Our BIG day out....

When you live in such a small community sometimes you just need to get out..... go somewhere new where you don't know everyone, have a bit of an explore, see some new things. We are incredibly lucky up here because neither of us had spent any time in the area before we moved here, so when these days pop up we have so many options of new places to visit. So after a big few weeks and and an ever empty fridge and pantry we decided that Saturday was going to be a BIG day out!

We woke the kids early and set off, we drove a few hours and drove to a tiny village called Yungaburra. Now this place was too pretty to stop at, it is a full day trip in itself another time when the markets are on. It is simply too pretty for words with most of the shops retaining their original facade and quirky gift shops and cafes, even the chemist looks like it is out of a movie set. It is 72 km from Cairns up the Gillies (though I'd advise you to drive the extra 30 or so km through Mareeba and Kuranda to avoid the Gillies I am never travelling that way again, it makes the Kuranda range look tame). If you ever spend any time in Cairns you need to spend a day in Yungaburra, it's beautiful.

Our official first stop for the day was at Lake Barrine. We spotted this butterfly as we emerged from the car, it was breathtaking as was the view of the lake from the tea house as we ate our scones with jam and cream and drank our coffees.

 Lake Barrine has two 1000 year old Kauri pine trees which are amazing, just magical. 'Miss 5' pondered "I wonder what they would say if they could talk?", I wonder indeed! 

We then decided to do a small bush walk in our non-bush walking clothes. The density of the rainforest was enveloping and the kids were enjoying it until we discovered what leeches were.

 They were everywhere, and it was hilarious watching the different reactions as we pulled and flicked and squished these 'little buggers' off us. We also spotted beautiful birds and a quoll in the rainforest, much to the kids excitement. We had the full leech inspection as we jumped in the car...off to the next stop.

The next stop was just down the road at Lake Eacham. It is beautiful crystal clear jade water with excellent facilities and turtles. We stopped to look at the turtles (not thinking we would see any) and we saw heaps. Admittedly they were being fed Marsh Fly's by the hundreds by us. Up here at the moment its 'Marshie' season. These huge flies are everywhere on dusk but at Lake Eacham they were also out during the day. They bite and sting and are huge.... and slow. So we swattered them and threw them in the water, the turtles had a feast and we had fun revenging the 'Marshies' that had been attacking us for weeks.

Our next stop for lunch was Malanda Dairy Centre at Malanda. Malanda is the dairy capital of this area and we are big supporters of the dairy industry with our ridiculous milk consumption so we thought we would check it out. The kids loved the displays about the history of dairy in the area and 'the olden days' when milk was delivered in glass bottles each day. 'Miss 7' was very happy about being born in this time after reading about the average day of a dairy farmers child. It was interesting to read that the original cows the the area were bullocked north over 16 months from Lismore in northern NSW where both my husband and I grew up, through Brisbane where we moved from last year. We treated ourselves to a beautiful lunch here, with salad and fresh juices...the works (and all the things we haven't eaten in about a week here). They really looked after the kids with colouring while we waited... I love places that do that!!

Finally it was grocery shopping time. I left the boys to start the groceries while the girls went to the Target baby section. Our girls were crazy, everything was "cute" and "adorable", after many "can we buy this for the baby Mum?" we settled on some socks, singlets and wondersuits in very gender neutral colours, just to get started. All I can say is I am thankful these girls can't shop easily because if they could this baby would be too spoilt with clothes already.

We headed back home, with 3 tired kids and 2 refreshed adults and a boot full of food. There is something cleansing and revitalising about experiencing new places. Far North Queensland has such a diversity of natural beauty, from the rainforests, to green dairy country, water filled volcanic craters, 1000 year old trees and the bush at home, we saw it all in a day and it was amazing.... just another one of 'these beautiful days'.