Froggles Travels: Ravenshoe 16.05.2016

We left Kurrimine beach and headed for Innisfail to get new tyres fitted onto the caravan and do grocery shopping before travelling on to Ravenshoe. We were both relieved once the caravan had new tyres fitted as the thought of what could have happened was frightening.

The drive up to Ravenshoe was just stunning, driving through the mountain ranges and rain forests was just wonderful and reminded us so much of New Zealand. Our car did struggle up some of the hills but when you think that we were making our way to the highest town in Queensland that was understandable. As we were driving through we realised that we would need to spend a bit of time in this area.

On our way we drove past some windmill used for generating electricity. It is a very odd scene having these windmills amongst the beauty of the rolling hills, see photos below.

When we arrived in Ravenshoe we were so impressed with our new stop, it was located on the Ravenshoe heritage railway station and just so quaint, the best thing about this caravan park was it was only $15.00 per night for a powered site. Every night the caretaker whose name is Daniel made a big bonfire in the camp kitchen and then he would make damper, being either a savoury or sweet damper with every damper being a great success.


Daniel the damper king


Happy hour around the bonfire

On our second day at Ravenshoe Bernie started getting sick with a bad gastro infection, we thought it was from a toasted sandwich we had eaten on Sunday at Kurrimine, but by Friday Bernie was still not well. Even though he was drinking electrolyte to try and rehydrate himself, it was not enough. So I took him to the tiny little hospital/clinic in Ravenshoe only for him to deteriorate even more, he then had to be rushed by ambulance to Atherton hospital which is roughly 1 hour drive from Ravenshoe. He was so dehydrated that he was given 2 litres of fluid and sent home.

Thank goodness by Saturday night he was feeling a lot better – needless to say he suggested a beer would help get rid of any bugs still looming and by Sunday he was back to his normal self, much to my relief and everyone at Ravenshoe caravan park.

On Tuesday prior to Bernie becoming too sick to tour we did do some exploring. The pictures below are of the Hypipamee National park and the dinner water falls, the Gallo cheese factory and the huge curtain fig tree.

Walk through the forest to the crater

View before looking down to the crater

The crater

Dinner Falls


Bernie and I at Dinner Falls

Some turkeys at the Gallo Dairy farm showing off their talents

The second week at Ravenshoe and with Bernie being on the mend, we caught up on all the scenery, this I might add was such a wonderful area to explore with so much to see. We first made our way to Little Millstream Falls and Tully Gorge which were both very beautiful,as the week that Bernie was sick we had a lot of rain so all the waterfalls in the area were running fast.

Whilst walking through these forests and much to my horror I found a leech stuck to my foot, luckily my knight in shining armour took if off me, needless to say with a lot of teasing afterwards.

Next day we ventured out to Herberton to the famous heritage village, and this landed up being a whole day excursion. This historic village has grown to become one of the best known living museums not only in Queensland but in Australia.

Here is some history about this beautiful village.

Back in the 1950s, many relics were being sold off for scrap metal. Old buildings were being condemned for demolition. Collector Harry Skennar had a vision – to preserve history for generations to come. He set about creating The Village back in 1973, bringing the first building, Elderslie House, onto the site beside Wild River.

Many more buildings and relics followed. Most of the dwellings met for the first time when they arrived at the Village from around the region during the 1970s.

With the exception of the Tin Pannikin Pub, everything in the village dates from Herberton’s foundation years and almost all the buildings are as they were originally constructed. Regular maintenance keeps them sturdy and secure and in some cases modern lighting, safety grills, screens and steps have been installed for visitors safety.

Beyond this, the buildings and thousands of original items displayed in and around them reflect everyday life in North Queensland as it was from the 1880s onward.

The village owes its existence firstly to Herberton’s pioneers and then to a long list of dedicated residents who followed them. It exists today because of two couples – inspired collector Harry Skennar and his wife Ellen and owners Craig and Connie Kimberley who continue the tradition and restoration with the support of the local community.

Elderslie House

If adventurer, miner and entrepreneur John Newell was alive today, chances are his Irish eyes would be smiling. His beloved home, which once stood on the hill near the present day Mount St Bernard College overlooking the tin-mining town he founded in the1880s, once again echoes the sounds of footsteps and voices. The 130-year old Elderslie House has been painstakingly restored to her former glory and is now the proud “jewel in the crown” of the Village.

The Tin Pannikin Pub

Dressmakers shop showing all the old sewing machines, many we could remember our parents using.

Class rooms from yester year

And who can remember all of this?

Glendhu Police Station

Fire truck and vintage fire station

Inside the General Store

My favourite - The Toy Shop

Just look at these beautiful old doll houses

Bernie's favourite stop with all the old cars

Another favourite - The Tool Shed

Tabletop wool wagon

Some other shops with so much memorabilia

After a full day of sightseeing, what a better way to end off the night around a bonfire, eating damper and catching up with all the grey nomads on their travels.

Ian helping with getting the bonfire blazing using Daniels blower

Next day we done a round trip of the area visiting all the beautiful water falls. The first falls we visited were the Souita Falls, see photos

After these falls we drove to Millaa Millaa and saw this, needless to say had to have a photo


Giving him a helping hand.

From here we travelled on the Theresa Creek Road which boasts 3 beautiful water falls, photos below

Millaa Millaa Falls

Trying to master the selfies

Once we had seen all of these gorgeous water falls, we then travelled to Tarzali stopping for lunch and hoping to spot some platypus. At Tarzali lakes we had the opportunity to try the famous red claw which tasted very much like a fresh water prawn or crayfish.

Bernie in his element


And here is a sighting of a little platypus, camera zoom lens not strong enough, but its a sighting.

Photos below show the hot springs in its natural form, with the water reaching a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius.

Luckily we were able to experience the spring natural source and the tourist way at the pools. This reminded us a lot of Warm baths South Africa and the hot pools in Rotorua New Zealand.

Cold water pool

This pools temperature was around 34 degrees, nice bath water

This pools temperature was at 38 degrees

And these pools were over 40 degrees, much too hot for us

Before leaving Ravenshoe we stopped at the highest pub in Queensland that was up the road from the caravan park for a cold beer. That was a pleasant experience.

We were also very grateful to Daniel (the caretaker at the caravan park), Wendy and especially Isaac who looked after Whiskey and Brandy during our stay at Ravenshoe enabling us to go to all the national parks and do all the site seeing not having to worry about the dogs.