Limmen National Park - Part Two

TJ cleaning the fish cleaning table

After a week at Nathan River Ranger Station, we were asked to be caretakers at Tomato Island or in its aboriginal name, Munbillila. This is a popular campground. This was unexpected assignment due to the last minute pull out by the planned hosts.

There is not much to do here relative to our work at Nathan. We only had to turn the sprinklers on/off, clean the toilets/showers and take the rubbish out to the tip and set it on fire. Other than these daily tasks, we were on site to handle queries from campers and whatever pops up.

The worst part of the job. Burning the rubbish

Bites

One downside of camping at Secret Fishing Spot was the insects. There were sandflies around and we found red bites all over us. Although we continued to apply plenty of insect repellent including 99% deet, the bites kept on coming. Unfortunately, we can't tell if they were new or previous ones. All I know is I kept on getting red itchy welts all over my body from legs, body, hands and neck! I have no idea how they get on to me when I have fully clothed. It could be that I am out there fishing when its dusk! This is a downside to fishing. The best times to fish is first light or last light.

Limmen NP - Part One

To take a break from the road, we volunteered at the park like we did at Lake Eildon back in January. This time, we decided not to be campground hosts but asked to do general work at the Nathan River Ranger Station in Limmen National Park. 

Basic accommodation

As volunteers, we get accommodation, air-conditioned(a plus), hot showers, kitchen and washing machine. These are certainly welcomed after weeks on the road. A big plus is tv. One can start to miss tv after a while. 

The experience as volunteer rangers is unique and interesting. We were given the trust with the park's vehicle and keys to the station and left on our own for 2 days. It is not surprising as the park covers 12,000 sqm with only 3 rangers. Our to-do list was long from cleaning campgrounds to installing bollards and repairing fences. One task which TJ was excited and very happy with was fixing a broken road sign.

During our one week stint, we visited Butterfly Springs, Southern Lost City and the closed Western Lost City. We are happy that we got to drive out to the last place as it was spectacular with the arches and rock formations. It would not be possible if we had not been volunteers.

Fencing at the Arch at Western Lost City

Western Lost City

Southern Lost City

Lorella Springs

Lorella Springs Wilderness Park is a 100 hectares property in NT, which is a working cattle station as well as a camping/adventure playground. 100 hectares is big, so there is plenty of space and places to camp.

The main site is the homestead campground, which has amenities such as showers, water and flush toilets. There is a bar where meals are served as well. There is no mobile coverage but the homestead offers satellite internet and phone for a fee.

We camped at the homestead for a couple of nights. There is a water hole called Magical Spring, where warm water flows and croc-free. We spent our evenings in the spring with a couple from Newcastle who we met on the way here. Together with our new found friends, we drove to Helicopter Pool, Fern Gully and Le Spa. All 3 are watering holes which have different landscapes and features and safe to swim. My favourite was Helicopter. The water was clear and pristine.

Helicopter Pool with the Sanders

After 2 nights at the homestead, we said goodbye to the Sanders who left Lorella Springs while we moved on to more remote areas in the park. We decided on Secret Fishing Camp, right where the river meets the Gulf of Carpentaria. It was a 61km drive out. The track is 4WD only and took us three and half hours, which gives you an idea of the condition of the track. We were also towing the Podd. Our main goal here is to get a barramundi and mud crabs. Once you leave the homestead, we have been warned about crocodiles and told not to swim and never turn your back to the water. 

TJ found some discarded broken mud pot and net, which he modified into a scoop net and useable mud pot. In the afternoon, he put in the mud pot and we went off to try the scoop. I was on crocodile watch while he walked into the water to find crabs. We were successful twice but they were not big enough to legally keep. Finally, after 3 days of hunting, TJ got his first big muddy. It was sweet tasting.

Meanwhile, his mud pot trapped a few small ones, which he released. Overall, TJ was happy as he made the two apparatus from junk.

I tried my luck fishing but unsuccessful with barramundi. I switched to squid as bait instead of plastic lures and got my first Mangrove Jack, which tasted quite nice.

The next day, I used live bait fish, which someone gave and caught a baby shark. It was a thrill reeling it in. The best part about fishing is reeling it in. I am happy to release it as some fish has to be eaten fresh or not edible as in the case of the shark.  We did have fish for dinner as our neighbour caught 2 Queenies and they have to be eaten fresh. We learned that Queenies don't have scales.

The road into Secret Fishing Camp

Queenie

Whole fish into the fire straight up

New Territory

Having been in Australia for 19 years, I have been to every state except Northern Territory. Today, I can say that I have been to all 6 states and 2 territories.

