Yungaburra - Bonadio's RV Park

 8 - 12 June 2025

We spent our last morning in Ravenshoe finishing the packing and readying the spare bedroom for the next guest - a friend of Rob and Cheryl's who had travelled with them back from Karumba. We finally left after lunch and made our way over towards Atherton, still not sure which spot to choose for a 4 night stay. In the end, economics won out and we headed to Yungaburra to stay at Bonadio's again. We enjoyed our last visit and the price was much more reasonable that the "high season" charges at the caravan park in Atherton.

This time the park was quite full but we found a good spot in the lower section, facing the rainforest. Once again we went down for the animal feeding and this time, the leaf-tailed ghecko showed itself. Later we wandered about looking for night creatures and were rewarded with a green ringtail possum high up in the trees. We didn't get to see the platypus, mainly because we didn't try very hard.

We went to check on the progress made on our new home and had a talk to the neighbours. They have been working hard to clear weeds from the bush down by the creek, so it looks like we'll have a bit of a job to do when we finally move in. 

One evening we went down to the Curtain Fig tree to see if we could spot the Lesser Sooty owl, and again we heard it but didn't get to see it. It seemed to stay very still and quiet, and out of sight, until we turned off the torch then it would fly over. 

One afternoon we drove to Millaa Millaa Falls. Mick was hoping to get photos of a kingfisher but it didn't oblige. It was a nice afternoon out anyway.

Millaa Millaa Falls is a photographers' favourite

While we were at Bonadio's we had to have a gas leak repaired and also an upgrade to meet the new compliance regulations. Leon was happy to come to us and did the first part of the repair while we were at Bonadio's but he needed a part to finish the job. As it was our last morning there, he agreed to meet us in a park in Atherton to finish the job. That wouldn't happen in the city!

Once the gas job was done, we moved on to Platypus Park for lunch then drove down the Palmerston Highway to our next stop - Etty Bay.

Yungaburra - Bonadio's RV Park

 28 - 30 April 2025

After our short stay in the Daintree we returned to the Atherton Tablelands. This time we decided to stay at a campground we had not been to before, but one which we had heard good things about. Bonadio's in on a working maize farm near Yungaburra, and has been continuously improved over the years. Initially it was for self-contained campers only, but they have added toilets, showers and laundry, a dump point and also now have powered sites. The campground in situated a short walk from the Barron River where playtpus may be seen. The campground itself is well maintained and each night there is possum feeding down at the camp shed. 

We stopped for lunch at our favourite Platypus Park and arrived in the early afternoon. We had called ahead to check that an early arrival would be ok so found our check-in form, and drove down to the campground where we were able to select our own site. We headed in to Atherton where Mick had an appointment then returned to camp to explore the walking paths by the river.

No platypus but still a lovely walk

Mick was keen to go to the Curtain Fig after dark to look for an owl that lives there so we set off after dinner. It was a very dark night and we were the only ones there for most of the time. Unfortunately we didn't get any photos of the owl, but we did hear it, and we saw it fly overhead. As we were leaving a small tour group arrived - maybe they were more successful.

On Tuesday we went shopping and re-organised things again ready for the next leg of our adventure. That evening we joined other guests at the shed to see the possums being fed. They were the cause of great delight - especially for a few international visitors who video called family "back home" to share the experience.

Possum feeding is always fun

We certainly enjoyed our brief stay at Bonadio's before heading on to Ravenshoe for our next house sit.

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".