We hit the road again today, heading inland to the Atherton Tablelands. The dreary weather is pushing us forward, but we seem to be dragging it with us. 
We stopped at Mareeba for lunch and were recommended to take a look at the museum next to the community park by some other travellers. What a find! 
We were treated to a step back in time similiar to that in Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, Victoria one of that states most coveted tourist attractions (with a hefty entrance fee) but for free. 

The local historical society is very active in preserving local history here and with the local information centre, they have created an attraction second to none. Ray and Caleb had a go at reading a very thick book full of Queensland laws given to the historical society by the Government. We chatted with the Director of the society for a while who told us they had saved them from ending up at the tip. There were shelves and shelves of them. We flicked through some old magazines from the early 1970s laughing at the advertisements and articles. Caleb wasn’t impressed. 

The museum next door had displays covering the origins of the region, including the tobacco growing industry, extensive information on pioneering families and how they lived and even an old ambulance and train carriage. The old dunny had an animated dummy sitting on it and whenever anyone walked close enough he said,”hey mate, I’m in ‘ere!” Caleb just had to peer under the door and see if his duds were down. He was shocked to find he didn’t even have a body or head, just legs. 

Caleb and Ray were pleased to find an old saloon bar set up and played bartender and robbers. I checked out the old classroom and was more than shocked to read what female teachers were required to agree to in exchange for their employment. Including wearing at least two petticoats and not having your skirt more than two inches above your ankle.

Ray found an old wringer washing machine like his mum used to use. He showed Caleb how it would wring the water from the clothes and told the story of how his mum got her hand caught with the washing and they had to pull her out. Caleb was suitably impressed. 

We stopped the night at Herberton, home of the infamous spy camera museum that Caleb is so excited to see tomorrow. Apparently they have some of the original spy cameras used by the KGB. Not really my cup of tea but I’m sure it will be interesting. 

The heavy misty rain continued while we set up for the night. I pulled on my thick socks and ugg boots, wrapped my blankie around me and settled in for the night. The boys headed to the open fireplace and built a fire undercover. The smell of the burning wood carried throughout the caravan park and was a fitting accompaniment to a wet, wintery day. It actually reminded me of home.