, a visit was a must! Unfortunately, when the Americans flooded the tin market and prices fell around the time of World War 1, tin mining became unviable, and the town died.

Atherton

Atherton, with a population of about 8000 is the main business and retail hub for the surrounding districts. Pictured below is the main street showing the (not so) Grand Hotel and the magnificently maintained “Art Deco” Barron Valley Hotel.

Ravenshoe

Leaving Atherton and traversing the highest road in Queensland we arrived about an hour later at Ravenshoe, a pretty old timber town boasting the highest pub in Queensland.

Although it rained almost continuously with varying intensity from mist to torrential during our two day stay, it did not deter the intrepid tourists from visiting Millstream Falls National Park.

Innot Hot Springs Caravan Park

The caravan park at Innot Hot Springs, our last port of call on the edge the tablelands, has a tranquil bush setting and six bathing pools of various temperatures. The source of the hot springs is near Nettle Creek beside the Caravan Park.

Coming Up: Back to the bush. (Jack breathes a sigh of relief)