2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Fri, 17th Aug, 2018 Bush camp, Barramundi Creek to Bush camp by Palmer River, Qld (exploring)

Fresh clear morning. Warms up quickly though.

The Magpie Geese are honking their way over us to another lagoon. Margaret was up early casting her lure as she heard the little barra working their way along the edge of the lagoon again. No luck so I went with her back to yesterday’s spot to see if any were about.

After a lot of casting she hooked a big Rifle Fish which was fun but no too good to eat so we let him go.

Back to camp where Bob had a Cherubim prawn on his float hoping for some more dinner. We threw out our lines and waited. Looking back to where we had just been I spotted something floating and realised it was a croc – a big estuarine one. Steve reckons 13-15 foot. He must be trying to warm up as he has pushed his ‘solar panels’ right out of the water. The banks here are all shady so he probably can’t find anywhere to get out of the water to warm up. He slowly drifted across to the other bank then worked his way along to the creek spot and then went under. Lots of photos and a video too. Glad he didn’t come down while we were there!!

No barra biting so we packed up camp. Had a cuppa watching the little birds flit about and into the water catching their breakfast.

Back to Kalpowar Crossing and the Normanby River. We had to wait for a chap towing a van to cross over so I took a video. The bird stood very still waiting to catch his food.

We went across then I jumped out and videoed Bob and Margaret coming over.

Chatted with some younger people heading up to Cape Melville and gave them a few tips. Also to watch out for the croc at Barramundi Creek.

Up the high ground to the campground. Margaret and I used the cold showers to give our hair a good clean.

Continued out and onto the main track, bouncing our way south to Kennedy Bend to have lunch.

I walked down to the Kennedy River. Very silted now with sand. We used to stop here in the early days and had some wonderful times catching barra off a point a bit further along. One time we threw in our lines and because we are up high we could see a barra swim up and around our corks then disappear. About 20 minutes he came back with some friends and we were all franticly trying to pull in our barra – great fun.

Back on the road which is now nice and smooth as there must be a grader ahead of us. Once when we were camped at the Bend the Ranger came to advise us to head home as there had been a lot of rain in the headwaters of the Kennedy and they were expecting it and the little creeks to rise. By the time we packed up this little creek was very deep and we just made it out – has been built up now.

Passed some chaps doing some roadworks and continued on the nice graded road then past the grader.

The smooth road continued to New Laura Ranger Station which of course was an old pastoral station before the National Park. Passed the turn off into 12 Mile Lagoon where we first started fishing in the early 1980s. Boy did we catch some fish back then.

Reasonable road all the way to the bitumen at Olive Vale Station then we headed into Laura. Dumped off our rubbish at the Transfer Station – they were going to charge us. Rang Mum and Dad for a chat – all good but Val had a fall and another heart attack so she is in hospital in the repatriation ward where Tracy is working so she is in good care.

Rang Charles to say we are heading to the Palmer River. Rang Malcolm and Kerry. They are back in the bus after a couple of days at Port Douglas for some 5 star treatment!! They are now at Airlie Beach heading south. They thanked us again for a great trip. Texted Daniel and Jon to let them know we are fine.

Through Laura and on to Lakeland where we stopped at the Roadhouse to fuel up. Got an icecream too. Well it is Steve’s birthday tomorrow so I have to give him a treat sometimes!

A text came through from Rebecca that she and Wendy were meeting for lunch and would I like to join them. I texted back – maybe next week!!

Continued on the bitumen and up the Byerstown Range. Passed the Palmer River Roadhouse – the old museum and info has gone Steve said when it was taken over by the Fitzgeralds. Across the high bridge over the Palmer River.

I have been reading Di Morrissey’s book, Rain Music, which was set around Port Douglas, Cooktown and the Palmer River. She describes a ‘river house’ and I am sure it is Frank’s place as she refers to the big trees, different levels, pizza oven and band area which is exactly like their place. Will have to ask Frank if we see him.

Turned off the bitumen back onto the dirt road for the 80km drive into Maytown and the Palmer River. Good road as we went onto Bonny Glen Station (now given back to the Aborigines). Up and down the many steep hills. Bob’s car going ok now he has it worked out to plant his foot for the steep ones. He is loving this country and reckons there should be a rally stage through here. Great view as we descend down to Adam’s Tin Mine Dam.

Across the dam wall.

Continued on past the turn off to the Dianne Copper Mine which Steve and I checked out years ago. Up and down the hills then we stopped at Sam Elliott’s Look Out. Sam was the last of the hard rock miners up here. It was on the old track so the Fitzgerald’s moved it here when they put the new road through. It was cloudy when they put the direction marker in the concrete but just as it was starting to set the clouds lifted and they could align it perfectly with Mt Bennett.

Next stop was the ‘Top of the World’. Great views though the trees have grown up a lot.

Across Dog Leg Creek dam wall – another dam made for the mines around here.

Down to the Palmer River where Dog Leg Creek reaches it. We camped on the south side of it so we could go detecting nearby. Steve and Rick camped here earlier – their firewood is still here.