Day 10 of our trip - the day began with the climb up the mountain range, through Kuranda and onto Atherton. What lovely countryside, the lush green rolling hills before wandering our way into Atherton. It was here that I found (another) coffee/tea/chocolate shop - oh yumm!!
We continued on to Ravenshoe where the Visitor Centre is the highest in Queensland. Sadly some years ago a terrible accident happened in the town and a café exploded after a ute ran into the back of the café and it's gas bottles. From what the lady in the bakery was saying, a parkland will be created on the vacant allotment with a memorial to those that died.
After a lovely lunch at Ravenshoe, we headed for our nights stop at Mt Garnet. A non-descript quiet little town that really is just a stopping off point for people, especially those heading north up to Cape York.
Day 11 of our trip - after some kms along the Kennedy Highway, we turned off and continued down the Kennedy Development Road stopping off at 'The Lynd' and the Oasis Roadhouse for lunch. Again we turned and continued along the Gregory Development Road to Greenvale. Now this little town has some history. The caravan park here was a much nicer one than last night - but hey, one not so good one (Mt Garnet) in the whole of our trip is not bad!
Anyway, here at Greenvale is the '3 Rivers Hotel' made famous by a song written by Stan Coster and sung by Slim Dusty. Have to say, their meals are incredible and a lovely dinner - and a few drinks - was thoroughly enjoyed. What made it even better, it was in easy walking distance there and rolling distance back!
Again this is another of those overnight stops for those making the trek further north to either the Cape or the Gulf and Kurumba.
Day 12 of our trip - today we continued on our way south heading for our overnight stop of Charters Towers. This is a long ago gold mining town and it's history is quite something. They even had their own Stock Exchange and had a booming business in the late 1890's through to the 1920's.
There are many beautiful buildings in Charters Towers from those by-gone days.
The Post Office building is still operating as the post office for Charters Towers.
I think the post office building in just about every country town had a clock tower!
The pantry and fridges/freezers were replenished at Charters Towers, for our continuing trip south, including a yummy salted caramel cake that was to celebrate Mother's Day the next day.
Day 13 of our trip - today was a day of just driving, there really is not a real lot to see on the road between Charters Towers and Clermont.
We stopped off (as you do) at the Belyando Crossing Roadhouse for a break before continuing on to Clermont.
Jumped back in the car and continued to head south for Clermont. As previously mentioned there was not a lot to look at on the road from Belyando Crossing to Clermont.
Our overnight stop here was interesting with a memorial and flood level marker from December 1916.
There is a replica of a piano that got stuck up a tree during the flood!
Day 14 of our trip - from Clermont it is on to Springsure. From here we took a diversion to check out Fairbairn Dam and Lake Maraboon - quite impressive.
Again a lovely caravan park at Rolleston where we caught up with the washing - some things you still have to do when you are 'on the road'. It was nice to just have a quiet evening.
Day 15 of our trip - After Rolleston we were still heading south where we passed through Injune and onto Roma.
We stopped off at Injune for a break and discovered they had in the last few years built a lovely new Information Centre - oh yum, the scones, jam & cream were to die for - country cooking at it's best!
After leaving Injune, we came across some cattle being grazed in what is called 'the long paddock' - in other words along the side of the road - sometimes they even wander across the road in front of vehicles.
At Roma we set about exploring the place including the 'Big Rig' Information Centre
where everything you want to know about the oil and gas explorations in the area can be found.
We also enjoyed the sight of many, many bottle trees along most of Roma's roads, including the biggest bottle tree which I believe is some 100 year old.
For now though, it is goodnight from Roma.
I agree with you about the clock tower and the best baking is found in country towns. Looks like you had good weather for your trip.
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