We drove the 55 kms to Adels Grove on a rough gravel road. We had to book ahead for this one too and could see why when we arrived. There are so many people travelling everywhere here, and it's also school holidays.
Ken's birthday with champagne and special dessert made by Nanette. We had young Germans camped beside us and they sang 'happy birthday in German for Ken as we sat around the campfire. We camped in The Grove at Adels, a wonderfully shady, cleared area under a canopy of trees with a water tap nearby, amenities, and the Gregory River flowing past. Great to get some washing done too. We stayed three night in this lovely oasis, walking, relaxing and canoeing.'
The firstday we tackled the easy Nature Walk track which follows the Lawn Hill Creek as it meanders along the creek bed forming small billabongs and fishing holes. There were lots so fish easily seen from the banks, beautiful patches of water ,lilies and lots of birds, including a male bower bird performing energetically in front of his bower for a female audience. He stopped dancing at intervals to pick up a shell from his bower, as if to demonstrate how attractive his home was.
On our second day we did the easy walk to The Cascades along the creek side but the extended dry meant there was no water flowing. We then made the steep climb up the Island Stack and then walked the circuit around the 'table top' where the views of the gorge and the surrounding area were panoramic.
The following day we hired canoes and ventured into the magnificent Lawn Hill Gorge for a distance of 6 kms. Halfway up the gorge we had to do a canoe drag in order to get to the top section, and vice-versa on the way back. It's a beautiful paddle, well worth the effort.
I loved the typically Aussie example for lateral thinking when I saw these bags in the ladies loo!! The mother of one little boy said he loved going in "the one with the hot-dogs"!
After a leisurely coffee on the beautiful deck under the trees for the cost a gold coin donation to the Flying Doctor Service, we drove out of Adels Grove and hit the dirt again, heading for Normanton.
The Gulf Savanna changes so much as we drive through it. At times it is treeless grasslands, then there are hills and trees, gullies and flood ways, sometimes with water. A always endless dust which has found it's way into every crevice of both vehicles and people. A swim or shower is pure delight when we have access to either.
We didn't get very far because we had a 'quick look' at a spot on the river at Gregory Downs, which a number of people had mentioned, and there we stayed. Our camp spot has waterfront views and the creek ruining past. We couldn't resist it. We had two glorious days floating downstream, sunning ourselves and reading. Because of the unlimited water supply we also cleaned the car, washed all the caravan curtains and windows and did lots of washing. We hope to be dust free for awhile as the road from here to Karumba is sealed. There are about 50 vans spread out along the river here and our neighbour John, who has been here for ten days and is not intending to leave anytime soon, is generously hosting the third State of Origin game around his bar-b-q because he has a satellite dish. There are people from Newcastle, Warners Bay, Swansea and many other place, all living the good life exploring this amazing land.
The bird life is prolific here too with whistling kites, crimson finches and eagles just to mention a few.
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