Cardwell Qld August 4th 2023

Cardwell Qld August 4th 2023

As is often the case, at 7am it wasn’t actually raining. A bit windy but warm enough and dry. I took myself off down to the start of the Kennedy Walking Track and proceeded to make the 2.5km trek across the headland and along the beach to Mije Creek. First though, I was really surprised at the debris thrown up and right across the road from the high tides and howling wind last night. The track itself was its normal slightly damp self, being in a rainforest and all, and the beach was pristine. Not one footprint upon it and the tide right out.

I had a lovely walk right down to the end marked by Mije Creek. As I turned around and started back, it started raining lightly, which was okay, not afraid of a little damp. But then it started really raining, forcing me to take cover under the forrest canopy. It only lasted a few minutes and then I was on my way again. Lovely!

Luggers Bay, Kennedy Walking Track, South Mission Beach Qld

Mije creek, Luggers Bay, Kennedy Walking Track, South Mission Beach Qld

Mije Creek, Luggers Bay, Kennedy Walking Track, South Mission Beach Qld

Luggers Bay, Kennedy Walking Track, South Mission Beach Qld

On the way back over the headland, I noticed for the first time ever that you could see straight up into what looked like the remains of derelict buildings. Up until today it had been totally overgrown but obviously something was going on. 

A little private history. Back in 2004, Judy and I stayed in a resort at about this spot. I had to do some sleuthing and discovered that this was the very resort, which may have been called The Point at the time. It seems to have been called the Elantra from 2007 to 2018, but was wiped out twice by cyclones. Seems to have been left to the jungle ever since, but is now for sale. But for $6 million, I think Id want something better than a property that is “a bit run down” according to the Real Estate blurb.

Elandra Resort, South Mission Beach

Back at the van park we had breakfast and packed up our proverbial tent.

We had had change of plan. Normally we would have driven the 65km down and back to Cardwell from South Mission Beach so I could participate in Cardwell’s Parkrun. But given that it’s still raining most of the time and who wants to get up at 530am and drive all that way in the rain to do a run? Not for us anymore, so we found a van park down at Cardwell and wandered off down there today instead.

As it turns out the van park is all of 200 metres from the parkrun start, so its worked out pretty well.

We took stroll around town, found coffee and took a few snaps of some Cardwell Quirkiness.

Apparently they sometimes fancy themselves as a UFO or alien centre or something, so there is at least one place with a flying saucer and some little green men.

Aliens! Cardwell Qld

Then there is this definitely quirky garden in the main street. It looks like its just come into being over a length of time as various randoms have added bits and pieces to the colourful garden. What a great bit of fun!

but no, the Narks are shutting it down. The sign says that due to breaches of insurance policy or some such, the local council is installing a fence and closing it off from public access. They are giving 21 days notice to any concerned parties to remove any property that they might claim, and then the rest is going to the dump. Boo Hiss.

Quirky community garden. Cardwell Qld

 

Cardwell Qld August 5th 2023

Up early to great the sun.....

Sunrise. Over Hinchinbrook Island. Cardwell Qld

Ok, time to stop admiring nature at its best and get down to the business at hand. I'm here to do my volunteer tail walking bit for the love people that run Parkrun in Cardwell. 7am start. Love it.

All decked out in my best parkrun Volunteer outfit. Cardwell Qld

This is one of the smallest (15 including me) and fastest runs for a tail-walker. I was finished in forty-four minutes. Thanks Cardwell Parkrunners!