Days 6, 7 and 8

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Day 6  - Yungaburra and surrounds

Drizzling rain greeted us this morning, however that did not deter our group from the day’s activities. Early morning stroll up the road for some brekky at the Whistlestop Café for coffee and maybe bacon and eggs for others.
 

Gordon at Phil called us to order at 8:30am for our morning briefing. Local attractions were highlighted but we were to meet at Lake Echam at 11:00am. Just down the road from our motels was a platypus viewing platform where we witnessed a young platypus playing in the pond. For most this was the first time a platypus had been seen in the wild. Then on to the Curtain fig tree a little way down the road. The dense rain forest still dripping from the rain, opened to where this very old fig tree was standing which was host to a huge strangler fig. Very impressive. Then on to Mt Hypipamee Crater Lake however the sign there was a bit misleading stating that it was an 800mtr walk to the lake. As time was marching on and we had to be at Lake Echam to catch our booked 12:00 noon boat ride on Lake Barrine, most elected not to do the walk but to continue to Lake Echam to our meeting place.
 

On to Lake Barrine where Gordon had organized to park near the shore of the lake for photos. A local who had heard we were in the area turned up in his beautiful British Racing Green Triumph TR3. He explained that they lived close by and that this was his closest coffee house.
 

 Soon we were on board our cruise boat discovering the wilderness that surrounded this volcanic formed lake. As we cruised around three enormous amethyst pythons were stunning themselves, well, one was and the other two were enjoying each other’s company. The boat skipper called out for Harry about three or four times over the loudspeaker explaining that Harry was her husband and that she had left him here four days ago. Harry didn’t appear so we moved on. The lady skipper explained that this time of the year the water in the lake turns upside down due to the hotter water below rising. This gives the water a murky appearance as apparently in summer the water is crystal clear.
 

Our boat ride was soon over and it was up into the Tea House for lunch. Whilst we were waiting, our own multi-talented Phil henry treated us all to classical rendition of a tune on the Tea House piano. Well done, Phil!
 

After lunch it was off to Lake Tinaroo to pay respect to our fallen troops in the Afghanistan conflict. The “Walk of Honour” is a very moving memorial to those who gave the supreme sacrifice.  It was not long before many residents joined us relishing in looking at our spectacular cars parked in a row alongside the “Walk of Honour”.
 

After some time our group dispatched with most returning to their respective Motels while others took advantage of more local attractions like the Giant Tinaroo Dam.
 

Happy hour once again and we gathered under the Sail covering the barbeque area of the Curtain Fig Motel. Most decided to eat at the Yungaburra Pub just a short stroll up the road. The pub was a well refurbished country pub and as we were prebooked were given an area to ourselves. After a few noggins, Phil once again tickled the ivories and our group had a hearty sing along. But the highlight of the evening watch watching the Matildas defeat France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Well done girls!
 

After a very busy day we all retired to our lodgings for the night.

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Day 7 - Yungaburra- Herberton-Mt Surprise.
At last clear skies.
 

Roll call at 8:00am. After our normal briefing and a warning that we were about to enter road train country, we again split into two groups before heading off towards Herberton where we were booked in to visit the Historical Village. On Arrival, a designated area was reserved for our parking and we were welcomed to the Village by a lady volunteer who explained what was where and points of interest.

The village is very large and well spread out. Cars of yesteryear, old shops and the wares they sold, old clothes and sewing apparel, working blacksmith shop, bakeries, Butcher shop, service stations, crawler tractors, John Deere tractor shed, old sawmills etc.. 

It would be easy to spend a day or even two just looking at all the displays. They even had a working steam train that they had restored themselves using 100o/o volunteer labour that took 80k plus hours. Some took advantage of the train ride along a short rail line to their most impressive rail workshop

Day 7 - Yungaburra- Herberton-Mt Surprise. (cont.)
At last clear skies.It was explained that the Village owns the rail line back as far as Atherton and it is their ambition to restore the line but need to raise some 6M to 8M dollars to do so.
 

Lunch was at the Village Café and here we were met by several members of the Far North Qld MGCC Chapter who chapter Coordinator John Fransen had organized to come out from Cairns on an impromptu run to catch up with us. This highlights the comradery of MG owners throughout the State.
 

Lunch over it was time to travel out to Mt Surprise for our next overnight stop. Here we also bade goodbye to Brian and Glennis as they had made alternative travel arrangements. 
 

Now you would expect that out here that is very isolated that the roads would be narrow and in disrepair but in fact the opposite is true. The roads were wide smooth at appeared quite new so the trip out through Mt Garnett and on to Mt surprise was very comfortable and event free. The countryside was still nice and green from the recent rain and so no kangaroos or wallabies were encountered. There were a few stray cattle on the side of the road, but they seemed to be traffic conscience and so behaved themselves.
 

Mt Surprise is aptly named at it is a little oasis in the middle of nowhere. We had arrived in the true outback. The caravan park where we were booked in to though was very pleasant and the cabins were very comfortable, however we were warned not to drink the water as the potable treatment plant had broken down. None the less this did not stop the Happy Hour and later a delicious home style cooked roast meal in the parks’ community kitchen by the host was plentiful and enjoyable.
 

After our meal a few gathered for post dinner drinks but did not stay long as most were exhausted from a tiring but enjoyable day. Credit to you both Gordon and Phil.

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Day 8 - Mt Surprise to Charters Towers.
Today again, a very pleasant and cool day. We were once again faced with choices. Visit the Lava Tubes at Undara or travel through the Charters Towers stopping at Greenvale for lunch.
 

 A few elected to go to Undara which meant an early morning start whilst most elected to drive straight through to Charters Towers. The group travelling to Charters Towers once again divided into two groups with Gary leading and me the other. During the briefing Gary didn’t quite burst int song but did recite the first verse of Slim Dustys’ “Three Rivers Hotel”.
 

So off we go once more, the road just as good as the day before and we made good time to Greenvale for lunch. Greenvale is a little ex Mining Town established in the late 1970’s early 1980’s. The Nickel Mine it was built for has now closed but instead of bulldozing the town it was sold off very reasonably and is now a very well maintained tidy town. The pub where we had lunch was named the three River Hotel as in Slims’ song and had a huge rendition of the song sign written on one wall absolutely a must have backdrop for Slim Dusty and Stan McCoster fans. Lunch was quickly served and soon we were off once more although Trevor Andersen’s SP250’s gearbox had developed some strange noises so he, Phil Henry and Barry and Jan decided travel at a more moderate pace and left earlier than the rest of us.
 

Still good roads and we made good time to Charters Towers without any issues. The first thing we noticed on arrival at the Towers was an unusually big cemetery which we later learned was a result from the activities during WW11.
 

After settling into our respective Motel rooms, Phil Henry had planned for the Mayor of Charters Towers, Councilor Frank Beverage to meet and address us on the hilltop of Towers Hill. Frank (the Mayor) was a very interesting person and was obviously beaming with enthusiasm toward his community. He spoke proudly of the fact that his father had preceded him as mayor too. He answered many of our questions and Phil, through some investigative work, had found out it was in fact Frank’s Birthday. Phil then led us all in signing Happy Birthday to him. Frank also pointed out a few other places of interest so we set off to see as many as we could before sunset.
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In the meantime, back at the motel, Wayne was changing yet another fuel pump. In the course of his work, the motelier was speaking to Wayne and offered for us to use the motels barbeque area for dinner. Wayne quickly phoned around and in no time had organized what many refer to as the best dinner of the trip. The lighting was poor, but a couple other residents (young tradesmen) offered their portable floodlight. We accepted on the proviso they join us which they did.  And so ended another busy day.