I awoke at 7 am, anticipating a visit to Josephine Falls with Moni. However, she returned, reporting that the sunrise was obscured by clouds. Experiencing considerable discomfort from a restless night, I had managed only three hours of sleep. Faced with the task of doing the dishes without soap, I recalled a car stopping nearby the previous night, and the driver had used a water tap. Unfortunately, my forgetfulness in the supermarket had left me without soap. I resorted to placing the dirty dishes in a plastic bag, intending to address them later.
Back to Cairns
We departed swiftly, as today’s journey involved covering a considerable distance to reach Townsville. It marked the longest drive of my life thus far. Initially, we drove back to Cairns for two hours, making a brief stop at the hostel. My mission was to recover the forgotten bread and peanut butter from yesterday. Upon parking the car, I sought permission from Sir Albert to charge my phone. He granted approval, cautioning me about Josh’s disapproval of uninvited individuals on the premises.
Efficiently, I retrieved my belongings from the refrigerator and loaded them into the car. Informing Moni that I would spend an hour at the mall for some last-minute items, she opted to wait at the hostel. Enjoying a frozen coke, I leisurely strolled through the mall, finding it a soothing experience that allowed me to fully wake up. Recognizing the impending lengthy drive, with an anticipated late evening arrival in Townsville, I purchased dishwashing soap and a few additional items at Coles. Upon returning to the hostel, I informed Moni that it was time to depart.
The Secluded Waterfalls
Approaching Innisfail after an hour of driving, a small town along our route, I spotted a sign indicating Josephine Falls twenty kilometers before the town. Turning to Moni, I asked, “Would you like to visit Josephine Falls?” After a moment’s contemplation, I warned her, “You need to decide now, or I’ll continue straight ahead; the intersection is to the right over there.” Agreeing, she chose to explore Josephine Falls, and we made the turn just in time. Covering the remaining 8 kilometers to Josephine Falls, I parked the car, visited the restroom, and together, we embarked on the forest path. The falls were only a one-kilometer hike from the forest entrance.
The forest remained tranquil, though right before we ventured into the woods, I observed a tourist bus pulling in. Urging Moni to quicken our pace, I expressed the desire to relish the serenity of Josephine Falls before the crowd arrived. “There’s nothing more bothersome than a group of tourists disrupting your pictures,” I remarked to her.
The trek to the Josephine waterfall unfolded easily and leisurely, devoid of any inclines or declines, a departure from the experiences at waterfalls in Solo, Pulau Weh, and Bali. Within ten minutes, we reached the Josephine Waterfalls. The small park boasted three distinct viewing points: one by the lower pool, offering access for tourists to enter the river and swim; another near the middle pool; and the final one at the top pool. In my perspective, the middle platform stood out as the best, providing a panoramic view of all the waterfall pools.
Beach in Cardwell
Our time at Josephine Waterfalls was limited, and after 20 minutes, we decided to continue our journey. An hour into the drive after Josephine Falls, we made our second stop when the highway led us past the stunning beach in Cardwell. I assured Moni that it would only take two minutes, as I merely wanted to capture some pictures of the place and stretch my legs.
Yet, the promised two minutes quickly slipped from my mind as I settled on the beach, savoring the picturesque view. With a gentle breeze, warm weather, and the serenity of an undisturbed setting, I lost track of time. Moni, stepping out of the car, humorously reminded me that my two minutes had elapsed. Nevertheless, we lingered there for an additional ten minutes before resuming our journey.
City of Townsville
After a two-hour drive, we reached Townsville, a town distinguished by a prominent mountain at its center. In my attempt to locate the main shopping area, beach, or central district, I ended up getting lost while driving around the city. Surprisingly, I found myself at Townsville’s harbor. Realizing I needed to head to the other side of the port, I caught sight of the beach. With my impressive orienteering skills, I eventually located the beach and parked the car, though Moni’s role as navigator hadn’t proven particularly helpful thus far, haha.
We took a stroll along the beach and settled into a couple of chairs. I needed to unwind as the journey was taking a toll on me. The monotonous roads and subpar radio music were getting to me. After a brief restroom break at a beach bar, we resumed our walk. The prominent hill at the heart of Townsville, Castle Hill, had piqued my interest, and I was eager to explore it.
