Monday 31st July 2023
We woke to inclement weather again today but it was showing a little promise. We went for an early walk to look for the crocodile which has been seen in the area lately. We were told that it wouldn’t be out today As it only comes out to bask in the sun.
We decided today that we would go to Wallaman Falls which are a spectacular waterfall with a height of 269, with a pool 20m deep. When we arrived it was raining and the fog so thick we couldn’t see the falls at all.
We drove to the camp ground and enjoyed morning tea, reading some of the information boards. They were very interesting. We then did the loop track at Stoney Creek. This was a short walk through another rainforest where we enjoyed the varied plant life yet again.
As the weather had lifted, we decided to try our luck for the steep walk down to Wallaman Falls. We were lucky that the fog had lifted and it had stopped raining. The track weaves through open forest along the escarpment and offers amazing views of the Herbert River Valley. As the track goes into the gorge, open forest gives way to vine-thicket rainforest. We enjoyed the steep descent to the lookout of the magnificent falls. The rain and the mist prevented us from making it to the pool for a swim. We tried for a short while but it was too dangerous to continue any further. We enjoyed our lunch with the view of the amazing waterfall, watching the plummeting water fall with such force and beauty.
We then walked back up the steep track to the top where we were lucky enough to see a Ulysses butterfly. They are so magnificent and their iridescent blue wings are unbelievable.
We then headed on our way home, about 2 hours later than we were expecting due to the fog this morning. We were very grateful to have been able to experience this adventure once the weather cleared, we thought it was going to be a non-event. We were so lucky.
We got home about 5.45pm, combined all our efforts under the direction of our Italian chef tonight. We enjoyed a beautiful meal of Pepperonata with turkey meatballs on a bed of sweet potato mash and haloumi. It was amazing as always.
David has had a very big 3 days as the driver and tour guide for Broady Tours. He will enjoy the rest on the island. We ate as prepared as we can be for the rain forecast. Silly me should have brought my heavier rain jacket but I left it in the shed at Townsville. I have bought a poncho just in case we get torrential rain but the guy from the ferry said we should be fine when we saw him this morning.
The next couple of hours was spent packing our bags for tomorrow’s 4 day adventure hike on Hincinbrook Island. We are expecting inclement weather which is very disappointing but hopefully the rain won’t be too heavy. Wish us good luck!
- Lucinda jetty – As we head out to see if we can see the crocodile that has been hanging around here lately. No luck today..
- ..a male Australasian Figbird..
- ..and its female buddy..
- ..a very tiny Sundew..
- ..Jaci enjoying the view at Stoney Creek in the Girringun National Park
- ..a very red little fungi..
- David and Ange walking down to Stoney Creek..
- ..an amazing strangler fig that has surrounded its host tree but at this stage it is still alive..
- ..eventually the host tree dies leaving the strangler fig standing on its own. A hollow fig tree is all that remains of the host. From start to finish, this process can take up to 1000 years..
- ..interesting leaves..
- ..and more fungi..
- ..I love the underneath of this fungi..
- ..and some more as we finish the Stoney Creek Walk..
- ..It is hard to believe we could only see fog in this direction 2 hours ago, now we see the magnificent Wallaman Falls. 269m high.
- ..a couple of kookaburras..
- ..a colourful tree..
- ..and a new sprout..
- ..as Alice heads down the steep Djyinda walking track
- ..as we are mesmerised by the force of the water..
- ..a very happy group – we got to enjoy the walk to the bottom of the falls..
- ..as we try to reach the pool for a swim..
- ..the rock hop got a little trickier..
- .. a little stop together for a photo..
- ..a decision was made – the rocks too slippery from the rain earlier today plus the spray from the waterfall..
- ..we abort the trip to the pool for a swim, and we negotiate the rocks back up from below..
- ..so instead of a swim we enjoy lunch just out of the spray of the falls..
- ..the force of the water was incredible..
- ..as Jaci powers back up the track.
- ..at the top we are lucky to see a Ulysses butterfly, its colours are so vibrant..
- ..as we enjoy a short break at the lookout on the way home..
- ..as the sun goes down on Hinchinbrook Island..
- ..we are saying our prayers that the weather improves for the next four days. Our big adventure starts tomorrow..
- ..a little mudskipper at the jetty..
- Today’s drive was 125km return from Lucinda to Wallaman Falls plus a 3.5km hike up and down 323m elevation and a 1.13km walk at Stoney Creek.