Mt Quincan Crater Retreat near Yungaburra

1 - 4 July 2014

Our next destination was to be quite different again - and very indulgent. We had planned to spend a few days at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat during the Easter holidays but were chased away by the impending arrival of Cyclone Ita. We didn't escape the cyclone completely as she moved down the coast and was still classified as a category 1 cyclone when she hit Townsville and beyond.The managers at Mt Quincan were very understanding of our reluctance to stay with a cyclone approaching and happily rebooked us for the June/July holidays. 

This place is absolutely beautiful and very well appointed. The pole-house style cabins are situated so that you cannot see your neighbours. Our cabin had a great view across farming lands but some have what we consider a better view into the crater itself - and the swamp. The cabins are absolute luxury -including a wood fire and spa bath.Ours also had an outdoor shower - although we didn't use it. The bathroom inside was much cosier! Our package also included breakfast provisions  for each morning - cereal, yoghurt, sausages, rissoles, bacon. mushrooms, eggs, break, muffins - so much food we actually ate some for dinner.

There are a number of walks on the property and we tackled the Crater and Wetlands walking track which takes you down into the crater itself (and a bit of a climb back up again), as well as the Lesley Creek and Fig Tree walk. Both were really nice walks downhill...

One of the features of Mt Quincan is the resident population of Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo which apparently frequent the trees around the cabins - but not while we were there. We were visited by birds and had a nightly visit by possums looking to be fed.

We often visit the Atherton Tablelands so did some of our favourite things while we were there including lunch at the Malanda Hotel, a visit to the very popular Gallo Dairyland to purchase cheese and chocolate, wandering around the shops in Yungaburra and two visits to Hasties Swamp near Atherton where Mick photographed a huge flock of magpie geese and a platypus.

We also had afteroon tea at Lake Barrine, a short walk at Lake Eacham and a visit to the Curtain Fig Tree. We were fortunate that although the weather was very cold at times, the rain held off for most of the time we were "out and about".