Still in Port Douglas
While in Port Douglas we also found Daintree river cruises which was about a 45min drive. The boys where allowed on a crocodile spotting tour, where we saw 2 adults and a juvenile. These run every hour, give them a web search as you'll need to inform you're bringing a dog with you. Keep in mind if its a cool day take a jumper and if your doggo isnt a fan of the wind like Arlo may just want to sit under the seat most the trip.

Atherton Tablelands
From Port Douglas we headed across to the Atherton Tablelands. On the way there is a waterfall called Emerald Creek Falls. This is a dog friendly walk as well as a swimming hole for everyone. A good picnic spot with tables in the car park area and loos! You can walk to the "top" of the falls but wear comfy shoes an take enough water if warm day as if not super fit its a push especially if like me your 7kg dachshund decides doesnt want to walk anymore so had carry him some! (Lucky I love ya Arlo). Easily spend few hours boulder climbing having adventures around the falls.
We were there a few days after rain so the water current was strong, if you'd like a little less stress about loosing your pup down stream, the creek you can also access is calmer.
 

Yungaburra
From here we made our way to Yungaburra where we stayed at Curtain Fig Motel on the main road (sign has a pug on it , their lil man passed away the week before we arrived) there is a nightly fee for having dogs in the room. From here you have access to all the tablelands which has a lot of dog friendly things to do.

In Yungaburra itself you have a platypus viewing area not even 10min walk from the hotel... we didnt spot any. We also found a heritage walk which we went to the railway bridge then I let the boys direct the walk which led us to the river walk which local gardening community are regenerating it. There's a suspension bridge you can cross and also another area the platypus hang out. There's maps available from the information centre but we just decided to wing it.
 

Atherton 
Atherton which is about 15min drive away has - The crystal caves its a man made cave with over 200 crystal in this gentlemans collection. Dogs are welcome to join and all the staff loved Arlo & Dave visiting. There is a fee to see the display but if your into them it's pretty awsome to suss out. We also had brekky at the gallery cafe while waiting on some washing we needed to do. They will happily make your doggo a puppachino and the family are all dog lovers... the boys and I shared pancakes with bacon and maple syrup!

While here, we had read a review that said the dog park was great, so of course we checked it out. This park is a good acre with complimentary balls a half shell you can fill up for doggo have a cool off and the agility equipment a lot of other parks seem to have through out QLD. (Yungaburra also has one but it's not fenced and I was trying find dog parks so the boys could have leash free time).

Ravenshoe
We also went out to Ravenshoe - highest town in QLD, there is a old train station where the caravan is and there is Herbeton Historical Village about a half hour drive from Yungaburra. You can have a whole day here wandering around and even a mini steam trian ride! The weather was pretty miserable the day we went however we still had fun.

There's too much to mention, but the family owned attraction with 60 buildings, history from cars, to radios to war history to old school buildings a large collection of old medical stuff, timber, farming mining, it has it all! Only one area you cant take the doggos, however, if travelling in a pair or as a family you could tag to go in to the theatre are to watch a short film (we obviously didnt as travelled solo).

Dogs are allowed on the train ride as well it really is a place with or without doggos I definitely recommend.
 

Charters Towers 
We spent two nights here. There is strong military and gold mining history. Head to Towers Hill, where you can walk from the bottom to top or visa versa.or drive and get out at each stop.

There's old bunkers which you can walk into and interactive things to watch and learn about the battle at Coral Sea in 1942. The local authorities have also installed a app you can scan QR codes and see fighter planes fly over and a few other things. We headed off to "The World" a 7 meter tall stainless steel globe. In the peak of gold rush Charters Towers was nicknamed as it was saod Everything could be found there. There is even a QR there so you can register your visit and be given your own number we where #2343 in June 2025! Also a short stroll from here there is a petstock of you happen to need a excuse to go shopping for doggo.

To the right of the "World" there is a massive hand made mosiac mural its 80 metres long and in detail tells the history of Charters Towers. We even saw a little dachshund assisting her tradie dad and co worker doing some maintenance while we where there.

