Atherton Tablelands

After we left Gulf Country we meandered our way eastwards along the Burke Development Road, not doing very much and taking the time to rest our paws. We visited a few small hamlets along the way and eventually emerged at the Atherton Tablelands, just 100kms from the coast. The Wadjanbarra Yidi people are the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of the Tablelands.

Approaching Queensland’s highest town, Ravenshoe, from the west brought about such a dramatic change of scenery it was not much short of breathtaking. Within about 50kms the red dust, termite mounds and scrubby plains gave way to misty mountains, lush valleys, cane fields and waterfalls. The road signs we’d been seeing for a couple of months warning us to be careful of cattle, wallabies and road trains were replaced with signs telling us to watch out for cassowaries and tree kangaroos. And as beautiful as the outback is, it was really refreshing to find ourselves in the tropics.

We’re camped in the town of Atherton and have spent the past few days taking in the scenery and exploring the villages nestled into the mountains. It’s such a beautiful part of the country, I’d go as far as saying it’s our favourite of this trip so far.

We’ve also hit beautiful weather and have had the chance to send Phil-E-Buster the Drone up for a quick look over Lake Tinaroo (where the Labs were glad to finally have a swim without fear of being eaten by crocs). My drone flying skills still need a bit of finessing and don’t really do justice to the lake’s peaceful beauty. Hopefully this selection of photos will give an idea of how lovely it is up here. (Not many of the townships unfortunately - tricky to hold the phone while wrestling the Labs on narrow footpaths).