Quick trip to the Gulf

Hi
Lawn Hill is a must. You may have to book and it will be packed, everywhere will be at that time.
We went to Gregory Downs and hired a canoe and went to the Gregory river with it, cristal clear and no tourists if you go to the right parts.
Burke town is "interesting". Don't over dress for the bar, underpants will do!
How far up the eastern side of the gulf do you intend to travel ?
Cheers Lyndon

Hi Folks,
Although not all in "the gulf" so to speak, I would suggest:
Dinosaur displays at Richmond and Hughenden,
Porcupine Gorge north of Hughenden,
Undara Lava Tubes near Mt Surprise,
Einasleigh, Forsayth and Cobbold Gorge,
Croydon and Normanton (Railmotor experience),
Karumba (fishing),
Burketown (fishing), and
Lawn Hill Gorge.
You could then head home via Mt Isa, Winton, Longreach, Charleville etc.
Each of the places listed would be worth 3 or 4 nights each to do them justice.
For what its worth. I am not suggesting that 10 to 18 days is enough time to fully appreciate each of the above.
Jon W

Hi,

With the amount of time that you have available a quick recce is all that you will be able to do. Some interesting places include Chillagoe with its mining history, limestone landscape, fossils and caves. The road west from Herberton good gravel but takes you through some rugged country full of old mining areas - very interesting. Innot Hot Springs is a great place to soak out the dust in the pools, each at a different temperature. As others have said Gregory Downs is a great place to camp. There is good riverside camping north of Burketown, and the remains of the old abbatoir there would be of interest. Be aware that accommodation in Karuma including van park places are booked out months in advance, and there is nowhere much where you can bush camp close to there.
The Atherton Tableland is a must see place with many things to see.

HTH

Hi D22 navara,

There is a camping ground about 20 kms east of Normanton on the main highway across from Undara - named Leichhardt Lagoon. It isn't far off the road, was around $14 p night last year when we were there. Has flushing toilets and showers, a twin tub washing machine which was installed while we were staying, also water - not too sure whether this is drinkable though.

Caretakers live on site in their van and collect fees, clean the amenities and keep the fire stoked for hot showers.

We found it to be a very friendly place - there's a big area to camp near the lagoon which is full of birdlife, and there were many fishermen staying there. We met some real characters. Access to the Norman River and weir is a few kms away where barramundi can be caught if you dont mind sharing the water with many crocs - salties and freshies.

The station owners provided 3 course dinner on Sat nights outside in their garden for a few dollars each and raised money for the RFDS too.

We loved it, planned to 'overnight' there and stayed around 10 days. Didn't have to book, just called in.

Hopefully it didnt all wash away in the huge 'wet' they had around that area earlier this year.
We hope to get back there next year.

Cheers Heather