Our 1st Medical Emergency! | Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Circuit | Episode 68

We're up in the Atherton Tablelands this week and we're on the hunt for waterfalls. It doesn't all go to plan though and we end up in the Emergency Department when James gets a leech in his eye!
After leaving Mareeba we're on our way to set-up at Millaa Millaa for a couple of days to explore the areas waterfalls. First stop along the way is Dinner Falls and the staggering Mount Hypipamee Crater.
The weather continues to test us but we push through to tackle the well-known Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Circuit. Kicking off with Millaa Millaa Falls then on to Zillie Falls before finishing off the day at Elinjaa Falls. What an awesome day, capped off by some home-made Ramen!
After leaving Millaa Millaa and the tablelands behind in search of the coast we thought we'd squeeze in one more waterfall at Tchupala Falls on the way to Innisfail.
All was going well until Liz realised that James' sore eye was a lot more serious than we thought. He had a leech in his eye! We set off in a hurry to get him to Innisfail Hospital.
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[@Stuartgowans]

Oh no. Poor James. He looked so calm. What a brave lad. Glad to see he is ok.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

He handled it so well! 👌

[@melissapatton9909]

OMG Liz, my mumma heart feels for you on that scary drive to the hospital with poor little James eye bleeding, I cried as soon as I saw the tears well up in your eyes 😢 So happy when the darn leech dropped out!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yes, it was quite a day. All's well that ends well.

[@TheVernp]

Pluggers and desert boots are the footwear choice of champions. Bloody hell James eye look very bad. Very scary time for everyone. Thanks for sharing this experience..

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for watching! Pluggers have gotten me into some pretty remote parts of the country!

[@michaelzarb6480]

The idea of going to any emergency department for any reason is horrible I'm so glad JAMES is fine ,another beautiful episode thanks for the ride.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Absolutely. Thanks, Michael

[@rhondavisentin8589]

Poor James he was such a trooper through that.Liz I was crying and wanting to give you a big hug when you were struggling there 💕 .In the end it was all good and now James has an interesting story to tell his mates when he's older . Love your videos keep them coming 👍

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Rhonda. It was a pretty emotional day 😊

[@guydraper]

On a selfish note, I was so glad I’d seen that James had come through that ordeal before I watched the ep, as I teared up watching Liz as it was ! So glad it worked out fine….what a little champ !

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Guy! It was a pretty hectic day.

[@leahaines7413]

Wow that looked awful for poor little James. Glad it was a good outcome! Funny little guy seemed more distraught about losing his stick the day before. 😅 The tablelands are a beautiful part of the country.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

😂😂 So true! He takes his sticks seriously!

[@offcampnandy7727]

Another great episode Guys, Hang on, still wiping my eyes, Liz we could have hugged you and James is a tuff little dude 👍👍👍 Great things ended well and all is happy, keep the awesomeness coming and 1 more waterfall 🤣🤣🤣 Cheers Andy🍺🍺🍺

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Tell me about it! Thanks mate, it was quite a day

[@awesometoursnz]

That was a bit of a scare, so pleased wee James got through that ordeal what a wee trooper 👍 Fantastic water falls a forest walks, great to see thanks. Some beautiful country. Have a good week guys. Cheers 🍻

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks 👍Yes it was.

[@thememeup1370]

So I’m not used to getting teary watching your vids but this one was a bit of a tearjerker with little James needing a trip to hospital. So scary when you have to takes your kiddies to emergency. What a little trooper though! Those waterfalls are simply beautiful - what a picturesque part of NQ!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks! It was pretty scary, but all worked out well.

[@ronhughes1805]

Hope you enjoyed the chill out after the leech event. Children seem so helpless when injured almost as much as the parents. Your right the waterfalls are beautiful. Best wishes.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Ron. The rain kept coming but we enjoyed some R&R all the same 👍

[@johnpitt2742]

all he best to james he was a very good little boy good on you mum and dad for keeping your nerve to reassure the boys

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks John. He was very brave and is all well now 👍

[@davekerr8133]

You're a great family. Thanks so much for another great episode. Poor James. Glad it was a good outcome. Hey...after having four granddaughters we have just been blessed with a grandson. His name is Harrison. Isn't that cool. We're pretty chuffed. Catch up with you next week. 😊

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Dave. Congrats!

[@RoaminintheRobbo]

Gosh I can only imagine how scary/upsetting that would of been. You handled it great, far better than I would of! Glad James was ok.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It was pretty crazy! Thanks

[@jasonbarnes5605]

Gorgeous environment to explore. I guess the leeches come with the territory but thank goodness for a happy ending 😀😀😀

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

They do unfortunately. We were aware they were around but didn't expect that!

[@lynlaing6338]

Glad James is fine. So scary especially in the eye.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Lyn

[@stewierun9940]

Simon we thought the same thing , when you were showing the countryside drone footage it does look like down here. 👨🏻‍🌾 Well done Jamie’s 👏🏻you handled it better than mum & dad

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks mate. He's a trooper!

