Trip 34 - Buggery Bend

WORDS BY: Fina
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Don


Buggery Bend on the Walsh River is halfway between Innot Hot Springs and Mount Garnet. It is on private property but locals assure us that as long as we leave the place the same or better than we found it, we can camp there. We found a beautiful spot on the river camped on the pebbly sand. It is very peaceful with only us here except for the mooing of cows, the chirping of birds, the buzzing in your ears of ten million flies and of course, Don still watching his DVD movies over and over again.

With some soft pebbly sand to go through to camp, we again got bogged. I just think we weigh too much. So out with the winch again and another conveniently placed tree and we had the camper up before you knew it. Just might have to winch back out of here.

The yabby pot came out but no such luck. The fishing lines came out but no such luck. So we just enjoyed the peace and tranquility of camping alone in the bush.

We spent 4 nights here and even had KFC chicken (home made of course) and MacDonald's hash browns, again home made. See, who needs the big takeaway places when you can make exactly the same in the bush. If you want the recipe for KFC chicken or hash browns, just email me.

Until next time, take care.

Trip 33 - Innot Hot Springs

WORDS BY: Fina

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Don

After leaving Dimbulah on Friday 24 April 2009, we headed towards Petford and Lappa Junction to hopefully meet Tim (affectionately known as Yappa from Lappa, because of his voluminous speec habits) and travel the rail trail from Lappa to Mount Garnet. Lappa Junction pub is still a pub but unfortunately sells no beer. It was built in 1906, the former Espanol Hotel, has no licence to sell beer anymore. The hotel is now a museum and don't forget to BYO beer if you want to visit and talk to Yappa.

For a donation, drop-in to see the old railway maps, old tools, jars of snakes and insects, beer paraphernalia, and you might even get a few free beers from the publican, Tim (affectionately known as Yappa from Lappa, because of his voluminous speech habits).

Unfortunately, the day we visited Yappa was no where to be seen. We did however find his friendly blue heeler dog and the track to Mount Garnet along the railyway line.

This trail goes through magnificent ranges with sweeping views of the isolated countryside. Ancient frangipani and mango tress mark the site of old stations and homesteads. Heritage items include narrow rock cuttings and old stone bridges. The trail passes through remote areas. There are no services along the trail. Carry plenty of water, food and fuel. The line was privately built in 1902, taken over by the Queensland Railways in 1914 and closed in 1960.

The 52kms of dirt, sandy and rocky track took us approximately 5 hours but we did not rush and enjoyed the green lush scenery after the wet season. With the wet season definitely over, only small amounts of water were left in the river crossings however one larger one still had water up to a foot deep. The soft pebbly sandy bottom got the truck and trailer bogged, but with a tree placed conveniently right in front of us, a quick winch got the truck and trailer out of the creek in to no time at all. We went in 2nd gear low but with our weight we should have used 1st gear low. Oh well, the winch was bought for a reason and it paid off this time!

As we passed through Mount Garnet on the other end of the trail, we bought hot chips for Don while I pumped up all the tyres. We were going to stay here until my gig on Friday but decided to visit Innot Hot Springs just down the road for a few days.

Innot Hot Springs, just west of the Atherton Tablelands is famous for its unique natural thermal mineral springs. Up until the 1900's, the mineral water was bottled in the old Innot Bottle and sent to Europe for use in medicinal purposes. Mules also hauled the water over the Cardwell range to Townsville for bottling at the Innot cordial factory. The water of the thermal mineral spring has proven its healing qualities for over a century. The spring has been developed so that persons who wish to use the waters may benefit.

We stayed at the local caravan park with 5 mineral pools from cold to hot (3 indoor), spa pool, tennis court and laundromat. We camped right beside Nettle Creek, where the mist from the hot water springs up in the morning.

Of course we visited the local pub where locals told us of numerous free camping sites. All free camping sites are located on the Herbert River either south of Innot Hot Springs.

So on Sunday 26 April 2009, we broke Don's first rule, and moved on a Sunday to one of the free camping spots.

Until then, take care.

Trip 32 - Dimbulah

WORDS BY: Fina

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Don

After leaving Maryfarms on Thursday 23 April 2009, we heading toward Mount Garnet for a gig on Friday 1 May 2009. On the way, we stopped in Dimbulah. With a population of almost 1,500 Dimbulah is a friendly, close community of farmers, council works and fruit pickers. 47 kilometres west of Mareeba, Dimbulah is an aboriginal word meaning "Long Waterhole" and is possibly attributed to the fact there is a river nearby called the Walsh River.

Dimbulah is a small agricultural town in a former tobacco-growing region and mining area. The main industries today are tea tree (for oil), mangoes, sugar cane, cash crops (pumpkins, herbs etc), cashews, and cattle. The town enjoys a relatively good environment and has most amenities including an Olympic standard swimming pool, hotel, supermarket, a variety of general shops, plus a large number of businesses. Dimbulah is a very popular stop or destination for motor bike riders out for a leisurely ride.

We stayed at the local caravan park for one night only as we were keen to do a 4WD track down to Mount Garnet. So to find out some information, we visited the local watering hole. It's amazing, especially since I am not a drinker, that as soon as we arrive in a small town, out first point of call is the local pub. There is no better knowledge than valuable local knowledge. We have learnt that any local pub in any small town is the Information Centre, Employment Agency and Free Camping locations.

One of the locals informed us that we must stop at Lappa just past Petford and talk to Yappa (Tim) about the track from Lappa down to Mount Garnet. So tomorrow, Lappa it is.

Until then, take care.