This is Tolmer Falls.  A walk runs along the top of the falls.  A cycad in fruit.

This cycad had been in a fire but then split into two.  Not seen this before. 

This is at the top of the Tolmer Falls

The water flowed into this narrow opening which opened out into a sink hole before plunging over the edge of the tableland.

An ancient crack or fault forms the sheer rock face of the escarpment.  You can just about see that it is splitting away from the tableland at its side.

This is a sink hole with cavern which was once a water course through the sandstone rock to the valley below.  The river now takes an alternative route leaving the big open chambers behind which are now home to rare bats etc.

Here’s the cypress pine (Callitris intratropica) again.  You get it more in rocky areas like this because it is susceptible to fire.  The rocks act as a fire break.

This is the cream flowered cousin (Calytrix brownii) of the turkey bush.  Just look at those tiny leaves.

This is Tolmer gorge, you can just see the viewing platform overhanging the gorge on the RHS.

This is hoya (Hoya australis) which occurs naturally in the sand stone areas of the top end.  This is one of the few plants that are succulent here.  It uses its leaves to store water from the wet season to last through the dry season. 

This is the top part of Tolmer Falls from the viewing platform.  You can just about make out an arch in the middle of the picture.  This has formed across joint lines in the sandstone when the water following the joint encounters a particularly resistant block of rock.  Unable to break through the rock, the water has to find an alternative route.  Here the ravine has widened and deepened and the resistant rock remains as a bridge straddling the ravine.  Weathering has smoothed the surface of the arch.

Here’s the bottom of the falls and the plunge pool at its base.  You can’t swim here because of the rare bats that have made their home there.

And here we have Florence Falls.  Kids were jumping from the top of the waterfall on the left.  Us oldies were all gasping and calling them idiots, until I pointed out that 40 years ago I would have probably been up there myself.  We all agreed if only we could turn back that clock.

And finally here’s Paul bitten arm.  Mosquitos are rife again and we can’t remember the last time we had so many  bites.

And Paul wanted me to include this one of a couple of bites on my face, so I have.