If you haven't been to Carnarvon Gorge yet you had better before it's too late. No, they are not mining it or turning it into satellite suburb complete with K-Mart and Bunnings. The reason you must hurry is because YOU my friends are not getting any younger. Leave it too long and you wont be able....especially as walking 22 kilometres in one day will be on the agenda. Tim and I decided that Carnarvon Gorge was our Everest! Over 30 creek crossings, stairs that felt like they were the ones to Heaven, hills that felt like mountains and kilometres that I think where miles! We decided to go to the end of the trail. 'Big Bend' and do all the 'featured' walks on the way back. Big mistake! We knocked over the first three coming back but by the time we got to the turn offs to 'The Amphitheatre' and 'Moss Garden' neither of us could bring ourselves to do it. We did make it to Wards Canyon though and from what we had seen thus far it was the pick. My photos do not do it justice. Our feet where on fire by the time we got there and a soak in the foot bath of freezing cold water got us mobile again for the last 5 ks back. (felt like 25). It was very cold camping, could have thought it was Tasmania! The camp fire was comforting though as well the Tawny Port we discovered at Dan Murphy's before we left. Our sleeping bags rated at -7degrees worked a treat so we didn't have too much to complain about apart from sore feet. It was well worth the effort and I am sure if we had of done a little more training before hand we would not have thought too much off the distance. Being gobsmacked around every corner at all sights and sounds of the bush made it all worth while. The sand stone cliffs where amazing. The gums living on the edge where of particular interest to me!
Warrumbah Gorge
One of the many creek crossings.
Alive On The Edge
King Ferns at Wards Canyon
Our trip home was interesting. I had not been any further west in Nth Queensland than Charters Towers. Places like Blackall , Longreach and Winton were mere dots on a map till this journey. Still dots on a map but people do live there. Amazing and nothing short of a miracle that they do! In all the towns the emphasis seemed to be on our pioneers and the way they lived. I will always be grateful for the hard work they put into opening up and laying down the communities that make up our precious state. We have no idea what hardship is these days!
Tim and Suzie and the dusty road before us!
We decided to take the 'tourist track' to Tambo from Springsure. I thought it was worth it and Suzie handled the road well even though her 'footwear' was inappropriate. We know we have to get proper 4wd tyres for any more adventures like that. Sliding around in the bull dust in city slick tyres was not all that much fun.
Mr and Mrs Emu out for a stroll along the road to Belyando Crossing.
Tim picks up with a new bird.
Bottle Trees near Blackall.
I bought one home from the Information Centre in Blackall. I am now officially a grey nomad picking up plants where ever I go...except from the National Parks of course!
The Stockmans Hall of Fame Longreach!
The QANTAS Museum.
We found The Stockmans and Qantas Museum very interesting and spent a long time in both. I am not sure I needed to know all that stuff about how a plane stays up in the air though. I was comfortable in my blissful ignorance. Now I will be wondering if all the parts are in good order!
Homeward Bound
The last nights where spent at a motel. I know we piked out of the camping deal but we did make that decision when we first set up the rig. Too tired? Then rent a room! So we did.
Look at the fancy fences out west!
All the posts were wrapped in tumble weeds! It went for miles like that then suddenly stopped. Must have been the edge of the winds space.
Suzie smiling even though she has bugs all over her face.
Till the next adventure....
