2nd July Karumba to Cobbold Gorge

We left Karumba , after a very enjoyable stay, filled the air in the tyres back to road pressure and headed back into Normanton to resume the Savannah way.

Our little home at Savannah Shores. Original '60s holiday accommodation.
https://m.facebook.com/savannahshoreskarumba/

Back through Normanton and just noting the name of the motel we stayed in on the way through as it was a good stay.

Gulf land motel Normanton

Still loads of brolgas and peewees and the odd galah on the way out.

From Karumba, through Normanton and Croydon and Georgetown, turn right towards Cobbold Gorge

We had to take care of the C2K (Cairns to Karumba) charity cycle ride  along the way as there were some large groups of cyclists on the road .

We spotted a couple of kangaroos crossing the road as we turned back onto the Savannah Way. Looked like reds!

2 more little kangaroos by the road, not red.

Wedge tailed eagle on road kill on the road. Beautiful, the wedgie not the kill!

Morning cuppa stop at Belmore creek by an old boiler- historic site. Warning on the fence not to camp due to contaminated mine site!

Old boiler :)

Croydon township was an interesting mix of new and junk! Quirky.

Welcome to Croydon!

Classic country pub, Croydon

Lots of eclectic private collections in Croydon

Car GPS keeping us on track (sometimes)

We spotted a sign to Lake Belmore which seemed timely for a stop, but it took a bit of finding ! But beautiful once we got there . Perfect spot for coffee or lunch. No camping as its a water supply . A bit surprised to see so much fishing and recreation.

Lake Belmore, a beautiful but short stop.

What else did we see? :

• 2 black cockies up on top of a tree.
• Another wedgie in the road, a very dark bird
• Fields of tiny termite mounds and whole saplings encased in termites.
• Lots of dead wallabies on the road , horses and cattle in the scrub.
• Amazing cloudscape.

Cumberland chimney, who knew?

Cumberland chimney was an unexpected and quite special stopping spot. We stopped for lunch after seeing the road sign. Just gorgeous. A beautiful lake full of water lilies and birds, surrounded by quietly grazing cattle. It would be a great spot for camping , quite a number of 'vans here already.

An unexpected and beautiful dam at our lunch stop

Useful field guides for the birds on the dam

We fueled up at Georgetown , midway -to the coast from the gulf I guess.

Rooms available here but the main plan is to camp tonight.

Forsayth tonight, then onto Cobbold Gorge

Drove down towards Cobbold gorge but kept going on the ring road rather than turn off. Went through the next little town of Forsayth, and found a perfect camp spot up on a hill amongst the termite mounds. 

Tent pitched and enjoying a cuppa

Pre dinner drinkies

We watched a fabulous sunset and cooked steak and veges over the fire.  Calculating that we are about midway between the gulf and the east coast.

There are lots of strange boulders balanced on other boulders, often some painted. Natural or constructed? Huge weights that would be difficult to move.