Day 13: Millaa Millaa - Granite Gorge - Kuranda

July 4, 2018

At 8 o'clock sharp we are ready to go. Today's drive is not incredibly long, but we have planned some stops along the way. So let's get started!

We leave the campground - it stopped raining at dawn by the way - and drive to the small town of Millaa Millaa to refuel. Since we have already seen plenty of waterfalls during our previous trips (and there is usually not much water in the waterfalls at this time of year), we decide not to take the Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit and instead focus on the most famous one, the Millaa Millaa Waterfall. And we are not disappointed!

We are all alone at the waterfall.

It seems that there is construction going on here or paths being paved, so there is a lot of rubble and debris at the foot of the waterfall, and caution tape is everywhere. But the waterfall is amazing and impressive. It also has a lot of water. It's still too cold for swimming this morning, but it would be cool in warmer weather.

We take some photos of our private waterfall (even with my favorite 'Fern tree' in the foreground) and then continue towards the "Curtain Fig Tree National Park".

There, we walk the short trail to the giant fig tree and then head around the corner to the Platypus Viewing Platform.

We walk along the entire path by the pond and stream, go under the bridge to the other side, but the platypus just doesn't show up. Too bad...

But we already saw one in Eungella National Park. Next, we head to our personal highlight of the day: Granite Gorge Nature Park!

I had tried to adjust the route several times in advance so that we could also stay at the campground there, but it just didn't work out. Since we have to return the RV in Cairns the next day, the distance was simply too far, and from experience, we know that besides packing up, cleaning, and dumping, it would be nice to have access to showers, laundry, etc. So we settle for a day visit and have booked the campground at Kuranda Rainforest Village.

The drive takes us towards Atherton Tablelands and the landscape suddenly changes color from "juicy green" to "straw yellow". It's dry here all of a sudden. Horses are standing in steppe-like fields, green grass is no longer visible, and suddenly there are banana plantations. Wow! We drive through one of the plantations and can observe the workers during the harvest.

The turnoff to Granite Gorge Nature Park is well signposted, and the paved road abruptly ends with the last sign. It continues on a washboard track.. uh-oh... with an RV.

We slowly bump along the washboard ruts to the park entrance and secure the last parking spot (at least the last large one). After paying the entrance fee and taking a hiking map for the rock trail along with some kangaroo food, we quickly visit the restroom. Like on the previous campgrounds, it is a toilet and washhouse. My daughter and I walk to the women's restroom. There are 3 toilet cabins. I carefully inspect all corners here - both in front and behind the toilet. It's quite dark, and I don't want to encounter any creepy crawlies. As I finish inspecting everything, the daughter in the next cabin screams and leaves the toilet cubicle.
"SPIDER!"
Ahhh, where?? I cautiously look into her cabin and at first, I can't find anything, but then I look up in the corner. Oh God!!! HUGE SPIDER!!!

A palm-sized spider crouches motionless in the corner. I have never seen such a large spider before!
So our trip to the toilet becomes the fastest one of our lives (on the toilet I had already inspected) and as we leave the restroom, we almost run into a huge turkey that is calmly strolling around here. Of course, my husband can't resist making fun of us because we are panicking about a small spider once again...

When he sees the "small spider", he is no longer so cheeky and admits that he has never seen such a giant specimen either. Since I don't have my camera ready and I definitely won't get close to that creature, there is only a distant photo taken with a smartphone.

The park operator comes by laughing and explains that it is a completely harmless "Huntsman" spider that keeps the annoying insects away from him. He says it is very well-behaved and super useful... yeah right... not my kind of pet!

Outside, there are a few aviaries with birds and cockatoos. We start our way to the granite rocks and walk through the small office of the park operators, across the terrace with some terrariums and cages. After examining all the lizards & Co, we get to the black granite rocks! What a climbing paradise!

It's hard to believe that such a natural gem is hidden here in the middle of nowhere, between the steppe and cities! We are thrilled. As we climb down from the first rocks to the trail, we encounter the first rock wallaby. Wow, we are in love!

They are so cute!!! After seeing and feeding kangaroos and wallabies up close in Brisbane at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, these rock wallabies are like mini versions of kangaroos. So small and cute!!!

Many of the little munchkins are tame and hop right over to us to get a treat from the bag. They also love our water bottles and seem to be more interested in a handful of "water" than in food.

After bidding farewell to the little furballs, the adventurous part of the excursion begins: climbing through the granite rock landscape! Awesome!!!

After climbing some rocks and scrambling over bridges, streams, and stones, I let my family continue with a detour on their own and wait for them in the shade on a rock. While I have a drink and enjoy the scenery, I hear rustling and nibbling behind me. Right behind my back, a little rock wallaby is sitting and alternately nibbling on my camera strap (which is lying open next to me) and my jeans!

Yeah, such a cheeky little thing!!! It willingly lets me pet it and is not the least bit shy.

When I take the camera from the little nibbler, it looks at me very confused and starts acting offended.

In no time, it finds something else to nibble on. In this case, my pants! But when I forbid the cheeky wallaby from doing this, it goes after the backpack strap instead, before letting itself be distracted with water and drinks.
When the kids return with dad, they are absolutely thrilled with my little holiday guest. After taking plenty of photos, we leave our little wallaby behind and continue the climbing trail back towards the parking lot.

It's quite hot today, so we are sweating quite a bit. We decide to go to the swimming hole to cool off a bit.

We drive through the park towards the campground and day use area, where we quickly find the swimming hole.

We park right at the swimming hole, a truly idyllic spot with a picnic table and a rope attached to a large tree, where you can swing into the cool water. So we put on our swimwear and play Tarzan for a while!

While the family is splashing around and jumping into the water, I prepare lunch. Then, outside the camper, a loud grunt can be heard. Out there in front of the door, a little pig is waiting and begging.

Yes, you read that right, it's begging! Like a dog!
Instantly, the splashing stops, and the pig must be petted. How cute!!! Our neighbor in the camper, a German couple, tells us that "Piggy" loves to eat apples. Of course, they have some, and the kids get to feed the little pig with apple pieces. It's like a zoo here!!!
With loud grunts, Piggy then moves on and runs boldly into the neighboring tent. We don't know exactly what Piggy finds there, but apparently, the little piggy likes it in the tent.

After lunch, we reluctantly continue our journey. The campground here is really idyllic, and it's a shame that we can't stay here...

But when I think about the huge spider and the long way to the restroom, I'm not too sad to move on ;-)

Summary:
Campground: Kuranda Rainforest Village Campground
Cost: 28 € / Powered Site with Slab
Distance driven: 152 km
Animal sightings: Turkey, rock wallabies, peacocks, giant spider (!!!), and a piggy
Weather: sunny with 27 degrees
Conclusion: A fantastic day with rock wallabies and a begging "Piggy"