FLETCHER CREEK

FLETCHER CREEK

TUESDAY 13 – THURSDAY 15.9.2011: Pulled up at Fletcher Creek Freedom Park which is situated 40 klms north of Charters Towers. This is a perfect river setting with amenities, a vast area for vans and allowance to stay a month. Fortunately we completed “Cattle Training 101” at Broke as the cattle from a nearby farm spend most of their day by the river opposite where we are parked. Madison in h-e-r wisdom has had a few Mexican standoffs “across the water” from her foes. We enjoyed a campfire and nearly savoured Carole’s “dough boys” over the coals. Decision was made that there was too much water in the mixture and amount of dough on the stick too great – our supper was consumed by the fire! Carole was 18 when she last used the recipe - just a few clicks between “dough boys!” We have had a relaxing time here and would gladly stay longer.



"THE HERD"





PRE "DOUGH BOYS"

GREENVALE - POPULATION: 255

GREENVALE CARAVAN PARK VISTA

MONDAY 12.9.2011: Left the oasis that is Joe and Jo’s Mt Surprise Bedrock Village Caravan Park. This is a beautiful caravan park, with staff ensuring your stay is an absolute delight. Travelled to Greenvale Caravan Park and Cabins – Greenvale is 203 kms north of Charters Towers on the dusty Gregory Development Road. Greenvale is aptly named with its lush foliage and gardens adorning cul-de-sacs of attractive brick homes with tiled roofs. Built to house 220 mine workers by Queensland Nickel Ltd in 1972, the town thrived for 20 years, and the Greenvale Nickel Mine yielded 40 million tonnes of ore! When the mine was exhausted, the little town declined to 16 residents. In 1994, Melbourne millionaire businessman Chris Delios passed through the town, and the next day offered to buy it all from the mining company, thus saving it from potential demolition. Today Greenvale is blossoming once again with several new mining interests opening up in the region.

Greenvale has an outstanding range of facilities for its size, including an Olympic pool and a 9-hole golf course. A huge nickel reclaimer wheel from the old mine stands by the caravan park. The rare ‘Sausage Tree’ (Kigelia pinnata) is one of only 4 such specimens in Australia. A monument to country music legend Stan Costa stands outside the Three Rivers Hotel (another little oasis), whose famous song of the same name records his time working on the Greenvale Line.  

MOUNT SURPRISE

BEDROCK CARAVAN PARK

SUNDAY 11.9.2011: We both woke feeling sore, tired and irritable – so much for the experts that believe in the power of exercise! In the 24 hours to follow Carole created an all-time record for either totally destroying or severely disabling all that she touched. The list included:

   · 2 broken champagne glasses – knocked over and lost the bottle of champagne (probably the biggest issue of the day)

·    Broke the rod connected to the external door that prevents it from “swinging in the breeze”

·    2 cupboard catches - broken

·    The frame that holds the reversing camera in place - broken

·    Finally, the cold water shower tap in the amenities block came off midway through the shower. Unable to seek help at that point of time and acutely aware of the “large” notices indicating water conservation, after what seemed like an eternity Carole was final able to reconnect the tap.

PUTT PUTT GOLF COURSE AT BEDROCK PARK

     To assist with the apathy we were all feeling Madison chose to jump on the table where Carole had been working for some three days on a jigsaw puzzle – yep, jigsaw puzzle was stored away!
    
We again had tea with the Bedrock Village staff and other travellers, plus enjoyed the campfire sing-along - Carole retired to bed earlier than usual!

MOUNT SURPRISE

SATURDAY 10.9.2011: Bedrock Village run tours to many of the sightseeing venues so we booked for a half day tour of Undara Volcanic National Park. Several days ago Sybil made a harmless statement about the need to incorporate a little more walking in the day – HA! Having only just gained an upright position after Cobbold Gorge today proved to be an even greater challenge!

JESS



KALKANI VOLCANO



Jess was our “Savannah Guide” for the day. Savannah Guides protect and conserve natural and cultural resources in the tropical savannahs of northern Australia. Compared to the Cobbold Gorge guide who did not really have an interest, Jess had a passion and knowledge for the area that made for a fantastic day from start to finish, plus an ability to ensure that all tour party members irrespective of ability levels were able to appreciate the scenery.

ENTRANCE TO THE LAVA TUBES

We were driven out to the National Park and our first stop was at the crater of Kalkani Volcano which is some 2.5 klms in circumference – we walked it, up hill and down dale! Undara means ‘long way’ in Aboriginal language. This national park is part of the McBride volcanic province with 164 volcanoes. Undara was the protagonist of the largest single volcano eruption on Earth about 190,000 years ago, when the external layer of the 1200°C lava flowing along a river bed cooled down and became a crust, while massive internal volumes kept on spreading producing  hollow tubes of about 20 metres wide and 10 metres high. The Lava Tubes - you have to feel a sense of trepidation when your guide makes the statement “it doesn’t matter how you tackle the climb, if need be just go down on your bottom!”

LAVA TUBES



The puddles again spent the day in the comfort of their own home, with Bedrock Village staff taking them for a walk and toilet break – hard life!

MOUNT SURPRISE - POPULATION: 162

FRIDAY 9.9.2011: Headed back down the Savannah Way to Mt Surprise. Passed two road trains, with one scoring our second stone chip to the windscreen! We are again staying at the Bedrock Village Caravan Park and night one we joined the village staff for tea and a sing-a-long round the campfire. Yes we all know how well Sybil sings, but Carole is so good that she didn't even bother!

GEORGETOWN - POPULATION: 254

THURSDAY 8.9.2011: Arranged for a trip out to Cobbold Gorge some 80 klms from Georgetown. Robin Hood Station, supposedly so-called because it adjoined Sherwood mining lease is currently owned by the Terry family. The geological history of the rocks around Cobbold Creek Gorge and the Forsayth area which it is a part, spans almost 1700 million years. We walked to the top of the gorge and viewed the area from above. The very hot day had the two "athletes" forming the rear guard!

CROCODILE SUNNING ITSELF!



Spectacular scenery considering this is a semi-arid environment. The nature of the gorge indicates that it is a very young feature. Because the diversion of Cobbold Creek happened only recently (perhaps even in the last 10,000 years or so), erosion has not yet had time to widen the gorge. Below water level the walls are undercut and extend back many metres in places. The boat tour takes you through the centre of the gorge.



The poor poodles had to remain in the airconditioned Poodle Palace and have the lovely Midway Caravan Park & Service Station staff come and take them for a walk and toilet break. We are still recovering from heat stroke!

MT SURPRISE/GEORGETOWN

TUESDAY 6 - WEDNESDAY 7.9.2011: Stayed at Mt Surprise Bedrock Village Caravan Park on our way to Georgetown - great park.

Set out to Georgetown Midway Caravan Park & Service Station. We had 90 klms to travel and Carole had made mention of the fact that it was narrow. Approximately 60% of the dual carriageway narrowed to a single road requiring you to move onto the gravel if an oncoming car passes - not such an issue for the four wheel drives, but a little more difficult in the motorhome. Good news is that we made it safely, without passing any road trains, bad news is that we have to return via the same route!