11 October 2011 - Atherton Holiday Park, Queensland

Tomorrow we will head away from the Atherton Tablelands, having explored the last gems this place has to offer or those we wish to. We have stocked up the caravan with provisions to last through the next week, as we are not quite sure what lies ahead of us. No doubt we will pass through towns with supermarkets or food stores, but perhaps at inflated prices, but by now you will know that we economise where possible to allow indulgences at other times. One cannot live the perpetual holiday spending as one would if the holiday were only a week or so long.

This morning we also had the Central Tyre Service rotate the tyres on the landcruiser, something that Chris had wanted to have done for some time. And we returned the gas hose to the Gas Centre for exchanging but came away with the same assured that it would work. Practical application this evening proved that it did not.

Then after lunch we headed south back on yesterday’s homebound route to walk in the Wongabel State Forest, an easy 2.6 km leaf strewn path through bush, between a great variety of huge trees 40 to 50 metres high with names like Tamarind, Silver Beech, Red Cedar, and a hundred more. We spotted a little roo like rat creature rush across in front of us and spent some time debating whether it was a small wallaby or the tree climbing kangaroo or perhaps even the giant white tailed rat celebrated two days ago at Lake Tinaroo. The birds remained high in the canopy, noisy but unseen.

Nyleta Wetlands from the birdhide

Closer to home we called in to Hasties Swamp otherwise known as the Nyleta Wetlands covering 57 hectares hosting 220 species of birds, including harriers, pelicans, purple swamp hens (identical to their Kiwi cousins, the Pukekos), cormorants, ducks, geese, and many more. Wandering through this national park is not allowed, however a two story bird hide is built on the edge of the lake and it was just delightful to sit in the shade catching the breeze watching the wildlife. This peace  however was soon interrupted by a horrendous hissing machine racket. Chris and I hurried outside, I thinking that it might be the water pump to the loos starting up, Chris having no idea. As we approached the land cruiser, we realised the back tyre was rapidly and noisily deflating. We soon had it changed and were glad that the vehicle had been parked rather than travelling on the road, and that there were ablutions where we could make an attempt to clean up. Back to the Central Tyre Service who changed the tyre back after replacing the valve and insisted that no further charge be made. And so we returned to camp to enjoy the rest of the afternoon sitting out under the awning until the television news called us inside.