Tues, 14th Aug, 2018 Dingo Waterhole, Lakefield Nat Park to Wongai Camp, Cape Melville Nat Park, Qld (fishing)

Clear sky and breezy as we slowly packed up.

Clouds started coming over as we headed back to Kalpowar Crossing. Missed a long black snake as we crossed a dry river bed. Stopped for a cuppa and topped up the water tanks for our showers.

2006 & 2013 River height marker shows it would cover the campground when in flood.

Drove down to the Normanby River and Kalpowar causeway. Kalpowar was the station on the other side and Steve got to know the owner back then when he put some gas appliances in for him. So he and the boys were able to explore up here on his property and get access up to Bathurst Heads etc. Now it has been handed back to the Aborigines and recently they have closed off sections and charged to camp at Bathurst Heads. Things are changing!!

Headed across. Big boom gate across it when they close off the road. Took a video as we crossed. The water isn’t high but it moves across swiftly. We have caught some good barra off a snag just upstream from here, and seen some good sized crocs too.

Up the hill then further along we enter Kalpowar Station. It is now ‘freehold’ rather than a pastoral lease!

Passed the homestead lagoon – used to be a big croc in there too.

Things are looking a bit run down.

A few cattle in the yards.

We had said to Bob and Margaret that it was a slow trip to Cape Melville as the road is rough and further up there are lots of roots and sandy patches. We headed off on a lovely wide recently graded road so there was no complaints from Bob.

A huge black pig headed for towards the road but luckily he turned and went back into the trees. Don’t need to hit any of them – hard as rocks.

Turned off to check out one of Steve’s special spots. We found the first lagoon where a croc had just gone back into the water as we arrived. You can see the stirred up water and where he had been laying.

Pretty lagoon with all the lilies.

Back then Steve and his friends used to continue around this lagoon to another one which they called ‘the Oasis’ where there was a good deep hole and usually good barra. Unfortunately they have recently mustered and burnt the area so trying to find the track was a bit confusing so we turned around and headed back to the main track.

Passed the old Kalpowar Station ruins site but there is nothing left to see now.

Across the Marrett River which is tidal. They are putting in a new bridge, replacing the old log one. We had to take the water crossing.

The road splits – straight up to Bathurst Heads or right to Wakooka Station ruins. It then splits again to Cape Melville or on to Cooktown.

We turned onto a track beside Barramundi Creek though on the map it could be Sandalwood Creek.  There is now a causeway over it which of course we used to have go through the creek in the ‘good old days’. Very pretty here.

While Margaret and I got lunch ready Steve got a prawn in the hook for Bob. Not the easiest bank to fish from but there is a big tree to brace yourself again and a good snag below that. His cork went down quickly but missed the barra and came up with a headless prawn. Steve put another one on and bang he hooked him. Bit of a scramble but he managed to get it up the bank with Steve’s help. Very excited Bob. Luckily I had the camera ready and got some of the action.

Proud Bob with his Barramundi.

Got the tape measure out and he was a very legal 64cm. They need to be over 58cm and under 1.2m. It is golden but I think that is because of the tannin coloured water – hoping it hasn’t affected the taste but we will see when we have dinner.

Now for Margaret’s turn. We ate our lunch and waited.

It took a bit longer but eventually she hooked one. I was ready with the camera and videoed it.

It was 59cm which was great. Ticked that box – Barra for Bob & Margaret. Gecko Adventures delivers again.

Put out two more prawns on floats and waited. Bob ready for the strike. No more action unfortunately. Lunch was over!!

Steve filleted them using a natural cutting board. I bagged them up and got them cooling down ready for dinner.

We continued on, across the causeway. The good road continues.

Further along was another causeway over the next crossing of this creek where we got bogged coming back from Cape Melville with Mum and Dad and the boys many years ago. We had taken the bypass track on the way up which weaved through the trees rather than crossing the creek which was quite deep. We had the big boat/camp trailer on the back so Steve decided on the way back to just go across the creek.  Unfortunately we fell into a hole and got bogged. The boys were young and thought it was great fun seeing the water bubbling up from the exhaust. The front was out of the water so Steve got out the winch and hooked it to a tree up the track. Unfortunately when he started to haul us out the tree fell over – someone else had used it and had just stood the tree back up!! Mum and Dad were with our friend Phil so they came around in the other vehicle and we winched out off his vehicle. Oh the memories!!

Into the hills of around Wakooka Station.

Pulled up at the turn off – to Cape Melville or to Cooktown. We pulled up next to the old building and tractor.

I found this old photo in Steve’s fishing file of when he came up here in 2005.

There were two vehicles near the info hut so we chatted with them when we went over for a look. They had broken a shocky bush so Steve found one for him in his box of tricks as it was for a Nissan. ‘My man, the fix-it man’. They were very grateful. They had just come out of Cape Melville because the wind was blowing so hard.

The wide flat road has disappeared and we are back on the old road we remember. Took a video of crawling along over the roots and eroded sections.

Through sandy sections and up and down the hills to a Y-intersection, left to Cape Melville or right to Ninian Bay.

Through lots of soft sand sections. One got Bob so we turned around and went back to pull him through. But his electric 4WD selector hadn’t gone in so once they got that sorted he was all good.

More sand then through some hills and lots of corrugations. 

Black Mountain look-a-likes are part of the Melville Range. 

The National Parks camping sign.

Through a swampy area as we headed towards the beach. We had camped here previously. It is now called Crocodile Camp. It was too boggy so we continued along the track.

Onto the beach which is a Day Use Area!!

Continued along the track through a creek crossing of fresh water then back to the beach at Wongai Camp. Took a video of the crossing. Lovely view over Bathurst Bay and Flinders Island.

We found a spot with a bit of tree protecting from the howling wind which is coming over the hills from the south-east. Drove along the beach and set up camp. Got out the sand pegs for Bob to hold the roof-top camper down.

Lovely sunset colours as the sun went down behind a big band of clouds. Yes we can have a sunset over the water on the east coast – only because we on the edge of a big bay!!

Time for a drink and enjoy the view. Steve and Bob rounded up some firewood and got the fire heating our shower water. Mind you the wind is still blowing strong so we will put up the shower screen to try and block it out.

Margaret boiled up the big Cherubim prawns for entrée then I cooked one of fillet of her Barramundi for us all to enjoy and she fried up the chips. Yum yum.

The wind didn’t stop so we closed our bedroom door and we were all good.