Mount Surprise - August 2010

If for whatever reason you are only planning a couple of stops on the Savannah Way make sure that Mount Surprise is on your list; it was one of the best stops we made on our way to the coast.

 

There are 2 parks in Mount Surprise, one of these is behind the service station but the one of choice is Bedrock Village on the left hand side on your way out of town heading west to east.

 

If your like me I thought it was named from the cartoon “The Flintstones” but not so; the whole of Mount Surprise and surrounds sits on Basalt rock hence it was built on a bed of rock.

 

The park is really good, kept very tidy and most sites you can drive through then unhook. The amenities are first class with huge showers that are spotless; the staff and owners are terrific. The park has a pool which is somewhat of a godsend out west. Pricing during our stay was $27 per night or stay for seven & pay for 6; we were here for 8 nights and enjoyed every day of it.

 

 

Our site above; plenty of room to move and quite private; no slabs but the area under your awning is quite good, a rubber mat helps if you have one.

 

 

Wood fired pizza oven (I'm in heaven).

 

The park has its own bakery producing bread rolls, coffee scrolls and some other yummy things; the park also has a menu up each day and you can put your name down for the evening meal if you wish (the food is fantastic). On some of the days they put up a pizza menu to choose from, again you must order in the morning and nominate a time slot, everyone gets together in the outdoor eating area and the atmosphere is sensational.

 

 

Linda had a vegetarian pizza and I had a supreme; I had to take a picture of Linda's as by the time the camera came out I had scoffed half of mine. What you don't eat you take home for the next day (not me –  non left).

 

 

On one of the days we drove down to Einasleigh which is where Copperfield Gorge is; we mainly went to see the pub that houses one of the biggest collections of miniature cars, dolls houses and furniture, entry is by donation and it is well worth the trip.

 

Getting to Einasleigh can be either from Georgetown (better road longer distance) or from Mount surprise (20km bitumen, 45km of pretty shitty dirt). We took the short shitty way and I am still trying to find one of my fillings.

 

 

Einasleigh Pub; quite well patronised when the Savannahlander train brings the tourists in, yes if you want to do the train trip from Mount Surprise you can; it covers the pub, Copperfield Gorge and includes “smoko”, the cost at the time was $84 p/p.

 

 

The rail bridge just out of Einasleigh; as you can see by the tree jammed halfway up the supports it can flood down here.

 

 

One of the crossings which when in flood is not passable.

 

 

Mount Surprise has a free car wash (I towed the van through on one occasion); they encourage you to wash the dust off you vehicle whilst in town; nice gesture and I had 3 or 4 goes during our stay, it was great after you had been out to some of the sites on dusty roads. Mount Surprise is a gem fossicking area and you can hire equipment and a map from one of the local businesses in town.

 

 

Hard to see them in the photo but Mount Surprise is well known for the black cockatoos that are abundant in the area.

 

 

Linda & I went on the Undara Lava Tube tour and this was a highlight for us; it would take ages for me to explain but if you are interested it is worth using Google to get some information.

 

In brief the tubes were formed by hot lava running some 160km; as the outer lava cooled from the external air the internal continued to flow leaving these massive tubes of lava.

 

 

Some of the access points are quite steep and good footwear is essential; above is Linda heading down one of the rock formations, hanging on to the rope rail is needed to keep upright.

 

 

The photo of us was take in pitch black darkness; when the flash goes off it brings all the colours of the lava tube to life. Cost for the morning tour was at the time $74 p/p including morning tea; you can do an all day tour but be warned it is quite exhausting, it runs from 8.00am to about 5.30pm and includes lunch ($120 p/p).

 

 

 

Photo above of the Savannahlander train stopped at Mount Surprise station; this train on certain tours starts in Cairns and includes overnight stops at some of the tourist spots on the way to Einasleigh.

 

 

Mount Surprise  railway station; not very big but it does not have to be.

 

This is a great place to stop for a day or so or a week; if you are travelling east from Normanton or west from Ravenshoe put this on your “must do list”, we would certainly go back again (unless they have got rid the pizza oven).

 

Hope you enjoy the read and as always we wish you all well and safe travelling; we look forward to catching up with all of you at some stage.

 

Warm regards –  David & Lind –  The DavLin Rig

 

 

 

Croydon & Georgetown - August 2010

CROYDON

 

I am still trying to catch up but I believe I'm getting a little quicker; this may even end up being a record of the shortest time between posts (or not).

 

If you do travel the Savannah Way please make sure you stop at Croydon; it would be one of the best little towns we have stayed. The history, tidiness and hospitality was exceptional.

 

The caravan park is looked after by the council and they do a bloody good job considering the total council work force is 4 for the town. This is the only place I know where the council mows everyone's nature strip. All of the heritage buildings are kept in very good condition; the local all take pride in the town and it is spotless in appearance.

 

The park has very good amenities and the sites are very big and most being grass with some slabs (at least not dirt), the park even has a pool. The price was $25 per night and good value as there is plenty to see in town and close by.

 

 

 

Our site above; plenty of room, dusty in some spots but good grass on the awning side.

 

 

The Croydon general store is the oldest in Australia; almost on par with the sausage roll I bought (only kidding).

 

 

Some of the old heritage buildings with the original street lights.

