On the road again - Caliguel Lagoon near Condamine, Dalby and Bunya Mountains

Caliguel Lagoon near Condamine

26 – 27 October

We stopped at the visitor centre in Injune and enjoyed a free cuppa while we looked at some tourist brochures. We were tossing up between Condamine and Surat. We decided on Surat and set off again. We stopped for fuel and lunch in Roma and while there made the decision to go to Caliguel Lagoon near Condamine instead. Surat will have to wait for another time. We picked up some groceries in Miles and arrived at the lagoon early afternoon.

Our camp by the lagoon.

In a bush near our camp, lots of Caper White Butterflies were emerging from their pupae. These occur mainly west of the Great Dividing Range and migrate north in late spring. The front of our car is now encrusted with thousands of their tiny corpses suggesting that this was a very good season. For some.

This is a free camp and has toilets and barbecues – bring your own firewood. There were only two others there – a caravan and a campervan. We chose a spot with a water view and settled in for a relaxing afternoon, spoiled only by the number of flies, which were replaced by mosquitoes at dusk. Oh well, that's camping in Australia for you.

A pelican glides past in the late afternoon.

We made this a quick camp – not unhitching the camper trailer and not using the awning so we were able to be away early in the morning.

Dalby

27 - 29 October

We headed off to Dalby through Kogan, arriving in time for coffee at Macca’s before making our way to the caravan park that promised a short walk into town and the creek adjacent. We selected an ensuite site that had some shade and was quite private. After setting up the camper trailer we headed off for the short walk into town across the creek. We managed to find a couple of op shops and located the supermarket. We returned to the caravan park for lunch then drove back down towards the Visitor Information Centre. We stopped on the way at the camping store to pick up a few things. At the visitor centre we obtained information on the Bunya Mountains. All the information we had read indicated that you couldn’t get there with a caravan or camper trailer and the ladies there confirmed that. They suggested a town nearby that would be a good spot to camp for a day trip. We continued with some more shopping and returned to our little camp.

The caravan park is right across the street from the 2016 winning House Rules house.

We consulted some maps and realised that we weren’t really that far from the Bunya Mountains where we were so we decided to stay an extra night and visit the Bunya Mountains for the day. We walked the short distance to the pub – right next door actually – for a very nice, reasonably priced feed for dinner.

We set off early on Friday morning for the 52km drive up to the mountains. The road towards the end is very steep, windy and narrow – definitely not suitable for towing. When we arrived at the top we stopped into the National Parks office for walking track maps. We noticed there was a caravan and a camper trailer in the camp ground. The ranger confirmed that there is a way that is used by trucks to deliver goods but that it is still not recommended.

We headed down the road to have coffee at one of the cafes before setting off on a walk. We chose the Scenic Circuit – about 4kms and a grade 3 track. We had only gone about 20 metres when we came across one of the locals – a large python who didn’t seem to mind us getting close to have a good look and to take some photos. The walk was very pleasant but with a few uphill sections and steps. We stopped a lot to enjoy the view and to look for birds.

Python

Eye to eye with a Bunya Mountains python.

On the walk.

Paradise Riflebird. My second lifer for the Bunya outing. The first was a Black-breasted Button Quail (no photo).

Russet-tailed Thrush. Not a great shot but a nice record.

We returned to the picnic area in time for lunch, which turned into a bit of a comedy thanks to more friendly locals. The Australian King parrots showed a bit of interest in us from the moment we sat down. Actually, not just a bit, quite a lot. Once we took the food out of the bag we were joined by a few birds who obviously hadn’t read the “do not feed the wildlife” signs. They attempted to help themselves which made for an interesting time trying to hide food and get it into your mouth before your feathered friend took hold of it. We couldn’t resist taking lots of photos but definitely did not let the birds get any of the food.

Christie used the phone to take some pics of the cheeky Australian King-parrots.

I think this is a juvenile on my head.

Eating was a challenge with the hungry audience.

Male Australian King-parrot.

Juvenile

Brush Turkey. There is always some of these around.

After lunch we drove over to another spot the ranger had told us might be good for birding. A number of walks leave from Westcott. We started to walk along the Koondaii Circuit but realised very quickly why it is rated a grade 4 – we could see how it doubled back on itself very steeply. We opted to return to the picnic and camping area and spent some time enjoying the surroundings. From there we walked about 800 metres along the Westcott to Paradise track before turning around and heading back to the car.

Eastern Whipbird. The rainforest throws up many challenges to a photographer, low light and abundant obstacles being the main ones. There is a very out of focus leaf in front of the bottom half of this bird.

Young Red-necked pademelon. There are plenty of these about.

We decided to return to Dalby via a different route – through Bell. Again the road was steep, windy and narrow in parts. We were glad we had heeded the advice and not gone up with the camper trailer in tow. It was a very pleasant, but much longer at about 96km, drive home.

Again we were packed up early ready to move on.

Atherton Tablelands

25 - 28 October 2014

Our next stop would be the beautiful Atherton Tablelands. From Cairns you can travel north and go via Kuranda and Mareeba, or go south via Gordonvale and straight to Yungaburra. We opted for the longer journey via Kuranda. Both the Gillies Highway and Kuranda Range Road are steep and windy, and both can be dangerous, but Kuranda Range itself is much shorter. Besides we had all day to get to The Canopy in Tarzali.

