Kerry and Peter's Blog

Found a nice little caravan park 30 minutes south of Innisfail on the Cassowary Coast, approximately 8klms off the Bruce Hwy – a very quiet & lovely spot. We walked up the beach to the mouth of Liverpool Creek & found some amazing things, beached whales, trees in the sand, very few shells – we did manage to have a quick splash but our eyes were always looking for uninvited guests. Looking out over the water was South Banana Islands, quite close to the shore, its a very popular area for fisher people.

Arrived at our great mates place Mandy & Raymond at Cardwell – always a great place to visit with amazing food & company. Mandy & I made some homemade spaghetti, that was interesting, tasted great & did sort of look like spaghetti, Raymond made a wonderful sauce to go with it – it was very yum. We even went out & hit a little white ball around the paddock – lotz of fun. Mandy & I went out walking in the mornings just before sunrise – WOW! so beautiful.

Thanks Mandy & Raymond for a great time as usual. 🙂 xx

our view from our camp

Cowley Beach – quite lovely

Looking out to the South Banana Islands

whales on the beach

Trees on the beach

Mandy & I made some homemade spaghetti.

My great mate Mandy & I off on our daily walk just before sunrise

Amazing rising of the sun

Bikini girl in a tree

Looking back at the ‘7 Sisters’ part of the Cardwell Ranges

Hinchinbrook Island behind Mandy

so much beauty in Cardwell

Peter found his favourite spot

The kookaburra’s sang every afternoon

Golden Pender

the lorikeets loved them

Raymond & Mandy – amazing wonderful friends

Lily Lagoon just our of Normanton – glorious & lotz of birdlife especially magpie geese, we camped up at Normanton for 1 night in a caravan park, drove out to Karumba for an early dinner & back to camp. Karumba is a beautiful little town known for its awesome sunsets, lotz of wallabies on the road & saw a few black cockies on a small water hole.

Drove out to Riverside Camp, a free camp on the Einasleigh River located on the Gregory Development Road – WOW! what an awesome camping spot. On the track to the river we passed a dead pig which a wedgetail eagle was feasting on but when we got close he flew to a tree – not a bad looking specimen. We parked up about 15mt from the waters edge, put 4 redclaw pots in, lit a camp fire, cooked dinner & toasted our amazing camp. Next morning we checked the pots, only got 7 yabbies but good sizes, we tried fishing with no joy but it was still a lovely spot. Julie & Danny cousins from Mirriwinni arrived after 2 sleeps, Peter & I put the little boat together so Danny & him could position some redclaw pots in good spots. Of course the ‘battle of the 500’s’ took place quite often, a very enjoyable time, but the contest even though a tug-of-war at times resulted in the “girls” favour……….again. Thanks Danny & Julie for a wonderful time.

The birdlife was good, parrots, ducks, honey eaters, plovers, shags, doves & kite hawks were some of the species we saw. We did see 2 freshwater crocodiles but that did not deter us from our twice daily dip(very fresh water).

Found a few pretty flowers but they were weeds, still pretty.

Lily Lagoon – Normanton

The Purple Hotel – Normanton

couldn’t decide which pic I liked the most…..

Just outside of Karumba – black cockies & ibis

Wedgetail Eagle

Burdekin Duck (Radjah shelduck)

Yellow necked parrots – beautiful

Peter with our catch in the bucket.

not a bad size

Peter & Danny in the ‘little boat’

such a ‘WOW’ camp spot

What a feast redclaw cooked in garlic butter mmmmmm.

Full moon tonight

the moon & reflections were beautiful.

the card sharks having a nibble before we get into 500 again

the biggest one of the last morning catch

Pale Mexican Pricklypoppy

Jimsonweed, a species of Thornapples

?

a wild passionfruit

Our last camp up in the Territory found us on Kangaroo Ck, a cute little place, we drove up a track about 500mts off the road & set up, did flick a lure but no joy – it was peaceful & lovely. Got up early next day & crossed the border – hello QLD, called into Hells Gate then moved on, drove to Burketown fuelled up & kept going. Stopped for a walk & look at Leichardt Falls (approx 180 klms SE Burketown) which was beautiful as the water was flowing but there were many ‘happy campers’ there so we kept going. It was amazing to see the high piles of sand & dirt that they had to move to open the road again – no wonder it took quite a while. we drove for another 30 minutes & camped up at a Telstra tower – very quiet & peaceful.

