Cairns, Elarish, Mirriwinni, Cardwell, Townsville, Ayr & Theresa Creek Dam

Spent a few days in Cairns doing running repairs etc, then drove to Elarish & caught up with Peter’s sister Margaret her son Ben & family – was great to spend night there, next stop Miriwinni – cousins Danny & Julie, always good when the girls flog the boys in 500 -thankx guys. Cardwell for 3 days with great mates Mandy & Raymond, Peter had a game of golf – very enjoyable time as usual in Cardwell. Next night we camped up just south of Townsville with John & Lyn, friends from Beenleigh- it’s amazing in the places where you catch up with mates. From here we went to Ayr, we stayed with Belina, Terry & girls – we met these wonderful people on Croker Island 5 years ago & have kept in contact.

Cardwell – such a beautiful place.
My amazing mate Mandy
cute little honey eater trying soooo hard to build a home!
Our good friend Belina – Ayr

Theresa Creek Dam is approximately 22klms SW of Clermont-a very delightful spot, lotz of unpowered sites scattered around the lake, water skiing & redclaw catching seem to be the most favourite of activities, we met up with Gary & Rae, our good friends from Bargara here. We spent a few nights here & put the little boat in, very nice, with the boat we were able to put some redclaw pots around the dam where you weren’t able to walk. Gary caught 99% of the redclaw in the pots he threw in off the bank, the boat pots were not very successful but it was nice out on the water.

From Theresa Creek we drove approximately 270klms (W) to Lake Dunn via Laglan Rd. Lake Dunn is a fresh water lake located on Ballneety Rd, Dunrobin in the Upland district. We drove over Mistake Creek, there were quite a few ‘pink bauhinia’ trees full of flower along the banks, also saw lotz of moo, some very cute ones too.

our homes for the next few days
Champayne breaky – yummo
sunset
just after sunset
lotz of these critters feasting in the fig trees
Gary checking some pots
so many beauties on the water
out in the boat
on the road again
stopped briefly at Mistake Creek
Mistake Creek
pink bauhinia

Charleston Dam #2

The sunrises & sunsets are truly amazing.

Danny, Mary & I walked up to the dam wall, zig zagging around the dam edge – it was a great walk.

There were quite a few pelicans on the dam, WOW, they are so beautiful.

There was quite a few lillies – Water Snowflakes in the inlet bays – very cute, we placed most of our pots in these areas & it proved to be quite successful. The redclaw were quite plentiful but we did release lotz.

This is an amazing place, if the opportunity arrives we will be returning. 🙂

sunrise
sunset
dam wall
Danny on the dam wall
Mary on the dam wall
Pelicans – such majestic birds
Water snowlake
one of our many redclaw spots
a good catch
good set of claws on this fellow

QLD: Ravenshoe to Charleston Dam – Forsyth

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).

Millstream creek
Millstream falls
Peter & Storm – what a couple
our camp
Julie, Danny, Russell & Kristy’s camps.
‘boating bliss’
‘happy hour’
Julie & Peter

Peter & Danny

Maray, Gary & Peter out for a spin
these fellows visited a few times
so many galahs….

Rutland Plains Station, Speedies camp.

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.

the convoy in front of the station
Nassau river
Danny, Speedie & Peter
Yep, he’s onto something.
107cm barra
lotz of these critters munching on the fish frames
82cm barra
awesome sunsets
stairway to the moon….
these fellows were very big in numbers
Nassua river
Chris, Lummy, Danny, Speedie & Julie
Peter, Cameron, Chris & Lummy
so many lillies
Lummy & Peter
83cm barra
lotz of dead wood & snags
Century palms

Normanton, Mentana Creek & Swan Swamp.

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

The iconic Purple Pub in Notmanton
sun going down in Normanton
Mentana Creek
our camp
looking at our camp from other side of creek
fresh water mangrove – beautiful
saw these 2 very large brolga’s
the ibis was eying of the fish frame
the king of birds – Sea Eagles
sea eagle in action
dragonfly
the cook 2nite
our toaster – a winner
cormorant
the mighty Mitchell River
Mitchell River
Swan Swamp on road to Kowanyama
Swan Swamp
magpie geese
pigs everywhere
they love their lillies
”a cutie’
duck heaven

Boodjamulla National Park #3

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.

here comes the sun
canoeing up the Lawn Hill creek
the plant life on the rock cliffs are amazing
we both still paddling from inside of the canoe…….haha
Indarri Falls
sitting opposite the falls have a waddle, that is our canoe
so many archer fish & sooty grunter swimming around
he’s still there
sunrising
Back to Boodjamulla, walk day today.
Flood damage
he made it
walking the Wild dog dreaming track
Looking up at the Island Stack
he loves stairs……
Calytrix shrubbery flowering profusely
kapok flowering everywhere
Lower gorge
he would make a nice dinner!
Knicker nut (Caesalpinia bonduc)
walking up to the Island Stack
we made it
Island Stack lookout

now we have to go back down…..
we got down – WOW!
Lillies at the end of the Botanical walk track

Boodjamulla National Park #2

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.

our camp spot
lotz of these critters around
here we go 🙂
Quite a few Pink mulla mulla around
awesome
Upper gorge lookout
Upper gorge lookout from the highest point
here we go walking downhill now
looking up to where we have walked
Lawn Hill Ck at bottom of the upper gorge
saw a few turtles there
Bower bird nest
Indarri Falls lookout
Duwadarri lookout
Dryandra’s grevillea
the sun is gone but the colours were awesome

Boodjamulla National Park #1

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.

Pink mulla mulla (Ptilotus exaltus)
a car parked up!!!!!
Peter deflating the tyre pressure
these moo’s took off as soon as we got out of the ute.
1st crossing – O’Shannassy River
2nd crossing Gregory River
our camp
downstream
yummo -dinner
upstream
road crossing over the Gregory river
‘our spa’

Corella Dam – Clem Walton Park(QLD)

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. 🙂

our campsit
so many of these little fellows
the wall & our boat
on our way
lotz of these critters
just luv the pelicans
lotz of freshies around
Golden snapper, mushrooms & coleslaw for dinner 2nite
a fire every afternoon
our 1st catch, we released him
so many of these shags
our camp straight across the water
we climbed this hill, was actually steeper than it looks….
great views from up here
other side of dam wall
lotz of r’n’r………
few of these critters around camp
our 2nd day catch, another release
this fellow guarded our pot…haha
so nice to have a fire
early frosty morning & they still love to swim

Driving the Barkly stock route(NT)

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.

according to my plant app this is a ‘red silky oak’ /’grevillea banksii’
our camp
sun goin down
Golden snapper with tomato & onion

our view
sun coming up
next stop to camp up was at a gravel pit between Doomadgee & the QLDborder
a fire in the background……
potato slices on the fire pit
a wallaby having a drink
sun coming up – very pretty
a wedgetail in the distance
a jet above
an ‘interesting’ rock formation……………
hello Queensland
you need it, you get it
Wills development road
always got to have a ‘crazy pic’