Tuesday 12th July Rollingstone

  We woke to a beautiful morning with very calm seas and a cloudless sky. Today was spent touring around the area close to Rollingstone. We started by taking a climbing and winding road up through the Paluma National Park to visit Little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek and Sliding Rocks. All of these places were stunning. The waters were crystal clear and the whole area, surrounded by tropical rainforest. The walks to each of the falls were all reasonably easy but there were a few steep climbs just to challenge us. We were tempted to jump in and have a swim at a couple of the spots but after Rob tested the water we decided against it and left it to the younger people who were happily swimming. We returned to the van for a quick bite to eat before heading off again. I had worked out that there was a creek which emptied into the ocean just a few kilometres away at Balgal Beach. I had hoped to put the kayak here as there was a boat ramp. When we arrived it looked quite good for a little paddle so Rob drove the Landcruiser down onto the boat ramp. I had gone off to read a historical sign about the area. While doing this, two women who were on a jetty overlooking the boat ramp started talking to Rob to let him know that a couple of saltwater crocodiles had been sighted in the creek. I heard this and said don’t bother taking the kayak off. There was no way I was going to kayak with these guys around……although Rob was trying to encourage me to go anyway.J Instead we both went for a lovely walk along the beach and a drive around some of the other areas, close by. We found a lovely caravan park at Mystic Sands Golf and Country Club. For $10, you can stay there. There is no power but plenty of water, showers and toilets. There is also a pool for people to use.  The clubrooms and adjoining bowling greens looked great and happy hour was held every evening. The golf course looked pretty good so we put it on our list as a possible place to stay on our way back. Rob can play golf and I can laze around by the pool, if he doesn’t want me to caddy. J