Gleeson Station to Karumba

Thursday 21

Late yesterday afternoon we stopped on the side of the track near a waterhole for the night on Gleeson Station. We had travelled dirt tracks which are gazzetted Station access roads since we left Mt Isa. There were heaps of birds about , budgerigars, eagles, hawks, spinifex pigeons and more. Philip got the drone out for a play and discovered some camels on the other side of the waterhole. They just stood and watched as he manoeuvred the drone around them. Then scanned down the track to watch the sun set behind the trees. We had a station worker stop to talk to us just before dark, wanted to know if “the boss” knew we where there. He radioed to let “the boss” know. The skies here are so fabulous at night. The stars are amazingly clear and the sky is vast. It’s great to wake during the night and just look out the window and see so many stars.

Friday 22nd

This morning we completed the station track as we come out onto the Burke Development road about 30 k south of the Burke and Wills Roadhouse. Back onto paved road. Makes for a much smoother ride although not quite as interesting as the station roads. We stopped at the Roadhouse for a toilet stop and to stretch the legs and check the van before continuing up to Normanton where we refuelled before driving the last 78 kilometres into Karumba. We arrived at Karumba just after 1pm, found our site, set up the van and had some lunch before we finished setting up the awning chairs and table etc. Now for a relaxing afternoon enjoying the 30 degrees C and light breeze. During the afternoon Philip helped the guy behind us back his van into their site. His wife wasn’t much help. We have a lovely site here (site 125) with morning sun and shady through the afternoon. Tonight the park is hosting their regular roast night with Roast Pork on offer tonight, so we have booked in. Happy hour starts at 5.30 and dinner around 7pm with live music. BYO plates and cutlery and drinks. We wandered down around 6 ish and found our seats. Durning the course of the evening we met some great people who were seated around us. Roz and Terry arrived today as well and they have just come through the road we are taking to Cairns so we were able to get some info from them. The chap on the other side of Philip had been on a fishing trip, something Philip had planned to do, but they were out all day and didn’t catch anything. The roast pork meal was lovely and we had heaps of food. Pork, crackle, baked potatoes, baked pumpkin, beans, gravy and bread and butter. There was certainly plenty to go round. The music left a bit to be desired (P- I have heard way better music from the wind howling down a rusty drain pipe!!!) but all in all it was a pleasant evening.

Saturday 23rd. Cleaning day. After a relaxed breakfast we took off for a bike ride before it got too hot then caught up on laundry and tidied the van, mopped the floors and did a few odd jobs. Then a very nice prawn pizza for lunch (P- Home made with fresh Prawns (shrimp) straight off the trawler this morning). A lazy afternoon reading, crosswords and snoozing before we decided to go for a short bike ride again. This time we rode down the track which took us into Karumba town, 3.8 k away. Thinking we would get an ice cream when we reached town we wandered along, checking out the river and talking to people who had been on another unsuccessful fishing trip. Then up to the cafe/supermarket. Bugga it’s closed. No ice cream today just another 3.8 k back to the park. By the time we got back we had done over 10k and were hot and sweaty so it’s time for a swim. That sounds like a good idea until we dip our toes into the pool. It’s cool. One way to do this and that is quick. So down the steps and under the water. It’s not so bad once your wet but could be a degree or two warmer.

Later we had some beautiful prawns for an entree. Then decided to go for a walk around the park before we cooked dinner. The quick walk turned into an hour and a half as we met an old client of ours from Tassie and stopped to talk to him for a while, then talked to some guys cleaning fish and then met Roz and Terry and sat at their camper and talked to them for an hour. By the time we got back neither of us felt like much dinner so made a light fish mornay and toast.

It’s been a good day, looking forward to some more like this.