McCarthy's Go Round

  Tuesday 27-29 October: Mont Albion Station, near Irvinebank Not quite what we had expected but certainly made the best of this bushland station stay. I'm constantly impressed with the creative ways the kids come up with to entertain themselves. They have been virtually screen free since July, just endless unstructured play which we hope will continue to influence their learning, social and emotional development for years to come. We attempted in vain to catch red claw in the dam, we were promised we would catch hundreds! I nstead we created our Mexican fiesta with team Crokervan and had so much fun. There was plenty of SUPing & paddling  on the dam, stories round the fire and creating lasting memories.  We enjoyed a look around the pretty and quaint town of Herberton and spent some time in the Historic Village which celebrates Australia's pioneering history. The village offers a wonderful insight into life at the turn of the Century. The kids were fascinated by a b...

  Friday 23 October: Woodleigh Station to Malanda Driving from Savannah country into The Atherton Tablelands felt like arriving in a new, green world! It was bittersweet knowing this was likely the last of the red dirt and Outback.  We spent 4 nights at Malanda Falls, a small park with mini animal farm for the kids to enjoy and private access to Malanda Falls. The scenery of the Tablelands is breathtaking. We drove the waterfall circuit visiting Milstream, Malanda, Milla Milla, Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls. The 18mt drop at Milla Milla into the pristine plungepool below is the most photographed cascade in Australia. Got up early on Saturday to check out the Yungaburra markets in picturesque Yungaburra. Drove around Lake Tinnaroo & spent the day at pristine Lake Eacham- swimming, spotting turtles and enjoying the natural beauty. Had a fabulous visit from Team Reeves who drove down from Cairns to spend the day with us.  Spent some time enjoying Lake Barrine, part of the Cr...

  22 October: Woodleigh Station * Loved this peaceful camp on the river at Woodleigh Station!  The whole area to ourselves to collect firewood, swing, run, play, rope swing into water, yell and camp under the stars.  The station Kelpie had just given birth to 6 pups, so as well as some horses, goats and cows, the boys enjoyed snuggling these cute little things.  * Joe took over again but I still managed to get a few words in 👍                                                                

  20 October: Undara Volcanic National Park and Lava Tubes (Joe hated the place so she is not completing this story, sorry if you prefer her😊) Undara: Aboriginal for, A long way, meaning the lava flowed a long way! We got to Undara, set up camp, went in the pool, created a mess with mud and went to bed. The next day we had our tour but it was at one o clock so we then waited and waited and waited some more. While we waited we did some blogging and paper planing (I did not make up this word, it is in the dictionary) but finally the time came and we rushed onto the bus and went on the bumpy track over massive pink granite and saw heaps of basalt, that's fancy talk for rock that came out of the Undara volcano. The park protects one of the longest lava tube cave systems in the world. About 190,000 years ago, a large volcano erupted violently, spewing molten lava over the surrounding landscape. The lava flowed rapidly down a dry riverbed. The top, outer-layer cooled and formed a crust,...