Mareeba, Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland
Friday May 1 to Monday May 4
All members and friends are invited to join us for our next fly-in : Friday May 1 to Monday May 4 in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands of North Queensland. Our schedule is:
Friday (Arrivals Day):
- Land at Pinnarendi Station Stay (YPNA) by midday (1200) for lunch at the Brick Oven Café (https://thebrickoven.com.au/the-brick-oven-cafe/)
- After lunch, fly on to our destination airport – Mareeba (YMBA)
- Check in at the Mareeba Motor Inn for the weekend and then enjoy an evening BBQ with our hosts Jack and Mellory and the North Qld Aero Club.
Saturday (Tablelands Attractions)
- Join us for a full day touring the sights and tastes of the Atherton Tablelands – Warterfalls, Lakes, Tea Houses, the Curtain Fig Tree and Historic Towns. Our day will finish with dinner at the Kairi Hotel (www. Kairihote.com.au) near Tolga.
Sunday (Kuranda, Cairns, Port Douglas and Mossman)
- The day starts by heading down to Cairns then back up the range via the famous Kuranda Train (9:30am service) to explore Kuranda itself. Then we ride the Cable Car over Barron Falls and back down to Cairns. From there we take a leisurely drive to Port Douglas and Mossman. Finally it is back to Mareeba for dinner.
Monday (Mareeba And Surrounds – Departure Day)
- Depart for home early or spend a relaxing day around Mareeba before heading off.
After the recent rains the Atherton Tablelands and Central – North Queensland will be at their best. It will be warm (but not too tropical), the waterfalls will be running, and the Skyrail trip from Kuranda to Cairns will be spectacular. Bring your swimmers if you would like to have a swim in one of the fresh water lakes we will visit over the weekend.
On your way up and if your track takes you anywhere near there, I would encourage you to take in The Burdekin Falls Dam (Lake Dalrymple). This massive water storage is currently over the spillway and holds four times the water in Sydney Harbour. It is amazing to see from FL310 – even better down low !
COSTS
There will be a per-person charge to pay for the Friday night BBQ, vehicles and fuel. You will be responsible for all other charges (e.g.: accommodation, meals and the Train/Sky Rail excursion).
The Sky Rail and Train round trip from Cairns to Kuranda leaves the station in Cairns at 9:30am on Sunday and the cost is $145.50 per adult.
BOOKING
- Contact the Mareeba Motor Inn directly on (07) 4092 2451 to book and pay for your accommodation. Make sure to say that you are part of the Comanche Club.
- Book your tickets for the Train and Skyrail excursion on (07) 40385555.
- Our group booking is under the name “Comanche Aircraft” and the booking ID is 2383524.
- Cost is $145.50 per person
- The rain from Cairns to Kuranda leaves at 9:30am (we need to be there by 9:15am).
- Return cable car leaves Kuranda at 1pm and takes approximately 2hours.
- Register with either Jim Mullett (jimmullett@hotmail.com) or Ken Holdsworth (technical@comancheflyer.com.au) letting them know you will be attending.
- Please supply
- the number in your party
- whether you are flying or driving in
- the number for lunch at Pinnarendi on Friday
- whether you will be taking the Train and Skyrail trip to Kuranda on Sunday
- If you are staying for Monday morning in Mareeba or departing first thing
As noted before, this is a holiday weekend in Queensland so please book as early as you can.
ACCOMMODATION
We have reserved 14 rooms at the Mareeba Motor Inn. Please book your accommodation directly with them. As this is a holiday weekend in Queensland you will need to book early as there are few accommodation options available.
Mareeba Motor Inn
(07) 4092 2451
bookings@mareebamotorinn.com.au
http://www.mareebamotorinn.com.au
163 Martin Avenue, Mareeba QLD 4880
The Mareeba Motor Inn has15 motel style rooms and 8 self-contained cabins. All rooms have Air Conditioning, microwave, fridge, iron & ironing board, electric jug and tea & coffee facilities. In addition to these elements, Cabins also have kitchenettes including hot-plates, cooking facilities, toaster, a full-sized fridge and cookware & utensils. The room types are as follows:
- 6x Superior Queen rooms each with a queen-sized bed @ $185 per night
- 1 x Superior Twin room with a queen-sized bed AND a single bed @ $185 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional person – $15 per night
- 4 x Standard Twin Motel Rooms with a queen-sized bed AND a single bed @ $185 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional person – $15 per night
- 3 x Standard Family Motel Rooms with a queen-sized bed AND 2 single beds @ $185 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional persons – $15 per night per person
- 1 x Disability access Standard Twin Motel Room with a queen-sized bed AND a single bed @ $185 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional person – $15 per night
- 3 x Queen Self-contained cabins with a queen-sized bed and kitchenette @ $195 per night
- 3 x Family Self-contained cabins with a queen-sized bed, a set of double bunk beds (so 2 x single beds), a sofa lounge that can be unfolded to a double bed and kitchenette @ $215 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional persons – $15 per night per person
- 1 x Disability access Family Self-contained cabin with a queen-sized bed, a set of double bunk beds (so 2 x single beds), a sofa lounge that can be unfolded to a single bed and kitchenette @ $215 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional persons – $15 per night per person
FLYING IN
You will find details of the Pinnarendi airstrip (YPNA) in both ERSA and on the station web site (https://thebrickoven.com.au/airstrip-details/). You can also call Ron Atkinson (0409 201 622) if you would like more details about the airstrip.