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They say Atheron means 'land of many tables' which seems to me to be a rather healthy oversupply supply of tables in the 'Atherton Tablelands' region. A quick survey of of the area indicated no more tables than one would expect in a rural and regional area.
Despite this unverified 'fact', Atherton and it's surrounding areas was one of prettiest spots we have been to so far. Whilst the nights are chilly - much much cooler than the nights on the coast however we can cop this as we have had clear blue skies every single day.
We managed to pack quite abit in the few days we were here.
A trip to Lake Tinaroo - a dam built some years ago which has a bunch of camping spots right on the water (we didn't camp there just a few drive-bys. It would be a fun lake with a kayak, tinnie, small sailing boat or fishing. Sadly we had none of these or much interest in the last one.
A dirt track around the lake showed off all the nice spots.
This track finished with, go on have a guess, yes a strangler fig. But not just any strangler fig, a large strangler fig which I called Mega fig tree (editors note: actual name Cathedral Fig Tree). This one was really big, like a few stories high, maybe 5 or 6, and it was really wide at the base. I think it would take about 30 people to fully reach around it. There were heaps of epiphytes (look it up yourself).
We dropped past Yungaburra for some platypus viewing (no luck) then abit further along for another strangler fig, this one was also a mega strangler fig which I called Also Mega Fig Tree (editors note: actual name Curtain Fig Tree), I can't confirm the height (but looked big) or the base size (technical term look it up!) but had the added benefit of looking abit like a curtain due to a fallen host tree years ago.
Comparing the two it was a slight points victory to Also Mega Fig tree, sorry cathedral fig tree.
By that time I was too distracted thinking about mega fig trees so had to head back to the tent for a lie down. We then went to the pub for dinner and watched the waratahs - a big mistake on both counts.
Next day a drive on waterfall way. 3 waterfalls spotted and all reasonably impressive. Between the waterfalls travelled through some impressive country, with loads of diary farms, rolling hills, rainforest and non rain forest patches.
Then a trip to the replica historic town at Herberton. A good few hours there looking at some old stuff - snagged a few ok photos there.
The next day a dark day - chores in the morning (mostly clothes washing) then a game of golf at Atherton GC. Now I don't wish to blame the very ordinary hire clubs we used with their mud coated club faces, rock hard grip free grips or a putter that couldn't putt straight however my 1-0 lead in our 9-hole golf challenge has quickly turned into a 1-2 deficit. It wasn't pretty golf from either side but unfortunately I was marginally less good!
That night we attempted the same exercise as Saturday - dinner and rugby at the pub (vs Scotland) this time. Sadly another mistake!
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