We’ve left the coast, heading first from Cooktown to Laura on a route used by the miners to get across to the goldfields. Battlecamp Road. Early on many near-town properties. Interspersed by what the dairy farmer father of a school friend would have described as ‘scrub’. Not scenic. Then across the coastal ranges but not as steep as yesterday. It eventually turned to cattle country – a bit more open but still well-treed. Following the Normanby River. Crossed it once, and later in the day (further north) met it again but didn’t have to cross the scary-looking ford there.
There used to be a number of cattle properties through here. Many of the properties have been taken over by the Lakefield (Rinyirru) National Park. We visited Old Laura which has been refurbished a bit for the tourist trade. The upstairs was bedrooms. Downstairs was mainly open, with a detached kitchen out the back.
Here we have the well and tank stand, and some outbuildings.
Then on to a guided walk with a local aboriginal elder to some rock art south of Laura. Sidle along and up on a sandstone ridge to a large overhang. Quinkan country. Glad I had the walking stick – the track up was a bit rough with uneven rock ‘steps’ in places.
I can’t remember all the stories. The area is called Split Rock.
So then we headed north. Through the Lakefield NP. Mainly Savannah-type vegetation . Occasional fields of magnetic termite mounds – the narrow end points N-S so it misses the hottest sun in the day. Fascinating.
It was a long drive. Not much need for driver commentary. Bulldogs playing Adelaide so I listened to the footy using the bus wifi. Pity about the result. So eventually we arrived at the Lotus Bird Lodge – owned by Outback Spirit – a little oasis surrounded by a cattle property. We’ve got 2 nights here. Today (next day after the report above) we’ve had a helicopter trip and a local walk then tomorrow (Monday) we head north again so not sure when I’ll get time to write about today and the next.
travellingkathy 