Day 77 – 81 8th – 12th June Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

Covered approx 340 km’s to get to Boodjamulla today. As we left Mt. Isa along the Barkly Hwy, there was a very light drizzly rain falling, much to our surprise and the
We turned off this hwy after about 120 k’s and headed north. About 220 of the 340 km’s were travelled on fairly rough gravel road, which had numerous patches of bulldust and a few shallow creek crossings to negotiate. The landscape was still very dry and the trailer was absolutely coated in dust. We passed numerous cattle stations and properties along the way. All of these of course are huge properties but most have had to shift cattle from their farms to other places as the wet season in this area did not really happen and as a result there is very little feed to be had.
As we approached Lawn Hill we all looking forward to a lush oasis type campground.
It was with a degree of disappointment that we entered the camping area and found what looked to be a “dustbowl” with withered shrubs casting very little shade over any of the sites and not many of the sites looking large enough to accommodate our camper!!!
We managed to locate a suitable area to “pitch” our tent and with in 45 mins were settled in and very comfortable. We now took the time to walk down and check out the gorge after which the park is named. Any misgivings that we had initially about the camping area were “blown away” after we witnessed this part of the park. The place was magical with an emerald green waterway flowing out of a gorge system and being fed by permanent springs. Looking from the outside you would never suspect that there was any water remotely near this location.
It was a little late to swim so we went back to the tent, cooked dinner and went to bed, excited by the prospects of what tomorrow might bring.
Woke early as usual, breakfasted and set off to explore the surrounding area. The countryside was typically of the savannah type with semi arid grasslands and trees.
He gorge system of the park is fed by permanent springs originating from both rainfall and from groundwater, some of which is believed to originate from New Guinea!!!
The water has a very high level of calcium content and forms “terrace” type formations known as tufa, which grow like coral and form walls where cascades develop. The place is truly beautiful and because of its remoteness still relatively “undiscovered”. We had booked to stay for 3 days but decided to make one more night of it.
We spent the days canoeing (for hire), swimming and taking short walks so that we could swim some more. The place also had Freshwater Crocs, which are very shy and numerous species of fish although trying to catch them was a no no. Even though we were well and truly in the tropics there were thankfully, no Saltwater crocs so swimming was not a problem. Check the photos!!!!
After 4 nights we decided to move on as we needed to make our way through to the Northern Territory and we were going to do so via the Savannah Way through the Gulf Country.