Tully

A small yet picturesque town cradled by the lush Mt. Mackay and Mt. Tyson, Tully is one of the most amazing places in Australia. A rustic town with so much to offer, Tully has become a favorite destination of people who are up for more than just the standard Australian vacation. Famous for being one of the wettest towns in Australia, Tully is blessed with a breathtaking natural beauty that is unparalleled by any other Far North Queensland town. Far from all the noise and crowd of urban cities, Tully is the perfect refuge for people who yearn to get in touch with Mother Nature.

A simple town along Bruce Highway, Tully is the largest town and the governmental seat of Cardwell Shire. The town is formerly known as Banyan; but the name was changed to Tully, which is the name of the river that lies close by. The river itself was formerly called Mackay River, a name which was changed into Tully River in 1870. Both the river and the town's name came from William Alcock Tully, an Irish surveyor-general who arrived in Queensland in 1863.

Just like any other rural town in Queensland, Tully lacks in towering skyscrapers and vast malls. But what it lacks in man-made structures, it more than compensates for in its mind-blowing natural attractions. Surrounded by mountains, Tully boasts its lush vegetation and dense rainforest that make for awe-inspiring landscapes. For this reason, Tully is undoubtedly a naturalist's dreamland.

Attractions

When it comes to Tully's natural attractions, nothing is more popular than the Tully Gorge National Park. A park that covers 80,600 hectares of eucalypt forest and rainforest, Tully Gorge National Park features spectacular lookout points, scenic trails, diverse wildlife and bubbling creeks. This vast natural park also houses the Tully Falls, a 115-kilometer river that drops off a cliff. Both the river and the falls are popular to white-water rafters who are looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Apart from white-water rafting, the Tully Gorge National Park is also the perfect site for camping, picnicking, hiking, and swimming. There are several designated picnic and camping sites in the area for those who love to spend their days outdoors. Interconnected trails that vary from short to long-distance routes are available in the park as well. One of the favorite trails is the Rainforest Butterfly walk where an astounding variety of multicolored butterflies can be seen especially between the months of September and February.

For a bit of history, the Tully Visitor and Heritage Center is the perfect place to go. Situated on Bruce Highway, this heritage center provides informative facts about the town. The Tully Sugar Mill is another edifice that offers insight into the town's rich historical background. Since Tully's heritage is somewhat linked with the beginning of the region's sugar industry, a guided tour in and around the sugar mill is just like a journey through the town's history. The Golden Gumboot--- one of Australia's "Big Things"--- is an interesting structure shaped like a Wellington boot. Opened in May 10, 2003, this huge boot is 7.9 meters tall and is made of fiberglass. Inside the Golden Gumboot is a spiral staircase that leads up to the top of the boot where one can get an outstanding view of Tully's main strip.

Other places worth visiting in Tully are the Alligators Nest and the Violet Smith Park. Contrary to its name, Alligators Nest is actually one of the most ideal places where people can take a dip in the cold water without being bothered by the scary reptiles. Aside from swimming, visitors can also unwind and kill time in the site's picnic area. Meanwhile, the Violet Smith Park is a peaceful little nook nestled amid the town. This park is perfect for lounging about while sipping a hot and succulent cup of coffee and chatting with friends. Indeed, Tully is one of the best places for leisure and relaxation in Queensland.