Our new home town for the next ‘how many’ days/months…..
Since arriving in Weipa it has been a little windy, but we did get to take the boat (Striker) out for a run, did a little fishing but generally had a bit of a look around, no fish caught but we did see some amazing Jabiru’s.
I got to participate in my 1st ‘park run’ although I walked …..hahaha
Peter & I have been walking a bit & enjoying the local sites, walked around Kerr Point & found some great vegetation flowering, always a bonus.
Took ‘Slick’ out for a spin
No fish but saw these beautiful critters – Jabiru
Got back safely.
Went to my first even Park Run
Buds of the Sea hibiscus
Looking out from Kerr Point, tide very low.
Ipomoea pes-caprae – with a bumble bee raiding it
Talipariti tiliaceum – Sea Hibiscus
Syzygium samarangense – Wax Apple (bottlebrush family)
After leaving Cairns we drove up the Kuranda Range & headed to Mareeba, we delivered a boat propeller for Danny & Julie to a friend & received some chokos in return – good deal hey!
Kept heading north, corrugation’s were interesting at times but the majority of the dirt road was pretty good & there was quite a bit of bitumen. We found a place to camp just off the PDR(Peninusula Development Road), a nice pond /dam & far enough off the road so no-one could see us. It was quite a pretty spot, lotz of galahs, crows, ducks, parrots & honey-eaters, we put in 2 redclaw pots & enjoyed chops & veg for dinner while watching the sun go to bed.
Woke up to see the sun starting to climb, it was a beautiful morning, the mist was rising off the pond, we collected the 2 redclaw pots & caught 2 critters (1 really nice size). Just as we were packing up the KK we spotted a family of pigs at the opposite end of the pond feasting in the shallow water amongst the reeds, they were being watched by quite a few ducks, they flew off not long after.
Weipa here we come….
looks like a good place to camp
our camp site, not bad.
so many galahs
bit of a walk around the dam, putting 2 redclaw pots in
Couldn’t find this critter in my bird book.
sunset
sun about to rise
light mist on the water in the early morning
2 cherabin but not a bad size
ducks & pigs
ducks took flight
Coelospermum decipiens Baill previously known as Morinda reticulata.
September 12, 2023 found us at Machens Beach, north of Cairns City at our good friends place Peter & Pauline, it was great to spend a few days with these 2 amazing people. Pauline’s ‘happy plant’ was flowering, I have never seen them flower before, it was lovely. They took us for a drive to Copperlode Falls Dam also known as Lake Morris which is the fresh water reservoir dam that services Cairns & is located in the Lamb Range, it is approximately 11klms southwest of Cairns. It has great picnic/bbq areas which we utilised with a lunch of sausages, marinated prawns, avocado & coleslaw on fresh bread.
Next stop, Lake Placid located on the Barron River, a beautiful spot which once had a restaurant & outdoor entertainment area now closed due to flood damage, but is still a great place to visit & explore. As you go further into the Barron Gorge you end up at the Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station, there is a bridge crossing the river with a backdrop of the Surprise Creek Falls & at the right time you might catch sight of the Kuranda train.
Thanks Pauline & Peter for a great time. 🙂
Corn plant – Dracaena fragrans – Happy plant
BBQ/picnic area
Pauline, Peter & the yellow ‘bug’
Was a tad fresh but lovely
This turtle was swimming around.
cooking snags & some prawns we marinated
Looking out from under cover picnic area
there was some rain about
fungi on the trees
Rose apple blossom
Lake Placid – part of the Baron River
Looking down at the Barron River from the bridge near the hydro station.
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
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
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!!!!
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).
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.
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.
Kerry and Peter's Blog 