24th August, 2023. Got up early next morning & headed towards Normanton, saw lotz & a variety of critters on & near the road. Crossed the Bynoe River, lotz of water on one side & not much on the other.

our camp spot – Kangaroo Ck: our last camp in the NT

the sign says it all – hello Queensland.

WOW!

Leichardt Falls – so nice to see the water flow

this was part of the road????????WOW!

Could be Walters cross? cannot find out any more info but its been there a long time.

such a lovely spot & lotz of ‘happy campers’

the sand that was moved off the road was quite unbelievable

our 1st camp in QLD

our view

Heading off as the sun was rising – not the best time for driving!!!!

Texas Long Horns – they seemed quite friendly.

lotz of these critters all shapes & sizes

the occasional pony was spotted

Saw quite a few of these fellows also

Bynoe River.

It was great to catch up in Kununurra with family & friends. We parked up in brother Rob’s shed & was able to get a few repairs done with his assistance. Had a lovely Sunday family breakfast at the ‘big house’ (Rob & Fraukes beautiful home) & dined with other friends also got to dine out with Ben & Erin which was very special.

Back on the road, Darwin bound, because we left Kununurra late we only drove to a free camp opposite Auverne Station (Ben worked there last year when we visited), its approximately 200klms W of Knx. Along the Victoria Hwy there was a myriad of boabs- such a majestic tree. After here we drove into the ‘old Victoria River crossing for a look, definately no skinny dipping even in the shallows. The following night found us camped up on the Ferguson River approximately 315klms south of Darwin, a nice camping area although this time it had recently been burnt out – but you get that, found a rather interesting rock formation, it took a few looks to make sure it was rocks… We drove to Darwin next morning to our great mates Barry & Sonja place, they had just came back to town from their bush camp where they take hunters for 3 – 8 days. It is always a joy to spend time with these 2 special people & we are very thankful that they can accommodate us in the ‘bunker’ (a rather large industrial unit). Also got to share quite a few meals with Ben again as he drives fuel roadtrains from Darwin to Kununurra & in between – another bonus for us this visit.

Back on the road again, travelling south to Carpentaria Hwy then east into QLD. Our 1st night we camped up in a gravel pit 30 mins south of Mataranka approximately 450klms south of Darwin – not bad, nice & quiet. Then onto the Carpentaria Hwy heading east, we camped up at October Creek (no creek, it was on a ridge) but nice & quiet & a lovely breeze. There were lotz of birds, somebody had left 3 cut out milk bottles near the tank for water for the birds so I filled them & was rewarded with lotz of guests, I had to refill them in the morning before we left as the crow had knocked 1 over. We fuelled up at Cape Crawford & continued east, drove past the Boroloola sign & crossed the MacCarthy River where Peter has caught quite a few barramundi in previous years & onto gravel roads, pulled up & let air out of the tyres & continued east. Still in the Northern Territory.

Boabs – WOW! such beauties

our 1st nite camp outside of Auverne Station

on way down to the old Victoria River crossing.

the old crossing surrounded by the Gregory National Park

driving across Victoria River bridge looking down on the Victoria River with Gregory National Park in background

Ferguson River – a nice camp

Had to have a 2nd look – a great rock formation

It was so nice to share meals & conversation with Ben. 🙂

our view.

our gravel pit camp

October Creek o/nite rest stop

happy critters

sunset

sunrise

MacCarthy River. (the water was over this bridge early this year).

letting tyre pressure down

here come the corrugations………

After passing the Granites (a rather large GOLD mine site) also known as the Tanami Mine which is approximately 540klms NW of Alice Springs & has been in operation since 2002, the corrugations were minimal & we saw quite a lot of fungi growing on the roadside (very hard solid dirt), we stopped so I could actually dig one out a bit – definitely not edible. The termite mounds were prolific on both sides of the border & rather large. The grevilleas put on an amazing show as well as a few other specimens of vegetation.

Our next stop, Wolfe Creek Cater – WOW! it is approximately 20klms off the Tanami hwy but well worth the drive,

There is a small campground (8 camping bays with a couple of rather large ones that would cater for a few vehicles if they were in a group) – free camping & 3 x drop toilets. Very nice. We camped up for the night & made tracks to Halls Creek the next morning.