We left Boodjamulla and took the shortest route to Lorella Springs via the Savannah Way. This means unsealed/gravel road almost all the way. We did, however, wasted 45 minutes having to turn back from Bowthorn as the road was closed. 

The drive was interesting with lots of cattle and burnt out/rusty cars by the side of the road. There were a few river crossings with warnings of crocodiles. I did keep an eye out hoping to spot one.

After the last roadhouse/fuel stop in Queensland named Hell's Gate Roadhouse, we crossed over to Northern Territory. Of course, we stopped and took a picture of the sign as per photo evidence here!

After 8 hours of driving, we decided to stop for the night. We found a rest stop off the road, thanks to Wiki Camp.

Boodjamulla

Cooling off

I have found my favourite place so far. Its Boodjamulla National Park or known in English as Lawn Hill. This place is in outback Queensland. The last town before this area is Mount Isa, 356km away. 

Exploring the gorge

Postcard sunset in the outback

The drive in is on unsealed road for almost 200km. It is desert country. However, at the end of the day, you get a pristine river running in the gorge. The water is crocodile free. So we are free to jump in and enjoy.

We took the kayaks out and spent a few hours exploring the gorge. We paddled up to the waterfalls and took a cool dip before lunch.

A selfie

TJ taking a dip

I am glad we decided to head here after the unexpected return to Sydney. I would highly recommend this place and make sure you book your campsite. It is very popular and busy.

Dinosaur Capital of Australia

Are we chasing the property dream?

After an unexpected trip back to Sydney for a couple weeks, we were northward-bound again. The change of plan saw us driving 7 to 8 hours a day for 2 days to Winton. This place is famously known as the dinosaur capital of Australia.

The drive took us back to places that we have been 8 months ago. We stopped at Longreach, where 8 months ago, we experienced temperature of about 40C and today, was about 26C. That's outback Australia.

Dinosaur footprints. Large and small

Arno's Wall in Winton. Just junk stuck to a wall!

We set up camp at the North Gregory Hotel, which is a pub/hotel with parking spots for caravans for $10/n. This place comes with showers too. Its the cheapest campsite we could find in town.

The next day, we drove to Lark Quarry National Monument. This is the area where they discovered dinosaur footprints and based on studies by experts, there was a stampede. Thus, the name Dinosaur Stampede.

We are definitely in the outback 

Every Family needs a Farmer

The title above was a common catch-phrase when we were living in Brisbane more than 10 years back. Being city folks, we don't realise where our food comes from and how farmers do the hardyard to produce it.

We were fortunate to meet the S family when we first embarked on our trip. They camped next to us on Fraser Island and invited us to visit their farm if we do pass through. Sure enough 7 months later, we were there, on our way up north to NT.

We had a lovely stay at "Merlwood", a cattle and piggery farm. Its my first time to a piggery. RS took us around the farm and explained the process. Cleaning and looking after 1000 pigs is no easy task and this was scaled down from breeding over 4000 pigs a year ago. The smell do stick on you.

Another downside is the price. Unlike us consumers where we only see price increase in our bacon or pork, pig farmers are subject to price fluctuations. And, according to RS, the price has been on the down for the past couple of years. Not that this was reflected in the supermarkets for us.

Farming is definitely hardwork. There are no weekends or public holidays. You work from sunrise to sunset in all weather conditions.

It was a good experience for me and we want to thank the S family especially RS and the lovely JS who invited us to share their home even though they only met us for 3 days. We hope your trip to Europe in July goes well and the beginning of more trips to come.

Top End Here We Come

We are on the road again after a four weeks "holiday" break in Sydney. It was great catching up with friends and family. Its good to see nothing much had changed in 7 months even the construction along George St!

Our new TV add-on

Dangar Falls

The next part of our journey will be exciting as we will be heading into more remote places, which we have heard and read about. What's also exciting is that we have been accepted as volunteers in Limmen National Park. We will be working alongside the Rangers, hopefully gain some insights into their operations. The scary part is that we are going into croc country.

Crystal Shower Falls

Our first stop from Sydney is Dorrigo. While the temperature in Sydney on the day we left was 33C, it was 26C here due to the altitude of 762m. We were planning to camp at the Dorrigo Showgrounds but due to an event, we had to change to the Dangar Falls Caravan and Camping grounds.

NSW Pony Club State Championship, which closed the showground for us to camp

Behind Crystal Shower Falls

Easter Break

Hiking with friends in Ku Ring Gai Chase NP

We are now taking a break for Easter. Unlike many Sydneysiders, we are not heading out of the Big Smoke but staying in the city to avoid the mad Easter traffic and crowd. We are also using the 3 weeks to catch up with family and friends.

At The Basin. So ready for a swim

Plus a good time to do some modifications and maintenance on the Podd. TJ is installing a TV for me!!!