Go, Chilla to Chillagoe

For the benefit of overseas readers (and probably many of the younger Australian readers) I should explain that 'Chilla' is a familiar form of "Charles".  The town we visited today was apparently not named to honour any Chucks but from an alleged sea shanty (of which I have never heard).

We began by dodgin Atherton town by using Marks Lane and Beantree Rd.  The latter took us past the blueberries we saw yesterday, where work was happening.

 I wondered why the ends of the netted areas were open.  There are obviously fruit on the bushes.

 I foresee a visit to the place to ask some questions.

After passing through Tolga we took Channel Rd.  It is not a major thoroughfare being at times what I call three ply (1 lane of bitumen with a lane of dirt on either side).  At other times it was closer to two and a half ply but there was no other traffic so hakuna matata.

We came to an intersection where we could go right to the Mareeba - Dimbulah Rd or left on another, minor route more directly to Dimbulah.  On this occasion we trended left, for a very interesting drive through a lot of intensive tropical horticulture (bananas, cane, mangoes).  After a while we came to the main road and eventually Dimbulah.

As well as the Memorial Hall ...

 .. it had the Funky Mango Cafe (graced with statues of Jake and Elwood above the front) and a very helpful Museum/Visitors Centre,

The road is marketed as the Wheelbarrow Way as the miners used to walk from Mareeba pushing their kit in a wheelbarrow.

 The local schools have got into this with tiles along the walkway.

 Heading West some hills or possibly mountains were visible.

Just after leaving Dimbulah we disturbed 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles dining on a former wallaby.  The adult took off but the immature bird landed again to lurk in some long grass near the meal.  Its the first time I have seen a Wedgie act like this.

 On, on down the road,  A family of black pigs (2 adults and 2 small items) diced with death but decided to head back off the road.  The cattle were more laid back and just watched us pass.

 The road went up and (mainly) down.

Losing elevation and moving inland meant things were getting warmer.  By the time we stopped at the Almaden Cemetery it was 28^oC.  Here is one approach to decorating a grave...

 ... and here is a second, possibly more traditional approach.

 To the West of Almaden the road got a little dodgier with stretches of dirt (in good condition) and some painted rocks.

Approaching Chillagoe we came through the Ramparts area with some very impressive rock formations.

In the main street were a couple of genuine road trains.  (In South Australia I think they try for, but fail to achieve, glory by calling B-doubles road trains.  Three trailers count.

 A black Kite was looking more bronze on a power pole.

 The Chillagoe Cemetery had much to recommend it with some headstones made of the local marble (of which we had seen many quarries along the road).

 This Honour Roll was a project of the Dimbulah-Chillagoe Masonic Lodge.

 It was particularly interesting as it lists not only the names ages and plot numbers of the occupants but their religion and jobs.  (Click on the image to expand it.)  Without a rigorous investigation the most evident occupation was 'child': I reckon it would have been a tough life for a kid out here between 1901 and 1920.  (Probably not too easy for the following 100 years either!)

 More decoration.

 This headstone is interesting for a number of reasons.

1. The occupant was a Mason;
2. He died not long after mining started in 1890;
3. The epitaph is interesting; and
4. The mason for the stone was in Townsville about 400km away.

This collection of objects were at the entrance to the cemetery.  Judging by the way the wires had cut into the tree they had been there for a fair while.

 We visited the weir which had excellent swimming holes being enjoyed by tourists and locals (but not us).

 The two German guys in this were obviously well set up for outback travel.  A sign where the Burke Development Rd left the town mentioned that there was no fuel for 590km, so I think they'll need their extra cans on the roof.

 A spider web.

 An impressive yellow flower (on a medium size tree).  Duncan has commented (see below) that this is a Kapok tree - Cochlospermum gillivrae.

 A couple of views of the smelters, which are now just historic relics.

 The QNPS have really done this area nicely with many helpful signs about the history and geology of the area.  They even allow dogs (or at least don't prohibit them) in the mine area!  Some limestone outcrops  ...

 .. and a balanced rock.

 The drive back was still interesting but we were motivated to get home.  We did stop however when Frances noticed the gorgeous red tails on this flock of Black-Cockatoos.

• Bird of the day: Brown Quail .  Mather Rd gets a mention for my first " three Cuckooshrike species in 5 minutes" record with Barred, White-bellied and Black-faced in swift succession.   The Red-tails get a second crack at flock of the day.
• Vegetation of the day: Yellow thing at Chillagoe
• Memorable moment: Looking out over the site at Chillagoe
• Comment of the day: "The National Parks people are funny."  Part of a conversation about whether we could take Tammy into the Park.  This was definitiely a reference to funny-peculiar rather than funny-haha,  
• Pie of the day: I got something described as a pie at the roadhouse in Chillagoe.  Came in cellophane.  Was warm (microwaved) and had brown stuff inside.  One would need to be severely inebriated to enjoy this and completely legless to give it more than 3/10.  In fairness, probably no worse than similar commercial offerings in other towns and States.
• Troppo moment of the day. Temperatures >30^oC in Chillagoe - and it is still Winter!

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