Cape Tribulation to Melbourne - May 1999

Cape Tribulation.

The author on top of Mount Bartle Frere, I've just climbed up from the west and are about to descend to the east.

I was there, along with the Fonz.

The view from Mount Bartle Frere.

I've been looking at these photos for a couple of weeks, the thing is I don't know what to write. I remember a great trip with lots of walking, but I can't remember any specific details about the road trip which would be of interest to people.

Mission Beach.

On the road into Blencoe Falls.

Blencoe Falls, from the descent track.

Blencoe Falls from the lookout.

A perfect spot to go skinny dipping.

Croc's don't like running water.........right?

From our hotel room in Townsville, that's Magnetic Island off the coast.

This road trip was the return journey after our Hinchinbrook Island walk, starting in the deep north we visited and did day walks at Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, the Atherton Tablelands, Walsh's Pyramid, Mt Bartle Frere west to east, Mission Beach, Dunk Island, Blencoe Falls, Magnetic Island, Alligator Falls, South Molle Island and then finally the Blue Mountains on the way home.

The Townsville Common.

Magnetic Island.

A Golden Orb spider in the rainforest.

Balding Bay, Magnetic Island.

More of Balding Bay.

All up I did over 210 kilometres of day walks on the trip home, without doubt the highlights were crossing over Mount Bartle Frere, I was lucky enough to get to the summit before the clouds rolled in. The other notable walk was Blencoe Falls, which provided a pristine place for a skinny dip, as well as an adventurous drive in which included driving under a waterfall at one spot.

Alligator Falls.

From our accommodation in Airlie Beach.

We had extended stays in Cairns, Mission Beach, Townsville, Airlie Beach as well as Sam's parents house in Bundaberg and then finally at a B+B in the Blue Mountains.

South Molle Island.

Mid Molle and North Molle, from South Molle Island.

The Whitsunday Islands.

The Dirt.

We drove our Subaru Outback on this trip and the car performed perfectly, the Outback was a perfect choice for a trip like this that included a lot of highway kilometres with a few sections of reasonable dirt thrown in. I used the Tyrone Thomas guide '50 Walks in North Queensland' which is long since out of print I think. At that time his guides were the only choice if you wanted notes on walking in the deep north, there are a few more choice nowadays.

On the Grand Canyon walk in the Blue Mountains.

I've still got a bit of a tan, in the Blue Mountains on the trip home.

The money shot of the Blue Mountains.