Karumba..outback by the sea....to the tropics of Innisfail.

Tues 11 - Sun 16 July

It's awesome when the only reason I know what the date is, is because I'm blogging the journey ! A fabulous cool night at Hell's Gate, such great sleeping weather and we were on road to Karumba. 

Sunset at Karumba......aaaahhhhhh!

On the Territory/Queensland Border

There was a giggle to be had on the Territory/QLD border as there was a lovely 5km run of sealed road before we hit the dirt again as a border welcome...gotta love Queenslanders!! The roads weren't nearly as challenging on the way to Normanton and Burketown and with some sealed roads our butts were enjoying a smooth ride and less dust. 

Near Normanton

Krys - The Croc, Normanton

Krys the Croc - was shot by a female croc hunter  (who I reckon could have been Russian going by her name) in 1957 and was estimated to be 8.2m long. What the kids are standing next to is a replica based on Krys' size - which is seriously hard to fathom! The kids were standing near it and I would love to know what age this reptilian giant might have been at the time.

Onto Karumba and wowsers we were lucky to get a site...I hadn't booked of course as we weren't sure if we would make the whole way in the one day. So entering the Caravan Park - we lowered the average age per person by about 30 years ;) !! Loads of fishing grey nomads who had settled in for quite a period of time...and hey what a great spot to soak up and enjoy. So the first time we had all ever seen a sunset over the ocean in Australia and we had two nights of these to enjoy and love up.

Friendship Rock Architect!!

Our second night at Sunset Point we had dinner at the-not-surprisingly-named Sunset Tavern - which was divine...and no the divineness was not because it was Origin night series 3 final! Stu and I shared Karumba on a plate with all fresh seafood caught on the day - sublime! A fabulously delicious handsy meal to say the least - great to have a bowl of lemon water on the side - it so reminded me of being in The Hamptons loving up some Crab with Rach and Gaz awhile ago now on a trip to New York. 

Sunset Tavern, Karumba

Karumba on a plate!

Sunrise on the Norman River, Karumba

Early the following day we managed to snag  a charter with Kerry D Fishing Charters for a half day of fishing off the coast about 7-10km from Karumba. There was the five of us plus Paul from North Curl Curl in Sydney heading off with Paul and Tom from Kerry D. What a super morning of fishing, sunshine and fun bobbing around on the ocean - at depths from 1.6-4m. The technology they had on the boat was amazing showing depths, fish and bait indicators and then Sash flogged us with landing about 6-7 Black Bream - she had Tom and Paul giggling. So then Eves and Huges would head over to her side...she'd quietly move around to another spot on the boat and haul a few more fish in...it was so funny and so May May!!

Sandbar about 5km off the point

We caught most of the Bream near this Sandbar that was becoming smaller with the low tide. The Pelicans, seagulls and finches. Paul was sharing with us how these finches - I thought he said they were Red Flint Finches, and that they are all practising their flying in preparation for heading to Siberia for the summer! Apparently there first stop is China. 

Pelicans on the sandbar as the tide came in

Finches only found in Karumba, getting ready to fly to Siberia !

Top angler for the day !

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel extremely sharp teeth and fins! Paul caught one after he caught a blue salmon, and given that it was only 250mm he had to go back, they need to be 750mm to keep one.

Crab Pots

We also checked on Paul's crab pots near the mangroves and had to send them all back to sea as they were females. 

Ready to release a female Crab

Caught 14 black bream between them all

It was weird doing a lunchtime pack up and knowing we still had about 380km ahead of us for the arvo. We were off to Georgetown for the night as the following morning we had a service booked in for the car. Jude and Bushy were incredibly accomodating at Bushy's Mechanics and RACQ. A friend through Off The Track Training fitness Hub who is based near Mt Suprise recommended them for us and they were awesome to deal with...another upside to loving being a Hubber!!

Sunset on the Gilbert River, coming into Georgetown

We decided to head to Innisfail for a couple of nights before picking up the VIP from Cairns. It was a little wet and a lovely breather all the same. COming down through the hills from Milla Milla the landscape changed so quickly and banana, tea and sugar can plantations were upon us. The lushness, the green, the foliage, the green, yes the green and rolling hills all seriously nourishing and replenishing for the soul. I love dust and dirt, rocks and gorges and everything in between - I think is must be something about being farmers that every shade of green holds a special place in your heart. 

Etty Bay, near Innisfail

Coconuts !!

Etty Bay coming down through the hills although wet was stunning and about 15 mins from Innisfail. We toured through a Sugar Museum which I particularly enjoyed the social aspects and issues of the Kanakas and then the introduction to the White Australia Policy in the early 1920's or around then. Amazing the labour input and changes over the last 100 years or so. An Agricultural industry that is completely foreign to me.

Harvesting...woo hoo!

We were hoping to see a Header in action on our way to Cairns today and yep Gordonvale provided the goods. Incredibly quick, with tractors and chaser bins going everywhere. We also smelt the molassesey odours near the refinery too...a mix of treacle-making-puddings-with-Nan smell and springtime-sugarcane-mulch !!

Harvester and Chaser Bin

Cane Harvester

First pic hot off the press of the VIP running into my beautiful bus stop buddy Em, who is returning from Palm Cove to the lovely frosting of Millthorpe and ran into Mum at the Jetstar gate! I knew that was going to happen !! See you soon enough Em your are looking radiantly refreshed !! xx 

VIP in transit at Sydney, with Em my gorgeous bus stop buddy !! 

And so here you have the last almost week in a nutshell, only an hour and a half or so until the VIP lands and joins the Green Zen touring mobile.....bahahahaha! She knows what she's up for anyway...although Stu has some grand Cape York plans so I am en- suiting as many sites as I can before then !!! I'll have to pop the Princess back in the box till after the Cape and hope for a massage or day spa treat as we head down the coastline of Far North Queensland.....aaaahhhhhh.