Advertisement
Published: July 17th 2011
Edit Blog Post
Creek Crossing
Crossing Gregory River. One of many crossings. Yes, we are still alive!
Since leaving Katherine we made a relatively quick trip to Mt Isa where we caught up with Ellie’s boyfriend, Greg. We had a nice meal in the Buffs Club and had a chat about the area and other things. He told us about his recent trip up to Lawn Hill NP so we decided to check out the access etc. We met a lovely couple at the campsite, Bill and Marcie, who by chance, had also decided to try Lawn Hill so we arranged to travel in convoy along the gravel road, which starts a little distance from Camooweal.
The road was pretty rough in places and very dusty. We had to hang back a fair way from Bill to avoid his dust. We had to cross about five creeks, which was a bit nerve racking with the vans in tow behind us. We had an overnight stop near Riversleigh before arriving at Adel’s Grove the next day. After cleaning up some broken, “unbreakable” Corel crockery, we had a very laid back afternoon with a couple of nice drinks.
The next day saw us climb up the escarpment to Indarra Lookout and falls. We
Dusty Track
On the road to Lawn Hill had a welcome swim in the river, keeping a keen eye out for freshwater crocs. Many had been sighted prior to our arrival. After a bit of lunch, we decided to have a 2hr paddle up the river in a canoe to the falls and rapids. Needless to say we slept like logs that night (woke up in the fireplace)????
We continued our dirt road trek a couple of days later, to Gregory River. The campsite is set right next to the fast flowing river. Plenty of people were floating down with the current, exiting just past a short stretch of rapids. Bill and I decided to have a go at it but Bill got stabbed in the belly by a hidden tree root and I nearly drowned as I shot past the exit point past the rapids, desperately grasping for the bank. To say it scared me is an understatement and Bill was left with a nasty gash on his belly. We took things very easy after that.
Our next stop was Leichhardt Falls along another dirt track past Burketown. Once again, the campsite was adjacent to the river, with water gushing over a 30m wide cliff.
Indarra Falls - Lawn Hill
Picturesque view from Indarra Lookout The view from the van was lovely. We collected some firewood and lit a fire for Bill to put his billycan on! The next morning (9.00am) we strolled over to the falls where a man was in his car, looking very concerned about something. It turned out that he was looking for his 13 yr old daughter who had stormed off after an argument with him. The police were contacted by sat phone and, while we waited, we mounted a search through the bush and along the bank of the croc infested river, unfortunately without success. The police finally arrived at about 4.00pm. A helicopter arrived sometime afterwards and began a fruitless aerial search until dark.
The search continued the next morning but we decided to head off to Normanton. Just after we arrived at 3.00pm, we heard the news reporting that the girl had been found in Mareeba, some 700km from where she was camped with her father. An elderly couple had picked her up along the road??? We found out that the father was staying at our campsite and he came down to thank us for our efforts the previous day. He had been so distraught but
it was great to see his beaming smile as he walked over to us.
We stayed just one night in Normanton and then moved onto Walkers Creek where, once again, we found ourselves next to a croc-infested river?? Bill had dropped a yabby net in the river overnight and caught about six Red Claws. Later on we made a quick trip into Karumba to check out the availability for camping.
We arrived at the campsite in Karumba on Sat. 9th July, but had to settle for an unpowered site due to the popularity of the place. It is renowned as a fisherman’s paradise. The sunsets are also very special and probably on par with those at Broome but other than that, the place has little to offer unless you are a keen fisherman with a boat.
I have to admit that after being on the road for nearly 14 months, we are still maintaining a healthy appetite for site seeing. This country is so vast and interesting, it is strange that so many people, including us, head for offshore destinations before exploring their own backyard. If anyone has a problem making friends in their neighbourhood, this
Lawn Hill Canoe
In training for the Olympics? is a sure way of meeting lots of lovely people.
14th July
We have just arrived at Mt Surprise, about 300km SW of Cairns. After leaving Karumba, we have had stays at Croydon and Georgetown. Croydon is an old gold mining town and has plenty of history. A number of old buildings have been heritage listed and the information centre is full of memorabilia. Unfortunately I broke our last unbreakable plate there, after tripping up the concrete slab of our site!
Georgetown is renowned for its gold and gemstones and the visitor centre houses a wonderful collection of gemstones from the area, donated by a guy named Ted Elliot, who started the collection when he was 12 years old.
Mt Surprise is a small town a short distance from Undara National Park, where volcanic lava tubes can be explored. We have a lovely shaded powered site with water for only $17 per night! Good value compared to the thieves in WA.
17th July
We arrived in Atherton today, to a very cool 21 deg?? It’s drizzling and very busy. We’re not used to lots of people and traffic anymore. We will be heading for Cape York
Gregory River
Still smiling after 14 months together? as soon as the car has been serviced! Sadly, we parted company with our good friends Bill and Marcia today, after spending a magic three weeks with them in the outback. We’ll miss them I’m sure.
Oh well, I can finally publish this, now we have good internet service.
Catch you all later
John & Rose
Advertisement
Tot: 0.088s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 11; qc: 29; dbt: 0.0555s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Pat & Dave
non-member comment
Home
Oh.... it's home!!, wish we were there still Miss you guys xxx