Undara / Atherton Qld 30-31 July 2019

Undara / Atherton Qld  30-31 July 2019

A couple of travel days for us. Last time we came up here we did the Charters Towers to Atherton 580 km step in one day and frankly it was too much. So this time we stopped at the Undara Lodge (390km) where the Lava tubes are, but only for the night. I will have to say that they are very pleased with themselves, having closed the reception / shop right at the front door, and transferring those operations inside into the bar. I suppose it saves on employment costs but is hopelessly unprofessional. Who wants to compete with drinkers and  book-in over the bar? Anyhow, we had a swim, read a book in the sun, had a drink at the fire pit and retired for the evening.

Today we completed the journey up to Atherton (190km) easily enough, even if we got stuck behind a caravan of caravans doing 75kph, for something like 40km. The trouble is that the road is quite undulating and winding and overtaking is not much of an option. After 20km we pulled into Ravenshoe for a walk about and a nice coffee. The most noticeable thing is that there is now about six coffee shops compared to the 2 or 3 that were there last time we went through.

We then took the less travelled route through Ravenshoe up toward Atherton and made it into the park in a leisurely and relaxed mood.

Went for a walk this afternoon, trying to get fit for Parkrun on Saturday. Took a few snaps of the train in the siding, but got tangled up with the resident 'crank' who wanted to know what I was doing and why and did I know that I really should make a donation to the Save-the-train fund. I would have won the Nobel prize for Tact and Diplomacy as he kept going on and on. In the end he unlocked the carriage I was interested in and let me take a few snaps, all the while banging on about a donation...

Stone Curlews. Atherton Qld 

One time railway line, slowly being restored, sleeper by sleeper, bridge by bridge. Atherton Qld

Meanwhile a rather pleasant walking path next to it. Atherton Qld

Carriages being restored and repurposed. That first red one houses a model train layout that is planned to be  coin in the slot operated. What a great idea. Atherton Qld

Coin operated train set. Atherton Qld

Coin operated train set. Atherton Qld
They even have a replica of the steam engine that will work their line once it becomes a reality. Only need another $12 million or so to fix the bridges and line.