Leaving Karumba we allowed ourselves time to stop and look around Normanton. Historic little town with wide streets and Kyrs, the 8 plus metre crocodile, in the Main Street - shot back in 1956(about) by Mrs. Poslowski. It had just been repainted as part of a spruce up. Great old buildings and good information centre which was the original town store selling everything. They had a great photo display showing the effects of the floods during the wet - wouldn't want to go live there then (Krys may come back).
Further along the Savannah way we decided to rest our weary bones at Croydon. This is the site of major gold discoveries in the late 1800's Nd it has retained a large number of intact historic buildings from that era. A very easy town to walk around. The camp ground is in the middle of town and we joined in to the out door theatre extravaganza, watching a 1998 movie, paperback hero with Hugh Jackman, while the pet sheep licked the back of Julia's neck and the dog wanted its stick thrown, a fun night indeed.
Headed off east into the headwind - again........through to Georgetown along either dual or single lane highway which alternated it seems, every 30k or so. Bought a few supplies as well as a stop at, apparently, the best butcher in Queensland so we were told ( the rump steak was delicious). It is a good idea to fuel up here as well as there is not much around and it is not a bad price. The whole area is suffering the drought and the town is nearly out of water - all praying for rain. The temperature has dropped to a pleasant 27 degrees and we have cloud for the first time in 3 weeks.
Off down a little further south heading to Cobbold Gorge via Forsayth. The Gorge is located on a 330000 acre cattle station and is a permanent water hole located in a fissure in the rock escarpment. It can only be viewed by organised tour. We were warned about the roads - oh the road , beware the road , beware the road etc, etc,etc. we even had a traveler at Croydon warning us, his bull bar fell off, his CB Ariel sheared off, his tailpipe fell, his hair piece fell off, etc, etc, etc. Well we were prepared, sought of....
Corrugations you could drive a herd of cattle through, cattle grids that matched a roller coaster, flood ways that rolled and rolled - all in all an interesting drive for 1.5 hours. But, finally we arrived, booked in and ready for the Gorge tour on Election Day (so we don't have to listen). There was minimal disruption in the van, little things such as the door of the microwave falling off (fixed) contents of the refrigerator spilling out(cleaned up) and the door shelf broken ( taped up) - not too bad considering.
A fire was lit and Julia can use the billy she bought in Longreach. It was put to good use to cook the spuds and then the water for the coffee - oh what a happy lassie she is. I believe boiled insects are good for you. Red wine, coffee, toblerone and lamington are also good for you.
The Cobbold Gorge camping resort is well laid out with powered, unpowered and cabins available. There is a restaurant, bar, infinity pool (very refreshing) to make it all comfortable for the weary traveler. All very pleasant and made the decision to stay an extra night very easy.
The three hour Cobbald Gorge tour started with a bus ride and then a stroll through the bush, learning about bush tucker, the farm, climbing into butterfly caves (1000's of butterfly's), a grave out in the middle of now where (John Corbetts - even found on topographic maps) and then an electric motorised punt down to narrow gorge (only an arm span in some places) a cool place in the heat of the day. There are fresh water crocodiles lurking, along with turtles and fish. The Gorge was only discovered in the mid 90's by the owners who then opened it up to tourists.
Another night here and then on to the Lava tubes at Undara.
Off down a little further south heading to Cobbold Gorge via Forsayth. The Gorge is located on a 330000 acre cattle station and is a permanent water hole located in a fissure in the rock escarpment. It can only be viewed by organised tour. We were warned about the roads - oh the road , beware the road , beware the road etc, etc,etc. we even had a traveler at Croydon warning us, his bull bar fell off, his CB Ariel sheared off, his tailpipe fell, his hair piece fell off, etc, etc, etc. Well we were prepared, sought of....
Corrugations you could drive a herd of cattle through, cattle grids that matched a roller coaster, flood ways that rolled and rolled - all in all an interesting drive for 1.5 hours. But, finally we arrived, booked in and ready for the Gorge tour on Election Day (so we don't have to listen). There was minimal disruption in the van, little things such as the door of the microwave falling off (fixed) contents of the refrigerator spilling out(cleaned up) and the door shelf broken ( taped up) - not too bad considering.
A fire was lit and Julia can use the billy she bought in Longreach. It was put to good use to cook the spuds and then the water for the coffee - oh what a happy lassie she is. I believe boiled insects are good for you. Red wine, coffee, toblerone and lamington are also good for you.
The three hour Cobbald Gorge tour started with a bus ride and then a stroll through the bush, learning about bush tucker, the farm, climbing into butterfly caves (1000's of butterfly's), a grave out in the middle of now where (John Corbetts - even found on topographic maps) and then an electric motorised punt down to narrow gorge (only an arm span in some places) a cool place in the heat of the day. There are fresh water crocodiles lurking, along with turtles and fish. The Gorge was only discovered in the mid 90's by the owners who then opened it up to tourists.
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