 

 

The loo's near the information centre; doors are marked “Croydonettes” & “Croydonites”, there is a ladies and gents sign for the totally dumbfounded (like me).

 

 

Croydon being an old gold mining town has a lot of old stamp mills and equipment dotted around the town on display. The structure above is outside the information centre. Also make sure you go in as they have a great 20 minute show which is very good to watch and free to boot.

 

 

One of the old cars on display in Croydon at the information centre.

 

 

The old lock up; lots of posters and information boards are placed around town giving a run down on the local history. You can spend quite a few hours looking through all the old buildings.

 

 

This is Lake Belmore and is only 5 or so km from Croydon and is the largest body of fresh water in the region. The facilities here are really good with free (spotless) BBQ's, huge covered area with tables & chairs, free power points for jugs etc, enclosed swimming area with a pontoon and diving platform and all this is free. Great place to spend a few hours; this facility is once again kept immaculate by the council. BTW –  no camping is allowed.

 

 

As there are a number of disused mine shafts (most have been discovered and are sealed) the warnings are in case you find a new one so watch your step.

 

 

GEORGETOWN

 

Not too keen on Georgetown; the information centre is about all that is in town, there are some other places you can drive out to but for us we could not be bothered as most were quite a few hours away.

 

We stayed at the firs park as you come into Georgetown on the left hand side heading west to east; it is situated at the roadhouse; it was dry, dusty and the amenities were a little on the nose and not really kept to a good standard. We did pay for 2 nights as we thought the town may be a little like Croydon (not so).

 

We found out that just before leaving town before you go over the bridge there is a caravan park down the street on the left about 500m; we did have a walk past and it looks a lot better than the one we stayed in so keep this in mind if you plan to stay over.

 

 

Our site at the Georgetown “Dust Bowl” roadhouse; could not wait to get out of here.

 

 

Photo through the windscreen as we were heading out of Georgetown; even the cow's had had enough and were pissing off. Best view of here was in the rear view mirror or what the cows arse could see.

 

Well another post bites the dust; our next stop was Mount Surprise as we headed back to the coast, we had a ball there so that will be the next episode. Until then take care and travel safely (those that are).

 

Warm regards –  David & Linda –  The DavLin Rig

Karumba & Normanton - August 2010

KARUMBA

Still trying to catch up and not doing a real good job of it

We stayed at Karumba Point Tourist Park and were lucky to get in; it was only by luck that someone had moved out for a week to visit elsewhere that we secured the site.

Very nice park with friendly management and a great atmosphere; we were not sure if we would like it as this is mainly were all the fishing community meet this time of year and tend to stay for 3 – 4 months. We had a great time even though we did not fish.

Every day something was on in the park and Saturday night was a free fish BBQ; bring your own plate and salad and they supplied barbequed blue salmon and it was beautiful.

Park amenities were good and the price was very acceptable @ $28 per night. We would certainly recommend this park for a week or so stay (if you can get in).

Our site: you do need a dish if you want TV.

The park was full to the brim but very well catered for.

The Sunset Tavern was approximately 1km from the park; being on the western side of the Queensland mainland it makes for spectacular sunsets

One of the sunsets from the pub deck; the meals here are very good and the vista is magnificent.

Good friends we met at Karumba and stay in touch with on a regular basis are Dave & Mez; Mez is well involved in cardmaking, craft and handmade jewellery. The photo is of the small but well attended Karumba markets that are held at the pub grounds on a Sunday morning; although the bar is not open they do well selling breakfast, coffee and doughnuts.

We had a great time here and would love to go back some other time.

NORMANTON

Not so impressed with Normanton; it does have quite a few things to see and do but the caravan parks leave a little to be desired. We stayed at the Normanton Tourist Van park; the other park in town is part of the motel, we did look at this whilst we were in town but it sadly is not well looked after as far as amenities go.

6 weeks before we arrived the owner had leased the park and there idea of cleaning the toilets and showers was to hose them out. The cleaner was an old bloke, fire hose in one hand and a fag in the other; we queried the new owners why toilet rolls were not replaced on certain occasions. The response was people steal them.

The park is all dust and dirt so it can be quite messy; would not stay here again which is a shame, businesses in town are aware of the parks new reputation and are not happy as it will drive tourists away.

Our site; if you do want to stay in Normanton this is the pick of the 2 parks; my advise would be try to stay at Karumba and drive to Normanton for a visit.

The above shows the flood level on the Norman River bridge in 2009.

The big Barra; what everyone in the main is fishing for in this area.

The above is the old town well which was used for the towns water supply until 1965; next to it is the original light pole which was forged at the Stuart & MacKenzie foundary in Croydon.

Krys – The Savannah King is an accurate artists impression of the largest saltwater croc in the world. It was shot on the bank of the Norman River in 1957.

The croc measured 28' 4” (8.63m) and weighed in at over 2 tons; only a couple of photos remain, the rest were lost in the 1974 floods.

The famous Gulflander train that still runs overnight trips to Croydon; also does “Billy Tea & Damper” and “Sunset BBQ” trips.

The famous “Purple Pub” in Normanton.

Hope you enjoy the read and will get another post underway; stay well and keep safe.

Love & warm regards – David & Linda – The DavLin Rig