Kerry and Peter's Blog

February 2025

Next camp found us in the Otway Forest Park, Beauchamp Falls – a really nice free campground, drop toilets, picnic tables & bbq’s. When we arrived mid afternoon there were 3 others caped up, in the morning the overnight area & the day use only area were both full……

We walked down to the falls, a 3klm round trip, downhill to the falls then uphill on the return, definately gets the heart rate up. I went for a quick walk in the morning before we left – well worth it.

Next stop Lake Colac – Meredith Dam. Lake Colac is the largest fresh water lake in Victoria & has a maximum depth of approximately 2.5m – it was a great camp spot.

The Falls were quite nice, bit too fresh for a dip.

Lotz of steps on way back.

Half back to camp……

early morning walk

They were very pretty.

a tad fresh

love the pelicans

our camp site

a friend

a hawk sitting on her nest

My beautiful Immy – growing so quick.

After 10hrs driving from Weipa – we arrived at Rutland Station, SW of Cape York on the Kowanyama Rd & met up with some great cousins, 5 days fishing on the Nassua River – so many bara but lotz of fun.

Peter & I set up our swag high up on the banks of the river – what a view.

The fishing was amazing – so many bara, we threw back more than we kept, no over meter fish caught but lotz of others. Julie & Danny (the cousins) provided tooooooooo much food but we had a fantastic time. Lotz of other critters around camp but not too invasive, the goanna was the most persistent visitor but no problems with him, the hawks were amazing, feasting on the bara skeletons – it was Christmas every day for them. The sunsets were amazing, so many colours.

We camped up overnight on the way back to Weipa, along the Dixie Rd & stopped at a gravel pit which worked well. Peter reheated some of Julie’s curry chicken – WOW! so nice. Got to the Archer River, the new bridge is getting closer to completion – I am sure they will want it finished before the ‘wet’ season starts.

Imogen is growing so fast – it is such a joy to look after her while Mum working.

Our bed overlooking the amazing Nassua River on Rutland Station.

lotz of action

Cheers.

so many bara

sun going down

moon shining through

lotz of different critters around camp – regular visitor

this fellow loved carrots

The hawks feasted on the bara skeletons.

so many doves

Camped up along the Dixie Rd on our return trip to Weipa

Peter reheating some leftover chicken curry – soooooo yum.

New bridge over the Archer River nearing completion.

Driving to Pennefather along the Mapoon Rd we passed a few big toys making dust – WOW they are big.

Continued on to Pennefather & found a delightful camp spot, we set the boat up ready to launch the next morning. We tried a bit of beach fishing as the sun was setting but no joy, it was still enjoyable. We didn’t have any luck this trip with fishing but most enjoyable being out on the water, it go quite windy after lunch so no more boating for us, we packed up ready to leave next morning.

Imogen – my main job in Weipa (loooking after her 4 days a week while Mum worked), how lucky am I, she was such a joy I am so happy I had this opportunity.

We camped out on the Wenlock River not far from Stones Crossing, a great camping spot – we put the cherabin pots in & ended up catching 3 sleepy cod – very yummy, we took them back to Weipa. We will try & come back here again & put the little boat in next time.

massive machines

no a bad view from camp

Tried to look like fisher people……

Sunsets are amazing here at Pennefather

lotz of these majestic birds around

What can I say – Imogen is amazing & so much fun.

our camp overlooking the Wenlock River

Life is difficult some days

Lilies are in abundance & beautiful.

Crabs & fish from May 2024, I have never seen a crab with eggs before & Mum was not very big, we did get to keep 2 boys. A Blue nosed salmon I actually snared this fellow not far from where the ferry drops the workers off for Amron(the main mining area in Weipa at the moment), they have 2 ferries running most days – the workers do 7 days on & 7 off.

On 1 of my walks around Weipa I came across Albatross Bay, quite a lovely spot & popular with the Jabiru’s, the pub overlooks the bay.

We took a drive up to Pennyfather beach which is just south of Pennyfather River(a very popular spot for locals & tourists), Mike, Jenna & kids followed in their vehicle. We found a nice shady tree, checked out the beach for treasures, had a cold drink and some snacks then the kids drove home, Peter & I checked out the river then drove home, we called into ‘Little 6 Tunnels’ which is not far from the beach, a fresh water creek that dries up eventually – it was quite lovely for a quick cooling off.

The following week on my 2 days off Peter & I drove back to Pennyfather beach & camped for a couple of nights, we put the little boat in & had a bit of fun. The fishing wasn’t the best but it was really quite lovely just to relax & ‘veg’ out. We did get quite a few sharks but didn’t keep any, the colours at sunset were beautiful. We will be back.

Quite amazing -a crab with eggs

These 2 boys not so lucky but tasted good.

