Chris n Shirley's 2026 Queensland Trip: Chapter 7 - Cassowary Coast

Day 39 – Monday 6 July - Ingham to Forrest Beach - 47 km

Early to bed and early to rise. You know the story.........

We were ready for the day by soon after 8am. We decided on a 800 metre walk to Coles to (re)buy some cereal that someone (no names here) had left on the roof of the car in Townsville (never to be seen - by us - again).

On the way we scored another couple of birds in Tyto Wetlands, then some art.

Above: A Peaceful Dove and a Pacific Black Duck

Above: Mosaics

Below: More art

We stopped at the (Italian) cemetery as locals had mentioned it to us. Ingham has a strong Italian community and until recently had an annual Italian festival. There was no doubt that the Ingham Italians look after their departed family members.

Above: A small section of the Italian part of the cemetery

Of course, whenever we are in or near Ingham we have to take a photo of sugar-cane being harvested.

Above: Harvested sugar-cane being tipped into a train

Yesterday was a short day. Today was shorter still, being a mere 29 km from Tyto Wetlands to Forrest Beach - including the detour to the cemetery. Camp was soon established and coffee was consumed. We had time for a walk on the beach before lunch.

Above: Our camp at Forrest Beach

Below: The beach about 75 metres from the caravan

It was a chill-out afternoon. Not much was achieved.

Around mid afternoon a strong breeze blew in from the east and eventually drove us indoors.

Day 40 – Tuesday 7 July - Wallaman Falls

Wallaman Falls was the bucket list item for the day despite the wind and the low cloud. It was a 70 km drive west - the last 20 km having many hair-pin bends and turning Shirley avocado green. The flat-lands - before the climb - had plenty of cattle on or beside the road.

Above: The magnificent Bull on the left was happy to stand within arms length as we stopped for a photo. The family to the right looked like they needed a good feed.

However the 20 km climb was a magnificent drive through dense 'wet' rainforest.

Above: Our rainforest drive

Wallaman Falls, located in Queensland's Girringun National Park, is Australia's highest permanent, single-drop waterfall. Fed by Stony Creek, it plummets 268 metres into a massive, mist-shrouded gorge. And that was how we saw it.

Above left: Wallaman Falls as we saw it on our arrival - cloaked in low cloud.

Above right: As we saw Wallaman Falls and the gorge 30 minutes later.

The waterfall would look absolutely stunning on a clear and sunny day.

The temperature had dropped from 24 degrees to 16 degrees by the time we had climbed 540 metres from sea level.

Above: The Stony Creek gorge below Wallaman Falls

Below: A view to the ocean from a lookout on the way down. On a clear day you would see lots of sugar cane, Ingham and the ocean.

There was a 4 km return walk to the bottom of the falls. However we decided that we did not pass the physical/age test to allow us to attempt it. So we didn't.

On the way back to town i scored a photo of a 'Spotted Harrier' flying through a young pine plantation - maybe looking for lunch.

Above: Spotted Harrier

As we were back earlier than expected we shouted ourselves to a pie at Mick's Bread Kitchen. I decided on a 'Smoked Brisket, Jalapeno & Cheese' Pie. Shirley had a beef & bacon pie. There were both superb.

Above: Smoked Brisket, Jalapeno & Cheese' Pie

A few Bush Stone-curlews did their best to look like statues.

Above: Bush Stone-curlew

When the sun decided to come out for a while we took the opportunity to have a windy walk on the beach.

Above: Forrest Beach looking south

Below: Grey Nomads squinting into the sun

We had Italian chicken Kiev sausages & mash for dinner. Very nice

Day 41 – Wednesday 8 July - Forrest Beach

Sunrise was expected at 6.48 am so I was on the beach by 6.38 am. Clouds delayed the sun's arrival until 7 am but it was worth the wait.

The washing was on the line by 8 am - and Shirley slept on - for a while.

Exercises, reading and sudoku filled the morning.

Lunch, then more of the same, although a 3+ km beach walk replaced the exercises. The wind has been continuous since we arrived.

A few things were packed up in readiness for a departure tomorrow.

