(Pronunciation tip: it sounds like El-eye-as)
We’ve been blessed with the most amazing hosts for our nine days in and around Cairns. Our good friend from swing dancing, Simone, grew up in Cairns and took the week off to fly north and show us around her old stomping ground. We have been so fortunate to be based in the garden suite at her parents’ place during our stay. More on that soon.
We left Townsville last Sunday, expecting the four hour journey to Cairns to take us maybe five hours. Instead it took nine, as we got distracted by the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of special spots to explore between Townsville and Cairns. We snuck in stops at the Hinchinbrook lookout, Josephine Falls, and the enchanting Babinda Boulders. So much more left to see on our return stretch!
That evening, we arrived to the serenity of the Elias’. Their beautiful family home overlooks Cairns’ surrounding mountains, and their beautifully curated gardens attract all manner of birds and birdsong. It’s a little slice of paradise.
In the first half of the week, around bouts of light and heavy rain, we accomplished a hike up Glacier Rock, a number of trips to Cairns’ premier coffee establishment, Blackbird, we dined on some exquisite Elias feasts provided from the bounty of their vege and herb garden, and regularly indulged in some Cambio (card game) and chai. I particularly enjoyed making a vege lasagne made almost exclusively from veges from the garden. Dan’s fallen in love with Sue’s homemade pickled cucumber and tomato chutney. Turns out pickles go on absolutely everything …
On Thursday, we took off to explore the Tablelands, heading to Davies Creek campground for two nights before a night at Lake Tinaroo. At Davies Creek, we had a beautiful spot near the wide flowing creek. We rock hopped up the creek, star gazed, did a steep climb up Turtle Rock, and lazed by Davies Falls. (And ate delicious camping food – covered in pickles.)
We had a ball getting to Tinaroo, stopping at Mareeba’s Coffee Works for brunch, the Mount Uncle gin distillery, and stunning Lake Eacham. I don’t have a photo within easy reach, but imagine a circular lake surrounded by rainforest, a deep shimmery blue with circles of green and sand colour around the edges proving just how clear the water is.
At Tinaroo, we celebrated Simone’s brother’s birthday with their family and his friends. Highlights included (for Dan) wake boarding sessions, watching Simone and her family gravitate towards the guitar and singing, and a feast of fresh fish and adobo (Philippine dish) and homemade baklava and citrus poppyseed cake (thank you Sue and Hannah).
On the way home, we were treated by a potent rainbow – so vivid that the main rainbow consisted of the spectrum repeated three times, over which was a second separate rainbow.
A couple of quieter, patchy-rainy days later, and Simone is now home and we’re ready to take off. The canopy is brimming with Bonsoy, the car is now fitted with a snorkel (ready for the Great Barrier Reef) and we’re ready for adventure … after a couple of days bunkered down at Port Douglas until the rain passes. As much as Cairns has impressed with its natural beauty, I think the real beauty for us has been finding a rich sense of family. Thank you, Eliases.
VRPS
[Cairns]
The Two Swords 