Dinosaur Trekking

 We have almost completed our first week at Nairana - and enjoying peace, quiet, sunshine, and a visit from the OGO's brother, Alan. We have had two full days trekking around the park and have successfully set the pig traps over last weekend.  Caught some huge redclaw in the creek on Monday and have seen some wonderful birdlife, despite the dams being at a very low level.  Espied a dingo early this evening - beautiful creature.

Below is another excerpt from my travel journal.  Hope you are all enjoying our travels.

JOURNAL EXCERPT

Lily Lagoon near Longreach

SATURDAY, 20^th April:  Today we trekked overland from Longreach to Muttaburra stopping at Lily Lagoon outside Longreach.  The species of lily in this lagoon (Nymphea) is unique to the Longreach region.  About 27kms NW of Longreach it would be a beautiful camp spot.

Nymphea Lily

The road to Muttaburra from the Lagoon is all dirt but it was a very interesting drive with loads of wildlife along the way including brolgas, bustards, emus, raptors, red roos, horses, and wild goats as well as sheep and a variety of cattle. The road criss-crosses through the channel country of the Thomson River.

Captain Starlight?

Rocky and steep - take a closer look

About 58kms along this road is the turnoff to another regional spot of interest – Captain Starlight’s Lookout. The legendary character, Harry Readford, was a daring cattle duffer and legend has it that he posted a lookout on this hill while the cattle were being gathered.  It was easy to see why it made a great lookout - from the top there is a 360 degree view across the country that is flat and expansive.  Although a smallish knoll, it is quite steep and rocky.  Enjoyed morning cuppa here.

Broadwater campsite at sunset

Muttaburra:  Arrived at 2.15pm – local store (servo) closed – dropped into local pub for coldie (XXXX and ginger beer). Publican is a big Maori and was prepared to cook us anything on his menu for lunch as long as we were prepared to wait half an hour while he cranked up his kitchen! 

 

Sunset at Broadwater

Amazing little town with loads of history but not very well promoted.  Population about 150 but the town is almost like a ghost town.

Sunrise on the Thomson

In 1963 a fossilised dinosaur skeleton was discovered here (the first of its kind). In the local museum (the original hospital in the early 1900s) there is a replica of a 2.4 metre high dinosaur leg donated by the Queensland Museum and in the local park is a model of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni.

This is where the Thomson and Landsborough rivers meet and it is also the very centre of Queensland.

As it was late in the afternoon we decided to camp at the local ‘free camp’ area on the river located about 9kms from the town – and we are the only campers here.

Setting up camp was interesting – both travellers tired, very hot, and very dusty – but we were settled before sunset and sat back to relax with a glass of wine to watch the stairs come out. Later we went for a moonlight walk together.  The sounds of the night were wonderful.

SUNDAY, 21^st April: It is so peaceful here by the river and we have stayed for a second night – a slight balance problem encouraged us to stay put and chill out around camp for the day.  After waking to a beautiful sunrise we spent relaxing, fishing, and photographing the wildlife.  What better things should one do on an outback camping trek! Another wonderful sunset.

GOOD THINGS HERE:  peaceful; quiet; birds; great tent, shower and porta-loo; and the Kiwi at the local

NOT SUCH GOOD THINGS:  no fish or redclaw; dust; extreme heat; and FLIES!

MOST MEMORABLE:   sunset; sunrise; and a wonderful moonlight walk