McCarthy's Go Round

  22-25 November: Yeppoon We were fortunate to camp absolute beachfront in this beautiful coastal town. The kids enjoyed roaming free on this huge stretch of pristine beach.  Yeppoon is renowned for its beaches, tropical climate and access to the Keppel Islands. The town has an impressive $6 million public lagoon on its waterfront providing a spectacular view out to sea. We enjoyed two nights here, Bliss!

  Tuesday 17-21 November: Bowen & Hydeaway Bay Left the Cassowary Coast this morning, Whitsunday bound! Spent one night in Townsville, along the way visiting the waterfront and Nick's old queenslander. We had a lunchstop in Cardwell to take in the view to Hitchinbrook Island.  We enjoyed 3 nights in picturesque Bowen, home of the Kensington Pride Mango. The vast majority of fresh produce we consume throughout winter is produced on farms in the Bowen region- the nations largest winter growing district.  The windswept view out to Kings Beach was pretty spectacular, and we enjoyed a spot of 4WD-ing to view it.  Bowen is renowned for its award-winning beaches, where you can snorkel right off the beach. We visited Queens Beach & beautiful Grays and Horsehoe Bay.  Beautiful Horseshoe Bay From Bowen it was a short drive to Hydeaway Bay- a recommendation from Daz! The turquoise waters of the Whitsundays are stunning, although the surrounding areas are incredibly...

  We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia. We remember that this land is, was, and always will be traditional Aboriginal Land. 

  Friday 13-16 November: Etty Bay After leaving Cairns the drive today continued  through beautiful lush green banana plantations & sugarcane, beneath the highest mountain in QLD- Mount Battle Frere 1,622m Our first stop was Babinda-a gorgeous little town where the community have hand knitted covers for their power poles & public seats, and recorded their rain levels.   From here onto Bunna Binda- The Boulders. Situated in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, The Boulders is internationally recognized for its natural and cultural heritage values, containing the most complex and diverse type of rainforest & the millennia old interaction with Aboriginal Culture. Another stunning site we've been fortunate to witness. The swim in this pristine water hole was refreshing too. Next stop was Josephine falls- wow! Nature's most impressive waterside, pristine pools, stunning boulders of granite and cascading waterfalls. All in tropical rainforest setting. The final stop...

  Sunday 15 November: Paronella Park Spent the day tripping around Innisfail. The scenery is beautiful, on one side lush banana plantations, the other sugarcane farms.  The highlight was visiting Paronella Park in Mena Creek. How fascinating to find a Catalonian inspired Castle nestled in 13 acres of rainforest!  The story goes that Spaniard Jose Paronella, who arrived in Innisfail in 1913, had a dream to build a castle. And this he did, almost entirely by hand. His property included a huge ballroom, picnic areas, tennis courts, tunnels, bridges and all in the romantic setting of a beautiful rainforest. Jose added a second waterfall to mirror Mena Falls and planted 7000 tropical plants to surround the castle. In 1933 Jose built Queenslands first hydro electric plant to power the 13 acre park, and the castle grounds were opened to entertain the public with movie nights, swims in the lake, tennis matches and live music in the ballroom. The park is now heritage listed and pr...

  Monday 9- 13 November: Crystal Cascades 4 nights were spent in Redlynch Valley, a short drive from Cairns city. The valley itself is impressive- steep, green and misty in the mornings.  It was nice to stop and catch up on the everday- washing (endless), school work (minimal), car service (new brake pads), endless creative play in the caravan park (Huw & Noah).  Our stay in Cairns was sweetened by spending time with lifelong friends The Reeves family.  A day trip to Crystal Cascades was pretty despite the March flies (Wednesday flies to Huw). Another day was spent on the waterfront playing in the water park.