DELAYED POST – DAY 1

TRACK NOTES
Ramsay Bay to Nina Bay (Grade: difficult)
Distance: 4 km Time: allow about 2.5 hrs hiking time
Nina Bay to Little Ramsay Bay (Grade: difficult)
Distance: 2.5 km Time: allow about 2 hrs hiking time

Tuesday 1st August 2023
We woke this morning to a little bit of blue sky which was awesome and totally unexpected considering the inclement weather we have had the last three days. We all had to unpack some stuff from our bags and repack a little before we were ready to leave. It was fantastic staying at Lucinda Cove Resort where we could just walk out the gate to the ferry transfer at the jetty. They also allowed us to park our car inside their property and offer a shower on our return which is great.

We headed over to the jetty at 7.50 am and met Jon from Absolute North Charters. Once again he gave an amazing amount of information and shared many stories before, during and after the boat ride. He told us about a couple who didn’t heed the weather warning he gave them on Wednesday last week. They were told to cross Zoe Falls on Tuesday evening and go through to Mulligan Falls instead of camping at Zoe Bay. They ignored the warning, there was 60mm of rain overnight and they got up to Zoe Falls but couldn’t get across it but then they couldn’t get back down either, so they had to camp up near the falls overnight.
He warned us to cross Little Ramsay Creek at 6.30am tomorrow, as it is a big tide and high tide is at 9.06am. The logistics of that is, we need to be ready to leave camp at 6.15am. We still need to be careful of crocs walking on the beach the 1km to the creek crossing in semi light. Plus then need to make a judgement call on when and where to cross as the sun rises. But that is tomorrow’s challenge.

It was great to get that insight. We also need to cross the creek on Day 4 at 12.15pm then walk to the pickup point by 12.45pm. He also said if we felt the need to wait a little longer that was ok. He offers a great service.

So we enjoyed a great ride to the tip of Hinchinbrook Island. We saw a dolphin and stopped to look for dugongs. Unfortunately we didn’t see any today. We continued the scenic ride to the tributary and the jetty. The weather was looking a little inclement and the mountain peak was in heavy clouds but so far the weather is holding. We started the walk at about 10am, the hyperlite crew were on there way.

The day started with a beach walk, followed by a walk through a rainforest, there were several creek crossings, lots of rock hopping around the headlands and it was a very scenic day.

We enjoyed the hike to Nina Peak for morning tea which is a 200m elevation gain over about 600m distance. Boy is it worth the effort, as you can see the north of the islands, all the tributaries from the west and an amazing view to the south. We saw four hikers on their way along Nina Bay. We then hiked on for a little while and enjoyed lunch at Nina Bay. We met our first hikers here and they will more than likely be camp buddies for the next 3 nights. When we arrived at camp at about 3.30pm there were 6 hikers set up. We were happy and felt safer that they had taken the spots closest to the water. We chose our little camp and we all set up just in case the rain came in. So far, so good. Following this we walked to the creek to collect and filter water. This was a little tiny consuming but was in such a tranquil setting it didn’t matter. Then back to camp for dinner, we enjoyed our first camp dinner and chatted for awhile after dinner about creek crossing logistics for tomorrow. We decided we need to be ready to leave at 6.15am.

What an amazing day we had. No crocs but we saw a dolphin, a few birds, some beetles and the most amazing view. We walked along beach, through the first section, over boulders and pink granite. We have had no rain so far. Fingers crossed for another fine day tomorrow.

Sunday 13th August 2023
We decided to have a bit of a stroll around town to see the old buildings, visit the mosaic murals which explain a lot of the town’s history and visit the Pioneer Cemetery. Each with their own story and interesting facts about the town.

By the time we had finished all of this, it was 2pm and we decided to have an early stop, a rest and relax. Very unusual, but very much needed. I even managed a little afternoon snooze. We are staying at the Big 4 which is quite big but a little bit rustic for a Big 4. They have Roast Dinner and live music for $20.

All in all, we had a good but slower day. Yeehah!

Saturday 12th August 2023
After a lovely night and morning at our isolated camp in the Dalrymple National Park about 40km north of Charters Towers, we headed in to the town to see what it has to offer.

Our first stop was the cemetery which was very dry except in the lawn section which obviously was watered as it was very green. There were some beautiful old graves and also some memorials for WWII soldiers.

We then headed in to town and enjoyed lunch in the park. A beautiful green lawn and garden. We have decided to stay in a Motel tonight so we can watch the Matilda’s Quarter Final against France. We also went to Towers Hill where they had information about the town’s gold mining history and its part in World War II. It was quite interesting. We also went in a Word War II Bunker.

We also went and saw a mosaic art wall and a relic from Gold Mining.

Then it was time to watch the soccer. What a nail biting game. Yeah! to the Matilda’s. Now we will have to hang around to watch their next game on Wednesday night.

