27th September to 3rd October 1999 (Week 39)

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This week brought us from Cooktown to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpenteria. First we drove to Cairns via the peninsula development road. Along the way we passed Mt. Elephant. In the wet season many waterfalls can be observed after some good raining.

In Cairns we had to wash the dirt out of the car. Inside everything was covered in red Dust. Clothes were instantly coloured red if you were to brush any of the seats, bags or suitcases. This was an arduous task which required us to relax a day at the pool (grin). As well we wanted to snorkel one more time before we went further inland. Therefore we went for a day to Fitzroy Island. Since the weather was pretty bad and the waves were stirring up a lot of sand, we didn't see to much fishlife at all.

From here we drove of thru the Atherton Tablelands towards Mt. Isa. On the way we visited Kuranda, the Barron- and Milaa Milaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree.

Further Inland we visited the Lava Tubes at Undara. A lava stream from the Undara volcano around 190'000 years ago covered during an eruption the area of 1'550 square kilometers. During that time huge Lava Tubes, some with a diameter of 20m were formed. The found Lava Tubes are said to be the biggest and best preserved of it's kind around the world.

From here we drove some 500 km to Karumba at the coast of the Gulf of Carpenteria. Along this way people mainly live from raising and selling cattle. In Normanton we visited the Railway Station at which the Gulflander is stationed. Building of this Railway system started in 1888, which at a latter stage should have connected to the railway system planned to go around Australia. For numerous reasons this Railway System was never finished, so it remained an isolated line covering around 150km between Croydon and Normanton. We spent Sunday Evening enjoying yet another sunset together with the biggest and as well freshest Seafood Basket I ever tasted.

The Annan River outside Cooktown Mt Elephant on the way from Cooktown to Mareeba Strolling along the Beaches of Fitzroy Island One of the snorkeling spots on Fitzroy Island Kuranda Railway Station
Kuranda Railway Station Kuranda Railway Station Kuranda Railway Station Barron Falls in the dry season. Covers the whole width in the wet season. Typical Atherton Tablelands Landscape
The curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra Look at the size of this tree. Seed on a Branch, Roots to the Ground, strangling the Host Tree in Time, Host collapses on neighbouring Tree. About 500 years old, 52 meters high, trunk circumfrence 39 meters Milaa Milaa Falls in the dry season
Bush of red flowers Beautifully coloured Beetle, about 2 cm in size Landscape near the Undara Lava Tubes Cabins at the Undara Lava Lodge Dining room of the Bistro
Butterflies on Bushes currently blooming Bush Walk to Atkinsons Lookout Local Resident having Dinner Plant extending its Root towards the soil to get its nutrients Atkinsons Lookout
Atkinsons Lookout Lava Tubes, 20 m in diameter, the biggest and best preserved lava tubes known yet Lava dribble formed when cooling down Prime cattle country near Croydon on the way to the Gulf of Cerpentaria Sunset at Karumba
Sunset at Karumba What a way to finish the Day. Absolutely fresh, delicious and feeds about 4 people. Seafood Basket at the Sunset Tavern Karumba.
The Annan River outside Cooktown
Mt Elephant on the way from Cooktown to Mareeba
 
Strolling along the Beaches of Fitzroy Island
One of the snorkeling spots on Fitzroy Island
 
Kuranda Railway Station
Kuranda Railway Station
 
Kuranda Railway Station
Kuranda Railway Station
 
Barron Falls in the dry season. Covers the whole width in the wet season.
Typical Atherton Tablelands Landscape
 
The curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra
Look at the size of this tree.
 
Seed on a Branch, Roots to the Ground, strangling the Host Tree in Time, Host collapses on neighbouring Tree.
About 500 years old, 52 meters high, trunk circumfrence 39 meters
 
Milaa Milaa Falls in the dry season
Bush of red flowers
 
Beautifully coloured Beetle, about 2 cm in size
Landscape near the Undara Lava Tubes
 
Cabins at the Undara Lava Lodge
Dining room of the Bistro
 
Butterflies on Bushes currently blooming
Bush Walk to Atkinsons Lookout
 
Local Resident having Dinner
Plant extending its Root towards the soil to get its nutrients
 
Atkinsons Lookout
Atkinsons Lookout
 
Lava Tubes, 20 m in diameter, the biggest and best preserved lava tubes known yet
Lava dribble formed when cooling down
 
Prime cattle country near Croydon on the way to the Gulf of Cerpentaria
Sunset at Karumba
 
Sunset at Karumba
What a way to finish the Day. Absolutely fresh, delicious and feeds about 4 people. Seafood Basket at the Sunset Tavern Karumba.
 
Linie
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Last Updated : 5th of October 1999


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