After a very relaxing few days in the beauty of Lawn Hill, we were headed north via Normanton to the popular fishing town of Karumba, in the Gulf of Carpentaria. After a long drive along the corrugated dirt road we were back on the Burke Development Road and a quick stop at the Burke and Wills Roadhouse for some lunch. The usual burger, fries and soft drink was the order of the day and we were off.
The development road is predominantly surrounded by cattle country and at times we needed to slow down or pull over for cows crossing and Jackeroos herding their cattle to areas with more vegetation. It was an interesting drive but after 5 hours we were happy to get to Karumba and to what seemed like a really quaint, quiet fishing village.
We were told by other caravaners to stay at the Sunset Point Caravan Park as it was so close to the beach and a great place to watch the sun set over the gulf. We were only there overnight as we needed to make our way across the Savannah Way to get to Cairns for Josh to fly home.
Apparently in the fishing season the town is packed with fisho’s but on the night we arrived it was just packed with people in town to watch the grand finals of the rugby league. After settling in at the caravan park we decided to head out for dinner. The local pub on the beach was absolutely packed and the atmosphere was full of excitement. Unfortunately we were a little late for sunset, but nonetheless it was a good meal and a nice place to have said we’ve visited.
The next morning we were off along the Savanah Way headed for an overnight stopover in Mt Surprise, gem country.
We had been warned that the road at times would be single lane and to make sure we move right off the road if a road train approached and they were right. The road trains were at least 50 metres long and at times really rocked the car when passing. It was an incredibly hot day and the countryside looked dusty and dry. Cow carcasses were a common sight along the road with the drought certainly taking its toll for the farmers.
Finally we arrived at Bedrock Caravan Park and a welcome relief to see the pool and some beautifully kept gardens and caravan sites. The owners were horticulturists and keen butterfly enthusiasts so many of the plants around the caravan were butterfly attracting. They were really quite beautiful to see in the midst of a very dry landscape.
After a wasted walk to a slimy creek (recommended by the owners) we quickly made our way back to the pool where a cool dip was definitely in need with the temperature in the late 30’s and climbing.
Thankfully we were able to tune into X-factor on the communal TV and together with a great tuna pasta we settled in for the night. Just before turning the lights off there was a herd of very large cows surrounding the caravans and enjoying the bountiful plant life that the owners had so lovingly cared for.
We woke the next morning to another hot dry day and journeyed excitedly onwards to the Atherton tablelands.
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