11/9/2022
Another 8°C morning to greet us with a great sunrise.
It was not cold enough to stop us going on a bird walk, which was very quiet but we did have 3 Brown Songlark that were new for the trip.
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| Brown Songlark |
Back to camp for a cooked breakfast as the cold wind started to pick up.
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| Lake Cobham Camp Site Area |
Left the camp stopping off at the Eliza Kennedy grave beside the Lake Cobham track to the campsite. You can read the interesting history of this lady and her family here. Back on the Silver City Highway heading N/W to Tibooburra we turned off at Milparinka to visit this old mining town, where we had a morning coffee. Parked beside the old Milparinka Court House, which is now used as a local history and Visitor Information Centre.
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| Milparinka Court House |
Had a look at some of the old buildings before going down to Evelyn Creek to do some birding. Had both Rufous and Brown Songlark, Red-backed Kingfisher, Australian Kestrel and 3 species of honeyeater amongst others. Then back on the Silver City Highway, which is sealed all the way from Broken Hill to Tibooburra. Only 40km to Tibooburra, where we parked up and checked out the unmanned New South Wales National Park Office and picked up a few brochures about Sturt National Park.
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| Tibooburra |
Topped up with fuel here ($2.25lt) and drove the 2km to Dead Horse Gully Campground in the Sturt National Park. Had the pick of the sites as we were the only ones here apart from flocks of feral goats everywhere.
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| Feral Goat |
Set up and had lunch before a siesta followed by afternoon coffee and cake. Checked out one of the walking tracks, which was very quiet apart from flocks of Budgerigars (200+). Still nobody in the campground, not surprising as it is not very exciting. Decided to move on tomorrow and not stay another night as planned. We only planned two nights here due to the other campsites being closed because of the wet weather. As it had been dry we thought we would take a chance that they were going to be open again.
12/9/2022
Up for a coffee, goats and flies. Packed up and headed back through Tibooburra to get onto the Cameron Corner Road.
Aired down the tyres as we were now back on a good gravel road. Stopped at Gum Tree Tank for a coffee and to check out the birds, Australasian Grebe, Australian Wood Duck, a family of White-winged Fairy-wren along with a few small parties of Budgerigar flying over.
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| Gum Tree Old Tank |
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| Gum Tree Tank |
Back on the road the next stop was at Pine Hole Tank, where we had 2 Red-necked Avocet, more White-winged Fairy-wren, 2 Chirruping Wedgebill, Zebra Finch and more parties of Budgerigar. Continued along the Cameron Corner Road and turned into the Fort Grey Campground in the Sturt NP, which was now open. Drove in and choose a suitable site and set up but whilst doing this one of our tyre monitors went off to alert us to a deflating right hand rear tyre. Put the spare tyre on and inspected the the deflated tyre but could not find any puncture. Inflated the tyre to 60PSI to seat the bead before dropping it down to 38PSI and left it for a while. The tyre stayed inflated and concluded that the tyre had rolled off the bead. Late afternoon we walked the track to Lake Pinaroo finding a few Bourke's Parrot along the way.
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| Lake Pinaroo Walking Track |
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| Bourke's Parrot |
The lake had quite a lot of water in it with plenty of birds including Red-necked Avocet, Black-winged Stilt plus both White-winged Black and Gull-billed Tern.
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| Red-necked Avocet |
In the early evening we heard Australian Owlet-nightjar.
13/9/2022
Early start to take the 4km return walk to Lake Pinaroo. Plenty of action on the lake, Pink-eared Duck, 60 Red-necked Avocet, nesting Bourke’s Parrot in a dead tree on the waterline, Silver Gull and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper were a few.
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| Red-necked Avocet |
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| Red-necked Avocet |
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| Sharp-tailed Sandpiper |
On the return walk Lindsay saw a Black-breasted Buzzard plus we saw several more Bourke’s Parrot along with Masked and White-browed Woodswallow.