The Pioneer cemetery - most cemeteries your'e not allowed to take your dogs, however, there was no signage here. The boys were not participating in me wanting to have a look so I popped them back in the car, windows down and the 12v fan on! It wasn't a hot day but they were not in any shade. They seemer happy to go to sleep while I wandered. There's not a lot of information at the site as you need go via the information center. If, like me you don't do that, you'll see some head stones with names you read at the world. I also used Google! Dates range between 1872 - 1895.

You wouldn't think there is over 5,000 burried with many sites no longer noticable with age. Some history has been managed be preserved. 

    

Ravenswood
We also visited Ravenswood. If you dont like back tracking, do this on your way to Charters Towers from Townsville as its an hours drive (1.5hrs from Townsville)

We stopped by the historic miners home, the "Train Station" and drove up the main street. There was a old church we wanted to see, but due to blasting at the local mine next to town, there was a few side roads blocked off (the pub looked good but we had already eaten so didnt go and explore). I do recommend sussing the town out. From here heading back into town, we stopped for a better picture of the Burdekin Rail Bridge and flood marker. We also headed to Burdekin weir where we seen a few eagles and a abundance of bird life. There has been some work done and a nice little picnic area as well as a few other sites. There's even a yellow frame to upload your location / holiday pics to socials. We stayed at the Big 4 in Charters Towers. 

Rockhampton
We stayed at Coffee House Apartments. Just a short stroll down to the river bank and to see some of the original buildings of Rocky.

As we only pitt stopped, we didn't suss as much out as we could have. There is a lot of rich history in the area, unfortunately like a lot of places now, there is also a lot of homelessness and less desirable streets. I have been to California and walked some streets alone that I shouldn't have and had those same OMG feels in some areas here (this was late afternoon). One street we did walk up was close to the river, so I do advise be street smart and savvy if your'e walking alone. I was lucky, one street we walked up both boys where on high alert and a few people did look at them with caution not to approach us. I'm not saying its a bad place, but alas when travelling solo some places you do get a "feeling" about!

Mount Morgan is where we headed, a recommendation from one of the staff when we asked a local where do you enjoy going with your dog. Mount Morgan information center is dog friendly and you can take them through to the mini museum, train carriage and even into the little area to watch a short history film. Staff there are very passionate about the history of the area. Mount Morgan was one of two Australian sites which used a rack and pinion steam locomotive. The history of the railway its use etc for mining, even for the average person is mind blowing what our early day operators went through. The Mount Morgan mine, in its 99 years of operation, produced 225 tonnes of gold, 50 tonnes of silver and 360,000 tonnes of copper!

Also in Mount Morgan head to dam #7 its a man made dam from 1902 to assist with water required for mining in the area. It was, in later years, signed over to council to asssit with the areas water supply. This "reserve" is a pet friendly section where your doggo can go for a swim. 

Heading along the main street there is history along the way and easily a day can be spent there. We didn't head to the museum, but I did get told it was pet friendly (I'd advise checking before heading there to make sure though). After we left Mount Morgan we decided to head to Yepoon. Again if you have doggos who love water, this is a place to suss out. It was quite hot by the time we arrived so we did more of a scenic car tour with air con blasting.

Glen Innes
From Rockampton our trip home was almost complete with a stop at Wondai for 2 nights with family. Then on to Glen Innes where Arlo and I had passed through previously. This time we stayed at the New England Motor Lodge. The restaurant attached to here offers room service. Although a little on the pricey side, the food was great. From the back of the hotel, you can walk out onto the main street of Glenn Innes which has plenty of little shops, coffee nooks etc. Overall a nice stroll with dogs.

As Arlo and I had been before, I decided go back up to the Standing Stones - we were sad to see the Excalibur sword has been changed since we were here, but the site now includes a kids play area and better toilet facilities. Every May there is a massive Celtic festival. Now that we have visited again, I would definitely go back and find something else to see in the area as I found both times I've found something else to do or see. 

Tamworth
From glenn innes we headed through Tamworth where you cant pass a photo opportunity with the golden guitar. Then on to Bathurst where we did a lap of Mount Panorama and stayed the night with a friend before the few hours drive home!