Pork belly stir fry & rice was dinner.

Day 42 – Thursday 9 July - Forrest Beach to Murray Falls

We said goodbye to Forrest Beach once again as the wind still howled. It was overcast and looked like rain. No chance today for another sunrise photo so I got a photo of the beach-side turtle sculpture.

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The blog was on hold for a few days as we were on an unpowered site in a national park Thanks to rain, cloud & hills we had minimal solar. So we conserved power.

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With a 9 am departure we were able to do some shopping in Ingham then hit the road before 10. We were not long on the road when we stopped at Cardwell for coffee and a walk along the beach – and a photo of the pier. We had a tail wind for the short trip and were soon at the Murray Falls camp site in Girrimay NP.

We had camp established by lunchtime and then we went for the short walk to the very impressive Murray Falls about 150 meters from the caravan. Around 12 people have died around the falls from ignoring the safety signs so I got a lecture from Shirley before we got there. I obeyed Shirley, of course.

Above: Murray Falls on the Murray River

We then walked downstream about 200 meters where there is a day visit area and swimming is permitted. It was a lovely spot. Some youngsters were taking advantage of the crystal clear water.

Above: Murray Falls Swimming Area

Around three pm I lit the fire in readiness for the roast chook being placed in the camp oven. Occasional sprinkles of rain were a worry, but the roast was duly delivered and was pretty good.

Above: Roast Chicken - Camp-over style

Day 43 – Friday 10 July - Murray Falls

We woke to light rain, then had breakfast. The rain then eased. There was a wheelbarrow of wood left behind (no wheelbarrow) at an adjacent site. It is now mine. It was heavily overcast, so we had no solar power.

Notably, we are yet to see anyone use the standalone (cold) shower.

Above: Standalone, one-person cold shower

The sun came out around 10 am so we decided to go for the two kilometre return walk to the top of the falls - but not before we had a coffee. While we were having the coffee a Forest Kingfisher entertained us. However my photo of a few days ago was better than I scored this morning.

Above: Murray Falls Forest Kingfisher giving me the 'eye'

Above: Murray Falls from the Lookout above the falls

Below: The Murray River valley below the falls

The walk to the falls was through thick rainforest. According to Shirley there was 330 (rocky or metal) steps each way. The view of the falls, and down the valley, was superb.

Above: The rainforest walk to Murray Falls

On our return the Forest Kingfisher again entertained us, and again later in the day.

We decided on curried sausages for dinner. The fire was lit about 3 pm and the snags started cooking in the camp-oven maybe 3:45. All of the ingredients followed in turn. Rice was last, to save using a second pot.

The procured wood was used and I found out why it was left behind – wet and green. However my childhood days came to the fore and an excellent fire ensued.

Things happened a bit earlier than normal so we dined a bit earlier than normal beside the fire. Dinner was excellent in a superb environment. The background noise was from multiple families enjoying the location – as were we.

Above: Curried Sausages & Rice - Camp-oven style

Day 44 – Saturday 11 July - Murray Falls

It was a slow start as we had nothing that had to be done – apart from exercises.

After a mid-morning coffee we went for a drive to admire the beautiful valley that we were camped in. A lot of it is sugar cane. We are surrounded by hills.

We stopped at a road-side stall that sold a number of things. We purchased:

Tangelos. $2 for 2 kg. With a sign “Bit Woody But Sweet”. They were excellent.

Mandarins. $2 for 1.5 kg. With a sign “Not Pretty but Nice”. Also excellent.

'Woody' Tangelos & 'Not Pretty' Mandarins

It is a pity that we bought mandarins and oranges a few days ago.

A second road-side stall provided four large passionfruit for $2. Yet to be opened. We need ice-cream.

After lunch we did the short stroll to the falls again and were just as impressed as two days ago.

We were entertained by four Rainbow Bee-eaters who were too elusive for a decent photo. They looked like they were feeding on something on the water below the falls.

I had some wood left to burn so scones were the order for today. Some herb/cheese scones to accompany the spaghetti for dinner, some plain scones for tomorrow. The fire ran out of wood as we moved indoors.