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| Bourke's Parrot |
Back at camp a Little Crow was watching proceedings as we packed up.
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| Little Crow |
Continued on towards Cameron Corner stopping at the Big Bandicoot, where there is a lookout with information about the Dingo fence and the fauna and flora of surrounding areas.
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| Big Bandicoot |
The lookout shelter has old Welcome Swallow nests in the roof, which had been commandeered by Zebra Finch who were refurbishing them for their own nests.
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| Lookout Shelter |
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| Zebra Finch in old Welcome Swallow Nests |
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| Zebra Finch - male |
This is very well presented information and a must stop place to learn a bit about the ecology of the area as well as overlooking the Dingo fence. Then we passed through the Dingo Fence towards Cameron Corner.
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| Dingo Fence |
Then to Cameron Corner to take the obligatory photo of the marker post at the junction of the Queensland, New South Wales and South Australian borders.
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| Cameron Corner Marker Post |
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| Cameron Corner Map |
Had a very average coffee at the corner store before heading northwards to Noccundra along the gravel, sand and rocky road.
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| Road Out Of Cameron Corner |
The road was in good condition despite recent rains, which had left puddles at the edges and a few on the road. Few stopping places along this stretch of road, however we found one at Dingera Creek, where we had a nesting Australian Hobby to keep us company.
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| Australian Hobby |
Then on to Noccundra with some sealed sections to relieve the noise of the gravel road. Registered at the Noccundra Hotel to camp beside the fast flowing Wilson River on the opposite side of the road. Had a flock of 146 Straw-necked Ibis fly along the river in the afternoon and an Australian Owlet-nightjar called early evening. Lindsay recorded a few frog calls from a nearby flooded area.
14/9/2022
Up with the the sun this morning as a red glow lit up the sky over the river. Explored along the riverbank into the flooded areas.
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| Flooded Edge Of The Wilson River |
These flooded areas had a few birds calling and foraging in them including White-browed Woodswallow and new for the trip, a Pied Honeyeater.
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| White-browed Woodswallow |
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| Pied Honeyeater |
Also had at least 6 male White-winged Triller feeding in some Eromophila flowers.
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| White-winged Triller - male |
Back for scrambled eggs before we set off towards Thargomindah. The Wilson River was flooding across the road but not very deep.
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| Wilson River flooding |
Had a stop at the Norley Rest Area for morning coffee, then continued on through flooded road edges and lots of purple and yellow wild flowers across the landscape.
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| Purple Flowers |
Arrived at Thargomindah and made the wash down facility the first stop to clean off the caked mud from the Prado and T-van. Checked in to the Explorers Caravan Park, which was quite empty unlike our previous visit when we had to go to the overflow area in the old run down caravan park. The Bulloo River was in flood preventing us from walking the path alongside the river as we normally do. The river was 600mm over the road bridge and the Bulloo Shire Council was running two flood trucks to take vehicles across. Lindsay tried to book for Bowra Station but gave up after having difficulty with the booking site. Probably can’t get there anyway due to the flooded roads. Our neighbours for the last two nights on the road had the site next to us, so we had a good time swapping stories.
15/9/2022
Light rain showers overnight and grey skies in the morning which produced 1-2mm of drizzle. Went into town and checked the river, which was still flowing at a great rate of knots at 600mm. Fairy Martin were collecting mud for their nest from a puddle at the side of the road.
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| Fairy Martin |
Then back to the information centre for a few brochures and to check road conditions before going to the adjacent café, Coffee on Dowling. We had lunch here, quiche, salad, bowl of chips and a coffee, all very good. A rather smart Katydid came to visit us in the caravan park.
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| Katydid species |
Had a walk in the afternoon through town and found a couple of murals, Blue Bonnet and Echidna.
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| Blue Bonnet |
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| Echidna |
Checked out the river bridge, still no change. We did have another new trip bird though, a Sacred Kingfisher.
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| Sacred Kingfisher |
The rain had stopped, the sun was out along with hoards of flies.
