Atherton Tablelands

Back in the Atherton Tableland we visited many of the most popular attractions and re-visited some of our favourites like Millaa Millaa Falls, Malanda Falls, Yungaburra and the Curtain Fig Tree. We did all this while staying in Mareeba at the rodeo grounds where a powered site is only $16 per night. We find at this time we are in need of tyres for the caravan but after visiting all three tyre retailers we found there were none available, with only one retailer offering to order some in. A type of tyre and price was agreed upon and we were to expect them in to be fitted on Monday so this left us a few days for more sightseeing.

Millaa Millaa Falls

Malanda Falls

Curtain Fig Tree - Yungaburra

Peterson Creek - Yungaburra

When we had had enough of Mareeba we de-camped to Granite Gorge approx. 30 Km’s out of town to set up in the camping area for the night. Apart from the scenery and the challenging walks in the boulder-strewn gorge the major attraction at Granite Gorge are the Black-Footed Rock Wallabies. These normally shy and elusive creatures are in abundance and quite used to human interaction. They will readily approach you in the hope of being offered some food (fully approved pellets from reception – of course)

Granite Gorge

Granite Gorge

Black Footed Rock Wallaby

Leaving Granite Gorge on Monday morning we travelled back into Mareeba to do some shopping while waiting for our tyres to be fitted. An unexpected phone call from the tyre dealer was not what we were waiting for. We were told the earliest we could have them fitted was 2.00 P.M. So will filled in the time having a bit more of a look around town and having lunch. We arrived at the tyre dealer at 5 minutes to 2 and backed straight in but to our great annoyance we found that he had ordered in the wrong tyres. With no other choice we headed out of town and on to Mt. Molloy on the way to Cooktown where we spent the next two nights at the delightful Rifle Creek rest area just out of town. This great free camp has flush toilets and cold showers and each night we were in company with 20 – 30 other rigs. If you are ever in Mt. Molloy you must try the burgers at the café in town. They have been voted the best burger in the world – twice. They are huge and are made freshly on the premises and at $9.50 for the Mexican Burger it is a real big meal.