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Post Info TOPIC: UPDATE JUNE 3, 2013
Dougwe


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UPDATE JUNE 3, 2013
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Ok then I thought I'd just give you a bit of an update this week and a few pics.

 
The week has gone really quickly and looking back on it not much has really been done but then why should I rush these things afterall what is the rush now anyway? 
 
I have helped my daughter out a couple of times and done the 'school run' and got a tour of the after school care building by the head of tours, my 5 year old grand daughter, which is a part of my grand daughters school, big school too.
 
I decided to take myself to Cardwell on Friday 31st, about 2 hour drive north of Townsville. On my arrival  I didn't notice any evidence of Cyclone Yasi with any houses, they have all obviously been sorted out thank goodness for the occupants but the main road through town is the Bruce highway and is in a state of major repair and has been since being destroyed just over two years ago now. It's not good either as the Bruce goes along side the beach through this small town and the small shopping strip is on the other side so the little shops and small businesses are suffering badly form lack of passing trade, you see, there is none or very little parking available so suffer they do until the road is finished and it looks like a few months work still to be done.
 
Now I warn you all who are considering heading that way there is major road works and many delays from Townsville to Cardwell, I am not sure from North of Cardwell, sorry. Just allow extra time for travel as you will need too. One thing for sure though when it is all finished the Bruce will be one nice highway but the cost of fuel to travel on it up this way is quite expensive and I tell you that for free.
 
On my way back to Townsville I checked out a few 'free' or 'alternating' camp spots for any of you that might not have the bible or the one with pics and I don't mind saying there are a few too. Due to me doing the 'school run' later in the day I didn't get to all of them, I just ran out of time but will check them out and let you know next time, I have also included some pics below for you if you are interested, if not, booooooring, sorry.
 
Now the first place I called into was Mungala Station, south of Ingham,Q'land camp 29, bible7. I know the pic says Cardwell, sorry. This was literally on the side of a back road and was actually used for mainly seasonal workers looking at it's location, I was unable to get any info as no one answered the phone number and no one around. Oh well.
 
The next place I called into was Frances Creek Free camp also south of Ingham, Q,land, camp 30, bible 7. This was a wayside stop and is also used for the driver reviver stop at times so could get a bit busy, also very noisy all the time. Not a bad spot really, toots and tables under cover, 20 hour limit though, so just a one night stand really.
 
Now, the best was last for the day and I would have liked to have had the Avan on the back of the tug and stayed as this next one is really nice. Jourama Falls Camp Area, again south of Ingham, Q'land camp 31, bible 7. After 4km of reasonable dirt road and  one shallow river crossing (concrete undrer) and passable at the time by small car, you arrive in this just truly amazing bush setting, drop toots, grassy sites in the open but if you drive about 200mts and one more shallow river crossing with concrete under foot, well car really, further in you get another section of open or protected areas, take your pic at quiet times.
 
There is a small fee per person per night but hey, really worth every cent. One thing though, you have to go in prepared to stay a while if it rains heavy  as those shallow river crossings, well they become rather deep raging rapids and you would end up white water rafting I reckon and there are signs to warn you of this too. So be warned. 
 
Well, unfortunately and thank goodness I hear someone say in the back stalls thats it for this update as I just ran out of days so until next time,
 
Keep safe
 
DOUG 
 
 
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bill12


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Jourama fall camp ground is one of my favourites, and a place well recommended. The creek is full of the rare jungle perch, which are hard to catchas they are fogged a bit bythe locals.Swimming at the falls itself is great if there's some water coming over it. Been a small wet season up here, NQ. Will be back again. Bill

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GaryKelly


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Funny how those parks charge fees that are not rounded to the nearest dollar. Nice looking parks though, and a great way to spend a few days. As to fishing, how far away is the nearest fish 'n' chip shop?

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Happywanderer


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Great report and photos Doug

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jules47


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Thanks Doug - good report - you could become our roaming reporter i reckon!!

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hako


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Great reports Doug - we're heading to Townsville in 3 weeks so might see you there....grandkids as well - got 7 of them in Townsville.
Regards
Denis

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sarg


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Great Report Doug, I agree with Jules, you are our Roving Reporter. I will put Jourama Falls on my Bucket List mmmm It's getting to be a long list.

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aussietraveller


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Friends of ours have just returned from QLD and their interest in travelling the Bruce Hwy ceased just south of Bundaberg, they were told by people travelling south that the number of areas where roadworks were happening and the quality of the road made it not worth going any further north.



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Beth54


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Yes, good reporting Dougwe. Frances Creek looks familiar, I might have stopped there on my way south in 2011. Just for a break though, not to overnight.

 



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D and D


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Thanks for the report Doug, nice to get an eyes on appraisal of these sites and Jourama Falls looks like a must see on our itinerary.

Mr D

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2foot6


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Stay up there Dougwe,it's cold wet and windy down here,cheers Peter.



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neilnruth


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Now we knew there was a reason for you to travel to Townsville.... you can be our roving reporter. We'll just add notes to the book as reported by you. Thanks Doug.

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NeilnRuth
Willow


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Nice reporting Doug. I haven't found Mungalla yet but Jourama Falls is a favourite.
This is one of those crazy NP camping setups. You can only camp beyond the second causeway the first huge area is day use only so is often deserted. If you look at the sign in your photo the blue area is e-camp only while the white is self registration only. Therefore if you want to camp near the barbeque don't book on line. If you want camp near the river or under the perimeter trees don't use the self rego.
The toilets are no longer long drop but clean raised mulching type.
Hmmmm fishing in a National Park, never tried that. (much)


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gypsy rover


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Hi Doug

Nice pics, will have to check those spots out when I get back.  I am currently in Perth, hoping to be back in Townsville in about a month.  Hope we can catch up then if you are still there.

Cheers!

Chris



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Dougwe


Chief one feather

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Good to see you Chris, it's been a while. I should still be here on your return so would be good to catch up again. I will make contact with a few around here soon for a catch up as well.

I hope your trip is going well and you are well and keeping safe, I don't see much from you on the forum unless I am missing them.

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