16/9/2022
Up at first light to pack up before driving down to the river bridge, still 600mm of water over the road. Rang the shire council for the operators of the flood truck to come. They arrived and said we could follow the truck through the water as the bow wave created would lower the water behind it sufficiently so we could cross. We sat around chatting to the guys who told us the second flood truck was out of action with a broken clutch. After about 45 minutes a vehicle arrived to be transported across, this meant we could follow the truck across the various channels of the river for around 500m until we reach the other side. The depth of the water was still 600mm and flowing fast.
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| Flood Truck Ready To Cross The Bulloo River |
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| Following The Flood Truck |
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| Still Following The Flood Truck |
We reached the other side without any problems and carried on to the Lake Bindegolly Rest Area for morning coffee. Had a short walk and found some Pink Cockatoo, White-winged Fairy-wren and a male White-winged Triller.
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| Pink Cockatoo |
Next stop was Eulo but we were unsure if the Paroo River was over the road as we had been getting a few mixed messages about the situation. However when we arrived at the river it was well bellow the bridge and we could cross and go into town to have our lunch. A group of Apostlebird arrived to see if they could scrounge any of our lunch but no chance with us.
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| Apostlebird |
Left town and took the Cunnamulla Road, all good on this road and reached Cunnamulla, where we fuelled up at the depot. The fuel price here for diesel was $2.12c lt. compared with in town, which was $2.24c lt. Then off to Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, where we set up camp, whilst fighting off the hoards of flies. Took a walk along the Bore Drain late afternoon before bird call at 5.30pm, did see Emu and Pied Honeyeater. Did not know anyone here but met a good crowd of birders.
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| Emu |
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| Pied Honeyeater |
17/9/2022
Up early to check out the lagoon but not much going on here as the habitat had changed since our last visit with more vegetation covering it over and not much open water to attract birds like it used to. Due to the rain quite a few tracks were closed so we were restricted as to where we could go. As we were heading off we bumped into Richard Noske an old friend from our Darwin days who was with Greg Nye, so we had a quick chat and organised to catch up later on. Then we headed off to the junction of the Tableland Road, where we did a survey but all very quiet apart from a Whistling Kite overhead, tried to turn it into a Little Eagle unsuccessfully!
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| Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary Looking Very Green |
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| Whistling Kite |
Then turned around and took the road to North Gumholes to find 3 Emu wandering around on the track and reluctant to get off it so they ran in front of us until they decided to head bush.
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| Emu |
Drove to the end of the road and walked to a side creek for a coffee break. Then walked to the main North Gumholes channel where we had a White-necked Heron and Little Pied Cormorant on the water and a couple of Black-fronted Dotterel on the edge. The surrounding vegetation had a few more birds including Pied, Black and White-plumed Honeyeater plus a pair of Crimson Chat.
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| White-necked Heron |
Then took a slow drive back to camp stopping at Stony Ridge where we had seen Cinnamon Quail-thrush on a previous visit but no luck this time, did have some Budgerigar preening and enjoying the sunshine.
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| Budgerigar |
Later in the afternoon we walked part of the Bore Track where we had more Pied Honeyeater and a few Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater. Richard and Greg called over in the evening to catch up on what we had been doing since we last saw Richard about 10 years ago.
18/9/2022
Cold morning at 4°C as we did a survey of the campground. Common Bronzewing was calling and two Black-shouldered Kite we displaying overhead. Packed away the T-van quick awning, we are experts now after having initial problems with it! Drove up the Airport Track, saw 20 species including Emu, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo, 2 Pallid Cuckoo, Weebill, and 6 Crimson Chat.
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| Weebill |
Back to camp for breakfast and on the road to Cunnamulla before we headed north towards Charleville. Drove to Wyandra, which is at the half way point along the Cunnamulla - Charleville Road. Stopped here for toilet and coffee break before finding a rest area to stop for lunch. Had 3 Brolga in an adjacent paddock and a Horsfield’s Bushlark on the fence. Next stop was the Charleville Bush Camp, where we had been before. Walked around the perimeter fence fighting off large mosquitoes and flies but in between we did get a new trip tick, Yellow Thornbill, and saw a female Rufous Whistler plus Inland Thornbill.