Blue nosed Salmon

Albatross Bay, the Jabiru’s love this area.

Harry & Mike collecting sea treasures

Imogen & Jenna in relax mode.

Little Six Tunnels

Isn’t mother nature amazing!

The main track to the beach.

Peter getting ready to launch the vessel

No keepers………hahaha

the view from our camp

we did try, but the beauty was enough

WOW!

Well, its been a while, mainly due to laptop issues but you get that.

This blog & next will probably have lotz of photos from over the last few months

Imogen

Batfish, Peter only caught one but we saw lotz.

Tusk fish – so yummmm.

Here comes the sun.

Daily flight from Cairns arriving – 0900hrs.

Set-up, not far from ferry entrance to Amrun (mining area)

? do know what this fellow is

Harry – growing up so quickly

Fungi

Flowering croton.

Pink trumpet tree flower

Frangipanni

Imogen -growing so quickly

What an amazing way to start a new year, had great mates Shell, Ric & Mason over for New Years Eve – awesome time spent with great friends.

Imogen Lee Parker, born on the 2nd January 2024. WOW!

Ben & Erin stayed with us a couple of nights on their drive back to Kununurra from Sydney, they got to meet Imogen & say ‘hi’ to Harry – it was so good to have them with us, they weren’t able to drive all the way home to Kununurra due to the flooding on the Victoria Hwy(NT), so they flew back to Kununurra from Darwin & picked their vehicle up at a later date.

Park run at Greenbank didn’t happen in January due to flooding & track condition but Archie & I still managed to do parts of it & then did some road walking(bike & people paths next to the roads), managed to get hot & sweaty then jumped into the pool – a perfect way to start the day.

I went up to Scarborough a few times & spent the night, thanks Ross & Robyn, always a pleasure spending time with you both. We went out for a lovely dinner at the Brewery at Scarborough, walking distance from the unit. Harry, Jenna, Imogen & I did some treasure seeking & found some interesting things, it is a very beautiful place here in Scarborough.

The pool at ‘Greenbank’

Outdoor gazebo – pizza making place

Home made delights!

Shell & Mason

Shell chatting to ‘mr google’ re: music selection….

Peter & Ric having fun times on the pin ball machines

great times with great friends.

Lotz of fun in the pool.

Welcome to Imogen Lee Parker born 2nd January 2024 – 3.9kgs.

Mum & bub.

Ben & Erin called for a visit, they came up from Sydney on their way back to Kununurra, WA.

Harry, Uncle Ben & Peter.

Ben meeting Imogen with Dad (Mike).

even the road to the park was flooded…hahaha

The park run was cancelled all January due to flooding.

Found little fellow on the concrete path after some of the water had receded, not a good outcome for him.

Archie loved the flooded water

Brewery at Scarborough for an early dinner, very nice.

Hunting for treasures amongst the rocks at Scarborough.

Imogen 2 weeks old

Harry with his bubble maker on the beach at Scarborough.

On our(Archie & me) 2nd last walk, we wrote a message to welcome home the ‘holiday makers’.

Arrived in Greenbank (south of Brisbane) to house & dog sit at Amy, Pat, Abby, Tommy * Archie’s place – a beautiful home nestled amongst gardens, outdoor area & swimming pool. WOW! Here til end of January 2024 so hope the traffic doesn’t drive us nuts. Got to spend wonderful moments with family & friends which was awesome.

Archie was great, Peter managed one lap of park run track with him so it was just Archie & me most of the time….haha. The park run park has a great set-up with lotz of wildlife especially early in the mornings,which Archie & I visited almost everyday except for flooded days.

Jenna, Mike, Harry, Catherine & Georgia, Peter, Archie & I had a wonderful afternoon in the pool, this was one of many afternoons shared with Catherine, Georgia & Greg. Archie always joining in with the fun. Amy’s garden gave us many meals of asparagus which was very yum. We went up to Scarborough (near Redcliffe, QLD), Jenna, Mike & Harry were staying with Mike’s parents(Ross & Robyn), they have a beautiful unit across the road from the beach – very nice, also have lotz of awesome park grounds in close proximity. Archie’s hairdressing session gave him lotz of joy & he scrubbed up well.

Xmas eve found Peter & I at Casino, attending the Lamond Family Challenge- an event held every 2yrs. We had an awesome time & stayed the night with Margaret (Peter’s Mum) then drove back to Greenbank.

lotz of rain happening with local flooding, Archie & I loved it. 🙂

Lotz of babies.

Beautiful park – park run is held here every Saturday 0700hrs.

A weekly jaunt for Archie & I.

Archie in action.

Fun times in the pool with Jenna, Mike, Harry, Georgia, Catherine & Archie.

Cute little fairy wren checking himself out in the revision mirror.

