Author: kbosh40 at hotmail dot com

We spent a few days at the Country Club at Ravenshoe with one of Peters sister, Mary, Gary & Storm the dog, Mary & I walked up to Millstream Falls, quite lovely they also had a historical display of when the armed forces were stationed there for training puposes(many years ago) which was very interesting. It was an enjoyable 11klm walk. We drove into town one afternoon & had a drink at the local – very refreshing.

We all drove to Charleston dam – WOW! What a beautiful place, located just outside of Forsyth 2klms south of Georgetown (QLD).Met up with Julie & Danny Bosh again & one of their sons Russell & his wife -it was awesome, we set up camp approximately 2 metres from the waters edge, Mary & Gary 20m away & ‘Storm’ the dog.

We set up the little boat & put some redclaw pots in, Julie & Danny were getting quite a few each morning. Had lotz of fun going out in the boat, the bird life was pretty awesome & we had a few visitors while we were there(the animal kind).

Just a couple hour drive from Swan swamp & we arrive at Rutland Plains, had a few things to deliver to the station then off to the camp/fishing spot, driving through lotz of bull dust & dirt. Came to the Nassau River & camped up the top of the bank overlooking the river – awesome spot. No swimming lotz of ‘happy snappers’. There was quite a few barra caught with Peter catching the biggest, I actually caught a 82cm barra but there were quite a few in the 80 – 90cm size range caught. Had a great 6 days at Rutland Plains – thankx Danny for making it possible for us to join you guys. We all packed up camp & moved onto ‘Speedies camp’ which is located on Dunbar Station not far from Swan swamp(a couple hour drive) – lotz of ‘big’ happy snappers here apparently, we only here for 1 nite to help set up camp for Speedie & another bloke Chris & grandson who we will meet at this new camp spot, Craig & Lummy staying here for 2 nights, they took Peter & I out for a run while they were having a quick fish before dark – WOW! so many beautiful lillies & Craig managed to hook nice barra, there are quite a few ‘Century palms’ growing along the creek banks here apparently after they have seeded they die.

Danny, Julie, Peter & I left next morning, once we got to the main road(the Burke Development Rd) Danny & Julie went right, we went left, we stopped at the beautiful Mitchell River & filled our water tanks & drove east. We stayed the night at the Hann river Roadhouse, we never stopped here before although we have driven past numerous times – it was quite a nice spot and reasonably priced.

Next 2 nights we stayed with Jenelle & Darren (mates we met in Tasmania several years ago), they were working on Koolburra Station. Thankx guys was great to catch up again.

After leaving Adels Grove we drove through to Nomanton, spent a couple days washing, cleaning up etc. 31/8/22 – 3/9/22

Then on the road again aiming for Mentana Creek which is on Dunbar Station, we were lucky enough to be allowed to camp there, my cousins Danny & Julie know the manager so after a phone call we had the go-ahead. It was a great camp, just us & a few fresh water crocs, 3 amazing sea eagles & a few kite hawks & of course cherabin & barramundi….. We managed to catch 4 barra keepers & quite a few cherabin, we did lose a lot of bara but had fun trying, did catch a sooty grunter, a sleepy cod & numerous catfish – we had a great time, did lotz of walking. On 1 of our walk we saw the largest brolga’s we have ever seen, so tall. The bird life was great, the sea eagles are a magnificent bird & very clever, we used to put our fish frames & fish heads(separated) out on some rocks near our camp, they always knew & very rarely ever let another bird take them. Our breakfast usually consisted of toast plus whateva but thanks to Neil(another cuz) we have a great toasting implement.

