Back to the Coast

26 and 27 July 2017

We timed our departure from the Tableland well. On Wednesday we awoke to light rain - the first we had seen since the start of the holiday. It increased in intensity as we headed east from Atherton but by Innisfail we were back to fine conditions.

We had hoped to spot a tree kangaroo while in the tablelands, especially at Malanda where we were told that lots of the arborial marsupials had been spotted in the treetops near the visitor centre, but they remained elusive - probably sniggering to themselves as we craned our necks looking into the canopy while getting progressively wetter in the process. The only evidence of their presence were roadside warning signs...

Our destination was Cardwell, one of the most attractively situated towns anywhere, located as it is right on the beach with the magnificent Hinchinbrook Island just off the coast. If it wasn't for the cyclones and the occasional croc, we could live happily there (oh, yes - and the summer heat and humidity).

Cardwell was hit badly by 2011's Cyclone Yasi. Damage to expensive boats and yachts at nearby Port Hinchinbrook, a very up-market residential development and marina, was severe. Six years on there's now little evidence of the event, although one enterprising local was quick to seize a business opportunity - as evidenced by the Yasi Bar and Grill.

Historic Post Office and Telegraph Station - Cardwell

Cardwell Jetty and Hinchinbrook Island

Cardwell Jetty

Bagu figures - Cardwell foreshore

Battle of the Coral Sea Memorial - Cardwell

Hinchinbrook Channel from Panjoo Lookout between Cardwell and Ingham

We had tentatively pre-booked a cruise to Hinchinbrook Island for Thursday but, unfortunately it was cancelled due to high winds on the eastern side of the island - we haven't had much luck with our north Queensland tours - so, instead, we drove down to Ingham, spending a couple of hours at the Tyto Wetland precinct. This is really impressive with its elevated boardwalks linking the wetlands to the regional art gallery.

Tyto Wetlands - Ingham

Kreffts Short-necked Turtle - Tyto Wetlands

We also wanted to view the Mercer Lane Mosaics - a series of artworks depicting the history of the Ingham area - but they initially proved to be elusive. We wandered around aimlessly looking for them, eventually locating them no more than 50 metres from the cafe where we had stopped for coffee when we first arrived in the town...

Mercer Lane Mosaics - Ingham