A Lookout in the Distance
Regrettably, I realized that exploring Castle Hill would be impossible because Moni needed to reach Home Hill by today. Home Hill was an hour’s drive from Townsville, and I preferred not to drive in the dark due to the presence of kangaroos. The fear of colliding with one and damaging the car made me quite anxious. Additionally, Wicked Campers’ rental policy prohibited driving at night.
In Townsville, the abundance of liquor stores, some even featuring drive-through options, caught my attention—quite a peculiar sight, I thought. When we stumbled upon a Subway, we agreed it was time to grab a meal. Opting for a sizable chicken teriyaki sandwich and a coke, the flavors worked wonders. Almost instantly, my nervous and drained mood lifted, and I regained a sense of excitement. Reenergized, I felt prepared for the final leg of this journey. Moni and I headed back to the beach, where the car awaited, and set off.
Castle Hill
Initially, our destination was the mountain, prompting me to navigate across the nearby intersection. On my first attempt, I found myself precisely on the road leading to the summit. Although I considered turning around, the presence of numerous locals jogging deterred me. A sign ahead indicated a turning point, so we continued driving.
Upon reaching the turning point, I parked the car and took some pictures. We found ourselves midway to the summit of Castle Hill. Moni got out of the car and approached a local guy who mentioned it was just a 5-minute drive to the top, emphasizing that it was truly worthwhile. With both of us convinced, we reached the summit ten minutes later. The incline became notably steep, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by the dedication of the local joggers in this area.
A drive to Home Hill
Having enjoyed the sunset for 10 minutes at the summit of Castle Hill, we had to depart. Moni was eager to head to Home Hill, and darkness was setting in. From the top of Castle Hill, we had a panoramic view of the coastline on one side and glimpses of the city and the Australian inland on the other. As we descended the mountain, I oriented myself and identified the road leading south. By the time we reached the base of the mountain, it was already dark.
I requested Moni to activate the GPS and confirm our location. A sense of relief washed over me as we were on the correct road, sparing me from further navigation hassles. From there, I drove south with a touch of nervousness, considering the potential consequences of colliding with a kangaroo at 100 kilometers per hour—risking both the car and my financial limitations. Fortunately, luck was on my side when a large truck overtook us after ten minutes, and I decided to follow it for an extended period.
No kangaroos were in sight, and even if there were, the formidable trucks would likely overpower them. It was said that these colossal trucks wouldn’t stop for anything. The sheer size of the trucks in Australia left a lasting impression on me—each encounter in the distance prompted a tight grip on the steering wheel. The force of the wind during these moments was formidable. While driving here offered a unique and cool experience, the monotony occasionally set in due to the absence of winding roads.
Goodbye Moni
At approximately 8 pm, we reached Home Hill, and I felt utterly exhausted. Moni contacted the woman and informed her that we had arrived by car, not by bus. The woman instructed us to meet her at the Crown Hotel. Unfamiliar with the location, I approached a few people on the street for directions, much to Moni’s displeasure. Thankfully, a friendly couple eventually guided us to the designated place.
The woman noticed us at the door and greeted us as we entered. Considering the subpar condition of the hotel room she received, I suggested to Moni that I would move the car to spare her the hassle of carrying her baggage over. Personally, I was relieved not to be following her footsteps into the life of a working backpacker. Moni intended to work on a banana farm but wanted to assess the situation before committing to three months for the visa requirement. If things didn’t go as planned, she mentioned the possibility of heading to Brisbane and taking a flight back to Germany. Before parting ways, we shared a final soda and bid our goodbyes.
The Public Rest at Home Hill
Tonight, my plan was to spend the night at the car rest stop and set off tomorrow morning. The public car rest stop in Home Hill exceeded my expectations! It offered showers, toilets, and even a kitchen – all for free. I decided to start with a shower, which, despite being a bit basic, was acceptable, especially when compared to Asian standards. To my surprise, they even had warm water.
I felt fortunate to come across this rest area; initially, I expected to drive another hour to find a suitable spot for the night. Once I finished my shower, I organized my belongings in the car – there was quite a bit in the back by now. Following that, I attempted to get some sleep, and it worked. I set my alarm for 6:30 am and managed to drift off around 10 pm.
