As it was only a 2hr drive to Mt Surprise, we decided we could see a few more sights around the tablelands before we drove west. The others hadn’t seen the curtain fig yesterday near Yungaburra, so we drove there and had a look at it – a great sight again. Then we went to the Petersen Creek at Yungaburra, where there was a platypus viewing platform – it was unlikely we would see any platypuses during the day though, as they mainly came out at dawn or dusk. But there was a lovely walk beside the Petersen River which we decided to do. It was shady and very pretty and we were the only ones on the walk. After about 10 mins walking beside the river we came to a suspension bridge that went over the river. The kids thought it was pretty cool. There were also a few stepping stones out onto the river which they played on for a little while, then we headed back to the car. Then we drove down towards Mt Hipapymee NP where there was another walk to see a crater and another waterfall called Dinner Falls. It was only a short walk. We saw the crater first which was filled with water. Then continued on the circuit to Dinner Falls. We had noticed a tour bus with a backpackers sign on it at the carpark, and we met up with them at the falls. A few of the guys were in the water below the waterfall – one of the girls jumped in and her face indicated how cold it was! We didn’t have our swimmers with us on that walk and thankfully Hannah didn’t ask to go swimming this time:).
We had some sandwiches for lunch once we got back to the car and then headed off towards Ravenshoe (which Lauren and Sam kept trying to call ‘Raven Shoe’). We read that this town was the highest one in QLD at 962m. Being high up it got quite windy at times and it was the sight of the first wind farm in QLD – about 15 modern windmills standing on the hills. We saw some of them as we drove past, but it was a bit of an overcast and misty day, so we couldn’t see all of them.
About half an hour west from Ravenshoe was a town called Innot Springs which had a thermal spring in it. We stopped at the creek and went down to feel the water. We had experienced thermal springs 2 yrs ago when we had visited Katherine and Mataranka in the NT. It was amazing how quickly the water changed temperature along the creek. Near where the centre of the spring was it was extremely hot (we didn’t even touch it – you could see the steam coming off the water). About 5 metres away it was of a temperature where you could sit in it and it was nice and warm. Then another 5 m along it was cold. There were a few other people already sitting in the nice spot. We let the kids walk around in the water nearby for a little while. At one stage Hannah walked a metre too far towards the centre of the spring on some sand and then put her foot in the water – she cried out from the heat. I quickly took her down to the cold area of water and got her to stand in that for a while. There wasn’t any serious injury, but it made me think that in this day of public liability, I was surprised there wasn’t a warning sign about how hot the water is to step in at certain points – it wouldn’t be too hard for a child to get a burn. Hannah was fine though and they finished their paddle and we went back to the car.
It was then another 40 mins or so on to Mt Surprise where we had booked in for 2 nights at the Bedrock Village Caravan Park, which we’d read good things about. We checked in and set up at our site. There was a pool and a putt putt golf course, and a nice area for the kids to ride their bikes. They did some bike riding and had a swim. We also booked in for the half day tour to the Undara Lava Tubes the next day.
For dinner that night we joined in the dinner prepared by the caravan park, which was pumpkin soup, bangers and damper. It was yummy. We had it at the camp kitchen, along with other travellers – but didn’t get to talk with others much that night – they were all engaged in conversation with others already – and our youngest children were the youngest there – so perhaps they thought we would be too busy for talking (which can be correct some nights!). Then it was back to the caravan for the usual night time routine.