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| Rufous Whistler - female |
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| Inland Thornbill |
19/9/2022
Had an early morning walk around the perimeter fence, found Yellow Thornbill again along with a few others including Spotted Bowerbird, Grey-crowned Babbler and Crested Bellbird. Left before 9.00am and called into the IGA supermarket to top up the food supplies and took the Warrego Highway towards Mitchell. Stopped at the Sommariva Rest Area for morning coffee and logged a 20 minute survey. Next stop along the road was Ooline Park for lunch, which proved good for birds including Inland Thornbill, Speckled Warbler, Eastern Yellow Robin, Inland Thornbill and Double-bar Finch.
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| Inland Thornbill |
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| Speckled Warbler |
Had lunch and drove to Mitchell where we decided to check out the free camp at Neil Turner Weir beside the Maranoa River. Large area with many camps but we managed to find a good site beside the river and did a quick set up. The trade off being beside the river was the large amount of mosquitoes that hung around until it was dark. Good birds here were Australian Reed-warbler, more Yellow Thornbill, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Australian Ringneck and Superb Fairy-wren.
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| Superb Fairy-wren |
20/9/2022
A quick bird walk to the Neil Turner Weir was quiet with no new birds to record so we packed up and left for Roma. Arrived in Roma and fuel up at $1.96lt, cheapest diesel we have had so far. Found the Roma Bush Gardens, where we had morning coffee before going for a walk. The gardens have been set up by volunteer groups and local councils. There are two dams here, one the Railway Dam has a walkway winding its way around and through the surrounding 14 hectares of native bushland, which comprises of Brigalow, Coolibah and Mulga, along with over a further ten varieties of vegetation. This diversity brings lots of different species of birds to it. We had 30 species in 40 minutes including several families of Superb Fairy-wren, Little-black, Great and Little Pied Cormorant and Sacred Kingfisher. The interpretive signs give great descriptions of the native plants along the walk. Also saw what we think was a Millipede crossing the track.
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| Superb Fairy-wren |
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| Darter |
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| Sacred Kingfisher |
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| Millipede Sp.? |
From here we took the Injune Road before turning onto the Taroom Road heading north-west. We started to look for a lunch stop but could not find one so pulled off on a side road, Not many birds but plenty of Dragonflies here including Wandering Percher and Wandering/Inland Ringtail, the jury is out on the ringtail species as these two are very difficult to separate.
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| Wandering Percher - Immature male or female |
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| Wandering Percher |
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| Wandering/Inland Ringtail - female |
Back on the road we saw 3 Royal Spoonbill at a flooded creek, trip tick. Reached Taroom to find our internet connection was down. Booked into the caravan park and had a site near a creek but next to a shed on stilts which we thought was something to do with recording water heights. We later found out it was something to do with the electricity supply and it made buzzing sounds every 30 minutes, which was very annoying. As we had already set up before we heard this noise we decided to put up with it. Heard a Southern Boobook in the early evening.
21/9/2022
Had an early morning walk to the creek and around the caravan park and had a good number of birds feeding in a large red flowering callistemon, these included Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy and Little Friarbird, Blue-faced, White-plumed and Brown Honeyeater. A group of four Apostlebird were sitting on a branch near the creek and further investigation found one sitting on its mud nest.
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| Apostlebird |
Left Taroom on the Biloela Road stopping at Dawson River Weir, Theodore for a morning coffee. Had a rain shower here before going to Biloela, booking into the Biloela Caravan Park. Pretty run down park in need of some basic maintenance, however it served our purpose. The afternoon was spent food shopping as it tried to rain but not a heavy as around Theodore and Banana in the morning.
