Clem Walton Dam

Why have I always driven past this treasure? Wow very happy camper beautiful views, water and lots of opportunity’s for walks. Filled up fuel, food and water at Mt Isa and have been here for nearly a week now. Met up with some solos and even managed to get a cheap haircut.

Lawn Hill National Park and Adele’s Grove

After another night free camping at Gregory Downs it was time to tackle some more dirt roads.

Drove to Lawn Hill, and I must say the road was pretty good, until you got past Adele’s Grove. It then turned into the worst corregations imaginable. Made worse by a caravaner that wanted to sit on 40 and would not pull over for me to pass. I’m best doing about 80.

Rant over, did two of the walks, as I was determined not to return the next day. Then traveled back to Adele’s Grove where I am booked for two nights.

Certainly not very busy here but at $20 a night about three times what the NP charges. Still ok.

First thing I’m up for another walk to lookout hillGreat 360 views, saw some cattle but basically had the place to myself.

This afternoon went on a boat up the creek, saw lots of birdlife and one lazy fresh water crock. Very peaceful.

Back to Harry again to fix a dust intrusion. When I took out the washing machine I stuffed a plastic bag in the drain hole. Not very successful against the roads I have been on. I have now replaced this with some high density foam. Should hold🤞

Actually looking forward to a couple of days with no dirt roads and no bush walks. Need to rest.

Burketown

Thankfully I managed to drive out of The Leichhardt Falls camp ok. Engaged the duff lock and was ready to let down the tyres if it all went pear shaped.

Note to self ” be more aware when it says four wheel drive only”

Nothing like testing Harrys boundaries!!

On to Burketown, spent three mins driving around town, seriously it’s that small. Got a two day pass at the information Centre to camp on the riverside. $50 a bit rich but I’m here so why not.

Was amazed to see the hot spring, apparently they have plans to make a thermal pool but due to Corona Virus this has been put on hold for 12 months. So what does one do sitting by a croc infested river with no visible means of safely fishing? Make a basket with some of my Karumba treasures.Inspired to start another this afternoon, stay tuned.

Karumba to Burketown

So me being me decided to take the most direct route, a saving of several hundred kms. Not to be put off by dirt roads I got to explore things I would have missed if I stayed on the black stuff(bitumen)

Actually the road wasn’t bad. Stopped at the Bourke and Wills last camp, did the walk read all the signs etc. I was the only person there and it was two kms off the main track, very eerie

Hopefully you can read the signs better than I can in my phone. Quick stop for lunch and on to find Leichhardt Falls. WOW

Until I saw a croc, might be a freshy but I can’t tell. Enough to keep me out of the water that’s for sure.

The track in is very sandy, just hope I can get back out in the morning.

Harry is disgracefully dirty, but hey who cares. A few other nomads are arriving but they are in proper 4 X 4s. Probably think I’m crazy. Maybe just a little, but enjoying myself.

Townsville to Karumba 2020

After a couple of weeks home the travel bug hit again. Am supposed to be on a world cruise but with the dreaded Corona Virus I have decided to explore my own backyard. Why did it take so long it’s amazing up here.

First stop Harvey’s range, camped in a gravel pit the first night then on to The Lava Tubes Lava tubes

Lots of walking and interesting tourWide open spaces

Scenery

Changing all the time

Next off to Cobalt Gorge lucky enough to get the last spot on a tour.

Just hate that the only way to see some places is by going on an overpriced tour. This one however was another exception and I’m glad I did it, apart from walking and a cruise up the Gorge the talk was quite interesting. Ok I concede probably would not have seen quite so much by myself. After a couple of expensive days it was time to free camp by a billabong for a couple of days. Also the road into the Gorge was horrible. Lots of corrugations, best speed was between 70 and 80kph this however made going around bends interesting. It was nice to have a couple of days with no driving

Read two books and did a bit of washing. Very pleased that no dust got in the Motorhome (Harry) unlike the previous one.

Next stop Normanton And off to Karumba, what can I say about this place booked into a civilised park behind a pub for a week. Thinking I would be fishing.

Instead I mostly chilled went for walks, visited the Barramundi Centre and finished up on a sunset cruise. Met some lovely people and spent many hours just checking out the water. Also collected old rope and net and commenced a basket.

Never have any trouble staying occupied. The gov has opened the borders again, so there will be more nomads on the road and I have decided to take the scenic dirt road to Lawn Hill National Park. Another 200km or so of dirt roads to look forward to tomorrow.