Day 1 - Cairns to Speewah - 42kms
As usual, I was heading to the airport nice and early for my 6am flight. The taxi was early and a keen cyclist!
This trip will be my first tour starting in Queensland. The flight was uneventful and I arrived on or close to time in Cairns. Once I had put the bike together I was riding by 10.30am. Once out of the airport I picked up a cycle path which took me to Smithfield. It really was nice to be riding out of the traffic. The path cut through lots of sugar cane fields. At Smithfield I picked up some fuel for my stove. I then headed up the hill to Kuranda. At some points it was a little warm, but the scenery was nice. About ⅔ the way there was a nice lookout. I could see where I started earlier on at the airport. Whilst getting my pictures I was chatting to some of the motorists who had driven up. I arrived in Kuranda in time for lunch. Kuranda is a quaint little town in the hills. Last time I was here I came up via the cable car and went back down on the train with lovely wifey. Today I grabbed a burger for lunch and to follow a yummy ice cream. Before I left Kuranda I bought a few provisions for the next couple of days. For my accommodation today I decided to contact a warmshowers host (Peter) located in Speewah. I arrived at Peter's just after 3.30pm. He has a beautiful block of land in a very lush green area. When I rode along the driveway of his place there were a number of wallabies resting on the grass. Peter was very welcoming and I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon. Today has been a long first day. With getting to the airport early, reassembling the bike and then riding up the hill to Kuranda. But it has been a great first day. Nice scenery, meeting great people already and the bike is fantastic. Tomorrow I'll be stopping in Mareeba for coffee and then heading through Atherton. |
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Day 2 - Speewah to Atherton- 64kms
I really enjoyed the evening at Peter's place. He cooked a wonderful dinner and we watched the State of Origin after. Great game, go the Blues. After the game I had a great sleep.
This morning it was very grey outside and there was a little rain. I left Peter's place at about 9am. He was a fantastic host and has a lovely place. I headed towards Mareeba. Which is about 30kms away. The road at times was busy with a narrow shoulder. But the motorists were good. I got to Mareeba just before 11am and stopped at Coffee Works. Coffee Works is a big coffee shop with lots of different types to try. I bought myself a pack to take with me on my trip. Whilst I was at Mareeba I met Konrad. He is another warm shower host who works a lot in the areas I am going through. He was able to give me a lot of good pointers on things to see and places to camp. I left Mareeba around 12.30pm. The original plan was to go via Chillagoe and visit the caves there and then follow the dirt road to Normanton (approximately 500kms). Due to the unusually wet weather I have decided to go via Atherton. The ride to Atherton gradually goes up into the tablelands. I cycled past banana, mango and coffee plantations. As I was heading south I had to deal with a not so great headwind. The rain also picked up. Thankfully there was a nice shoulder for most of the ride. I was going to camp after I got my provisions when I got to Atherton. Instead I decided to stop at a motel in Atherton. Atherton is the main town in the tablelands. The weather is still going to be a bit damp tomorrow. But hopefully it will clear up by the weekend. |
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Day 3 - Atherton to Innot Hot Springs - 85kms
Pleased I checked into the motel last night. I think it rained for most the the night. This morning it was still very misty but not raining. I was riding by 8am.
The road gradually climbed for the next 25kms. I stopped at Mount Hypipamee National Park. In the park there is an old volcano and waterfalls. It was a very pleasant place to enjoy second breakfast. Once I was over the hill the weather got a bit cooler and a little wet. I only had another 25kms to go till I got to my lunch stop, Ravenshoe. The last 10kms were pretty quick, but cold, downhill. I got to town at around 12.15pm. Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland. First thing I wanted was lunch and to warm up a bit. As I got a little wet coming down the hill. Once fed I headed to Millstream waterfall. Which is about 5kms out of town. The falls were very picturesque. When I had finished at the falls I continued my ride to Innot Hot Springs. It was only another 25kms and mostly downhill. The rain had let up but it was still very cool. It felt like I was riding in the Snowy Mountains and not North Queensland! It is a very prolonged cold spell. So happy I decided to pack my waterproofs, as I almost decided to leave them at home. I got to Innot Hot Springs at 3.30pm. When I pulled in it just began to pour with rain. So timed my arrival perfectly. Again I checked into a cabin. Once settled in I went over to the hot springs. There are a total of about 5 pools which vary in temperature from 24c to 44c. I must had spent an hour hoping in and out of the different pools. A perfect end to the day. |
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