I was in Ravenshoe, how could I not go?
24th June 2024
McKenzie Falls, 23rd June 2024. Happy Birthday Aidan!
I could not count the number of times I have walked into MacKenzie Falls. Despite that when I was recently in the area I had to make the walk again.
June is one of the best times of the year to visit as the water flow is a little slower than the rest of the year. I love that slower water that reveals the rocks a little and is not just one big white mush I see during the wet season.
As I made my way along the track to the falls much of the surrounding bush was burnt. Just a short spell of dry weather and all that growth from the wet becomes fuel to a fire.
Not everything was dark and burnt along the track. As always there were small birds in the Lantana bushes and some of those bushes were flowering against the back drop of burnt trees.
It was quite a cool day and very overcast for most. Along the track under the canopy it was quite dark and for the above hand held photos I needed to have ISO at 12800 on my camera …there was not much light.
As pretty as those flowers may appear Lantana is a highly invasive plant that has done great damage to our native environment since being introduced.
A section of burnt and non flowering Lantana.
Lantana takes over and becomes so thick that many of the native animals have trouble moving through it. In the Ravensoe area Lantana is sadly everywhere.
McKenzie Falls that day on my arrival.
This day was quite overcast but as I arrived at the falls the sun was peaking through the clouds. It was time for a hot chocolate and to sit and enjoy this slice of heaven.
I wandered the multi tier waterfall for quite a few hours watching how the water made it’s way down the rock face. Every visit it never looks the same.
The last of the sun on the day hitting spray from the waterfall.
With the last of the sun about to fade away I packed up and prepared to make my way on foot out of Tumoulin National Park.
The falls heading into darkness.
As I left I climbed from the base of the falls to the top and the last of the sunlight hitting the falls ended. The colours in this section of rocks stood out to me as I passed……so I stopped and took one last photo for the day….as you do ;)