Sat, 11th Aug, 2018 Musgrave Roadhouse campground to Saltwater Creek, Lakefield National Park, Qld (exploring)

Cool night, had to pull up the blanket and put a flanny shirt on for breakfast.

Packed up. A big moth didn’t want to let go of our tyre.

Chatted with the 4x4 Landrover group.

Malcolm and Kerry decided to head back to Cairns. Said our farewells. Will get back to Tassie one day to see them.

We headed east towards Lakefield National Park, now called a new Aboriginal name but I am sticking to what I know.

We past the Lotus Bird Lodge, saw a glimpse of their big lagoon with lots of birds around the edge.

Roadworks – nice smooth road for a bit then back to the corrugations and narrow road as we enter the National Park. Stopped to check out the information board.

Drove down the track to Sweetwater Lake camping area. Crossed dry Sandy Creek and passed lots of ant hills. We drove to the end but couldn’t find any clear spots to cast our lures – too many lilies. Headed back to the camp spot to have a cuppa.

A couple of beekeepers were zooming around us. So cute.

Back onto the main track.

We turned off and headed up to Marina Plains. More ant hills as we head into Annie River camping area.

We were here with the boys years ago. We had gone up to the day use area of Larry’s Lagoon and Jon had caught a barra. Steve wasn’t around so I tried to get it off and ended up with the lure hook in my thumb with the barra flapping around on the other hook. Got the fish off then Steve came back and with pliers had to pull the hook backwards out of my thumb. Not the best memory of the area!! We camped here by the river and Steve had put the boat in and it was resting against the bank which was nearly vertical. During the night the tide had come in, as we aren’t far from Princess Charlotte Bay, and in the morning he didn’t realise it had gone under. When he lowered the boat in it went straight down rather than float as the bottom end of the boat was full of water. He yelled out for help and while he got the truck to winch out the boat we got our lures to try and get all the things floating out of the boat!! The 2^nd bad thing of this trip. We then went back to Hann Crossing and my charm bracelet fell off and I didn’t know where. After a lot of looking we gave up then on the last day I pushed out the boat and looked down and there was my bracelet on the edge of the water. Our bad luck was over now and Dan caught a nice barra.

Someone had cut in a better boat access now.

Chatted with another chap and his son. They had thrown their dead bait in the water and a crab was in the process of grabbing himself a great feast.

Bob’s car battery is playing up so we have to jump start him. Steve got out our spare battery to replace it and they turned off one of their fridges so not to wear that one out.

We continued along the track to 5 Mile Creek. The campground is further along but we had to cross the creek to get to Larry’s Lagoon. Steve checked it out and worked out a safe path to avoid the holes in the creek bed rocky bottom. He saw tracks heading up the other side and the Day Use only sign. I took a video.

We crossed ok then headed up the other bank where there was a gate. When we pulled up we spotted 3 locks on the chain and they were all locked. So much for helpful National Park. They could have put a sign on the other side of the creek.

Bob had followed us over so he had to back up. He was in low range and had pulled on the handbrake. When he backed up he forgot about the handbrake and thought he was against a root when it wouldn’t move so he put his foot down and there was a huge bang. He had broken the handbrake and part of the brake shoes. We got him turned around and back across the creek. Took a video of him heading back over the creek.

We headed back to the camp spot by Annie River and he and Steve worked on fixing the problem. Margaret and I flicked our lures but no joy. The boys fixed the problem and then Steve noticed some of the bolts holding on the tray had broken off so they fixed that after we had lunch. Quite hot today.

Continued up nearer to the mouth of the river where the professional crab fisherman camp. Over the flat open Marina Plains – spotted a few bustards and this lonely palm.

There are a few camps here.

Some information and a new boat ramp. Looking downstream, a crab holding pontoon then upstream – we are about 2km from where the Annie flows into the Kennedy River then it is another 1km to where it enters Princess Charlotte Bay. This area has been cleaned up a lot since Steve was last here. Some of the old pro fishermen had been living here for 20 years and you could tell. Steve went over to one of the camps for a chat. The shire had moved them on and now with the new ramp etc they think they will have to pay to camp there from now on.

In front of the palms was a memorial to a chap – not sure what his story was.

Back to the main track then along to Saltwater Creek to camp. A few bull dust patches.

Two blue-winged kookaburras flew across the track in front of us. Such a beautiful blue.

Across Saltwater Creek and into a campsite.

 High bank this side.

 Set up camp. Put the chairs in the shade then Margaret & I tried to catch some live bait.

Margaret was very good at catching turtles – who were all released again of course.

The boys got out Bob’s battery to see if they could get it working again but it was dead.

Got some little fish and put them on the lines with floats to see if we can entice any barra out of the snags. I spotted an orange lure on the other bank so Steve went for a big walk and managed to get the lure and another soft plastic for his troubles.

I just enjoyed the peace and quiet and the lovely view. Great reflections in the water.

Went for a walk later to the causeway and startled a small freshwater crocodile who was resting on the bank.

No barra for dinner so cooked up something else. Had a lovely evening sitting under the stars. Steve got out his strong torch to show Bob and Margaret the crocs eyes in the creek.

Cool evening.