We spied another Playpus.

Tuesday 28th,

We drove back to Cairns today to try and get this campervan sorted. Another problem reared it's head as,  when Ian tried to reverse into a space at the campsite last night, there was no power to the engine and Ian suspected that the auto gearbox was at fault.  After several attempts, Ian managed to reverse and we kept finger crossed that all would be well in the morning. The place we stayed at last night was by a pub. Here we could stay for free but they did appreciate us going for a drink. Very easy to say yes to that request and it was here I saw our first Cane Toad.

Anyway back to the Cairns and the hire place. So we saw the same guy who showed us around in the first place. He almost didn't believe us when we said the water tank was empty and even poo-pooed my argument about the door not closing...until he tried it and the thing refused to open! Result!!!! Anyway, the problem with the gearbox was rectified. It was the brake switch which gave a faulty output so the engine thought we were applying the brakes. This was changed and we received an apology about the door, water tank,( the dented wing had already been noted as nothing to do with us) and the only embarrassing bit was when we told him about the base to the electric kettle. He undid the packaging, opened the lid and sure enough inside was the base. Because we had been inconvenienced by having to return, two bottles of decent red wine came our way. Here's hoping the rest of the journey is a good'un.

We travelled back to Kuranda to do the butterfly house and bird world before setting off for the tablelands.

We had been told by our Northern Tour guide Glen what was a must see. The Cathedral Fig and the Curtain Fig.was high on the list, as was a quaint town of Youngaburra.

Cathedral Fig. 75 metre around its base and 25 metres wide. The host tree has long gone leaving the root system.

Curtain Fig 39metres around its width and is the largest strangler Fig in Queensland. the original tree has rotted away leaving this impressive root system. It is estimated to be over 500 years old.

 Speaking to the locals they pointed us in the direction of  Peterson creek where Platypus had been sighted. So straight round to the creek and sure enough, on a bend, a Platypus feeding.

First BBQ this trip