Campfires No 11 Daly River - Cobbold Gorge

Hello Again,

Well we have now been on the road for nearly five months and whilst it may seem like a long time it has gone so fast and is a blur.  I am however I am capturing these moments so we can reminisce in the years ahead.

So what have we done since the last blog.  Well we left Daly River and were intending on heading straight back across but decided that we would first go and visit Edith Falls on our way and then a quick stop at Bitter Springs.

Edith Falls was beautiful.  Tricia and I did a couple of the walks that included going to the top falls and the Long pool.  They were all unique and whilst it was extremely hot getting to each of them the swim to cool off made every step worth it.  We stayed again at Pussy Cat Flats and the next day started the long trip back across to Queensland. Then just out of Katherine a truck flicked up a rock and gave us a nice big star on the windscreen.  Tricia did a quick google and found that Repco sells repair kits so a quick stop to buy one.  Off we went again but we couldn't go past the turn off to Bitter Springs without a quick stop to do the relaxing float along the stream.  

Long Pool

Walking Edith falls

Another rock pool

Top Falls

Now refreshed and relaxed  we drove for a few hours and found a gravel pit on the side of the road where we would repair the windscreen.  We were the only ones there, well that's what we thought until a little later as we were celebrating our quick fix on the windscreen when we saw two guys walk past.  turns out they were camped just down the road a little in the same gravel pit area.

The following day was a long drive, and we made it to the Frewena Rest Area and Billabong on the Barkley Highway, just a little west of the Barkley Homestead Roadhouse.  Lots of people staying overnight and the amazing wildlife around kept us entertained.  To give you an idea of how many other travelers are on the road, we did a tally between fuel stops on the Stuart Highway about 330kms we passed 104 travelers either caravan, motorhome or roof top tents and they were all going in the other direction.

Sunset at Frewena Rest Area

Frewena Rest Area

Frewena Rest Area Billabong

We headed off the next morning with the obligatory stop at the Road house for fuel and a coffee and the crossing of the Border and then made our way back to the Camooweal Billabong where we had stayed on the way over and had a feast of yabbies.  No such luck this time though.  The dry season has taken it toll on the billabong with it being considerably lower this time.  The birds however don't seem to mind as they were everywhere.

Back in Queensland

NT/QLD Border

Camooweal Billabong Aug 24

Camooweal Billabong Aug 24

As we had now hit Camooweal we wanted to get onto the Savannah Way as quickly as possible so we decided to head north on the dirt roads to the Gregory River rather than going via Cloncurry to stay on the bitumen road.  So as we hit the dirt road we saw another vehicle lowering there tyres and as we knew the road might be a little rough we decided to do the same.  Well the road was not that rough but was very rocky and about 60km short of the end we got a flat on the Patrol as a rock embedded itself in the lower pressured tyre.  After changing it to the spare we made our way to Gregory where we hoped it might be fixed.  Unfortunately the rock had broken the bead so needed to be replaced and the closest place that we could get them from would be Cloncurry.  After a couple of calls the order was made and after a few days and a 650km round trip to Cloncurry the rear tyres have been replaced.  

Speaks for itself

The town of Gregory sits on the Gregory river and has a few houses, a pub and a coffee shop, however the draw card for this place is the river.  It is a free camp up to seven nights and it is beautiful.  The river runs quite quickly which allows you to walk up the river about 800m and then float back down to the main bridge where they have put ropes to help you get out.  We had only intended staying here for two nights but with the travel to Cloncurry and just because it was a lot of fun we ended up staying 5 nights.

Gregory River Campsite from Bridge

Our Van near old Bridge

In leaving Gregory we decided not to go out to Burketown and Leichhardt Falls as it was another couple of hundred kilometers on dirt road and that would do them the next time we come across as hopefully Lawn Hill will be reopened by then too.  So we stayed on the bitumen and headed up Normanton.  As we arrived at the Burke and Wills Roadhouse we were surprised to see the arrival of some of the Variety Bash cars who were making their way to Karumba for a Gulf Sunset.  As we then continued our drive we were passed by many more of these 30 year plus old cars that had been dressed to impress.   We overnighted on the Norman River which is just on the edge of town.  Lots of crocs in the river they say but we only saw sticks.

