Townsville to Cairns

Our first destination today was Castle Hill. This is located not far the hotel and winds up a steep hill to almost 600m giving the most panoramic views all through 360 degrees. Extremely popular road for walkers and cyclists getting their Saturday morning workout.



We then began the trek north until we reached our 2nd stop for the day. Frosty Mango provided us with an excellent breakfast.



The temperature is creeping up now and by the time got going again it was 27.

We kept on for a bit then turned off for a 50km trip inland to see the spectacular Wallaman falls. Apparently the falls with the highest sheer drop in Australia.



The road was fairly straight through sugarcane plantations and then we went over a cattle stop and for the next 15km there were cattle grazing the roadsides and wandering anywhere they pleased. Fortunately they were not bothered by the bike and basically just ignored us. A bit like being in India again.

We then bagan a steep and windy hill section of about a 600m ascent, close forest on both sides of the road and as we climbed the temperature dropped which made for extremely pleasant riding conditions. It was too narrow and tight to be fun on the bike and also the newly laid seal was left with stone chip all over it. Why do they do that?

We reached the falls caarpark and the first thing we did was photograph all the pretty butterflies attracted to a bottle brush we parked next to. We then climbed a little rise to the lookout and boy these falls and gorge did not disappoint.



We debated about trekking to the base of the falls for a swim but it was a two hour round trip hike and we still had some distance to so decided against it.

We then retraced our journey back to highway and apart for a brief lunch stop then gas and ice cream shop we had an uneventful but tiring ride to Cairns in 30 degrees.

I think we are now officially in FNQ

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