Yesterday was our day trip around the 'Atherton Tablelands' visiting 5 lakes/waterfalls in one day! We started our morning at 06:30 again and were ready and waiting for our pickup at 07:30. Captain Matty himself was driving the tour bus, 'Captain Matty's Barefoot Tours' is an independent company owned by Matty himself; he's the tour guide, the driver and feeds us all day alone. A kiwi who certainly deserves his recognition of now being top of the attractions list in Cairns.
Our first stop this morning was to see a 500 year old strangler fig tree. A huge, historical tree looking exactly like the one in 'Avatar'. After taking pictures, we made our way to 'Lake Eacham', a volcanic crater lake formed 12,000 years ago. Out of the lakes/waterfalls visited, we got to swim in 3 of them! Lake Eacham was crystal clear and refreshing being formed from only rainwater, we had a good swim before breakfast provided by Matty.
The next stop was Dinner Falls, an amazing waterfall that again we could swim in. Next door to this waterfall was a 138m deep crater, of course chucking sticks and whatever we could find into this was a must do. After our swim we had lunch and a pint at a traditional Aussi pub in 'Milla Milla', Chaggie of course had the 'Pie and Chips' available, what Brits we are.
After lunch we weren't too far away from the 'Milla Milla Falls', the most popular and photographed waterfall in Australia (the one in Peter Andre's 'Mysterious Girl' video). A popular waterfall that once again we managed to swim in, this one was very cold, we were able to swim behind the waterfall and climb up the rocks giving us quite an amazing view.
Before our drive back, Chino caught his eye on a piece of road kill! A good spot as it was a dead 'Cane Toad' which are poisonous toads hated by the Aussies.
Our first stop this morning was to see a 500 year old strangler fig tree. A huge, historical tree looking exactly like the one in 'Avatar'. After taking pictures, we made our way to 'Lake Eacham', a volcanic crater lake formed 12,000 years ago. Out of the lakes/waterfalls visited, we got to swim in 3 of them! Lake Eacham was crystal clear and refreshing being formed from only rainwater, we had a good swim before breakfast provided by Matty.
The next stop was Dinner Falls, an amazing waterfall that again we could swim in. Next door to this waterfall was a 138m deep crater, of course chucking sticks and whatever we could find into this was a must do. After our swim we had lunch and a pint at a traditional Aussi pub in 'Milla Milla', Chaggie of course had the 'Pie and Chips' available, what Brits we are.
After lunch we weren't too far away from the 'Milla Milla Falls', the most popular and photographed waterfall in Australia (the one in Peter Andre's 'Mysterious Girl' video). A popular waterfall that once again we managed to swim in, this one was very cold, we were able to swim behind the waterfall and climb up the rocks giving us quite an amazing view. Zilla Falls and Elinjaa Falls were next on the list, both picturesque waterfalls surrounded by rainforest and wildlife, these couldn't be swam in though due to time as well as strong rapids which could lead to death, so fair enough.
We stopped off at 'Josephine Falls' today, only to look at though due to flooding, the wet season has struck hard this year in OZ. This was where we stopped for another quick time to eat food provided by Matty.
We stopped off at 'Josephine Falls' today, only to look at though due to flooding, the wet season has struck hard this year in OZ. This was where we stopped for another quick time to eat food provided by Matty.
It was after our stop this evening that Chino found a Leech sucking away at his ankle, only took a touch till he dropped off. Would have been on for a good couple of hours without Chino realising, so a pretty full leech.
We got a lift home and arrived at 19:00. Todays tour had great people on it from Austria, Germany and America. We met some great people including the Captain himself, who even managed to jump in the lakes/waterfalls with us today.
Before our drive back, Chino caught his eye on a piece of road kill! A good spot as it was a dead 'Cane Toad' which are poisonous toads hated by the Aussies. Plenty of swimming done today in some of the most picturesque and crystal clear places we've been to and seen.
Chaggie x
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