Toby had a lie-in. A long lie-in. Apparently he was tired. When he eventually woke up we set off for Lake Eacham. It is one of two volcanic crater lakes about an hour southwest of Cairns, on the wiggliest road ever. Jamie was glad he was driving; he’d never have coped as a passenger. In true Australian style, a patch of water that was not home to an estuarine crocodile nor filled with jellyfish therefore had a picnic area, changing blocks, toilets and public bbqs!
We decided to have our picnic first before walking the 3km track around the lake. We really got the sense of the crater shape as the walk ran along the ridge. It was surrounded in rainforest and had informative signs all the way round. The lake is 65m deep and has no rivers flowing in or out. The level changes by 4m between rainy season and dry. We saw loads of turtles swimming – they are such elegant creatures in the water.
After our walk, it was time for a swim. Like good tourists, we checked that other people were swimming and read the information about the freshwater crocodile who lives in the lake. Apparently they don’t eat people. So we all had a swim. Toby thought it was a bit cold, but he had a brief splash, partly to wash off the lunch!
We met a local couple who told us that on Australia Day, the lake is packed with people. And there was a group of lads from the UK who were travelling about Australia too. All nice chatting. There was another rather interesting bunch of people having a bbq too. Big family, larger than life, playing very loud music. Completely out of kilter with the rest of the surroundings. Ho hum.
On the way back to Cairns, we had a quick stop at the other crater lake, Lake Barrine. Unfortunately, due to our late start, we missed the tea house being open. We think they’ve missed a trick closing so early really, because there were lots of people turning up to see it.
The drive back to Cairns took us over a range of hills. It was really noticeable that on the lake side of the hills, everywhere was green and could easily have been mistaken for the UK. The other side of the hills was much browner and drier. Such a marked difference.
On returning to Cairns, we went back to the supermarket to by some food for dinner. We decided that eating in the apartment would allow us some time to pack in preparation for our early start tomorrow and the long journey home the following day. Chicken, potatoes and veg purchased, we headed back and cooked tea. Then packing, bath time and bed.
