Home from our Camping trip

What a fantastic weekend it was,camping out at O'Briens Creek, about 3 1/2 hours from Cairns.We were up very early Friday morning, and it was quite chilly too.Left by 7am, and arrived in Mt.Surprise around 10am.It was a beautiful scenic drive, as they have had a lot of rain out there since January( around 35 inches actually) till end of April.We got to the camping ground , which is another 35km north of Mt.Surprise at just before 11am.What a transformation all the rain has done. The camping ground, was all grassy and wildflowers everywhere.Trees flowering everywhere we looked, which means lots of Birdlife.There were Rosellas, Budgerigars,Lorikeets,loads of Black cockatoos with the red tail.They were very elusive to catch on the camera.Camera shy they were.Here is the best shot I could get with my terrible camera.

We were concerned that the camping grounds would be packed , but it couldn't have been further from the truth.Only about 12-15 campers all up.So there was plenty of room between us all, and no waiting at the showers/toilets.We could get up in the morning, with just a T-Shirt , no jumpers.Funny, you could tell the people who lived on the coast, as they were walking around with their jackets and beanies on in the morning.

Here is a photo of our camping spot, courtesy of my little apprentice photographer- William.

This is our camp off to the right hand side, with the white car and trailer.

Elizabeth Creek, which we were camped beside, was still running beautifully and quite clean.Perfect for little people to play and jump around in safely with out worry.We spent at least a couple of hours every afternoon, swimming and wading downstream, sitting in deeper pools.There was one particular pool of water where two waterfalls poured into,which Alan nicknamed" THE WASHING MACHINE".It looks deep, but both boys could stand up in it as it had a sandy bottom.I would just sit under the falls and get massaged all over.Could have sat there all day long.Free massage....who wouldn't!!!!!

We were coming back from digging on our first day,Friday afternoon late, and the colours on the hillside were just gorgeous.I just had to take some photos of it.

Steven and I were prospecting in a creek bed, while Alan and William went hillclimbing.We looked downstream and saw a mummy Kangaroo and two babies coming down to have a drink.We both stood there , staring in awe at how quiet they were.When they went, we walked down to where they had been and saw two perfect footprints in the sand.Saw lots of Lizards,and the boys saw one snake( which is our first ever snake out there, and we have been there 5 times now).Heard Dingoes howling at night in the distance, and on Monday morning before we left, we went on an interesting 4WD down a 4 km track( and I was holding on for life in a couple of moments ....I can tell you it got hairy in one spot going down hill over rocks, and then having to come back up it...enter chewing on my nails).The reason we went down there, was to visit a waterhole that had about 20 or so fresh water crocs.We couldn't get close enough though to take any pics...they were camera shy too.

Here is a shot that Alan took from the top of a rock on a hill, while Steven and I were topaz hunting

I have to go and put a little man to bed, so will be back later to do another post.Hope you all aren't too bored by now.