Realising that I had erred in my itinerary calculations, I was forced to backtrack about 150km to reach a place I had made reservations for 2 nights at because it was supposed to be one of the top places to visit in Queensland. When I eventually found the place, I found it not really that special by world standards (where rain and rivers are normal). It was somewhat novel to have a freshwater stream year-round that was deep enough for swimming – which is somewhat unusual in desert Australia. I had a few swims but decided not to hang around for more than one night. I was the only camper there!
The area seems to be the heart of Australia’s banana-growing region. There are also plenty of sugar cane fields with the small gauged sugar train cars/rails crossing the road every so often (much like you find in Fiji) and quite an abundance of guava plantations. It is also a region that often finds itself in the path of big South Pacific cyclones. On a few occasions in the past 6 years, cyclones have more or less wiped out the banana crop for the country, which resulted in months and months of very high prices before the crops could be replanted and bananas replaced.
I popped into Innisfail to check out the tiny town. It is funny how you never seem to know how big a town will be. Towns are often much bigger or smaller than you expect. I often measure them by the number of traffic lights. This one had none. Very small but well presented with lush green tropical gardens and art deco (?) architecture. Politician Bob Katter’s office took precedence at the main intersection. Had a nice breakfast there, but have come to the conclusion that nobody in northern Queensland really knows how to make a proper flat white coffee.
Nice sunny day for a change! It seems as though either the heat or wet weather has been following me around since the start of this trip! Perhaps things are starting to change.
Before leaving Bramston Beach, I got up early to take a nice little 17km mountain bike ride through the town parks and down through the end of the National Park campsites 4WD track. Didn’t spot any campers, but did come across a temporary sign at the end stating a crocodile was recently sighted in the area. Decided it was best to peddle out of there asap! Ashame about the crocs, but I guess they were there first. The campsites were the most unique I’ve come across on this trip, and privately isolated, all next to gorgeous beaches. All nestled within beautiful dense rainforest and sandwiched between a gorgeous beach and a meandering back river.
Russell River National Park MTB Tour
Today’s Drive