Morning coffee & snack at Scarborough

Jenna, Peter & Harry enjoying sometime on the bouncing pillow at Scarborough.

Archie posing after his trip to the ‘hairdresser’.

Lamond -Xmas Challenge, Kerry’s team

Lamond Challenge – Peter’s team.

Lamond Xmas Challenge, lunch afterwards.

Park run cancelled due to flooding, but Archie & I still had some fun……

Most Saturday mornings Jenna & I try to participate in the local park run, we make sure that we carry our ‘fly swats’, I have missed the last couple as I have been working but hopefully will get back into it next year after we return from Brisbane (fly out 17/11/23 7 return to Weipa 28/01/2024). We launch the boat at Evans Landing – its has a great jetty setup, launching area & 2 wash bays. We have managed to bring back a feed of mud crabs each time we go out, we only bring back 3 crabs (thats enough for us) & throw any others back for next time. We actually managed to get some fish on our last venture, the keepers we brought back were fingermark, tuskfish & a cod: all were quite yum & plenty for 2 feeds.

Peter has joined the golf club & plays 2 x 9 hole social competitions a week plus whatever the weekend competition(18 holes) is, we bought a 2nd hand pair of clubs which he seems to be quite happy with & has been able to use a pull buggy borrowed from the club, we will invest in a buggy during our Brisbane trip – he is doing lotz of walking & enjoying the golf which is great.

A few weekends ago we drove out to a part of the Wenlock River which is located on the old Billy’s Lagoon Station, this is a very popular spot withthe Weipa locals. Peter & I camped the night while Jenna, Mike & Harry came out for a picnic lunch – WOW, it is such a beautiful spot, we did spend a lot of time in the water which was knee deep but always croc wary. Peter & I actually stopped at this spot in October when we were out driving & it was awesome to return & spend some time here. We tried our luck with fishing but didn’t raise any interest & we put in a couple of red claw pots overnight & managed to catch 6 cherabin & 1 redclaw, we kept them for bait when we went out fishing. The track down to the river was sandy with one rather large hole but quite manageable.

Finishing off another ‘park run’ (walk)…

The boat ramp where we put the boat in Evan’s Landing, jetty in background.

Out in Striker.

Yummo, snacks tonight.

Peter made the news…….

Harry & Jenna having fun in the teepee

the view from our camp

the view of our camp from the river

the river downstream & around the corner

Bit of a ditch to drive out through

no probs…

On one of our drives we went up to Mapoon & checked out the camping area & boat ramp, its looks interesting & could be a good fishing option, Mapoon is approximately 60klms north of Weipa you drive on a very well maintained gravel road that crosses a haulout road for the mines. On our return trip we found Clough Landing, a sort of boat ramp into the Wenlock River, it looks well used & people camp here.

Another stop on the Wenlock River was at Stones Crossing, once you drive over this crossing you pass through parts of Rio Tinto land, then Bertie Hagh which is the Steve Irwin conservation property & arrive at Bramwell Junction, we haven’t done this drive yet but its on our list to do. We drove to Billys Lagoon Station approximately 65klms east of Weipa on the Weipa Rd, which is now owned by the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council & is full of abandoned buildings, there is a large lagoon not far from where the homestead was located – its really quite beautiful, I have heard they catch barramundi & cherabin here but I am also certain there would be some crocodiles there also. From here we drove down to another section of the Wenlock River, it was a nice spot, we then drove back past the homestead & took another track which brought us to yet another section of the mighty Wenlock River, this particular section is very popular with Weipa people for camping, swimming, fishing & picnic’s as its quite shallow & a large sand area – It was really lovely.

We went out in the boat (Striker) & went to Roberts Creek, put 6 crab pots in then did some fishing, I managed to catch a pan size bream (legal) & a very small bream & even smaller cod…..haha. We then went out through the ‘shipping’ channel & did some trolling, Peter actually caught a shark, never before have we caught a shark trolling, we released it & went back to collect the pots & go home. WOW! crabs galore, but we had 3 very good keepers, we released 8 jennies(females) & 2 just under sized bucks but were very happy with our keepers.

Went driving with Jenna, Mike & Harry to ‘Dead Dog Beach’ quite a long area of beach which can be reached from various tracks, of course the name has originated from the many small crosses of loved pets that are located here, but at low tide its a great play area for Harry & Dillan (tonka truck) – it was a lovely way to spend some time before the sun set.

boat ramp into the Wenlock River

Bit of sand to drive through to get to the crossing

The crossing at Stones Crossing

Wenlock River up from Stones Crossing

Billy’s Lagoon

Wenlock River down from Billys Lagoon

Wenlock River section very popular for picnic’s etc.

Obviously parked up for life.

These were the only keepers but oh so good.

Harry loves driving Dillon his truck

Locals out turtle hunting

Just watching the locals

WOW! really quite lovely.