.. after a short foray into Darwin and back via the Kakadu Hway, I'm back in Nth Qld .. well .. at Fountain Springs Rest area which is just 60 k's west of Cloncurry ..
My heart wasn't in the Darwin trip .. but I did want to have a brief look before I spend a week or more there next year.
but its great to be back in Qld too .. top up supplies tomorrow, then head north to Normanton and Karumba .. been meaning to see that area for some time.
g/day jon. im in cairns now ,wil be for about another month, hf 8961 same club as you , only just retired and be on the road full time very soon hope we cross paths somewhere mareeba is where i was based working all over qld there is ac/van park at granite gorge (mareeba) guy there is a auto elec they have been there only a yr or two could be worth a try paul
Will definitely be in touch .. Will also look into that van park at Granite Gorge. Current plans are to go to the Rodeo grounds where I was last year but all things considered .. and I expect to be in the area for a few months ..
quite possibly be there in about a weeks time .. talk soon !
let me have my moment of sensational comment .. there was another 'slant' one could have applied .. but I didn't want to make it too difficult for you .. hehe !
.. and I'm considering doing what you did too .. maybe join Sing Australia .. its time I took some coaching .. heh ..
will be in Mareeba for some time .. so Cairns is not too far away ..
Jon
You don't have to be good at singing, you just have to love doing it. It's all about having fun. There's a strong group at Mareeba, and join with Atherton, Mossman and Cairns for special events in the region from time to time. The best part is you can join in wherever there's a group where you are across the country. It's a good social connection, and you'll make friends for life. If you join in Cairns I'm sure Barb Jordan will welcome you with open arms, especially if you drop my name.
__________________
20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Jon, we were at Normanton about this time last year, if you're staying at Normanton, suggest the c/park behind the motel with the big barra out front. There is also free parking on the Norman river on the edge of town. A short trip on the Gulflander is also well worth doing, but check which days it runs etc and book.
We used this as a base to visit Karumba and found it much nicer. At Karumba make sure you visit the Enviro Centre (I think that is what it is called) to see the Barra breeding program and breeding stock (no fishing rods allowed, ha ha) well worth the entry fee.
-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 22nd of May 2011 02:59:47 PM
While you are in the area, think about detouring to visit Lawn Hill area. One of the best places in Australia, in my view. Why was your heart not in the Darwin trip?
Arrived here in Normanton just afterlunch today .. and actually booked into the same CP .. Handy spot allright .. and I could be here for up to a week ..
Haven't looked into Curry Jules .. so will make a point of doing so .. and thanks !
Hi Wendy .. Basically I went in unprepared. I was last there in '72-'74 .. and knew it would be different.
Being so close though (in Katherine) I just had to get an idea of the changes .. and to help prepare for a longer (organised) look at it next year ..
We loved it there Jon and should have spent more time there, it was so relaxing. The barra weren't biting, even on the charters at Karumba, something to do with the temperature of the water wasn't right, so some grumpy fishermen around.
__________________
Vic
Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....
Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".
Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy While we're here.
Jon, I think that, for anyone who knew Darwin, pre-Tracy, the best way to go back there now is to treat it like you are going to a totally new place. I didn't know "old" Darwin, but have made several visits there since late 80's, and have seen big changes in that time. It is a great place to visit - friends who live there love it, too. It is also a very different experience, outside of the tourist season......our most recent visit was Feb this year. The Driver wanted to see the storm season, but overdid it a bit and he got to see a little cyclone.
For next year, put Litchfield NP on your must-do list. It is very different to Kakadu, with several impressive waterfalls fairly close together. Some good short walks at the various falls. We worked out near Wangi Falls for a few months, in 2006, and it was beautiful country to be in.
You're right WendyV. It's a beautiful area with lots of points of interest, including the walk up and over the falls. I travelled with a mate and we camped in the park adjacent to the national park, just outside the boundary fence. There are other national park camping grounds. The unique magnetic termite mounds, and some history around the homestead just to the south. Interesting place, followed by a wallow in the Wangi Falls pond.
__________________
20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
You can turn off the Stuart Highway about 30km north of Adelaide River town, go via Batchelor right through to Wangi, on a good bitumen road. The bitumen continues for a few km beyond the NP boundary, just west of Wangi Falls turnoff. This gives you access to a basic but adequate caravan park, the Litchfield Safari Park. All the main waterfalls have bitumen side roads to them. You would have to backtrack the same way to the highway, as the road beyond Woolaning is, at this stage, unsealed to where it meets the Mandurah road.
