Wednesday started very hot and humid, sweating as we loaded the car to leave the Sanctuary at 9am. Lovely scenery driving north west, particularly as we got onto the Palmerston Highway heading for the Atherton Tablelands. Stopped at the Millaa Millaa falls and then lunch at the Malanda Hotel, the largest wooden building in the southern hemisphere and in the same family since it was built in 1911.

Still hot but much fresher in the mountains. Stopped at the famous Curtain Fig Tree just outside Yungaburra, which we reached about 2pm. Lovely small rural town , with mainly heritage-listed buildings. Very helpful lady from Norfolk in the visitor centre who sent us off on a platypus hunt along the Peterson Creek. It was a bit early and bright for them but we did see several saw-edged snapping turtles. Excellent supper at the Eden House.

This morning we went on a boat cruise roundLake Barrine, one of two crater lakes in the national park rainforest. Really excellent and informative guide who had eyes like a hawk and pointed out severalpythons, water dragons as well as many bird and plant species. We also visited the other lake, Lake Eacham, potentially for a swim, but the possibility of snakes and snapping turtles seemed to put us off. Further explored Yungaburra, in particular the Whistle Stop Cafe with its award-winning cakes! Back to Peterson Creek in early evening to find the elusive platypus,( inspired by the fattypus pictured in the album) we eventually spotted several platypuses. Followed by supper at Nicks Swiss -Italian restaurant (not sure what it's doing here, but very good food and the host played accordion). Sorry to be leaving as the 3-day Yungaburra Folk Festival starts tomorrow.

This is the last entry from Eastern Australia as we head off tomorrow to Auckland.