16th March Wettest Place in Australia

Today we have driven through a variety of weathers, but have always managed to keep ourselves dry. 

After leaving our swimming pool oasis we popped into Townsville Information Centre to get an update on the road conditions. And we've been given a few ideas of where to visit as we go northwards.

But before we left Townsville we had the issue of Freddie's lost cap. He lost it yesterday afternoon and had thought it was in the car somewhere. The boot had been emptied and it wasn't there. So we all had a look under the seats and in car pockets but still couldn't find it. Never mind we thought, it'll come to light somewhere. Then Eureka!!!

The offending cap was found in plain sight! 😂

So off we went.

The tourist information lady had directed us to go up Castle Hill for a view of Magnetic Island and the bay. I'm sure it's a lovely view when it's dry but we had a downpour just after I snapped this.

We had sunshine at the Frosty Mango for our mid morning pit stop.

Ominous clouds as we walked along the jetty at Cardwell. The only bit of our journey today that went along the coast.

We steered clear of walking on the beach but we did spot a man and 2 children fishing from the beach. Plenty of space to fish off the jetty so maybe they were going to be a snack for a hungry crocodile 😳.

Then we reached Tully and it doesn't seem to have stopped raining. The gum boot signifies that it is the wettest town in Australia - we visited it at the wettest time of year😂. According to Wikipedia it has an average annual rainfall exceeding 4,000 millimetres (160 in), and the highest-ever annual rainfall in a populated area of Australia (7,900 millimetres (310 in) in 1950).

The final part of our drive took us on a minor road, with warning signs for echidnas and cassawarys, to Mission Beach. Much to our surprise Ian spotted a cassawary. Freddie, who was driving did a quick U turn so we could go back and all see it.

It was a much brighter colour than the ones we saw at Australia Zoo. With it's head was a brilliant blue and it's body covered in very dark feathers - in captivity they're very dull in comparison.

This evening we're staying in a rainforest but keeping dry. The rain is bashing down on the tin roof above the veranda but refreshingly it's giving us a bit of a cool breeze. Outdoor cooking tonight but hopefully no frogs to join us.

Tomorrow we're off to Atherton - heading inland for some exploration.