The day started with a muted sunrise and a search for the local crocodile on the foreshore.

A local heron was also on the lookout for Bismarck but to no avail.

I was excited to find some green tree ants having made their acquaintance before – they defend their nest with vigor – even climbing on other ants to form a bridge to reach their intended victim. I was stung several times by brushing against foliage – their stings immediate but not lasting.

Murray Falls is in the ranges between Cardwell and Tully. A short walk is very rewarding – the longer walk abandoned after the tropical strength repellent proving ineffective against the local mosquitoes.

The day use area at Murray Falls was alive with at least 6 species of butterflies.

A Macleay’s honeyeater – unknown to us in southern Queensland – it was exciting to see along with other birds endemic to northern Australia that we have encountered. Our wildlife scout even saw a large tree snake.

A cassowary was spotted on the road back to Tully – unfortunately a car doing twice the speed limit roared past and scared the mega-bird into hiding before cameras were employed. This is the cassowary being wary of us.

Lunch in Tully – this is the Tully Mill with Mount Tully looming as backdrop to the town.

The boot stands at 7.9 metres (25.9 ft) and represents the record rainfall for Tully in 1950. What do you call the day after 2 days of continuous rain? Monday.

Onto the Cassowary Coast in the Mission Beach area. These are the majestic fan palms in Djiru National Park.

The fan palms were spectacular on the Licuala walk. We searched everywhere for the cassowaries but with no further success. A local banana farmer we met when purchasing bananas from his road side stall and packing shed showed us a video of a local cassowary family, or “chooks” as he called them, that visit his banana farm.

On the lookout for cassowaries on national park roads.

Quandong fruits on the forest floor at Clump Point National Park but no cassowaries.

Dunk Island from Mission Beach.

Lacey Creek on another walk in Djiru National Park –  the term from the national park’s sign that tells of the dangers of meeting a cassowary in the bush, “your safety is our concern but your responsibility”, takes on a whole new meaning.

On to Innisfail and a quick look around – this is the Shire Hall in what seems like a prosperous town.