C182 engine run flight

Last Friday I was asked to take our C182 for an engine run - continuous high power setting for 2 hours. My route was Mareeba - Mt Garnet - Valley of Lagoons - Ingham - Innisfail - Mareeba.

Yes there is a town called Ingham!

Granite Gorge

I had another FMD (fatigue management day) on Friday so decided to tick another item off my bucket list and go camping overnight at Granite Gorge. It's only 15 minutes from Mareeba and features walking trails and a native population of tame rock wallabies. At the reception area there are also various birds and reptiles - cockatoos, parrots, peacocks, chickens, monitor lizards, goannas etc. The campsite facilities are well-equipped too. I really enjoyed my visit!

View from the top of the gorge

Clambering over big and small(er) rocks on the trails

Water hole in the gorge part of the trail

Campsite

Lots of wildlife to greet everyone!

Mama and baby rock wallabies

Aww what a cute face!

Mt Whitfield blue arrow track

On Friday I had the day off as a scheduled 'fatigue management day' (thanks to Civil Aviation Order 48.1) so took the opportunity to go for a day walk on the blue arrow track at Mt Whitfield. I also walked a little bit of the green arrow track to the summit (364 m - no view).

View from the Kuranda Range road lookout (on another day). Mt Whitfield is in the centre.

Bush turkey

View of the Kuranda range northwest from my lunch stop at the lookout

A glimpse of the airport and Barron River mouth from the lookout

A goodie basket from the MAF Mareeba ladies :)