Millaa Millaa to Townsville

Our drive down to Millaa Millaa was quite uneventful and we arrived before lunch at a very nice caravan park amongst tropical trees and bushes and backing onto a golf course. In the afternoon we visited a series of local waterfalls and a lookout giving a magnificent panorama view of the surrounding countryside. Millaa Millaa Falls.

The following morning we were up early for a drive to the Undara Lava Tubes. The journey along the Kennedy Highway was quite boring. I have never been on a road that was so straight for so long. All you can see in the distance is one long straight road with the odd bend here and there. On the sides of the road and in the bush are thousands of termite mounds.

 

The Lava Tubes are formed when lava from ancient volcanos flows down a gully or watercourse and the outside of the flowing lava solidifies leaving the inside to continue to flow. Eventually the flow of lava ceases leaving these extensive tunnels or tubes. Because of the remoteness of the area, these tubes have only been discovered relatively recently. Some of the tubes have partially fallen in giving access to the inside. Absolutely fascinating.

The Kennedy Highway carries quite a few “Road Trains” which are trucks with two or more trailers. On our way back we met a road train with 3 trailers going the other way and the draft created by this speeding mass broke the support bracket on my drivers’ side extension mirror. Amazing.

The following day we travelled down to Paronella Park which we visited on our way up and took part in one of their night-time tours where many of the features where lit up. Paronella Park.

It was then off to Townsville again, staying at the Scout Camp at Bluewater. The local Rovers had a “Christmas in July” function while we were there and I met one of the leaders who is an ex Northern Area Rover from Tassie. We again visited the waterfront at Townsville and re-stocked our caravan. Townsville waterfront.

Next stop Charters Towers.