McCarthy's Go Round

17 - 20 October: Croydon to Cobbold Gorge via Georgetown (by Luca) Back on the Savannah Way and back on the dirt. Had a quick stop in Georgetown before bumping our way into Cobbold Gorge situated within Robinhood Station. Today we arrived at Cobbold Gorge and what a sight when you arrive and drive past the infinity edge pool. We set up camp in the searing heat and then set of for the pool, 3 pools in one, it is amazing!  Cobbold Gorge is situated on Robinhood Station and has been owned by the same family since 1964, only one previous family held the lease.  Our tour of the Gorge included a 2km walk through the bush exploring bush tucker, learning about native flora & fauna before viewing the Gorge itself from the newly completed glass walkway. So spectacular. From here it was meandering gently down tbe narrow Gorge via boat. Sighted two freshwater crocs and learnt about how Cobbold was formed.  The gorge has three sections, a wide bit and a skinny bit that the boat ju...

  16 October: Croydon Spent the night in historic town of Croydon visiting the significant heritage precinct. In 1885 one of the most important gold strikes in Australia's history took place, and despite the  harsh, dry & hot conditions, thousands of people flocked in search of gold, thus beginning the gold rush! Croydon was once the third largest town in Queensland and serviced an 18km long gold field which produced 23,675kg of gold.  Today it is a well preserved little town, with a sizable dam for fishing (we spent a good 45 minutes there with no luck) , a scooter and bike pump track, pool, and historic buildings throughout the town. Perhaps the best part of my day though was baking scones in the Webber and sharing in a ladies only Devonshire tea- no fishing in sight!

  13- 16 October: Mellish to Karumba Point- Gulf of Carpentaria Our drive today along the Wills Developmental Road was completely on bitumen, a welcome change from the rocks and dust. We passed through Normanton, before settling into camp at Karumba Point. Karumba is a charming port town with fishing and prawning being its major industries. It has retained an untouched quality due to its relative isolation and small population. During winter, the population swells significantly when fishing enthusiasts descend on Karumba for the plentiful barramundi. You will find a large fishing boat parked on each driveway in this small town! Karumba is also the sunrise and sunset specialist, made especially more interesting due to tbe 'morning glory' cloud phenomenon. The Gulf is the only spot on earth where morning glory clouds can be predicated and observed on a regular basis. The morning glory clouds are a rare meteorological phenomenon and are considered the rarest cloud of the 'Arcu...

 13 October: Adel's Grove to Mellish- free camp on the Gregory River After leaving Adel's we pushed off through the town of Gregory- a small township on the banks of the Gregory River with a population of approximately 40 people.  The Waanyi People are the Traditional Owners of the Gregory area and a number of Waanyi People reside at the Bidunggu Aboriginal Reserve just outside town. There is very little in Gregory except the Gregory Downs Hotel. This pub is like a time capsule- seemingly unchanged since 1876. It was an original coach house and changing station on the Cob & Co. Coach route. From here we set off on the dirt, heading South with vague instructions for a free camp on the river. And what a camp! Completely free, no-one around, right in the riverbank, complete with a crystal clear flowing river. The kids enjoyed catching tiny frogs, feeding various fish, swinging off rope swings and playing in the fast flowing natural rapids. Such a relaxing stay in this beautif...

 9th October: Borroloola to Adel's Grove, via Hells Gate 496km (6hrs) Dropped tyre pressure and tapped up all vents on the van before embarking on the next leg of the Savannah Way. We continued our travels along the Carpentaria HWY- notoriously corrugated, with several water crossings and a few sections of thick bull-dust, one of the worst sections as we crossed the QLD border.  The dirt road travels through enormous cattle stations, the last of which is Lawn Hill Station. It was a long, dusty and adventurous day, finally arriving at Adel's as the sun was setting.   We spent three nights here camped among huge mango trees and cabbage palms- the vast green river and creeks in contrast to the dry Savannah.  The kids had a ball jumping off trees, rope swings and sliding down the muddy banks of the grove into the green water. There were kangaroos roaming throughout the camp and hundreds of cane toads foraging each night which made for some fun hunting.  We spen...