We set off from Hell’s Gate and after some heated debate, we decided to not to divert to Burketown to stock up with alcohol but to turn off and head cross country to Lawn Hill Gorge ‘near Adel’s Grove. We pasted Doomadgee without even realizing it. The community is set off the main road and not well signposted (except for the piles of cans around the turnoff). It was soon after that Mike had identified a short cut to Adel’s Grove so we left the main road and headed south through serious cattle country.
Back Road to Adel’s Grove
Even the locals were giving us funny looks.
Bourketown Road Local
Lawn Hill Station Sign
Finally, after numerous gates and cattle grids we arrived at Adel’s Grove. (Whooohoo) They have a licensed bar, we’re not gonna die. No take-a-ways but enough to see us through until Burke Town. We drove on towards Lawn Hill NP proper intending to camp at the park facilities there, however, most of the park is setout for tent camping and all the sites are blocked for vehicles by bollards. So we found some space in the car park and setup there.
Lawn Hill National Car Park
The lack of a decent camp ground was more then made up for the proximity to the gorge. Across the road and a 40m track bought us to the banks of the Gregory River which meanders through the Lawn Hill Gorge. It didn’t take us long to jump in and wash the dust off.
Gregory River
7th Sept. 2008 Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill)
That afternoon, we walked the Wild Dog Dreaming track to see the Aboriginal Art and inspect the lower reaches of the gorge. An interesting walk and we managed to spot som turtles and a lazy fresh water crocodile on the way before returning to camp for another swim and then settling down to some drinks and then tea.
Freshy
8th Sept. 2008
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill)
Sally and I had decided that we would set off at sparrows fart and walk up to Indarri Falls to see the sunrise. It’s about a 45 minute walk so with torches in hand, we set off while it was dark walking around the and over the walls of the gorge finally reaching the falls. The sunrise was specky and we headed back crossing over the lookout to the falls and gorge. Difficult to believe that this oasis is surrounded by thousands of square kilometers of some of the driest and dustiest savannah we have seen to date.
8th Sept. 2008
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill)
Sally and I had decided that we would set off at sparrows fart and walk up to Indarri Falls to see the sunrise. It’s about a 45 minute walk so with torches in hand, we set off while it was dark walking around the and over the walls of the gorge finally reaching the falls. The sunrise was specky and we headed back crossing over the lookout to the falls and gorge. Difficult to believe that this oasis is surrounded by thousands of square kilometers of some of the driest and dustiest savannah we have seen to date.
Lawn Hill Gorge Sunrise
Gregory River
Indarri Falls
Indarri Falls from Lookout
After returning to camp for brunch, it was more swimming and then lounging around for the rest of the day before setting off to Adel’s Grove homestead for dinner and drinks. The homestead is excellent with grassy camping area and a licensed bar. Albeit some distance from the gorge it would have made for far more comfortable camping.
After returning to camp for brunch, it was more swimming and then lounging around for the rest of the day before setting off to Adel’s Grove homestead for dinner and drinks. The homestead is excellent with grassy camping area and a licensed bar. Albeit some distance from the gorge it would have made for far more comfortable camping.
Adel’s Grove Homestead
From there, a short drive back into the NP and after a nightcap, off to bed.
From there, a short drive back into the NP and after a nightcap, off to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment