GOING WEST

We left Kuranda and our little train took us through the Atherton Tableland stopping at Mutchilba and then we went further west through the Einasleigh Upland Savannahland. This railway and its towns were originally built in the late 1800's to support the gold and tin miners. The towns were quite big in those days with thousands of people and hundreds of hotels. After the mining fizzled the people who stayed turned to agriculture and cattle. The farmers used the railway to transport cattle and produce but not anymore it is all done by road transport now, which I find hard to understand. Consequently the railway is only used by this Savannahlander Train for tourists and the few towns that have survived are very small. I admire their wish to introduce tourism to keep their little towns alive.

 We travelled through miles of sugarcane, coffee, tea, diesel tree and tea tree plantations, mango and citrus orchards as well as pumpkins.

The morning tea stop was at Mutchilba Roadhouse. There was no station you just climb down the steps onto the ground and walk across the road to the roadhouse. TOH was loving this train.

 We climbed back on the train and we left the tablelands and entered the Savannahlands. 

 Next stop was Dimbulah where the little station had an interesting garden and museum. That is one glamorous daggy hat.

Next stop was Almaden where the cows roam through the town without being fenced in. We were told that it was because there is no fire brigade in the town so the cows keep the grass down so it isn't a fire hazaard.

We had lunch in the Hotel's Beer garden. It was a mass of colour with Bogainvillea. The train stopped here overnight while we were taken by mini bus to the little town of Chillagoe where we were accommodated in rustic country cabins.

 On the way to the cabins we stopped by a marble mine. The pits fill up with water in the wet season and they are totally surrounded by huge blocks of marble to prevent the cattle from getting into the pits as many fall in and drown or get stuck in the mud when they dry up.

 There is only one general Store in Chillagoe but it has a good stock of marble sourvenirs.

 Besides its marble Chillagoe is known for its Limestone Caves. We were taken on a tour of the Royal Arch Caves. The caves are not lit up so we have to carry a special torch pack around our waist and neck.

 We lit up the caves with our torches. The caves were very long and tall.

On the way back to our cabins we were taken to a huge private collection of vintage Ford vehicles. In a big old country shed old Tom showed us some of his prize Fords. He was born and bred in Chillagoe and is a typical 'bushie.' He never wears shoes. He has been invited by Ford in USA to attend an upcoming celebration. He's not sure if he wants to go.