The Balancing Rock - Chillagoe
Waiting for sunrise under the rock with the setting moon on my arm.
You have to visit Chillagoe. It is an amazing place that has so much to see and the people are very friendly. Viewing the Balancing Rock is free and many go there to watch the spectacular sunsets you get in the area.
This previous day there were no clouds in the sky so we decided to leave the growing crowd and try the sunrise the next morning which I am shown waiting for above.
The very bright full moon that morning.
When I arrived at the rock I was all alone and the sun was yet to cast any light on the day. It was a full moon however and it provided quite a bit of light to the early morning.
I decided that I would head up to an elevated area I saw people sitting at to watch the sunset the previous night.
High up on the rocks looking towards the sun about to rise.
As I looked away from the setting moon towards the rising sun from the rocks I was treated to a beautiful sunrise. A wonderful morning spent listening to the plentiful array of birdlife you find in Chillagoe.
If you are a bird watcher you will love Chillagoe and make sure you stay with Carolyn at Chillagoe Cabins who is extremely knowledgeable on the local birdlife, much of which you will see at her cabins. Accomodation, tours and info at Chillagoe Cabins
Carolyn`s local knowledge of the area is extensive and she conducts paid tours. There is a lot to do for free in Chillagoe and she will give you all that info as well.
Moonset meets sunrise.
I love it when moonset meets sunrise. Usually most people like my wife are still in bed at that time of the day which leaves me to enjoy beautiful places like this all alone.
The previous day - Sunset
When we arrived at the rock the previous day we were alone but as I mentioned a large number of people arrived just before sunset.
The rock formation above is the back drop to the Balancing Rock and I took the second photo from the other side as the sun was setting and we were leaving. You can see how much the colours of the rocks change with the setting sun hitting it directly.
The pathway to the Rock.
The pathway up to the rock from the carpark is about a 200m walk on dirt but is quite smooth and not too steep. It is a loop track and we walked around it several times to take it all in.
As the sun set it cast the most vibrant red colour tint over everything. Especially beautiful is the effect it had on the trees amazing us as they changed colours each time we went around the track.
The Balancing Rock turned red by the sunset.
At the base of the balancing rock you can see what looks like a section where a piece has been broken off. This occurred when lighting struck the rock in 2018.
Getting there - take your time.
You will see many cows at the side of the road.
From Cairns it is about a 3 hour drive up to Mareeba and then out to Chillagoe. Driving late in the afternoon will have you driving straight into the sun which is to be avoided. Blinded by the sun you may end up hitting a cow, horse, wallaby or kangaroo.
Why did the cow cross the road?
There are cows and horses that will at times venture out onto the road. We saw one horse dead on the side of the road and know that our car would not survive hitting an animal that large. Locals told us that the horses are very unpredictable when near the road.
Slow down and take your time :)
Large sections of the road are dirt. They were also under repair when we travelled out there in September 2019. Expect to have some delays for roadworks but in the end just take your time and arrive there safely.
From Mareeba to Chillagoe there are numerous railway crossings with no lights that you are expected to stop at to check for trains, so be careful.
It is well worth the drive! Accomodation, tours and info at Chillagoe Cabins. Old looking website but do not let that fool you. The facilities are great and that good old fashioned service you do not see so much today is very refreshing.