Friday 11th August 2023
We headed on ourway from Townsville Eco Resort (Caravan park just outside town) and headed in to town for some adventure prepping (freeze-dried food) in case we need it in the next couple of weeks. Choices are kayak paddle or multi-day hike, so we are prepared just in case.

We then took the long way via the Kennedy Development Rd (this section was bitumen the whole way) to Charters Towers, the scenery was lovely, becoming drier the further west we went. We drove through an Army area which looked like they had done a hazard reduction burn along the roadside, this made it look a lot more barren. It was a couple of hours drive and we stopped at about 3pm at a freebie campsite called Fletcher Creek. There would have been about 50 vans here already. We decide to explore a little further up the creek in to the Dalrymple National Park. This was on the Burdekin River. We found a lovely spot (No 4) and decided to book this for the night. It was beautiful. I managed my first yoga session by the river since we have left home. It was beautiful listening to the flow of the river as I relaxed doing my yoga. David did some wandering around looking at wildlife.

We then relaxed and cooked an early dinner and watched the animals come in to visit. We saw brush turkeys, many small wallabies, a willy wagtail, black crows and we were really lucky to see an echidna. It just strolled through camp. It was so restful just watching the wildlife at home in the bush.

I am sure we will have a lovely sleep here tonight.

Thursday 10th August 2023
Well, flexibility is the name of the game, and when a spanner gets thrown in the works, it is just go with the flow.

We got up this morning, packed up our little house at Balgal Beach Units and were on our way about 10am. Not quite sure of our destination, but all that was taken out of our hands when David tried to start the car. It started 2nd try, but unfortunately the battery levels were down and it looked like we may have alternator trouble. So we drove out to the Bruce highway, found somewhere to park in the shade and David did some investigation.

After a little while, he decided it was most likely the alternator. Internet and research was problematic, so we moved on to get a bit closer to Townsville, as this was the most likely to have more Auto Electricians available. So when we get closer to Townsville, we stop and David does some research, finds an Auto Electrician, chooses the highest google rated one and off we go again.

We arrive at Kenny’s Auto Electrical – this was a major workshop with many service vehicles, a huge workshop and about 15 employees. They did some checking for s straight away. We were given a quote within about 15mins and they were on the job 5 mins later. Within 2 hours, the job was done and we were on our way again at about 3pm. It was the most efficient operation and the most successful process I have seen. David was decisive and excellent throughout the whole issue.

Yay! We are on our way again. We headed to Townsville Eco Tourist Resort just south off Townsville for tonight.

Wednesday 9th August 2023
Well we have decided we will stay at the Balgal Beach Units another night. We are feeling more rested and are looking forward to another morning of sightseeing and then an afternoon in. Let’s see if we can manage that schedule. Knowing us, probably not.

I enjoyed a short run this morning out through the very few streets and back along the beach and followed it up with a cool swim in the Units pool. A little tough as I have only been walking lately. Then after breakfast, we headed on our way at about 10am at a leisurely pace.

First stop – Big Crystal Creek in the Paluma Range National Park, this was only 30mins away. The Paradise Waterhole was very beautiful but from the squeals of the young travellers as they jumped in, it was take your breath away cold. We decided not to swim here but wait till we went to our next stop which was the Rockslides, about another 10mins up the road.

Our second stop at the rockslides was another beautiful waterfall with rockslides into the pools. I chose a smaller pool to swim in first hoping that it had been warmed a bit by the sun. Luckily for me it was a little less brisk than the big pools. I enjoyed a lovely swim, a rest lying in the sun whilst David had a chat with a family of travellers doing a years lap around Australia. Such an amazing opportunity. We watched the young boy on the rockslide, so just because I could I gave it a go, hoping I didn’t get wedged in along the way because my bottom was too big. It was a bit of fun for the morning. We then headed back to the Waterhole for lunch in the park. A little bird photography and then a mint icecream at the Frosty Mango.

We then headed home for an afternoon rest. Pretty close to lunch time, it was only 1.50pm. Yay for us! Then a little bird identification, some blogging and a rest.

It’s 5pm and it’s birdy time. Out we go for a walk, cameras in hand. Not too much to see tonight.

Tuesday 8th August 2023
Today we are having a little rest day with the usual housekeeping. After breakfast we headed for a stroll along Balgal Beach. The water looks like it has cleared up a little but it still has a long way to go. The weather is clear, warm with a strong breeze. We walked north toro the little town of Balgal Beach and enjoyed some croc searching and birdwatching along the way.

We are always so surprised how tired we are when we finally stop for a rest. So far today David has done lots of bird watching, photography and identification, a bit of a walk and lots of rest. No work yet, but maybe tonight, or maybe not.

Monday 7th August 2023
Well we have proven the city girl and the country boy sleep best in their own domains. I slept well at Crystal Creek on the Bruce Highway with lots of truck noise and David slept perfect in the bush at Lake Paluma with noises of birds and brush turkeys. We woke to another sunny day, with the birds in their element at about 5am. They were squawking continuously forever. After a lovely breakfast by the lake, we had a not so quick catch-up with our neighbours, a couple from Mulumbimby. We heard some interesting stories. Then we went for a short walk around the lake and in to the rainforest for a little bit. This walk was 24km return so we chose to turn around. Then after a not so short chat to the Townsville Dam worker we walked across the dam wall, then returned to our camp and headed on our way.

