Sept 26 ... Cape Hillsborough

We are enjoying completely indolent days here but it would be even better if we felt more comfortable swimming. We heard on the radio that there are no bad stingers yet, just jellyfish, but these have a sting also and are quite plentiful in the water. We might brave it later on if it stays this hot though. We do not see anyone else in the water and the tide goes out so far that getting wet could be a challenge in itself.

Given that this is a protection zone for dugongs and turtles we were very surprised to see jet skis and boats zooming around, and fishing is allowed. There are also whales not far off shore and these craft are out there badgering them. It makes you wonder exactly what these animals are being protected from!  

Yesterday was pretty much a write-off for me. I developed quite a bad sinus headache the night before and had to take all the usual drugs. These are very slow to work and leave me feeling really tired so I just lay around the whole day reading the papers and a book. It was a bit boring for Garry who took himself off for a walk over the headland to the north which he enjoyed. As per usual, I am fully back on deck today but I really resent “losing” such a beautiful day.

On his walk, Garry had views back over towards the hills across the mangroves and mudflats which are quite extensive given the tidal range. He also could look down on picturesque small bays and some distance out to sea.
 

The day before we had done the big walk over and around the Cape. It started with 500ms of steps ... all ascending at a steep angle. That made us very aware of our fitness levels! The first lookout we came to was Twin Beaches Lookout and it was beautiful to be able to look down on our beach and the next one around. It also let us see just how clear the water was and appreciate the colour.

A few kilometres further on we came to Turtle Lookout ... so called for obvious reasons. In a short period of time we saw about six turtles swimming and feeding close to the rocks. We also had some excellent views across to Shoal Point, which is just north of Mackay, and the hinterland. While we were watching a number of sea eagles were gliding overhead enjoying the wind currents coming off the Cape. It was a great spot to stop and watch all the “action”.

Looking across toShoal Point

Turtle Lookout

One of many

We continued our bushwalk through the rainforest and around to Andrews Point lookout. From here we had more views across to Wedge Island. This island is connected to the mainland at low tide by a rocky causeway and you can walk across. We also hoped to see some whales but there were too many whitecaps and even though we knew they were there, we could not pick them up. As we descended the Cape, we saw lots of butterflies but none of the Ulysses. That treat was saved until today when I saw a number of the bright blue butterflies in the caravan park around our van! They were huge but moved very quickly and would not settle so you only ever see them for seconds.

Our rainforest walk

Wonderful views

The causeway at low tide

    

We really enjoyed our bush walk as the views were excellent and we saw some special animals, but it was reasonably hot and strenuous, and I was quite happy to just wander along the beach in the afternoon and enjoy its “golden” sands and warm water once again.

Hoping to see some more Ulysses butterflies we went for a walk behind the park this afternoon. The sign said Hidden Valley was only a kilometre, so we kept on. The views were good and it was a nice walk but we saw no insects or birds or animals. The one kilometre actually took us to the start of the Hidden Valley walk! This was a loop through some really beautiful rainforest. There were huge trees and all the usual ferns and vines. There were information boards around the whole 1.5 kilometres and it was designed to acquaint people with the bush tucker and culture of the local aboriginal people. On the shore line the stone fish traps and their middens were still obvious. So, what started as a quick look for some butterflies turned into a proper walk and one we enjoyed very much. We felt we deserved the ice cream we had for afternoon tea!

On our trip there have been very few unpleasant things to include but here the midges deserve a mention. I am covered in itchy red lumps despite slathering myself with Aerogard every morning.  We know it is not sandflies because Garry hardly has a bite and I am largely unaffected by them. We picked up some “Itch Goes” in Exmouth, marketed by an old acquaintance Col Jarrett, and it works really well thank heavens, but I will not be sorry to leave despite all the beauty of the place.