The Golden Gumboot

Tully's main claim to fame is it's annual rainfall said to be the highest in the land although Babinda sometimes claims the title.
The Golden gumboot is the first of the "big things" we will be featuring in this blog, although it is hardly the finest example of a "big thing"at least it's a start!

A River Somewhere

Tiring of lying around the van park, eating, drinking and relaxing, we headed off in search of Tully's answer to the Grand Canyon, Tully Gorge. Tully Gorge is the White River rafting"mecca''
for backpackers. It was interesting to see the many boatloads of rafters pull into to beach where we were enjoying a cool dip after our picnic lunch. The water was just right, not cold, perfect.

Waterfront site

After heavy rain in Cairns during our stay at Coolwaters Van park, we were surprised to wake up at 1.00am one morning to find water almost lapping our van and many others flooded and being pulled out of the water. The Freshwater creek had burst it's bank and inundated the park. We were lucky to be just high enough to escape the deluge. Others were not so fortunate, especially those in tents. The weather here in Tully has been so good that we will stay for a few days more.

Day 1

After a few delays, we have finally hit the road although we haven't travelled very far. A fellow nomad at Cairns Coolwater Van Park (where we spent a month or so) recommended Tully Heads Googarra Beach Van Park. We packed up in the rain at Cairns and arrived at Tully Heads around 2.00pm. The sun was shining and we were able to set up camp in the pleasant surroundings here. Of course, we have had rain but spells of sunshine also. The park is very quiet, hardly anyone here. We have a nice little shady gazebo next to the van with a barbecue and table and chairs. Pictures will follow in a day or so.

Before leaving Cairns Steve fitted new awning tracks to the pop-top which gave us more headroom under the awnings and changed the whole aspect of the van. We also fitted a Thule luggage pod to the car and roof racks at great expense. Steve has put my sewing machine and overlocker in the pod out of my reach. These have been a constant irritation to him. I might add that already I have put them to use doing a job for Aimtek via Marc. We bought the pod from another man staying in the park at Cairns. Next purchase may be a ladder so that we can reach the pod on the car roof and the next problem is where to put it not in the pod obviously.

Later today or tomorrow, we will go down to the Hull Heads to check out the fishing and the area generally. We will probably stay here for a few days more.