Once we on the Great Northern Hwy, we drove north, Boab country – what majestic trees they are & so many, we passed a few interesting rock formations & kapok flowering bordered the hwy. We drove over the Bow river which was actually running with a reasonable amount of water still in it, the majority of creeks near the road had some water in them too – a bit unusual for this time of year but the late rainfall in the top end of WA enabled this. We got to Kununurra mid-afternoon.

fungi

Eucalyptus

We are in Western Australia.

Grevillea robusta

interesting termite mounds & there were lotz in NT & WA

info board

mulla mulla family on the trackside walking up to the crater rim walk.

Quite an amazing hole in the ground.

Camped up with a fullish moon.

Boab country

The Bow River

saw a few interesting rock formations

kopok

Woke up to so much fog & mist on our 3rd last morning here at HDYC – it was impossible to see the Chewings Range, even the Drovers Hills behind the top accommodation block was not to be seen, the outline of the old kitchen was just visible. The ‘V’ in the Chewings Ranges gradually came to life & could be seen – this took a few hours but the process of the fog lifting was a wonderful site & then the day was beautiful.

We left Hamilton Downs Youth Camp on 31st July, the Tanami Hwy was bitumen to Yuendumu then quite a lot of road workx happening so the road we drove on was great, Tilmouth Well was approximately 100klms east of Yuendumu & just after that stop the traffic became interesting – a rather large camel bull was pacing a utility which had just overtaken us, he did eventually go bush but it was a sight. After the roadworks the corrugations were notable so we just plodded along, saw very few vehicles, we pulled up camp at Renehans Bore, a great camp spot with loads of space & well off the road, lotz of bushes in flower but I have been unable to find all the names of them, they were lovely. After breakfast next morning back onto the road towards Western Australia, the corrugations were abundant for a few hours then bliss(more roadworkx)…

Drovers Hill in the background behind the top accommodation block.

The Chewings Ranges & the ‘v’ eventually came into view.

our last fire at HDYC

the colours constantly changing on the range

our last evening for brother & sister & dog

even the galahs came to say goodbye

our last sunset at HDYC

the Tanami Hwy was quite scenic & lotz of grass

Called into Tilmouth Well & fuelled up.

Traffic got interesting for a while.

He eventually went bush.

majority of the road was okay

Grevillea – amazing looking flower spears

Mulla mulla family

most probably a weed but don’t know name.

Great overnight stop, lotz of space.

our camp for the night

lovely sunset

Senna family – Desert Cassia

grevillea family

WOW! bird nests galore

back onto the Tanami Hwy, road a little bumpy for a while now…..

On the countdown for our stay here at Hamilton Downs Youth Camp, time has been very enjoyable & has flown. Gary & Mary(Peter’s sister) are taking over from us, we will be leaving on Monday 31st July. It has been wonderful sharing our last few weeks here with Gary & Mary, lotz of walking & great times, Mary is an amazing cook – we will miss them but I am sure they will enjoy their time here at HDYC.

We have had a few very fresh days which included icy winds. Up early to watch the sun rise – very nice, just had to find a place out of the wind.

We went for a drive outside of the camp fences within Hamilton Downs Station (this is a working cattle station) – a really nice station currently with lotz of cattle feed due to the great rain they received early in the year & the cattle are in great condition. Mary & Gary in their land cruiser & Peter & me in the patrol, a bit of 4WDing involved through the sandy creeks & very rocky terrains, it was an interesting drive, 20klms in just under 2 hours so the pace was not fast. Had a couple of episodes of not moving but they were worked through successfully, it was good practice for all of us. We came across 2 dams on our drive, good watering spots for the cattle as well as the brumbies, at 1 of the dams a small mob of brumbies came out of the scrub cantering towards the dam, once they saw us they turned tail & bolted, at the other dam there was a mob of cattle lounging around.

The Emu bush is flowering profusely everywhere at the moment, it is a very attractive shrub & while Mary & I were out walking we came across quite a few of these Emu bush shrubs covered in lotz of bees – it was great to see that.

Sun rising above the entrance to the camp.

Here comes the sun.