[@leannedecampo8110]

OMG poor James, and you! That looked horrific. Not sure if it would help in this situation but we always have salt with us when walking through the rainforest to put on leeches. Made the mistake of wearing white tshirt and white sandshoes once on a walk. Attracted hundreds of leaches. Such a beautiful area.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Leeane. Not sure about salt but apparently saline solution would be ok. We don't own any white clothes anymore 😆

[@takingwandaoutyonda]

Oh gosh, how frightening for you all 😮 I must admit it was the longest 2 ad break I’ve had to sit through when you were 12 minutes out from the hospital as I couldn’t wait to see that little James was ok!! But as always I did continue to watch them as you are so generous by donating to many wonderful causes, and I’m happy to continue to be a small contributor to that 😁 Well done and Thank you! 🙏🙏 It was heartbreaking to watch you Liz, being a mum is a tough gig and I really felt for you ❤

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks so much, Sharyn. That's very dedicated of you 😍

[@cherylrayes8015]

Omg! What a horrible experience, poor James, poor you two. I hate leeches! Its funny Simon when the video started I was just thinking are you wearing thongs when you mentioned them 🙂love that area and all the waterfalls. I also stayed where you were and it was also raining. Up there was the first time Id seen a big wind generator. A lovely area. Constant rain is a big test in a caravan with kids isnt it. While we waited to move into our house years ago we did it with 3 in the days before computers and handheld devices lol Looking forward to a less dramatic episode next week. 😍cheers Cheryl

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Cheryl. The wet weather can be a challenge but it's all part of the adventure!

[@catempirerox]

James is so brave!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

He's a little champion!

[@PeteWilsonAHCPhotography]

Waterfalls Galore and great food!

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yes indeed!

[@joking7081]

That was so scary I had tears just watching the video. You did so well as parents. Glad to see little James is okay.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Jo. It was a full on day

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Oh no way!! little james is a champ :D That would have been brutal for you guys. Thanks for sharing such ripper country legends

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks for watching! It was a tough day but all good in the end.

[@live_work_play]

I have no words xxxx

[@overlandphotography]

Can’t imagine what you both went through . Glad he’s ok

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

It was a pretty hectic day, Jim!

[@elainemcintyre4407]

Good water fall walks,glad to see James came out o.k. When you were walking through all the trails,I was thinking of ,please watch out for Leeches.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks, Elaine. We'd seen plenty, but we didn't expect that 😆

[@tanyabergeest8149]

Great video as Always. Glad that James is okay. Looks like he handled the whole thing better than his parents.......

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks Tanya. He's quite the trooper!

[@ouroz_adventures]

Gr8 ep guys … bloody leeches … glad James is ok … what a trooper 🤙

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks guys!

[@paullaurence]

We live in Springbrook QLD and leeches are a fact of life I reckon I flick off or find them crawling across the floor (I,e fell off) at least three times a day+, everyday, don’t even ask about how many my dog gets daily, but to get one in the eye yikes, that would even spin me out, well done team, and as a retired ED nurse, ughh !! Loving your journey though.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks so much. It was certainly a big shock and we're glad it all worked out ok.

[@grahamwood9842]

Well handled. Fortunate you close to help.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Absolutely, thanks Graham.

[@coversadventurecapers2838]

We went to the crater and falls in the rain too! We even wore pluggers too and yes it was adventurous 😂. It was probably our fav because we had no idea what it was going to be. We loved the Atherton tablelands. Would definitely be a spot to make a base in the future. Hugs to you for James. Glad he is ok x

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

That's so cool. Thanks guys!

[@pamforman3333]

Lots of water over the falls looked amazing. Mud is pretty annoying though. Thankfully we never had a leech on the eyeball. It looked terrible! Our older daughter got a leech on the ear lobe which looked like a earring but grotesque! Yuck I hate them.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Yes, the falls were beautiful, despite the mud.

[@aussieadventureswithdogs7968]

Binge watching you guys at mo... thanks btw... just to let you know when we were in Cairns area, my partner pulled a leech out of a guy's eyeball after he approached asking if we could help.. so shocking then, now see not uncommon OMG need to all wear safety glasses

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

That's awesome. Glad you're enjoying the vids. Yes, we've heard of a few others it's happened to since this video, crazy.

[@moovinonup]

Welcome to the wet tropics, sold our property up here a bought a van to get away from all the damn moisture and sooty mould

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Lovely to visit. Not sure we could live there either 👍

[@louisecross]

Poor kid and you guys, would have been frightening. If you were at Millaa millaa the Atherton hosp is probably slightly closer than Innisfail

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Thanks so much. 🙌

[@helengriffiths6158]

I think I like waterfalls in the desert

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

Where can we find those?

[@helengriffiths6158]

@@TheLifestylePioneers Kakadu

[@toniclayton1648]

My Grandson Kyran had a leech in his eye after our waterfall explore but we went to Atherton hospital. My Grandson is fine thankfully with eye sight intact. Very scary 😨.

[@TheLifestylePioneers]

There you go! Not fun at all.