To Blencoe Falls loop: Cairns - Mt Garnet - Cardwell - Cairns
Early November 2024
Blencoe Falls, early November 2024.
Last week I fulfilled a promise I made to myself that one of the first locations I would visit on the new motorbike would be Blencoe Falls. The plan was to camp at the falls but I forgot to pay the camping fee :(
As an alternate camping location, I decided to spend the night at the Kennedy River crossing. And as if he had never moved in the 4 years that have passed since I was last there, a White Faced Heron was fishing the waters when I arrived.
Setting up camp amongst the trees.
The banks of the Kennedy River are lined with twisty and gnarly trees. I set up camp as many others have before right in the middle of the trees by the river.
With camp set up I went for a walk and ran into this bird (appears to be a honeyeater) creating it’s nest in what appears to me a sight that is just a bit too low to be safe. Being low down did however make for some great photos.
Wallaby and joey feed at the edge of the river bank.
As we neared sunset animals started arriving at the river bank for a drink. I was the only person there this day/night so the animals were quite relaxed. This Wallaby and it’s joey joined me for quite a while.
Sunset fast approaching, Kennedy River.
This is a section of quite gnarly trees along the river with the setting sun poking it’s way through.
The insects arriving with darkness.
There were thousands of these insects skimming across the surface of the water. For some of them it would be there final day as birds skimmed the surface to pick them up for a meal.
I had a little trouble finding an area free of rocks but did eventually find one. There are old fire pits all along the edge of the river. I set up right next to an old one.
A small and short fire to keep the insects at bay before bed.
With the sun now gone I stayed up for a little while to have tea. A small fire to kept the insects under control.
Sunrise the next day.
I woke the next morning well before sunrise to a chorus of small birds with very big voices. It was a beautiful sound.
Daylight starting to hit the river.
By the time the sun was bouncing over the trees and hitting the river it was time for me to go. I was already packed up and ready to travel the short distance to Blencoe Falls.
Cattle also heading towards Blencoe Falls.
As I exited the Kennedy River campsite and pointed the motorbike towards Blencoe Falls, a group of cattle were also heading that way. Watching out for cattle on this dirt road was a constant task.
The Kennedy River from the Blencoe Falls lookout.
The dirt road ride from the Blencoe Falls lookout to the Brice Highway at Cardwell was a much more interesting one than from Mt Garnet. I certainly had to pay more attention as I rode. There are several spots on that road that I want to check out in the future. The black top ride from Cardwell to Carins is a bit of a bore. Wish I could have taken a few dirt side roads on the way home to explore, but time did not permit it.
The new adventures will continue :)