22/9/2022
Had a day in Biloela allowing us to catch up on some washing. Went off to the Heritage Centre but it was closed due to a public holiday in remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Fueled up the Prado ($1.95lt) before heading back to camp for lunch. The park started to get busy with motorhomes and caravans filling up the sites around us, when there were plenty of other empty sites around the park. Used the showers but they were quite grotty and not up to standard.
23/9/2022
Early morning start due to be woken up at 5.30 when it got light. Went for a walk and a bird survey, quite a few birds including a few Double-bar Finch competing with a big flock of House Sparrow.
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| Double-bar Finch |
Packed up and left by 8.15am on the road to Callide. Encountered a few sections of roadworks along this road but it was generally a good road, probably because it is a main feeder road for industry in Gladstone, on the coast. We turned off this road onto Tablelands Road for Kroombit Tops National Park our destination for the night to join a T-van (our Track Trailer campervan) gathering organised by our Townsville dealer. We had phone reception at the start of the road so stopped to phone our local Post Office and ask them to hold some parcels we had awaiting collection. Continued along the sealed road, which had many driveways leading to small holdings along it. The road turned into gravel and about 25km from Kroombit Tops there was a turn off which had enough space to pull over and we could have our morning coffee. From here the road wound its way up to 824m with some steep sections passing through state forest and cleared areas where beef cattle were grazing. Reached the Griffith Creek camping area, where a number of T-vans had already set up.
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| Griffiths Creek camping area |
After we set up we did the rounds and introduced ourselves. Relaxed in the afternoon listening to the birds calling, these included two Australian Wood Duck, Satin Bowerbird, Fan-tail Cuckoo, Australian King Parrot, Grey Butcherbird and Eastern Whipbird.
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| Grey Butcherbird |
At 3.30pm we all gathered to listen to Tristram from Atlas Trailer Hire at Mt. Tamborine who specialises in T-van modifications, upgrades and mechanical work. Check out his shop for useful T-van and T4 items He gave us a run down on water filtration and why we should be using a product like Thirsty Nomad. He has kits especially designed to fit in the T-van water system easily. He also talked about alternative shock absorbers and answered questions from interested audience of Track Trailer T-van and T-4 owners.
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| Tristram from Atlas Trailer Hire |
The evening was spent around the camp fire by the majority but we went off spotlighting and found some Short-eared Brush-tailed Possum along with a Tawny Frogmouth calling along with several species of frog calling.
24/9/2022
10°C this morning as we set off for a morning bird walk passing a few Swamp Wallaby around the camp.
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| Swamp Wallaby |
New birds for the trip list were Glossy-black Cockatoo, White-browed Scrubwren, Rufous Fantail, Black-faced Monarch and Paradise Riflebird.
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| White-browed Scrubwren |
Back to camp for breakfast and to get organised for a trip to The Wall day use area. The drive to his area was along a dirt road that had rocky steep sections in places especially the last section down to the parking area, which also had a large washout. Some of the group took the walk to a crashed WWII bomber site but we choose to do some birding along the return track. Highlight here was three Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, which was the only new trip tick here. We did come across this Ladybird Beetle along the track.
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| Ladybird Beetle Coccinella transversalis |
Back at the car park everyone bar a few were heading back to camp on the four wheel drive one way return track. We set off with two other vehicles to negotiate the steep rock track with a few washouts and plenty of driving skills required.
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| 4WD Track |
Part way along his track we came across a cleared area which allowed great views over the countryside.
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| View from 4WD Track |
Made it back to camp for a late lunch. Lazy afternoon watching suspension bushes being replaced in one of the T-vans and Jason, from Horizon Campers our Townsville dealer came over to sort out a few minor problems. We sat around the camp fire telling tall tales for most of the evening!
