THE SETTLEMENT of Bellenden Ker sits just far enough from Mount Bellenden Ker to give lovely views of its namesake.

The mountain is Queensland’s second highest peak, topped only by its neighbour, Mount Bartle Frere.

Natural attractions nearby include Babinda Boulders (7km west of Babinda) and Josephine Falls, which is in Bellenden Ker National Park about 20 minutes’ drive south of Bellenden Ker. This is one of the region’s most beautiful waterfalls, and there is a walking track to the falls.

For something quite different, Eubenangee Swamp National Park is a tropical wetland situated off the Bramston Beach road.

Bellenden Ker itself is on the Bruce Highway just 6km north of Babinda and 50km south of Cairns. Situated in a lush sugarcane setting with mountain views on both sides, it’s a good spot to stop for a number of reasons - just to admire the view of some of Queensland’s highest country, to have a free cuppa or to tease your palette with some adventurous food.

At Bush Tucker Cafe, right on the highway at Bellenden Ker, you can do all three.

You know it’s different when you see that each table has a colourful Siamese fighting fish in a waterbowl instead of a vase of flowers! If you don’t want to sit indoors, there’s an outdoor eating area with fantastic views of the mountains.

The menu is a delight for those with adventurous palettes, with a range of truly Australian foods available. Try the crocodile, kangaroo or emu meat. Other game meats include wild boar, camel, buffalo and ostrich.

Even coffee and cake can take on a whole new flavour at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Wattleseed damper, lemon myrtle cheesecake, or pancakes with quandong, lilli pilly, davison plum or wattleseed syrup are among the selection.

If you’re not game enough (pardon the pun) to try the bush tucker, you can get regular food like burgers or fish and chips. Try their all-day breakfast. Also stock up on some of the unusual jams, chutneys, teas, sauces, spreads and spices to give your own cooking a particularly Australian flavour.

Not Australian bush tucker but unusual all the same is the dragonfruit range, including jam, icecream and topping for pancakes.

George Kemeridis, who runs the Bush Tucker Cafe, is a dragonfruit aficionado and is actually growing his own young plants. Find out the history of the plant while you’re there.

George also offers free tea and coffee at a self serve area. Anyone travelling past is welcome to stop and make themselves a cuppa. Folks always ask him “What’s the catch?” There isn’t one. You don’t have to buy anything.

The Bush Tucker Cafe is open seven days and has toilet and shower facilities with wheelchair access. George is a wheelie himself and knows how much it’s appreciated.