SAVANNAH WAY WATCH VIDEO The Etheridge region to the west of the Atherton Tablelands still echoes with the romance of the famous gold rush days that drew thousands of miners to try their luck at a series of sites from the mid-1860s. Relics of those days can still be found throughout the district and around the settlements of Mount Surprise, Einasleigh, Forsayth and Georgetown. Several goldfields, base metal fields and gem fields still excite fossickers today. The “poor man’s” Etheridge goldfield, so-called because you don’t need expensive equipment, has never been worked out. Modern day prospectors with metal detectors and hand tools find specimens such as coloured topaz, agates, sapphires, smoky quartz and other precious stones and gold nuggets. Visitors to the region will enjoy getting The Undara lava fields west of Mt Ask the locals about some of the off the beaten track, camping in Surprise is the toe of the lava flow mining relics you can see when you remote locales by waterholes with that originated from the 164 craters of visit. The newly renovated Goldfields giant paperbarks, bird watching, the McBride Plateau. These are basalt Hotel offers meals, accommodation, visiting historic ghost towns and simply tunnels, which run for some 160km general store and fuel (diesel and enjoying the tranquillity amid the underground and can be accessed unleaded). region’s wooded savannah grasslands. only through the Savannah Guide Post MT SURPR ISE is the first town located at the Undara Lava Lodge BIRD WATCHING encountered within the Gulf Savannah on the edge of the Undara Volcanic when travelling from the East. This National Park. Considered a world-class bird railway town on the old Cairns to You can take local day tours or watching destination in its own Forsayth line is an ideal area to fossick take advantage of the camping and right, the Savannah Way with for gemstones, explore the Forty accommodation on offer. Guided tours its diverse habitats, seasonal Mile Scrub National Park, cool off at can be organised either by Undara weather patterns and location of Junction Creek just a few miles west, or Experience or Bedrock Village. migratory routes attracts birders swim in the Einasleigh River, especially Walk the path of an ancient volcano from across the world. Australia’s in the early part of the year after the during the day then sleep cocooned in tropical savannahs are home to storms. Here you can see a wide range an antique railway carriage. Check the 55 of Australia’s 90 seed eating of gems on display and learn how Undara Experience website for details birds including parrots, quails and faceting is done, join a dig at a local of the famous Undara Opera in the pigeons, 13 endemics as well as claim with expert guides or explore Outback and the Undara Outback Rock 14 of Australia’s 18 finch species. by yourself with hire equipment, mud and Blues events. Great bird sightings are available map, fossicking licence and advice. The all through the year, with most O’Brien’s Creek designated fossicking FORSA wildlife concentrated around water. YTH is the rail terminus of the area, 37km north of Mt Surprise, is Savannahlander’s four-day journey Early morning or late afternoon is a well-known topaz area and yields from Cairns. It is located within the generally the best time of day for gorgeous stones. Etheridge goldfield and adjacent to the bird watching. Agate Creek Mineral Reserve. 40 www.athertontablelands.com.au