Found a rather high rock.

Lotz of sandy creek crossings, got to use the max tracks once.

Brumbies haven’t seen us yet.

Brakes on, they have seen us & were off.

Nice dam with the 3 amigo’s.

Emu bush

Cattle at dam #2.

Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek to Hamilton Downs Youth Camp

Section 2 of the Larapinta Trail. 16/07/2023

It was rather chilly this morning, Peter dropped Gary, Mary & me off at Simpsons Gap then left… Here we go.

Easy walking although the track was quite rocky, got to the section where the woodland trail began, we kept going towards Jay Ck. We came across some lovely creeks with running fresh water, the trail meandered through several creek beds – very nice. Although the trail was easy, it was long – we ended up walking approximately 29klms, we called Peter on the UHF radio at the Jay Ck trailhead (these trailheads are used as stopovers/camp spots/ they usually have a drop toilet, water tank with drinking water, a pantry cupboard where food drops are stored for some organised trekkers as well as a USB charging point, in an undercover area), we kept walking towards HDYC until Peter collected us – we were smiling with his arrival.

Back home, we sat by the fire with some well deserved refreshments.

Simpsons Gap before sun rise

After sunrise.

Quite a bit of ice still around.

Following the tri-angels, blue to Jay Ck, brown onto the Woodland Trail.

Woodland trail veered off we kept going to jay Ck.

the trail just keeps going, going & going

Nice little creek with clear fresh water.

Spring Gap

Its hard to imagine how these trees can grow out of rocks faces.

another nice little waterhole

Standley Chasm to Jay Ck: Stage III continues….

It was an interesting, challenging at times, scenic & beautiful walk. Up & down crevasse’s, clambering over rocks & boulders Mary & I followed our trail-blazer Gary, after leaving the intersection at Millars Flat(an appointed camp ground for trekkers) we chose the high route – WOW! now we did climb some interesting crevasse’s, it was quite windy & there were lotz of loose rocks but eventually got to the top. The views were amazing, after walking along the ridgeline for a while we could see the Youth Camp & its facilities in the distance. Time to go downhill, the track zig-zagged which was a much easier way of descending, once we reached Tangentyere Junction we followed the creek til we arrived at the other end of Fish hole(which is in Jay Ck), one more hill then back up Jay Creek til we reached the Jay Ck trailhead, from here to the Youth Camp (home), luckily Peter came looking for us because it was getting late. We walked 17klms in 8 & a half hours – a very big day.

Our conclusion: it was a great walk with quite a few challenges but very enjoyable.

knife acacia

Gary pointing in the right direction.

Yes, there is our trail.

lotz of this knife acacia along the way

Minuria leptophylla.

a type of daisy

getting closer

Last bit of climbing on this hill.

WOW! we come from down there somewhere.

Hamilton Downs Youth Camp – home

Time to start going downhill

zig zag all the way down

on the flat now following the ck

the otherside of fish hole

another hill

on the home run, walking up Jay Ck

Getting ready for a walk towards the ‘v’ in the Chewings Range that we can see from the cottage, Mary trying her snazzy pink gators out.

Sunday July 9th, we rose early, tea & toast then off to Standley Chasm car park: Gary, Mary & I began our journey on Stage III of the Larapinta Trail, Stage III is classed as some of the steepest and most rugged country in the ranges, we are only walking stage III then diverting off towards Hamilton Downs Youth Camp. The 1st hill wasn’t too bad, little steep with great views, the track had a few challenges but we pursued it, had a few laughs, probably muttered a few things under our breath & kept going, Gary was our trail blazer and did a great job.

Yea – new pink gators….lets go walking

On the way.

Heading towards the ‘v’.

snack time

Didn’t quite get there – time to head home.

Peter dropped us off at Standley Chasm car park

Flash ablution block

Beautiful red Grevillea in the garden

This is the walk we are going to do….:-) our plan is to do the high route

we on our way

wild Indigo

Here goes…………………..

Half way up 1st hill

We just walked up here

nearly there up the 1st hill

Yea 1 down, no doubt a few to go.

Looking down to part of the chasm

downhill we go

Guinea flower

Looking across the way as we walk downhill

Into the chasm

lotz of rock scrambling

our track through here

so many trees that seem to grow out of rocks???