So here we start with the CATCH UP - so long ago but worth recording for those who have never been to this beautiful Gorge and surrounding area. There are more photos on the Cobbold Gorge Page in the side bar for those interested.
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Monday -- Thursday, 11th - 14th April, 2016
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| Welcome! |
Our time at Cobbold Gorge was all too quickly over as each day was filled with different adventures.
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| Ada safely camped |
On arrival at the Resort we were greeted by very friendly staff providing us with all the relevant information about camping, tours and bushwalks. After a little difficulty in finding the right track down to the campground (the driver didn't want to listen to the navigator, that sort of thing!), we were delighted to find ourselves camped right next to a bower bird's nest. The beautiful male bird provided us with hours of delight as we watched him 'strut his stuff'.
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| Poolside bar |
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| Cooling off after a dusty drive |
All settled in, our first 'expedition' was to the bar and the infinity pool - what a delight that was in the very hot afternoon - both cold beer and cool pool.
At the end of the first day we were totally relaxed and refreshed ready for our tour in the next morning.
Tuesday, 12th April -- Gorge tour
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| Savannah Guide, Stephen |
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| Gorge Transport "Ugly" |
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| River crossing - a rare sight! |
At 10am we boarded a people mover nicknamed "Ugly" - and 'ugly' she was - an old troopie Land Rover that had been converted for the purpose of transporting guests from the "village" to the landing jetty for our guided walk and boat tour. We were transported over some very rugged tracks, across the Robertson River (which actually had water flowing) and on into an extremely large information shed. Here our Savannah Guide, Stephen, explained how the Cobbold Gorge Reserve was created and we learned about the local vegetation that we could expect to see on our guided walk.
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| John Corbett's grave |
Stephen advised that the guided walk was a little steep and rocky in some places as we would be walking to a viewing spot above the Gorge. Along the way we were introduced to some of the "fruits of the forest" used by the local indigenous people of the region; we learned about the special functions of the large termite mounds that covered much of the land in the area; and we visited the grave of John Corbett,
We returned along the same track to the jetty to board a small water vessel for our tour up the Gorge.
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| Narrow waterways |
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| Colours of the Gorge |
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| St Andrews Cross spider |
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| Fascinating colour formations |
This Gorge was only discovered in 1992 and can only be navigated with a tour guide. So narrow in some places we could actually touch the cliffs on both sides as we glided quietly through cliffs that towered some 30 metres above us. The colours and patterns formed by flood waters and rain are truly amazing. No photos can give a true image of the outstanding beauty of this gorge. It is just breathtaking, and the silence is eerie.
Our guide pointed out special features of the cliffs, including unusual spider webs only found in the gorge, and he provided a wonderful background history of the formation and discovery of the gorge.
We spotted some freshwater crocs and learned more about the unusual St Andrews Cross spiders and their fascinating webs.
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| Weathered rock formations |
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| Cruising the Gorge |
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| Colours, colours and more |
It was a wonderful experience and left all guests on the tour a little more than awestruck.
Back at the 'village' we spent the rest of the afternoon soaking and relaxing around the infinity pool bar, chatting with some of the other guests - Morna, Ian, Gwen and Tom - and staff member, Glenda.
Wednesday, 13th April - Chilled out
It was a BIG day exploring yesterday so today we spent the day chilling out around camp, with a lovely short walk around the dam in the late afternoon capturing some of the birdlife on camera.
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| Great Bowerbird |
The Great Bowerbird building a bower near our camp spot continued to entertain us as he tried to stop the Apostle birds stealing his bower "ornaments".
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| Red-backed fairy wren |
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| Sacred Kingfisher |
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| Pale headed rosella at pool |
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| Rainbow bee-eater |
At first impression there didn't seem to be much birdlife in this area but after we started exploring we discovered a surprising variety. The 'village' staff had given us a list of the birds in the area and we were soon able to tick off quite a number.
Aside from our entertainers, the Great Bowerbird and Apostle birds, we spotted the Sacred Kingfisher, red-backed fairy wrens, rainbow bee-eaters, pale-headed rosellas, rainbow lorikeets, red-winged parrots, black bitterns, bush stone curlews, blue-faced honeyeaters, black kites, whistling kites, boobook owl, and galahs.
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| Yellow honeyeater |
The OWO was also clever enough to spot (and photograph) the yellow honeyeater, which was NOT on the bird list compiled by the 'village'. That was quite a variety of birds over two days - just imagine how many more we would find if we were here for a longer period! (Photos in the Cobbold Gorge Page in the side bar).
Thursday, 14th April - Early start and goodbye to the Gorge
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| R44 at 7am |
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| A vast property on the Robertson river |
Thursday morning was full of exciting anticipation for me as at 7am we boarded an R44 helicopter for a 15 minute flight over the Gorge and the Robin Hood cattle station. It was awesome! We were blown away with the magnificent formations and the ruggedness of the country and the vastness of this cattle property. It's no wonder the Gorge was not discovered until 1992!
Thank you Cobbold Gorge - this has been a wonderful experience and adventure!
Our next stop will be Croydon on the Savannah Way - what other gems will be find on our NQ Adventure?
Funny how we Retirees tend to Ramble along the way and often find little "gems" to add to our adventures. This little gem was a "free" camp alongside the Gilbert River. We set up about 2.30pm in 39 degree heat and half an hour later another off-road van pulled in. OWO, as per normal, went to chat with the fellow traveller, Dave, and an hour later we were all enjoying a lovely cool soaking in the Gilbert River. Another unusual experience as this river is usually DRY at this time of the year!
