Blue Skies and Waterfalls

Woke up to drizzly, rainy day. Do we stay home or try and find a break in the clouds? And off we went--"destination" Wooroonooran National Park. Along the way we watched sugar cane being harvested and got distracted in a small town by their most excellent bakery sign. Then we saw a brown (National Park) sign for Babinda Boulders and said, why not? Took the Devil's Pool Walk and fist bumped for another delightful end-of-the-road treasure.

By midday....clouds to left and right and we were following a ribbon down the middle of blue skies and sunshine. The area we toured is called the Atherton Tablelands/Cairns Highlands. First stop: Upper and Lower Josephine Falls. Had no idea at this point it would be a day of waterfalls!

Took somewhat of a "detour" spending 22 kilometers on Mountain Mist Trail--not much more than a 4x4 trail. It was recommend as a "tourist" site so we kept expecting to see vistas or animals. Lots of ruts and gulleys, no vistas and only one bush turkey. Mark that a bust.

Spent the afternoon on another trek labeled "waterfall loop" just outside of Millaa Millaa. Much more satisfying. Ellinjaa Falls, Zillie Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls. Windiest drive in Australia back to Cairns where we sat beside the beach and enjoyed fresh seafood. 

Took in the night market. Meh. Had been disappointed to have not seen a single lorikeet (a small multicolored parrot) all day. Walked past a tree downtown that was literally swarming with them. I just stood and giggled. A fitting end to another day in Oz.

Few more pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/115749256765182993897/DownUnder