Left Croydon at 8.00am for our four hour trip through Georgetown, Mt Surprise and onto Undara Experience for the night, where we will visit the Lava Tubes tomorrow morning before we leave for Atherton. We only went through two small towns, as above, before we reached Undara. Amazing all those hours driving no other life in between the two towns just long spread out landscapes. But today we got a lot of variety. The landscapes are changing.
Another beautiful day, driving straight into the sun, and you can see already the difference in the landscape.
These narrow bridges with no sides are a bit of a challenge and you can't make a mistake or loose your concentration.
As we were crossing the above this was looking down the river. Not a lot of water but at least it has some as most of the river beds have dried up.
More landscape changes, now just before Georgetown.
Now in Georgetown which once was rich in gold. Some still look for gold in this area. Georgetown used to be a big town when all the early gold miners. As you drive through town you feel it is small, but as in all the towns in the outback, they have great big wide streets and you don't realise how big the town is until you drive round all the back streets. They too are all wide. As the population dropped less shops etc were needed so there are big spare spaces around town making everything spread out. But you can certainly imagine how big the town would have been. Another tidy clean small town.
Shire House in Georgetown.
Just as we left Georgetown we crossed over another very narrow one way concrete bridge with no sides. This is the Gilbert river which runs through on the eastern side of Georgetown. But this one had no water at all like most little rivers that we crossed. Everything is very dry.
Just as we left Georgetown we crossed over another very narrow one way concrete bridge with no sides. This is the Gilbert river which runs through on the eastern side of Georgetown. But this one had no water at all like most little rivers that we crossed. Everything is very dry.
Continuing on our way the scenery is changing all the time. The land is getting hillier. The roads were changing from really good surface roads to these single lane seal which was been alternating frequently between single lane and two lanes.
Nice road again and massive rocky land.
These two rocks were labelled "Turtle Rocks"
We had a morning tea stop in this lay-by beside this waterhole.
Photo taken to demonstrate the single lane of seal. You travel on the central single lane until another vehicle is in sight then at the appropriate time you move over so that your two right hand wheels are on the seal. It all seemed to work quite well.
Photo taken to demonstrate the single lane of seal. You travel on the central single lane until another vehicle is in sight then at the appropriate time you move over so that your two right hand wheels are on the seal. It all seemed to work quite well.
I love the brilliant colour of the red soil.
Been trying to get a photo of these guys throughout our trip. Today they posed beautifully for me. You can see why it would be dangerous driving at night with cattle roaming free. Wouldn't want to hit one of those chaps.
More contrasting colours
This one is even a brighter red.
We have now arrived at the Undara Experience for the night. This is the open air dining area. We will go for our tour of the Lava Tubes tomorrow at 8.00am before we leave.
The two refurbished railway carriages that they use for the more formal dining.
On our 60 minute trek to Atkinson Lookout.
At the lookout. More massive rocks.
Finally at the top lookout. Some bright spark has built a bonfire around the lookout sign post! Not PT !!
The view. Not bad but we are just at 2000ft.
On our walk back.
Back at base. Site no. 735.
It certainly is a unique camping ground really getting in with nature. The above is just as the sun is starting to go down. It really brings out the red in the soil. Lots of birds singing and a few little Wallabies running around.
Suns really gone down now .
This place caters for glamping, caravan sites, tent sites accommodation in old railway carriages as well as organising all the Lava Tube tours. It is set back 14 kms from the main road amongst the trees. All dirt ground so you can imagine what it would be like in the rain that's why they are closed over the wet season. They supply all catering needs for those who are not self sufficient. They call it a resort. We were going to have two nights but decided one was enough if we did the 8.00am tour then we can be on our way by 10.30am. Don't think We would enjoy sitting amongst the trees for two days. They also have all sorts of walks layed out for everyone to explore the area. All at different walking levels. Off to Atherton Tablelands tomorrow.
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