gdtourism.Com: Exploring Wooroonooran National Park

Thứ Năm, 11 tháng 8, 2011

Exploring Wooroonooran National Park

ROAD TRIP DIARIES 24

Mt. Bartle Frere

We were pleasantly surprised with how our spur-of-the-moment visit to the enchanting world of Paronella Park had turned out so Charles and I decided to have one more detour to Wooroonooran National Park before setting off for Cairns.

After a hurried breakfast and one last walk around the exotic gardens of Paronella Park, we were back on Bruce Highway diverging towards Bartle Frere – Queensland highest mountain. It wasn’t our first rainforest national park on this road trip alone, but we figured it was near and accessible while the scenic Josephine Falls were a mere half an hour walk from the start of the trail.

Josephine Falls

We made it in no time to the viewing decks overlooking the creek and Josephine Falls. It was an easy stroll along paved track in the midst of yet another lush rainforest, which is also part of the World Heritage listed National Park.

The abundant rainfall on Mt Bartle Frere, which looms over Wooroonooran National Park, continuously feeds the raging water on Josephine Creek and the numerous waterfalls and swimming holes around. Flowing from the south-east side of the summit of the mountain, Josephine Creek tumbles over granite boulders forming the tiered cascades of Josephine Falls.

After checking out the different view decks and exploring the various walking tracks, we went back to the swimming hole near Josephine Falls. Charles quickly dashed onto the enormous boulder and slid down along the cascade while I delighted myself with the excellent photo opportunities it offered. I joined him later for a quick dip and it wasn’t long before tourists started to pile up including a busload of visitors from Cairns.

We were quite surprise how popular the place was although it wasn’t the most spectacular falls we have seen in this side of Queensland. Perhaps it was because of its proximity to Cairns, where most of its visitors come from and its accessibility.

But like the Noongyanbudda Ngadjon (noong-yan-budda-nud-jun) local Aboriginal people who calls this haven home and the early European settlers who frequented this spot, we were grateful we paid a visit. It was a refreshing way to start our day and definitely another worthwhile detour.

The Babinda Boulders Scenic Reserve

Shortly after lunch, we made it to the sugar cane countryside of Babinda about 57 kilometers south of Cairns. Its name is thought to have been derived from the indigenous word “binda”, which meant waterfall. It wasn’t clear, however, whether the aboriginal people were referring to the waterfalls at the nearby national park or the huge amount of rainfall it receives annually.

This time our detour was about the Babinda Boulders, a popular swimming hole lined with a series of gigantic boulders, which have been shaped and smoothen by tropical rains. The tranquil rainforest, the crystalline water flowing from Mt. Bartle Frere and the breathtaking lookouts were equally impressive as the ones in Josephine Falls but it was the Aboriginal myth and history of the surroundings that made our visit more interesting.

“According to legend a beautiful girl named Oolana, from the Yidinji people, married a respected elder from her tribe named Waroonoo. Shortly after their union another tribe moved into the area and a handsome young man came into her life. His name was Dyga and the pair soon fell in love. Realising the adulterous crime they were committing, the young lovers escaped their tribes and fled into the valleys.

The elders captured them, but Oolana broke free from her captors and threw herself into the still waters of what is now known as Babinda Boulders, calling for Dyga to follow her. As Dyga hit the waters, her anguished cries for her lost lover turned the still waters into a rushing torrent and the land shook with sorrow. Huge boulders were scattered around the creek and the crying Oolana disappeared among them.” (QLD Tourism)

The Sweet Scent of Gondonvale

We were determined to reach the city before dark so we didn’t make any detour until we had reached Gordovale. It was hard to ignore this town that seemed to beckon us before we had even reached it. It smelled like steaming sweet corn in the beginning and then of burned sugar as we came closer to the town center.

And then we saw the Mulgrave Central sugar mill dominating the landscape of the town center. Thick colorless smoke billows from its chimney and emanates a strong sweet scent that permeates the surroundings. It was rather a peculiar structure to be situated near the town center but it was surely doing its part in drawing visitors to this quaint town. There was a museum as well across the street and some historical relics on display on the park but we didn’t linger much at Gordonvale after finding out that the sugar mill tour had long been stopped.

With one last push, this time with no more pleasant interruptions, we finally made it to the only place I requested to be included on our itinerary. Hello Cairns icon smile Exploring Wooroonooran National Park review

(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)

Exploring Wooroonooran National Park review

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