Yungaburra - Atherton Tablelands

29 January to 1 February 2015

We arrived in Malanda at about lunch time and the heat was oppressive - mid thirties and certainly not what you expect up here. Usually the temperature on the Atherton Tablelands, even at the height of summer, is markedly cooler than on the coast. We spent a few minutes in each of the two op-shops then into the supermarket for supplies and over to Yungaburra. We had opted to return to another favourite spot - Bushland Cottages. We have stayed there quite a few times before and always enjoy the surroundings. There are two cottages - we had Birdwing (2 bedroom) situated just on the edge of Yungaburra village, with a large deck looking out onto the bushland that slopes down to Petersen Creek. The cottage is well appointed with just about everything you could need.

The deck

Not a great angle. On each visit, Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrikes were seen in a fig tree at Lake Eacham.

Because of the heat we decided to head over to Lake Eacham after lunch and a rest. A swim in the lake was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. There were lots of people there, but it didn't feel crowded - there was plenty of space for everyone. On the way home we took a detour down to Lake Tinaroo (Tinaroo Dam) to look for a Ruff that has been reported there - without any luck.

The beautiful Lake Eacham.

Little Pied Cormorant at Platypus Park

On Friday morning we headed off early - before 8.00am and called into Lake Eacham for a quick photo opportunity with some Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrikes that Mick had spotted the day before, then over to Atherton and a stop at Platypus Park, then some serious bird spotting at Hasties Swamp. While we were there Mick met a fellow birder who told him exactly where to find the Ruff at Lake Tinaroo. We also spotted the platypus, but didn't get a photo this time. It's unusual to see one during the day - they are supposed to be nocturnal, but we have actually seen quite a few in the day time.

We stopped in Atherton to have a coffee, buy beer and fill up with petrol, then back over to Tinaroo for another - unsuccessful - look for the bird. Lunch at home, an afternoon nap and then back over to Lake Eacham for another swim. A few clouds were starting to build, and even though it was still hot, there was the promise of rain.




We opted for dinner at The Lake Eacham Hotel (otherwise known as the Yungaburra Pub). Good pub meals at reasonable prices, in a beautiful old building with lots of interesting photos and old world charm. There are several pubs like this one on the tablelands that still reflect their former glory.

Australasian Pipit Lake Tinaroo.

A welcome afternoon storm cooled things down but our planned walk along Petersen Creek had to wait until morning. The walking track and surrounds are well maintained and constantly improved thanks to an active, hard working local land care group. The occasional song of a Shrike-thrush cut through the all pervasive, pulsating buzz of countless cicadas singing from the gums above us. We strolled down the track to a swimming hole below some little rapids and watched dragonflies patrol and then rest on rocks in the stream bed.

There are supposed to be Tree Kangaroos along this walk but we have never been lucky enough to see one. There is always plenty of other wildlife to see if you are quiet and patient. We saw Eastern Yellow Robin, Pied Monarch, Dusky Honeyeater and Varied Triller along with Water Dragons and a snake that slithered away into the creek well ahead of us.

Red-rumped Swallow, one of the targets of the trip, better than nothing!

Juvenile Olive-backed Oriole.

Grey Teal at Hasties Swamp.

There are plenty of places to stop and take in the serenity.

Stuck in a spider web.

Cicada shell on one of the many picnic tables along the walk.

This Goanna eyed us suspiciously as we passed.

This is probably the well disguised nest of a Monarch.

An unusual fungi growing from the base of a tree along the track.

What a racket these make! The sound of summer in the bush.

On Saturday morning, after our walk along Petersen Creek, we drove over to Malanda to the Nerada Tea Visitor Centre. Despite being regular visitors to the Tablelands (Mick for over 50 years) we had never visited Nerada, so we had it on the must do list. The brochure we had indicated the centre was open every day of the week. Wrong! A sign at the turn-off announced that the centre would be closed for the month of February - no problem it was only 31 January, so off we went. A pleasant drive of about 10km through rolling hills and we arrived - only to find another sign about the February closure, and another stating "closed Saturday and Sunday". Bugger! I checked their website later and it does show the new trading hours - but no mention of the February closure. We picked up more supplies and headed back to the cottage. A rainy afternoon cooled the temperature slightly and also restricted the birdwatching somewhat.

Before we headed for home on Sunday morning we had one last look for the elusive Ruff and spotted a platypus instead.  Back down the Palmerston Highway with a stop in Cardwell and lunch in Ingham, then home.

The last morning and still no Ruff. Pacific Black Duck.

Buff-banded Rail by the road on the way to the lake.

Golden-headed Cisticola