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| Camp Fire Gathering |
25/9/2022
No rush this morning so we had a few conversations with people who were leaving this morning. Then a cooked breakfast scrambled egg on toast with mushrooms, yum. Then drove off to the Lookout, where we had morning coffee. Checked the area for birds and had a glimpse of a couple of birds which, at first glimpse looked like Black-throated Finch with black bib and fawn/chestnut body. This area is well out of their known range, but I could not find any other bird that fitted the description. It will be a mystery but worth keeping it in mind for any other birders that go to the area. A few Dragonfly/Damselfly species were around, Scarlet Percher, male and female, plus a male Eastern Billabongfly.
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| Scarlet Percher - female |
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| Scarlet Percher - Male |
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| Eastern Billabongfly - male |
Then had a walk along the track leading back to the Griffith Campground, had 16 species but nothing new. Found an interesting spider on the track, a White-spotted Swift Spider, which was not so swift and had a few photos taken of it.
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| White-spotted Swift Spider |
Met some of our group who had walked from the Griffith Campground and returned to The Lookout car park. Back to camp for lunch and later pre-dinner nibbles at our camp fire. When the frogs started to call as it got dark we went down to the creek to record them. Recorded Tusked Frog Adelotus brevis, Dusky Toadlet Uperoleia fusca, Striped Marsh Frog Limnodynastes peronii, Great Barred Frog Mixophyes fasciolatus and Copper-backed Toadlet Pseudophryne raveni. Frog identifications confirmed by Australian Museum Frog ID team as part of their citizen science project.
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| Striped Marsh Frog |
Later spotlighted around the camp finding three Short-eared Brushtail Possum along with 2 Southern Boobook.
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| Southern Boobook |
Spent the evening around the camp fire with the rest of our group again.
26/9/2022
8°C this morning as we started to pack up and say goodbye to everyone after enjoying the long weekend with lots of interesting T-van/T4 people. Took it easy down the steep descent and again stopped at the 25km road junction for morning coffee. Reached the main road and turned left towards Biloela encountering the roadworks with their traffic lights along the way to slow us down. Turned off before we reached Biloela and cut across country to join the Leichardt Highway before turning onto the Capricorn Highway. Stopped at Dululu for lunch before going to Duaringa for our overnight stop at Mackenzie Park, a free camp with donation box. We had been warned about a colony of Flying Fox bats, which came into camp overnight but luckily for us they had moved across the road. Hot showers are provided and we took advantage of them in the afternoon. Late afternoon flocks of noisy Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Torresian Crow came in to roost near the bat colony.
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| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo |
Other noises came from dogs, trains and trucks but this eventually quietened down.
27/9/2022
Up early to make a quick getaway before 8.00am heading along a busy road to Emerald 160m away. Passed through Dingo and Blackwater with the Blackdown Tableland the main feature to our left. Main industry along here is coal with mines, coal trains and trucks along the way. Arrived in Emerald in time for morning coffee and some food shopping before filling the Prado ($2.04C lt.). I drove out of town before Lindsay took over and drove to Clermont, where we had lunch beside Hoods Lagoon. Disappointingly the lagoon was covered in Salvinia, an introduced weed. We found out from a local that the shire council was going to remove it in the coming weeks. Despite the weed there were a surprising number of birds around the area, 28 recorded including Australasian Swamphen.
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| Australasian Swamphen |
From Clermont we headed north on the Charters Towers road stopping at a rest area, which was covered in rubbish and inoperable toilets, glad to leave that behind. Made it to Twin Hills, our camp for the night beside the lagoon.
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| Twin Hills Lagoon |
Plenty of birds on the lagoon including Black Swan, Great-crested Grebe, Black-winged Stilt and Australian Pelican.
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| Black-winged Stilt |
As the sun set over the lagoon we could hear distant thunder, which did not come too close but the lightning gave us a good light display for our evenings entertainment.
28/9/2022
1°C this morning, we must be heading north! Surveyed the lagoon before breakfast and had this Wandering Percher on the fence.
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| Wandering Percher |
Back on the Clermont - Charters Towers road we headed north passing Belyando Crossing and stopped for a coffee at Blackwood National Park rest area. Took a short walk here and added Red-backed Fairy-wren to our trip list.
