Atherton Tablelands - September 2020
Leaving the dry, dusty west, we entered a different world on the Atherton Tablelands, one of lush rolling hills, tropical waterfalls and rainforests, diverse crops and gourmet food. We spent a few days exploring and catching up with some friends from the past, before heading down to the coast.
A visit to the twin volcanic crater lakes of Barrine and Eacham was very pleasant. Formed over 12,000 years ago by violent volcanic eruptions, it then took hundreds of years for water to fill the craters and trees to grow back. There are no streams that flow in or out of the lakes, water is lost only through soakage and evaporation, and is only replenished by rain. The levels can fluctuate by up to four metres.
We spent our final night on the Tablelands in Millaa Millaa, a tiny town known as the Village in the Mist. Logging was an important industry of its past; now the main industry is dairying. We enjoyed the excellent museum, the many cows (real and sculptures), and most of all, the Waterfall Circuit. All falls have walking tracks and some have picnic tables. There are dozens to visit, all are each different, but all spectacular.
Cows of Millaa Millaa . . .
The drive down the Palmerston Highway was through more lush rainforest interspersed with spectacular views down valleys. We soon reached Innisfail and headed to our next stop, Mission Beach.