Paluma Range National Park

On the way to Paluma Range, 60 km north of Townsville, we stopped in Tully. The big gumboot (which represents the amount of rainfull Tully had one year) proved to be a fun slippery dip for the kids.

We camped at Big Crystal Creek, which had some basic facilities and lots of families as Queensland school holidays have started. The bush around was lovely but very dry compared to what we had seen around Cairns. Unfortunately some yobs had also decided to holiday here. After 24 hours of listening to their yelling and swearing, and putting up with them breaking beer bottles and lighting fires, 'someone' called police, who sent out four nice police officers to shoo them away. Yay police!

We spent lots of time swimming in the large creek, reading -Ranger's Apprentice for the boys, absolutely brilliant, relaxing in the hammock and more lego. The older boys developed a great interest in lighting leaves with a magnifying glass. Seems their pyromania is yet to be fully extinguished.

Camping nearby were three boys the same age as Isaac and Darcy. They wanted to try homeschooling so we did a bit of maths and also learnt about world heritage areas. I was a bit worried when one of the answers to 'what are the world heritage areas in Australia?' was 'Bonniedoon'! One night Isaac organised a very exciting night game of 'customs' which involved sneaking through the bush and trying not to get spotted with the torch. Arch was very good at it, being so little. Actually we almost lost him in the bush, as he was trying not to be found and didn't answer when we called!

Each day finished at the creek, with jumping off the rocks into the water for the three boys, and watching the tadpoles and fish for the rest of us.