Mill Stream, Mt Hypipamee, Windy Hill Qld 2 August 2019

Herberton, Mill Stream, Mt Hypipamee, Windy Hill Qld 2 August 2019

From our base in Atherton, we ventured out and back down south to see some sites. First stop was Herberton where I was keen to see the Railway Museum that I had been told was going 'great-guns' by the cafe man at the Atherton end of the line. I was accosted immediately by another of the cranks and he must have a Certificate III in 'How to put the punters off' because I took two snaps and got away as fast as possible. It's almost like it's their private train set and they don't want anyone else to play with it - but it's OK for the public to leave generous donations to fund it, thank you.

Train museum, Herberton Qld
Some old Diesel engine that they have half finished, they even use this undercoat ed engine on their glossy brochure

Train Museum.  Herberton Qld
I basically got chased away and didn't even go in

From here we went down past Ravenshoe to the Mill Stream NP and went for a walk down to see the Mill Stream Falls about 350m but steepish to come back. They are cited as being the 'widest, single drop' falls in Australia, which seemed a bit of a stretch, having seen a zillion of them just in the last 10 years.

Mill Stream Falls. Ravenshoe Qld

Mill Stream Falls. Ravenshoe Qld

Mill Stream Falls. Ravenshoe Qld

We went to find the Lower Mill Stream falls, but took one look at the track descending down into the mists of the valley and thought coffee in town sounded like a nice alternative.

Somewhere on our track around we came across the Windy Hill Wind Farm. Build in 1999 and opened in 2000, it was the first of its kind in Queensland. There are 20 turbines (actually 19 as one appeared to have been blown up and burnt out) producing 12 kW, enough to power 3500 houses. This is as close as you'll get to many wind farms and they are big, ugly and noisy.

Windy Hill wind farm. Ravenshoe Qld

Windy Hill wind farm. Ravenshoe Qld

Windy Hill wind farm. Ravenshoe Qld
Judging by the tree, it is certainly an aptly named place

Our last sight to see was the volcano crater at the Mt Hypipamee NP. A pleasant 350m walk brings you to a viewing platform overlooking a very large hole in the ground. At some 80 metres across and 75 metres to the surface of the 70 metre deep lake, it certainly is just that, a big hole. We forwent the please of the added walk down into the valley of the headwaters of Barron River to view the Dinner Falls.

Baby fig tree. The Crater. Mt Hypipamee Qld

 The Crater. Mt Hypipamee Qld
No photo will ever do this sort of view justice

 The Crater. Mt Hypipamee Qld
The green is a thick covering of weed on the lake

On the way back to our van we stopped at Gallo Dairy to taste / buy cheese and drink coffee, oh and someone may have had to buy almond chocolates as well.