SATURDAY 1 JUNE HUNTERS GORGE
Today was the first day of winter! The temperature monitor registered 4 degrees overnight, inside the van. Today was fine, with a lovely clear blue sky.
Both other sets of campers left, so we were on our own again. I guess most of the few travellers who venture this way, did not stay as long as us. But we really wanted to explore as much as we could, but without rushing around.
I made bread, using the bread maker and bread mix from a packet. Pottered about camp while that was doing its thing.
After lunch, we went walking, up the waterhole to the gorge and past where it narrowed. The waterhole petered out into lignum and high grass, with some dry or swampy channels.
The top of the water hole ended in a swampy channel
We climbed up a bluff, then, onto the hill tops. There were great views to be had from up there – to the Ranger base in the south, across to other hills in the east, and over the Diamantina channels. The two gorges of the Diamantina Gates were very obvious from above, as was the flatness of the plains to the west and southwest.
The “gate” effect is clear, here
Looking south from the scarp, along a main Diamantina River channel
There was an excellent view over our camp.
Could just see the van, parked beside the waterhole
We walked around on the hill crests, to a narrow valley around from the campground, then picked our way down this.
It was a pleasant walk, apart from the hordes of flies hitching a ride.
John’s passengers!
Back at camp, we fired up the HF radio, and did a sched in with the VKS737 base.
A couple arrived late in the afternoon, and camped further along from us.
A wind came up and it grew increasingly cold again.
Tea was fish cakes, with brussells sprouts – the latter much to John’s disgust!
It was too chilly to sit outside this night, due to the wind, so we read inside until bedtime.
We could hear dingoes howling in the distance – always a wonderful sound.
We decided to stay another day.
This Adventurous Age 