We then left the dam and a little way along we went for a short walk down to Birthday Creek Waterfalls, a lovely little rainforest and waterfall. We then went for a lovely drive to Hidden Valley, where the journey was the enjoyment of this drive, as we watched the rainforest change as we went to the western side of the Paluma Ranges. It was much drier and a little more desolate. After lunch by a creek we headed back the way we came yesterday, following a speedy little car around the bends for as long as we could keep up. We were surprised how many people were at Little Crystal Creek again today. We stopped for another ice cream at the Frosty Mango and then headed to our home for the next 2 nights at Balgal Beach Units. David passed out on the lounge for 1.5 hours, exhausted from the last week or so.

We always love the little respite we get in a house for a few days. It also helped that they had a big TV and I got to watch the Matildas win against Denmark. Go Aussie Go!

Sunday 6th August 2023
Today the sun was shining when we woke which was lovely. I had the most amazing sleep in our roof top tent but unfortunately the trucks kept David awake all night (city girl vs country boy). We had a little drying morning, pulling out the hiking tent and mat, putting up the tent and getting it dry which was great.

We then drove along Crystal Creek to the Crystal Creek Beach camping area which would be a nice spot to camp if it wasn’t windy and the water all stirred up and brown like it is at the moment. I think David was hoping to see a crocodile along the banks of the creek, but unfortunately it was not to be today. Then after another beautiful mint icecream, a few phone calls, a technical hitch fix-up and lunch, we headed on our days exploration at about 1.30pm, a little late but that’s ok.

We went to the Paluma Range National Park and drove along Mt Spec Rd, this was 18km of narrow, winding road to Little Crystal Creek, which was a lovely little swimming hole with a few waterfalls. It was very busy, people dotted the rocks, so we just enjoyed a walk through the area. Little Crystal Creek bridge took 2 years to complete. Stone from the surrounding area was used. Today, Little Crystal Creek bridge is apparently the only concrete, arch road bridge in Queensland that remains in service. The 18km of road and the bridge at the waterfall were a venture to provide work for the unemployed in the depression of the 1930s, it was the era of hand tools. Two tractors, a few trucks and two air compressors were initially the only mechanical aids. For two bob a day and with two men per tent, employment lasted 6 weeks if single and 10 weeks if married.

We then continued along to Paluma where we went for a walk through the rainforest to Witt’s Lookout and Cloudy Creek Waterfall. It was a 6km loop trail with the last section walking through the small town. The population of Paluma is 68. The walk was through another rainforest with views of the coast from the lookouts. The creek had a lovely waterfall at the end. There were the usual lovely trees and leaves, views and crystal clear water of the waterfalls.

After our walk it was now 5pm and we still didn’t know where to stay tonight. We finally decided to stay at a lovely campsite at Lake Paluma which was about another 12km drive along narrow, winding, dirt roads. We luckily arrived there just before dark which made finding our site a lot easier, a lesson we have taken a little while to learn. We had a lovely dinner which I cooked at a LED lit table and shelter by the lake. It is a lot colder here tonight as we are 900m above sea level. It was 15°C at 7pm, so it will be interesting to see how cold it gets tonight.

We talked a little about where we both want to go tonight and how long we will be away. So far no decision has been made passed the fact we will get a cabin for a couple of nights this week either at Townsville or Cardwell.

The beach is looking a little messy and brown, hopefully it will clear up in the next few days..

Saturday 5th August 2023
The alarm went off at 7am and the girls were up and getting organised, enjoyed a quick breakie and a cup of tea. As usual, the tour guide suggested a quick drive along The Strand in Townsville  (the foreshore which is really quite pretty) as the girls really hadn’t seen any of the area. They all laughed at David’s desire to cram just a little more in, but they enjoyed it all the same, as well as the cafe coffee they got there as well.
We then dropped the girls at the airport at 8.50am, said our goodbyes and headed back to the motel to tidy up our gear. We unpacked and cleared out all our rubbish from our hiking bags, re-packed them and the car, then headed to the storage shed at about 10.30am.
We spent the next 1.5 hours putting our gear back in it’s place for the next stage of our adventure. Where to now, nobody knows.
At about 12.30pm we headed to the Palmetum – Botanic Gardens for some lunch and thoughts about our next step. Unfortunately, the Cowboys and Broncos are playing today at the stadium here (capacity 25,000) and accommodation is 98% full. So we can’t even find a cabin or campsite around. We head north to Crystal Creek which is unfortunately (NOT) across the road from the Frosty Mango – what a shame. After another mint ice cream for me and mango one for David, we finally check in at about 4.30pm. Still unsure of our next adventure but I am sure we will work it out soon.