2macstracks

At 8:00 we were booked in for a tour of the Hot Springs and Fergus was going to stay at Reception, we weren’t sure how it would work out because the only place he’s ever been left before was at Groomers and I don’t think he looked on that as a nice little break.

I’ve been put off tours for years because of guides who used the opportunity to overwhelm their captive audience with idiotic theories or pushed a political agenda. I’m very pleased to say that today’s experience was very, very positive. Our guide was knowledgeable and retold historical events accurately but without making us feel responsible for what happened. We were welcomed to Country and taken along the boardwalk which was installed to protect the precious environment.

The hot pools are fed by a Spring and we could see water bubbling up and steam rising.

The rocks are limestone and the colours created by bacteria. In the past Eucalypts were growing nearby and when leaves fell into the water the oil created a healing mixture. The pools were known to the indigenous people as healing waters.

Some of the pools were birthing pools, not all pools have the same water temperature.

In some pools we could see little creatures calcified.

Scientists are very interested in bones of a baby giant Wombat and are coming back with more sophisticated equipment to scan for more remains. The camera they used the last time distorted with the heat when it went deep into one of the holes. Any decisions about what will happen with anything found will involve the local people.

We were given the chance to “test the waters” firstly merely putting our feet into the water then in a pool constructed by a previous owner, it will be returned to a more natural form in future.

After that great experience we collected Fergus, who’d had a lovely time meeting and greeting everyone who went into Reception, picked up our car and Camper then drove to Georgetown. The bridge leading into town is the type that gives the Prado Pilot the heebie jeebies with deep, deep drops and very low “barriers” and no guard rails. We didn’t stop there.

A sign to “Cumberland Chimney” piqued our interest so we drove into the place, it was the site of a gold mine. As seems to be the case so often, the original group of owners were the only ones to make money, those who invested in the mine which had shown a good profit over the last year, lost their money when the gold ran out. Now the place is a free campsite popular with bird watchers.

By 1:00 we were at Croydon Caravan Park and had a good shady site which was important because it was hot! There isn’t really much to see here, it’s a case of “used to be” but the Pub is still doing a good trade. We had a drink there and went back for dinner because our supplies were very low and the shop not well stocked. A cucumber was $6 and glassy, tasteless looking tomatoes about the same, the Pub sounded a better option and it was.

Tomorrow we’re booked in at Karumba, a place we’re familiar with and like.

It was only 50 kms from Mt Surprise to Talaroo, 38 of those on bitumen. We crossed a few creeks, one was McMillan’s and another was Bing’s, that seemed a strange name but there was information on Bing at Talaroo.

Talaroo is one of the best presented camping places we’ve been to, the facilities are pristine and the grounds well cared for. It is owned and operated by the Ewamian People who have every right to be proud of their enterprise. Because we arrived before all departures had left we sat in the Cafe area and had morning tea. The swimming pool is beside the cafe but we weren’t ready to take a dip, the Hot Springs are more appealing and we will go there as part of a tour tomorrow morning before we leave.

Near the cafe are excellent information boards with photos and we spent some time browsing through them. The Ewamian Rangers have done a brilliant job in developing the business and the future looks positive for the young people growing up here.

Early arrivals seem to get sites nearest the Amenities Block and Camp Kitchen so we’re conveniently situated. There are some eco tents which share the amenities.

The Creek Walk sounded inviting so after we were set up that’s where we went. It’s a nice safe creek for swimming, Fergus took advantage of the lovely clear, clean water…..

Other people swam there but we just took in the scenery.

I could hear little birds but couldn’t spot them in the foliage, I did manage to get some shots though. Back at camp in the late afternoon Galahs came in from all directions and congregated to feed, I’m sure there were at least a thousand. Across the park there were a few anti-social ones who resisted the calls to join in.

Tomorrow we’re aiming to stay in Croydon, it’s only about 250 kms. We’re not going south anymore. 🙂

At last, we have some more nice sunny weather even verging on hot! That simply means we have to go and sit on the Pub verandah with a nice cool drink and watch the passing parade. Fergus adopted a farmer from Georgetown, even lay at his feet but the farmer had a very big dog at home so no adoption took place.

The Caravan Park was quite busy last night and we were a bit intrigued by one lot of neighbours. Both of us were reminded of “The Farmer Gets a Wife”, a TV show we’ve never watched but seen enough ads to know how it plays out. Despite traveling in a caravan together the couple seemed to be unfamiliar with each other and this morning “the wife” was using a GoPro to record a running commentary of everything around her including, it seemed, the pores on her husband’s nose. Not sure what dialogue went with that image. She also used the GoPro inside a Bower Bird’s nest despite its protests.

The Bower Bird has collected a wonderful array of shiny things but the female seems unimpressed by coloured items, these have been tossed aside. There are a lot of different birds about.

We went for a short walk to a creek marked on our campground map. Most of the track was over volcanic rocks. It’s not possible to really relax though, out walking, because a fellow camper told me poison baits had been laid just beyond the campground. Birds have picked up baits and dropped them, at least one local has lost a dog to bait. I have to watch Fergus very, very closely. It was fine down on the sand by the creek though.

The creek environment was an unexpected surprise.

Our walk made us hot so that’s why we had to go to the Pub. There is a cafe set up at a Caravan Park next to the Pub but Alex grew tired of waiting this morning when he tried to get a coffee. The selection of milks etc makes for some complicated orders.

Back from the Pub and I’ve been playing with a complicated camera I haven’t used for years. It’s a challenge but I’ll keep playing for a while.

Mt Surprise is a place for going on tours but we’re not doing that, we went through a guided tour of the Undarra Lava Tubes years ago and don’t feel like doing it again. Fergus is a complication but we don’t feel we’re missing out. There are cabins here which are used by people doing one of the train tour packages, it’s a 7 day tour and they stay in Mt Surprise overnight. The little Station here is well maintained and there are good information boards on display.

On a walk around Mt Surprise we came across a plant that looked just like a Scotch Thistle but it had a completely different flower. I also had the chance to get a photo of a beautiful flowering tree, the bees seem to like it too. I’m not sure what fruit is on the last plant but it looks like Mangoes.

Tomorrow we plan to stay at Talaroo which is another attraction for people taking one of the train tour packages.