Lucinda

Lucinda

After a few days in Townsville we headed north along that fairly average piece of bitumen called the Bruce Highway.  Before long we were into the sugar cane country and Ingham a small town with a healthy Italian heritage.  We were soon on the lookout for small cane trains as we drove to Lucinda 26km from Ingham.  Lucinda’s claim to fame is a 5.3km jetty that sugar is loaded from as well as its reputation for good fishing and access to Hinchinbrook Island. 

                                 The old Jetty at lucinda with Hinchinbrook Island in the background.

 The 5.3km long Lucinda Sugar Jetty. 

You can actually see the curve of the earths surface out towards the end.

Day two in Lucinda saw us drive to Tremonne and go to a lovely church at the local Italian elderly citizens centre.  Tremonne has about 200 people, a shop, a pub as well as a catholic and state school which was a bit unusual for the size of the town, but it is only 6 km out of Ingham and surrounded by lots of small cane farms.  From there it was onto Wallaman Falls, 50km up  the mountain. Wallaman Falls are Australias longest single drop waterfalls and after 35  minutes of windy roads we got there.

                                                                    Wallaman Falls

                                                                  From the lookout.

 The falls were spectacular and after lunch we headed for the walk to the base of them 2km and 370 metres below in the valley. Will tripped over after 100 metres and was not that happy, It was hot and after another 100metres he made his intentions clear that he wanted out.  Chrissy did the good motherly thing and offered to mend his wounds whilst Jordy, Kurt and Jim carried on. It was a tough walk to the bottom through the rain forest in high humidity on a hot day but it was worth the effort.

The ascent back to the carpark was hot ,humid and hard work but after a few breathers they made it with Chrissy waiting with some cold water  at the Wallaman Gorge Lookout near the end as they arrived, dripping with sweat.

                                                             

                                                                           At the bottom.

                                       Hot and sweaty and back at the top after a big challenge!!!

                                          Beware of Cassowaries, they are big and aggressive.

Fishing was also on the agenda at Lucinda and apart from some tarpon (not great eating) one evening our success was limited to catching our own bait with a cast net which Jim and Kurt are mastering  (after a couple of lessons from more experienced elderly gentlemen).

                                                              Will and his Tarpon

                                                         Kurt with his silver ferrari

 Now sonny  Jim, loop, loop, grasp in right, grab the skirt, peel , gather right,

 gather left and then throw, ........got it?

Chrissy discovered an ebay Birkenstock shop which happened to be located in little old Lucinda, and managed to score 2 pairs of Birks for $70 – retail therapy at last.....  try margmont9  if you’re keen and mention that Chrissy sent you.

The boys were delighted by the presence of a 1.3m Goanna that wandered around the park, as well as the fascinating Curlews that appeared everywhere day and night.

Lucinda was a great place to unwind for four days with plenty to do for everyone.

                                                                 Will doing his journal.

                                                      

                                                                         Wild Child

 

                 A peaceful dove made its nest in our TV aerial. So we have to stay for three weeks?

                                                                          

                                                                  And an egg as well.