B&W Roadhouse

Replica of largest authenticated Croc ever Shot 8.63m

Norman River

Norman River at night from Campsite

Our next stop was Karumba where we had planned to do a charter however after chatting to people the fish were off the bite so we decided to do a sunset cruise instead which was awesome. The cruise took us up the Norman river to the main port and then out to a sand island were able to enjoy some prawns and refreshments as we watched the sun disappear into the Gulf of Carpentaria.  Something I was un aware of was that in this area there is only one tide change in 12 hours unlike the normal two in most places in Australia.  This we were told has caught out many fishermen who has ended up stuck on the mud flats and had to wait more than 8 hours for their boats to refloat as this is not the place to get out and walk across the flat.   We did throw a line in the following morning from the edge of the beach but only thing caught was a little Bream by Tricia.  So the illusive Barra will have to wait until next time.

Karumba Tavern

Tricia fishing off the beach in Saltwater Croc territory

Needs a little longer in the water to grow

Sunset on the Sand Beach in Gulf of Carpentaria

Sand Bar for Sunset

Heading off from Karumba took us back down through Normanton and then across the Savannah Way towards Georgetown.   The road started out as a wide two lane highway and I was thinking that we could have easily come up here at start of our trip.  Well that was until all of a sudden it turns into very narrow single lane of bitumen with lots of creek crossings.  Anyway we drove for a few hours and stopped at the Gilbert River for the night.  The next morning we headed to Cobbold Gorge.  

I had previously seen this advertised on one of the 4WD shows and thought it would be worth a visit.  We booked in for three nights so we could do as much as possible.  On arrival we familiarised ourselves with the infinity pool and bar.  Then yesterday we did a guided Stand Up Paddle board tour through the Gorge and luck was on our sides as neither of us fell in.  We then took a drive to the local town of Forsayth.  A very interesting place with a long history of gold mining in the area. The town has done a lot to ensure its history is shown everywhere. Upon our return we decided to again hit the pool but this time we indulged in a few cocktails and met a few of the staff and other travelers indulging in the same delight.  

Paddle Boarding the Cobbold Gorge

Still standing up

Forsyth

Cocktail Hour

and Again

Now that brings us to today and this morning we did the full guided tour of Cobbold Gorge, this time on a small boat followed by a walk to the top of the gorge so we could walk across the glass bridge.  This again was worth every cent.  The guides were exceptional and left no rock unturned when it came to explanations of the local area and its history.

Boat trip through Cobbold Gorge

Cobbold Gorge glass bridge

Cobbold Gorge glass bridge

Tricia not so holding on for dear life

Cobbold Gorge Aug 24

When we depart again the plan is to remain on the Savannah Way for a long as possible.  Unfortunately however our time on the road is now getting very short with our return to Brisbane in early September and then a couple of weeks in Tasmania to celebrate our 35th Wedding Anniversary.

We hope you have enjoyed following us our trip so far and will do a final blog once we finish the Savannah Way and we look forward to catching up with you all either as we travel down the coast or upon our return to Brissy.

Cheers,

Matt & Tricia

Campfires No 10 - Broome to Daly River

Hi again,  doesn't seem that long ago that I posted the last blog but when I look at the calendar time is going so quickly.  We are now well and truly into the last quarter of our trip and whilst it is coming to an end we have still done some great stuff and still have plenty to do so its not over just yet.

So since my last blog Tricia and I have travelled back across the top end of WA and are currently at the Daly River after coming back down from Darwin.  The trip across was a lot quicker as we didn't really need to stop too much, until we were north of Katherine.  Some of the highlights however were our overnight stay on the cliff tops of Ngumban Cliff  rest area which is part of the Mueller Ranges....  It was blowing a gale upon arrival and this time it didn't let up at all causing the Van to rock a lot during the night (from the wind only) however the view and sunset were well worth it. The next day we headed across through Kununurra and stayed at another rest area just past the WA/NT Border.  As soon as we arrived I quickly set up the Starlink so we could watch the State of Origin and what a game it was.

Sunset Ngumban Cliffs Rest Area

Sunset - Ngumban Cliffs Rest Area

The next day still on a high from the win we headed to Pussy Cat Flats which is a paid camp ground just outside Pine creek.  Like most of these places they have happy hour and live music and we again got to meet some really nice people but what stands out to me is that I looked across the area and saw someone who was the double of my Dad.  I thought I was seeing things but I showed Tricia and she was just as shocked as me.  He was a doppelganger of my Dad.

Next we headed to Darwin as we needed to get the car serviced as it has already clicked over its' 20,000 km and I had a leak in one of the rear airbags hose lines that I needed to fix.   We booked into a caravan park at Lee point which is 15km from Darwin city.  This would allow us to restock on all items and ensure we are ready for the return trip. The caravan park was big but had a really weird layout so much so that our site was an actual side road. It had been over 20 years since Tricia and I lived in Darwin and we wanted to see as much as possible of those things that were new or that we were not aware of when we lived there, so we started with a tour of the old WW2 fuel/oil Tunnels that sit below Darwin city and then caught up with Tricia's Brother (Deano)down at the Waterfront where we enjoyed a few beers beside the rock pools. 

