Mon, 6th June, 2022 Lupayi Campground, Gregory National Park to Nackeroo Monument picnic area, west of Timber Creek, NT (Bullita Stn, Timber Creek Lookouts etc)

Clear sky and cool this morning. The crows and white cockatoos did their sunrise chorus but it isn’t a pretty tune! Packed up and headed back up the Buchanan ‘Highway’ to the turn-off onto the Tuwakam 4WD track. This links the east and west sections of the Gregory National Park. Looks like the track has recently been slashed.

Down and up a couple of little creeks - no problem for ‘Smokey’.

A donkey stood and looked at us as we stopped to get a photo. I know they are feral animals but they are cute. Spotted some green parrots as they quickly flew out of a tree when we passed it. A flock of galahs too.

Wasn’t long before we were wobbling over the limestone rocks. Some sections looked like the rocks had been laid down in rows.

45 minutes of slow going to cover 7km. Now we are back in the red soil and grass. Just the low branches we have to be looking out for.

Back into the limestone again then red soil and anthills everywhere.

Spotted a dingo who also just stood about letting me take photos.

Stopped for a cuppa on the track as we figure we will hear someone coming.

Across a creek then we wound around some small hills. A flock of green budgies zoomed about and we spotted some little finches flittering about too but too fast for me to get photos of.

This hill slope shows the limestone layers.

Took us 1 hour 35 minutes of travelling time to reach the other side. Turned south onto the formed dirt road to the turn off to Limestone Gorge. Unfortunately it is still closed but we read the info and might try and come back next year on our return trip to Cairns.

Continued south to the turn off for Bullita Campground and the Stock Route. Checked out the info and the big boabs on the corner.

Further along is the old stockyards for the station. They are being preserved now through the National Park which is wonderful.

We saw a range vehicle drive into the homestead so headed in to ask when Limestone Gorge will be open. She said they have no idea when as the road needs repairs from erosion. I asked if we can walk in and she said the Road Closed sign is for all traffic, car, bike or by foot. Just in case we hurt ourselves. She had to rush off so we checked out the homestead area which is being preserved too.

There is a huge boab here where people have signed their names in the past - like the Duracks who were pioneers of this area and horseshoes have been wedged into it - maybe to tie up horses or something. I found a broken boab seed pod and an intact one on the ground.

The homestead is small and neat with push out windows. The walls are full of information boards.

On the back verandah there was tea and coffee available. It was cool out here.

On one side was the toilet and bathroom with the laundry beside that.

Out the back was the water tank with a shower underneath. Still works too.

There is a windmill just up the bank of the East Baines River. Which, when flowing, goes into the Victoria River, north-west of Timber Creek.

Not far from the homestead is the Meathouse and on the other side of the building is the Pantry.

Looking back on the side of the homestead etc.

On the other side is the storeroom and workshop where some old bits and pieces and rocks are on display.

Next was the Saddle shed with a good display of saddles etc.

Not sure if this pulley and chain were to hang up beef or for engine repairs!

Further along was the Stockmen’s Quarters with a fire place out the back.

We drove back to the campground to have lunch and to see if we will stay the night. No access to the river to flick a lure so we decided to keep moving.

Drove down to read the info about the stock route which is a loop track - it is open. It is 96km therefore a longer trip - their estimate is 8 hours. There is one drop down section that is a bit rougher but it isn’t any worse than the Tuwakam Track according to the lady ranger.

We dropped down into the creek on the limestone crossing for a look but as there isn’t anything significant to see we decided to leave it and turned around and went back out. You can see how high the water flows during the wet.

Headed out the 40km back to the Victoria Highway. This road is better than the Buchanan Highway though there was a section still wet from the storm last night.

Just before the highway we turned off to check out a couple of big boabs. Obviously it is a drinking spot for some locals too as there are heaps of beer cans and cartons strewn about. Unfortunately the signs are very hard to read now but they were ones for the Savannah Route. One tells the story of a man looking after a water gauge here and he nearly died of thirst if it wasn’t for the help of a local aborigine.

We went over the single lane bridge over the little dry creek and then crossed the highway to a rest area which as a monument to the Durack Family and a bronco panel in memory of all the stockmen.

As we entered Timber Creek township a big willy-willy worked its way down then across the street picking up the leaves and rubbish on the way.

Topped up the fuel tank ($2.20/l) then parked in the shade and uploaded the blog etc. Rang Jon - heading back to the mine tomorrow for 4 weeks. Dan was at work so we sent him a text. Across the road we read the info about the town and surrounds.

Headed out of town. Will do the history walk and museum tomorrow when it is cooler. Drove down the dirt track to Policeman’s Point Lookout where Timber Creek (when flowing) meets the Victoria River. Downstream then upstream. Across the river is the Bradshaw Field Training area (Army). Not sure why it is called Policeman’s Point but Bradshaw walked his cattle across the shallow rocky crossing. Obviously Bradshaw was the pastoralist but haven’t read any info about him. The bridge downstream is named after him too.

I walked down the narrow track to where Timber Creek meets the river.

Pretty little flowers.

Back to the main road and just past the air strip we turned off. Flashing sign says there is a military exercise in progress and to watch out for troops on foot and in vehicles. We headed up the hill onto the escarpment then along the ridge. We passed the Nackeroos Monument to go to the end of the track for the Town Valley Lookout. Don’t think we will be using the picnic table or the BBQ which is a steel plate on top of some rocks. Great view though. Looking down to where we were at Policeman’s Point then over the houses, further around to where the caravan park and service stations are in the green trees.

I climbed down a bit to photograph the flowers.

From this angle you can see up the valley we travelled down to reach Timber Creek.

There is a track leading up the hill from here with a sign, No entry - Royal Australia Airforce only.

Drove back to the Nackeroos Monument. Beautiful setting overlooking the river and escarpments. Great information and stories.

Across the track is a large picnic area as this is a great place to view the sunset from. We will come back later.

We headed back down then continued west to Bradshaw Bridge. We had stopped here for a look in Dec 2019 when they were doing roadworks on the bridge over Little Horse Creek. Got some exercise and walked across and back. No crocs sunbaking on the muddy bank.

A bit further along is Big Horse Creek Campground - near the boat ramp where the creek meets the Victoria River. There were a few people set up in the campsites. Unfortunately Parks NT are having problems with their online booking system and we can’t get access to book online for Gregory or Keep River National Parks. I will ring up tomorrow to book out spot at Keep River. We drove down to the day use area near the boat ramp and went for a walk. Info about the training area and hazards for boats in the river. Looks like some work to be done here to fix the side of the ramp. We aren’t far from the bridge.

Spotted a couple of mud-skippers.

A quadruple stemmed boab and lots of boabs in the campground area as we head back out.

Headed back to the sunset lookout for drinks. A few more people arrived to enjoy the sunset so we chatted away as the sun disappeared behind the escarpment.

We had dinner and two other vehicles stayed for a while chatting and playing their guitar. We decided to stay the night as it was peaceful and there is a nice breeze blowing.

A few 6 wheel military vehicles have zoomed up and down the road a few times to where the track is we saw earlier. Must be setting up something for the exercise.