We drove to the Mitchell river before heading to Swan Swamp, we were planning on filly up the water tanks but a grader was working so we gave it a miss, a beautiful river(does have crocs but tastes great). 🙂

From Mentana Creek we ventured north west, we were meeting up with cousins Julie & Danny Bosh(& a few others) at Swan Swamp – an amazing water hole in the middle of nowhere…..with lotz of critters. 8/9/22

Today is canoe day (3klm return trip), they have several canoes going out for 2 hour stints & this happens 3 times a day as well as the boat cruise. We actually followed the cruise boat for a while but they were slower than us, it was truly beautiful on the water, the cliff faces were lined with different plants but the pandanus dominated the creek banks. You paddle upstream & let the spectacular orange sandstone walls of the Middle gorge guide you to the Indarri Falls, there are 2 small waterfalls, apparently there is a rather large freshwater crocodile residing behind the larger of the 2 falls, we didn’t see it but other people have. We had a few swims & a snack here, the archer fish & sooty grunter were everywhere (they are used to being fed), but you are not to fish in the National Park. Paddled back to the start, jumped in our ute & drove back to Adels Grove, its 10klms from Adels Grove to Boodjamulla National Park.

Next day, we drove back to the National Park & walked a few different tracks, due to flood damage access to these tracks meant crossing the creek – interesting. We walked down the ‘wild dog dreaming track’ to the lower gorge lookout then back around to climb up to the Island Stack, quite steep but worth it, the Island Stack track was a 1.5klm circuit track with many different panoramic views. To finish our walk once we reached the bottom of the ‘stack’ climb we continued along the Botanical walk & then returned to the creek crossing. Quite a delightful day.

After leaving Miyumba bush camp we drove to Adels Grove – WOW!

Not sure why but the camp was not even one quarter full, but we were very happy with our camp spot. Its a lovely place, there are no powered sites but ample camping areas, fires allowed, cabins, lots of ablution blocks, rubbish removal, awesome swimming in the Lawn Hill Creek, fresh but beautiful, free washing machines & water for your tanks in trailers/car, a small restaurant & bar open for a few hours, canoe & push bike hire. So we did all of the walks over 2 days & hired a canoe for a few hours another day – we had a great time, some of the tracks were quite challenging at times but we got there….

We waddled in the Lawn Hill creek everyday, sometimes twice, it was very refreshing & deep.

We spent a few days in Mt Isa, shopping etc getting ready for next jaunt.

Leaving Mt Isa along Barkly Hwy, the roadsides were filled with these beautiful Pink mulla mulla – so nice. Approximately 70klms east of Camooweal we turned north onto Yelvertoft/Thorntonia Rd then later onto Gregory Downs/Camooweal Rd then left onto Riverslea rd. Not sure why but we see heaps of vehicles ‘parked up’…….hahaha. Peter deflated the tyre pressure on ute & trailer to ensure less damage/easier ride. Just after Riveslea Station homestead we crossed over 2 water crossings & then ‘Miyumba Bush Camp’ appears, it is a part of the Boodjamulla National Park – we camped here for a few days, a nice spot, only 6 camp spots available. Over the few days we walked the river banks, upstream we came across a goanna on a mission & saw quite a few wallabies, downstream we saw a barra but caught 2 very nice sooty grunter(black bream), each day we had a waddle in our ‘spa’, very refreshing but nice. A few people camped but no more than 4 counting us while we were there.

After spending a few days in Mt Isa we drove approximately 60klms east towards Cloncurry (14/8/22)& headed to the Clem Walton Park & Corella Dam, it is a lovely spot & well used by lotz of people. Clem Walton Park is on lower side of dam wall & very nice, we actually camped on Corella Dam on small headland (only suitable for 1 camper) which was awesome. It was very easy to launch the little boat & was quite scenic.

We have been trying a new recipe with or fish – flour, egg, salt & smashed vinegar chips- very yum. I did some mushrooms as well – it worked out well. We have had an amazing time here & its great.

This is an awesome camp spot . I thoroughly recommend.