Once we reached Kuranda, just on 9.00 am, we stopped for coffee only to discover that Kuranda doesn't really get going until later in the morning - we suspected once the tourists start arriving via Skyrail and the Kuranda Rail. We did find one coffee shop open and enjoyed our coffee - complete with milk art - before checking out the local op shop. We also did a spot of Christmas shopping in one of the few shops that were open.

Great work by the barista, worth a photo!

As luck would have it we had booked this visit on the weekend of the famed Yungaburra Markets, so this was to be a definite stop. Yungaburra Markets started as a fundraiser for the local primary school, and have grown into the biggest and best markets in the north. They are held on the fourth Saturday of each month, except December when they are held before Christmas. We wandered through the numerous stalls selling local produce, clothing, natural remedies, soaps, gift ware and numerous foods. We bought nitrate free bacon and fresh local vegies, as well as some more Christmas gifts. Traditional Swiss bratwurst hot dogs and a deep fried, battered potato twist was not the healthiest lunch - but it sure tasted good! 

Christie is serenaded by a barber shop quartet as she chooses a dip.

Not only was it markets day, it was also Tablelands Folk Festival weekend, so like Green Island, Yungaburra was packed with tourists, but unlike Green Island, these were a different breed altogether. Everyone was relaxed and friendly, polite and courteous. Despite the crowds, it was a nice place to be.

Green-eyed Tree Frog found in the bath room.

From Yungaburra we drove on to Malanda to pick up more supplies and then on to The Canopy. We had stayed here before and chose to return as it is a beautiful spot in the rainforest, with abundant birdlife. Bird seed and over-ripe bananas are provided so you can attract the locals and it didn't take long for Mick to get the camera set up on the tripod on the balcony of our pole house. Brush turkeys were the noisiest visitors and catbirds the greediest. King parrots, Macleays honeyeaters, Victoria's riflebirds and many others visited throughout the afternoon. 

This is the boss turkey. There were at least six others in his entourage constantly hanging around, totally obsessed with getting a share of whatever food was on offer.

Light levels were always very low in the rainforest, making photography very difficult. I found myself pushing the ISO up to numbers I'd not attempted before and still not even getting 1/160 s. As a result, close up detail has suffered and lots of shots were blurred and unusable. Luckily, modern cameras can handle high ISOs very well and in in conjunction with noise reduction and editing software, a decent image is possible. 

I set up my camera with a flash attached on a tripod at the other end of the deck from where birds came in to feed. Whenever birds came in I clicked away like crazy. Unfortunately the feeder is at the darkest part of the deck. This was a great learning experience as I worked through different combinations of ISOs and fill flash values. Because of the lack of light the aperture was always wide open. Mick.

Spotted Catbird

Wompoo Fruit-Dove

I could never tire of this view.

Sunday was a relaxing day spent at the cabin, with Mick alternating between taking and processing photos. Some of the birds eat out of your hands and one of the king parrots was quite demanding – sitting on the table and making eye contact and noises until a handful of seed was made available.

Australian King-Parrot Female

Macleays honeyeater

Victoria's riflebird Male

Victoria's riflebird Female flicks banana into its mouth.

We were awoken by noises inside the cabin to discover a midnight possum raiding party. I had forgotten to close the louvres in the kitchen before retiring for the night! The Special K cereal was overlooked in favour of bananas, and date and walnut loaf as the food of choice for these very cheeky creatures. As Mick held the door open to shoo one out, another came strolling in. The trail of possum pee revealed that they had even been into the bedroom – perhaps checking that we were asleep. 

They are a pest but an irresistible one.

The local currency is banana.

We headed out - having cleaned up after the possum party - and made our way to Malanda and then Atherton for the op-shops. Then it was on to "Platypus Park" and Hastie Swamp for some bird watching. There is a great hide at the swamp, but not many birds on this occasion. Back to Malanda for lunch at the bakery - tasty pies and good service (they even provide hand sanitiser on the tables!) Back over to Yungaburra for a browse in the shops and you would never know the place had been crawling with thousands of tourists and visitors two days before - it was back to its sleepy and peaceful self.

Eastern Water-dragon.

Bridled Honeyeater sun-baking.

Gerygone feeding young in nest.

These three shots were all taken at another favourite birding place of mine, Platypus Park in Atherton. I make a point of visiting each time we are on the Atherton Tableland and am never disappointed. 

Because of the diverse habitat available in a relatively small area, there is always plenty of wildlife. Because this is a suburban park the wildlife is more accustomed to humans, so you are generally able to get a little closer. A large Evodia tree in the park blooms around Christmas each year and becomes the focus of a multitude of nectar-loving creatures. Several species of honeyeater, butterflies, lorikeets, beetles and other insects all flock to the abundant nectar supply. More pics to come. Mick.

On arriving home, we went for a short walk on the property to visit the turtle hangouts. These creatures know to expect to be fed when you arrive, and come to the bank in expectation. I held a handful of the turtle food provided and was bitten on the fingers for my trouble. I didn't expect that.

We spent our last morning just enjoying the surroundings - and taking more photos, so we didn't leave until almost ten o'clock. A good run home, with a stop in Cardwell for lunch.

Time to start planning the next trip....