Cookin' in Cooktown: Week 36-37 in Cooktown

Here in the Southern Hemisphere, we have our summer vacation in December-January. We took this opportunity to travel to the Atherton Tablelands. It's a region that's higher in elevation with rolling hills of green pastures. The climate is also a bit cooler compared to rest of the Far North Queensland.

On the way there, we stopped by Mt Malloy Cafe for their burgers. They claimed they are the largest burgers in Australia. It is very common to have egg, beetroot and salad on the burger. No ketchup but instead a bbq type sauce.

Mmmm.....

Once in the town of Atherton, we stopped at the Crystal Cave.

Worlds biggest Amethyst Geode - The Empress of Uruguay:

Kids got to crack their own geodes:

Another attraction in Atherton Tablelands are their picturesque waterfalls.
Millaa Millaa Water fall:

Zillie Falls:

Ellinjaa Falls:

Malanda Falls:

Little Mungalli Falls:

We also stopped to check out this huge Curtain Fig Tree:

We stayed at this historic Falls Teahouse. It's an old farm house that serves morning and afternoon tea. We were the only tenants at the time. Three guest rooms with antique furniture sitting on the top of the hill. The owner has a 73 Datsun 510 with RB26 turbo engine.

Just down the road, we stopped in at a local dairy farm. We were surprised to be motioned down into where the cows are hooked up. No joke - the cows were going to the bathroom - diarrhea style - as we were standing under them. We were covered in SHi__! What an experience.