The Atherton Tablelands

I don't know why I hadn't thought of heading to the 'Tablelands' before now - exploring the northern tropics during our winter months is the best time, with warm days and chilly nights. We're almost out of 'cool times' now.  It had been well over 20 years since I'd been 'up'.
The drive north took 4 hours from home to there with 2 pit stops. I stayed in a cabin which backed on to the Malanda Falls and down a flight of stairs each morning I sat by the falls with my morning coffee.

Once at the top of the Tablelands, it's a 20 minute drive between all of the attractions and little towns and villages. I chose a lot of secondary roads and saw so much more of the amazing countryside. I passed dairy farms and visited tea plantations.

In the early morning I drove down rainforest lined roads, let the car windows down, drove slowly and listened to the sounds of the rainforest.

 Marvelling at the volcanic crater lakes I dipped my toes in and took far too many photos. On one particular day, I scared myself silly when caught in a rain storm whilst negotiating a winding mountainous road with almost zero visibility and nowhere to pull over.

Strolling around preserved historical villages and quaint little towns I realised how much simpler and laid back life was up here.

I drove up winding roads to 'look outs' and was awestruck by the vistas.

 The visits to cheese and chocolate factories did little for my waist line, but what fun supporting the industry!  The smell of the farms with their ploughed paddocks and cattle and dairy cows assaulted my senses in the nicest possible way.

I enjoyed rainforest treks in the many conservation parks and during one such walk I realised I was completely alone and for a moment I felt like I was in the Lost World. I spotted a Tree Kangaroo so far in the treetops he was hardly visible but I managed to zoom in and get a reasonable shot.

Day 5 it was time to head home.

HAPPY BLOGGING