Brisbane, QLD


Monday, July 22, 2013

HAPPY CAMPERS

From Weipa we travelled east, back to the main road north. We took a short cut through Batavia Station, a huge property which has been given back to the traditional owners but they gave us permission to travel on a rough road through the property.
We travelled most of the day through Savannah type country and we arrived in the afternoon at Moreton Telegraph Station our next overnight stay. We were  following the route of the old telegraph wires again from Cairns to Thursday Is. Camps and later buildings (telegraph station) were made along the track as depots for materials to build the original tracks for the poles and wires.

"Moreton Telegraph Station was completed in 1887. All the stations were built like forts to protect staff and equipment from "wild blacks". Buildings were constructed of heavy gauge galvanised iron and on two diagonally opposite corners a protruding 'turret' was built with gun ports allowing each an uninterrupted view along two side as well as forward. All windows were fitted with iron shutters which could be bolted from within." Mr Google.

110 years later the stations were no longer used as telegraph stations and some of them have become tourist destinations with camp sites and cabins. 

 This is another open air dining room. We were to sleep in the permanent tents.........

but we were upgraded to cabins with en suites. Hooray. The happy campers are: TOH*, me, George and Ann. Check out TOH's shirt..it says "DON'T DRINK AND BLOG"

 The cabins were very comfortable considering we were in the middle of the isolated Cape York Peninsula.

 Before dinner, Chris, our driver/guide took us for a walk to the river called the Barra Hole as it was where there are many Barramundi Fish. (A favourite Aussie fish).

 We saw native figs growing called 'bush tucker' 

 We climbed over rocks and down a steep bank to the river (watching out for crocs on the way). This river rises 16 m in the wet season. We saw flood debris hanging in branches way up high in the tall trees.

On the way back to camp we passed through fields of tall grasses. This one is dangerous for sheep. Its common name is Corkscrew Grass.  It has unusual barbs or seed spears. When they get wet they start to twist and turn like a corkscrew and drill down into the soil to grow again.

Can you see the spears? Sheep cannot be raised here because these corkscrew seeds get caught in their wool and when it rains the seed screws down into the sheep's skin and body, causing severe pain and infection and death.


We passed a pretty billabong (water hole)

Then I spied a beautiful tree covered in red flowers. There was a Blue Faced Honey Eater having its dinner and we were soon eating ours too.
*(TOH = The Other Half)

26 comments:

  1. love the tall grasses and the billabong... so do those tents have beds inside? i like the cabin much better, i assume they have beds? i do not do sleeping bags or tents.

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  2. oh, those weeds sound dreadful! glad you got upgraded to the cabins. and i like that t-shirt! :)

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  3. Love the blue-faced honey eater! And, I love your blog!

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  4. Looks great up there.
    Don't know about those tents, I wouldn't like to sleep in one up there, be rather hot I think.
    Glad you got to sleep in a hut.

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  5. You've really captured this trip so wonderfully Diane, both in images and words, its such a pleasure to come along with you.

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  6. I can understand why you were happy campers, considering the upgrade and the beautiful surroundings. The Corkscrew Grass is fascinating -- I don't think I've heard of anything quite like it. I really like your photo of the billabong.

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  7. Those grass weeds sound awful. You are really seeing some amazing sights. What an adventure.

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  8. Great bird shot on the last picture.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  9. Wow what great photos the bird one is so lovely, the corkscrew grass sounds terrible and you all look so happy

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  10. Cool place for camping. I like the upgrade! The corkscrew grass sounds awful. Poor critters. I love the blue faced honey eater, gorgeous bird. Great shots, Diane!

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  11. OH how I love TOH's shirt.... That is so neat!!! Looks like a nice place --and we are glad you all got upgraded... Was the food really good on that trip???

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. The further north you go, the more envious I become of your great adventure. I've heard of that spear grass but never heard it described so well. Love the pretty billabong!

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  13. A real adventure before ....
    What a wonderful trip!

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  14. I love the word "billabong". It always reminds me of our trip through Australia.

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  15. A great adventure Diane .... I would love to taste one of those bush figs.

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  16. Fascinating place Diane, more great photos which I always love. Thanks for taking us along on this wonderful trip of yours. Loved the photos below this post too. You look every inch an archer and very adept on the hockey field :)

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  17. Awesome story! everyone picture looking simply batter.

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  18. Well done for being upgraded, I would have been happier in a cabin!.. I used to love camping but the joy seems to have worn off as I have got older, I like my comfort too much!

    Lovely photos and it looks like you were having a great time. Keep well Diane

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  19. Amazing country ... I'd drink to the upgrade (but I wouldn't blog).

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  20. Such gorgeous colors on the bird, and I love the reflections of the trees on the billabong. And now I have "Waltzing Matilda" stuck in my head!

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  21. It's such a unique and fascinating environment. The bird is wonderful.

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  22. The honey eater is beautiful! What an adventure! Bush tucker and tents. But I bet you were a lot more comfortable in the cabins.

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  23. great - again, these trips often have tents for sleeping and I think 'crocodiles' 'snakes' while you're sleeping close to the ground. I'm not sure I'd sleep very well

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  24. What a fantastic trip you have. I especially like the billebong

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  25. What a fantastic trip you have. I especially like the billebong

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  26. The corkscrew grass has also been known to twist its evil way through my socks ... love the final touch of RED!

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