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| Red-backed Fairy-wren |
Also had a Golden Orb-weaver spider.
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| Orb-weaver spider |
Drove a short distance before Lindsay took over to Charters Towers. We encountered a few wide loads along this section of road with police escorts waving us off the road, which was not always easy as some places had steep drop offs at the edges. Most of the loads were mining equipment 7m wide!
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| Wide Loads |
We arrived in Charters Towers to stop at our favourite lunch venue, Brownson Park. Easy stopping place with toilets and an undercover eating area with tables and chairs. There is also a playground if you have children. Then fuelled up the Prado ($1.95 lt for diesel) and took a detour through the town to admire the architecture along the main street. Left town on the Greenvale Road and crossed over Fletchers Creek before arriving at our overnight stop Wenarwee Camp Ground. We had a site alongside the Burdekin River, which was very peaceful apart from the wind and Cicadas.
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| Campsite Beside Burdekin River |
We heard Common Koel and saw a lone Dollarbird, new trip ticks.
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| Dollarbird |
29/9/2022
Rain overnight, quite heavy at times, eventually stopped in the morning long enough for us to pack up and leave. We did not get far as the steep climb up from the riverside camp was muddy and very slippery, too much for the Prado to drag up the T-van. A fellow camper though he could tow us out with his Ford Ranger but he could not get up the slope without a trailer! So we had to get the owner with his tractor to pull us up the hill.
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| Back on Flat Ground After Tow! |
Then we were on our way again after an hours delay, not what we planned. Back on the Gregory Highway we stopped opposite the Bluewater Springs Roadhouse for our coffee. Then onto Greenvale and Conjuboy to join up with the Kennedy Development Road, where we found a gravel pit to pull into for lunch. Continued north and passed the 40 Mile Scrub National Park to arrive at our overnight destination, Pinnarendi Station Stay. Here we met Nadine who runs the station with her husband Ronnie. We have been here at least half a dozen times and surveyed the property to record the bird life, It is one of our favourite stays. Nadine is always welcoming and we quickly settled in and set up for the night. They have the Brick Oven Café, which delivers excellent evening meals as well as breakfast and lunch. We arrived on the day of Barramundi night so we booked a table. Ronnie loves sourdough, be it bread or pizza base, which makes for fantastic Pizzas! He also loves to smoke meat - all different types and cuts of meat, he reckons it's hard to go past a good set of salt & pepper ribs! Nadine loves to bake delicious cheesecakes, homemade biscuits, pickles and jams. They also make scrumptious breakfasts and lunches, that are flavour some and nutritious. In the evening we met another couple and we had our Barramundi meal together, fantastic food and good company- restaurant quality in the bush. Back at camp we found this gigantic Huntsman spider on the Prado, so moved it to a nearby tree, it was at least 140-160mm leg span. Definitely the biggest one we have seen.
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| Huntsman Spider |
30/9/2022
Up early to pack away for the last time on our trip. Back onto the Kennedy Development Road we drove a familiar road through Mt. Garnet and Ravenshoe to arrive at Mt. Hypipamee National Park (The Crater) for morning coffee. Whilst in the car parking area we met a few people we knew who like us were here to check out a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcon at the crater. Walked down to the crater to find more birdwatchers observing and photographing the chicks (chicks known as Eyas) in the nest.
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| Peregrine Falcon - chicks |
Another friend arrived with a Rockjumper Birdwatching Tour Group, mainly Americans with a few British.
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| All Eyes on the Peregrine Falcon |
After this excitement we stopped in Mareeba for lunch and shopping. Then back home to Julatten via the Mount Molloy Post Office to pick up Lindsay’s Swarovski binoculars that had been back to Austria for repair, I also got a new Led Lenser headlamp to replace the one I had returned in Alice Springs - so now I have two new headlamps! We arrived home after travelling 9,634Km in 9 weeks.