We went to the Museum, Mindil Beach markets and spent ours just walking around and around the local area.  Whilst here we also decided that we would not do Kakadu on this trip and would save it until next time but I wanted to go out to the Bark Hut Inn again so we did a day trip out there with Tricia's brother.  On the way back Deano got us to stop on the side of the road and had us walk into the bush where he showed us some massive man made carvings that had been done by an old Chinese man into the top of the granite rocks.  There is not a lot of detail on how he did it but it would not have been easy and would have taken I assume years to complete.  

Following this Deano took us into a Billbong where he often goes and takes amazing photo's of the wild life.  We drove around and were amazed by the amount of birds until we goy to a spot that looked a little soft...  Lets just say egged on by Deano and Tricia I locked in the diffs, selected low range and almost made it through.  We tried numerous times to get out but was just not enough traction to get up the ridge.  So after Deano and I got out and found some logs that we could put under the wheels and Deano pushing from the back we finally got out without the need for winches or snatch straps all of which I did not have at the time.  Now there is some picture below but not many as princess Tricia not wanting to get her feet muddy stayed glued inside the car until it was finally out.  

Mindil Beach Sunset

Granite Stone Carvings

Wild Rice Granite Stone Carvings

Deano @ Granite Stone Carvings

Water Buffalo at Bark Hut Inn

A dirty Car

Can't believe we got out

Deano (Shouldn't have egged me on to go through)

The next day we did our resupply shopping and prepared for our next move.  Our next stay was at the Darwin River Tavern where we had organised to meet up again with Meg and Pete.  Upon arrival we were told that its is curry and Trivia night at the Tavern and not something to miss.  So after an afternoon cooling off at Berry Springs, the four of us did some revision and entered the Trivia Comp.  There were some pretty serious contenders there that night and whilst we didn't win we didn't come last either so a great night overall.  The following day we went to the Territory Wildlife Park for a few hours and then back to Berry Springs for another cool down. 

Trivia Quiz (non winners) @ Territory Wildlife Park

Some great Metal Art

Friendly Little fella

Berry Springs

It was great spending time with Meg and Pete again and we wish them all the best with there continued travels both in Australia and overseas but for us it was time to move on again.  Destination Litchfield National Park.  We had spent a lot of time here when living in the NT but it is one of those places that just draws you back.  We went to Surprise Creek Falls, Wangi Falls and then back to our favourite spot which was Buley Rock pools.  The difference this time is that it has been upgraded with covered Picnic tables and toilets and a and a pathway that runs from Buley to Florence waterfalls.  Upon our arrival it was packed but we had been told there were some less known water holes on the way to Florence falls so we decided to walk the path.  We were not disappointed, we came across at least another three swimming areas on our walk and for the most part Tricia and I were the only ones there.  When we got back we did go a look at the old swimming hole and I am so glad we didn't go there first as it is no where near as good as it used to be.  It seems like the water has been redirected.

Swimming Holes at Surprise Creek  Falls

Swimming Holes, Surprise Creek Falls

Surprise Creek Falls

Wangi Falls

Hidden gems at Buley Waterholes

Splish splash Matt taking a Bath

Hidden Gem (between Buley Water Hole and Florence Falls)

Florence Falls

So that brings us to now, the Daly River.  This is a croc infested river and big big crocs.  When we lived up here you could hire dinghies and go fishing for Barramundi.  Apparently not any more....  Only way to barra fish here now is if you own a boat, pay for a charter (Fully booked out for Aug) or fish from the banks.  Not the way we wanted to do it but fun still the same.  Unfortunately the Barra are fussy at the moment and aren't taking lures (as we found out) but they are biting on something called cherabin (fresh water Prawn) but to get these you need to put a crab pot out in the river and I am not going to get that close to the river without a boat so unfortunately our couple of days here where a win for the Barra.

Daly River Pontoon across Road from Accommodation

Couple a crocs on the river

Tricia and I ready for some Barra Fishing

Throwing Lures for Barra on Daly River

Barra Fishing (Daly River)

Still Happy even though we did not get any Barra

So what's next? well Tricia and I are still keen on catching the big Barra so we have decided to head to Kurumba up in the gulf.   We are leaving tomorrow and will take our time getting there as we need to go via Camooweal due to the road conditions still on some of the Savannah Way.

So until next time keep safe and well.

Cheers

Matt & Tricia