Keep smiling &enjoy. 🙂

Leaving Dunmarra we travelled approx 20klms south along the Stuart Hwy then headed east along the Barkly stock route road, first part being bitumen then gravel but very good. We camped along the road but a good distance off the road, we hadn’t seen a vehicle since being on this road). There was heaps of flowering grevillea, my plant app calls them a Red silky oak but I am not sure BUT they look beautiful. We bought a fire pit & this was the first time we used it – WOW! it worked really well & we cooked on it. On the road again, passed through on the outskirts of Doomadgee & found a rather large gravel pit with a rather large pond of water. Set up camp & noticed a lot of smoke but it did not reach us. Got up early & found a few critters around the pond of water, the colours were very nice. After breakfast we set off & further into Queensland….Called into Hells Gate for fuel….but it is a very nice place in the middle of nowhere! Next stop Burketown, a local told me the population is about 400, it looks really nice, we drove out to the boat ramp -WOW, it is awesome.

We kept driving, called into Burke & Wills roadhouse & fueled up again then drove down the Wills Development road towards Julia Creek, found a over camp spot & set up for the night. Not a bad camp, got a great fire happening, cooked dinner & bed. The magpies woke me early with their melodious conversations so I investigated – magical time of day, the bird life & colours were beautiful. Not far down the road on route to Cloncurry we came across a few emu’s – they weren’t real friendly.

Judbarra National Park here we come, we turned right & Ben kept going straight ahead on the Victoria Hwy towards Katherine, then onto Lorella Springs. Our plan is to go to the Humbert track turnoff, go through Top Springs & head to Dunmarra on the Stuart Hwy. The yellow marking on map below shows our track out to Top Springs & beyond.

We called into Bullita Homestead, quite a lot of history & interesting stuff, a massive big boab steals the show. We camped up at Humbert Top Yards not far from the turnoff. It took us approx 4.5 hours to go 48klms so it was a slow & scenic drive, the boab tree markers along the way were cute and we did see a few critters along the way. Next morning we left the National park & drove through Humbert Station & over the Humbert River, I managed to get a pic of a wallaby having a drink. Saw quite a few wedgetails along the way, such an amazing bird, I do feel sorry for their morsels but at least is is usually road kill.

Got to Dunmarra roadhouse/caravan park, we stayed 2 nights, did some cleaning & washing etc, the guy who owns this place is a friend of Ben’s & we were able to leave our boat here for 5 days last year on route to Tiwi Islands so we make an effort to stay here when passing through, it is also very reasonably priced & quiet although very busy.

Auvergne Station is approximately 4200sq kilometers, it located 50klm west of Timber Creek(NT) & 137klm east of Kununurra(WA), shares a border with Bullo River & Newry Stations & the Winan Aboriginal Land Trust. It boasts many beautiful Boab trees throughout the property as well as along the driveway. Ben lives in a small but nice dongha with his own ablutions & washing machine, all his meals are taken in the kitchen unless he takes lunch out on the runs which happens quite often. He is a bore runner, fence fixer, truck driver – MR FIXIT & he is very good at it. We were lucky enough to spend 4 nights with him & go out 2 days on the bore runs (lotz of them travelling lotz klms). Repairing of fences around the water area’s is constant & the bores are checked twice a week at present, that could change if the weather warms up more, like most stations they look forward to the wet season & hope they get a good rainfall. The cattle look good, they are currently doing some mustering & sending quite a few trucks with 3 double trailers away.

While out driving with Ben, he took us up a very steep incline which leads to the border between Auvergne & Bullo Downs Station, the track going up the incline is a one lane bitumen road, the trucks can only take one trailer up at a time – this track is the road entry to Bullo Downs, it had a great view. It is a beautiful property & it was great to spend time with Ben & assist in a small way with his jobs.

We packed up & left Thursday 4th August, Ben was going on leave for just over a week on a fishing trip with some friends to Lorella Springs & we were headed east then south onto the Binns Track & come out at Dunmarra Roadhouse.

Thankx Ben, it was awesome to spend time with you. xxx