Twenty-three million years ago volcanic activity produced a shield shaped landform. Part of this is now known as the Mt Warning Shield Volcano. Centuries of weathering have shaped the landscape to its present form and in the centre Mt. Warning towers, one thousand metres above the surrounding land. Within towering escarpments lies dense rainforest and spectacular scenery.

This is a wonderful part of the country and we spent a lot more time here than we had intended. The caravan park in Murwillumbah was our base and from there we ventured far and wide.  We explored down every track we could find.

Magnificent trees and spectacular landforms.

Sausage sizzle at Cutters Camp in Mebbin National Park near Murwillumbah

We both agreed that Murwillumbah and Mt warning would go down amongst our favourite places and is sure to be revisited sometime in the future.

From Murwillumbah we followed the Tweed River to the coast then turned north and headed towards Brisbane. After a short stay in the Queensland capital our journey north continued along the coast and hinterland. Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Benaraby and Lake Awoonga, Gladstone, Rockhampton and Mackay were all stop overs along the way.

We had been on the road for about seven weeks and in all that time the weather had been perfect. But being from a farming background we knew that not everyone would be welcoming such a long,   wide spread spell of dry weather. We were entering the tropics yet the country side seemed to be crying out for moisture. Dried up dams on farms and streams that were barely a trickle made us aware of how dry the season was. Many of the caravan parks we stayed in had water restrictions in force.

Cardwell is about two hundred kilometres south of Cairns and just off-shore is Hinchinbrook Island. We spent a few days here and this tropical paradise really impressed us.  There are many places that come to mind when we look back on our trip. Cardwell is certainly one of them, a town where there is much to see and do.

A golden sunrise over Hinchinbrook Island.  As the receding tide rolled gently onto the beach the first rays of sunshine illuminated a heavy cloud formation. In the gathering light palm trees, silhouetted against the sky formed a line along the shore. The golden glow from the rising sun painted the waters of Rockingham Bay. The silence of the early morning broken by the squeak of sand under our feet and the lapping of water on the hull of a yacht moored in the shallows.

A step back in time at the Cardwell Post and Telegraph Station to the pioneering days. Built in 1870 this heritage listed building is the centre piece of a museum which gives visitors an insight into Cardwells early days and the role that the town played in the development of modern day post and communication systems.

Cardwell Range Lookout with panoramic views of Hinchinbrook Island and Cardwell.