Thursday 27th July Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park

Unfortunately the rain continued through the night and the forecasts predicted more rain and cool conditions here. We decided that after a lazy start to the day, we would drive to Mareeba for the morning. In Mareeba the day was going to be warmer and drier and it was! We did a walk along the main shopping strip and did a little bit of shopping before heading to Coffee Works just out of town. Coffee Works specialises in coffee and chocolates. It is a boutique roaster and chocolatier. The premises are set in a large industrial shed with a special “chocolate room” filled with the most delicious array of chocolates. The large premises also stocked a wonderful assortment of gifts. We had a coffee and while enjoying our coffee I noticed many older people (our age plus) having fights of liqueurs that Coffee Works were selling. After seeing this I noticed a sign which said “We shout our Liqueur samples”, in other words they were offering the samples for free. Even though it was early I was tempted but said I would sample the liqueurs if we return in the next couple of days.  We returned back to our van but on the way called into the “Rocky Creek War Memorial Park”. Rocky Creek was once the site of the largest Australian Hospital, set up during WW 11. The hospital treated over 60,000 patients from 1943-45, the majority being injured or ill soldiers. The first plaques at the site were put there in 1995 and since then the park has grown. It is a wonderful park dedicated to those who have served in the wars. Many plaques place on large rocks are strategically placed around the park along with many information boards. There are a few buildings still there, one being an “igloo” which was lived in as a house for many years, before being given to the council to be used by the community. It is being restored and will be very useful when it’s finished. We spent a lovely afternoon back at the van, catching up with our friends over a few drinks. I went for another walk down along a path close to Lake Tinaroo and once again enjoyed reading the many history information boards dotted along the path.