Day 57 (13 September) – Undara Resort to Cobbold Gorge Tours & Accommodation
Wren’s 4th birthday still.
A quick pack up and then we left around 09:00 – so quick the guy in the caravan opposite us checked his watch as we were pulling out. The good news – no AEBS fault. We drove a few km down the road to the Kalkani Crater road which turned out to be around 7km of corrugated road. I found the passenger’s side driving light was coming loose so tried to do it up but found it difficult due to the nut location and lack of long sockets.
We managed to get to the Crater carpark then took a walk up around the side of the crater to the rim then around the crater rim. In all, around a 2.5 km walk with views over the Rosella Plains and the Undara crater. The trip out was just as bumpy and I had to do up the driving light nuts a couple of times as well as at the end of the dirt road as we got back on to bitumen.
Taking the Gulf Development Road (National Highway 1) we travelled back to Mt. Surprise. This time we didn’t stop there and continued on to Georgetown. We had expected Georgetown to be fairly large but it only had a couple of shops (one was a decent supermarket which was also the petrol station) and a pub. We got some supplies and found the petrol station had both diesel and AdBlue so we filled up with both. The price was just under $2.00, significantly cheaper than the $2.32 at Mt. Surprise.
We had lunch in the motorhome then headed off towards Cobbold Gorge at around 13:30. The distance was supposed to be 90km and I understood the road to be gravel and fairly bumpy.
We had alternating gravel and bitumen for around 35km and then we hit the corrugated gravel! After the experience at the Kalkani Crater road, I stopped every 5-7km and, each time, found the passenger side headlight nut loose. I tightened it several times then on one occasion, around 30km to go to the Cobbold Gorge resort, I found the nut and bolt missing from the passenger driving light and the driver side light nut loose. I couldn’t see easily how to remove the driving lights so jammed the lights between the vehicle panel and the nudge bar. Another couple of km down the road, another check on how the lights were faring and then I realised that I had to remove the lights. Fortunately, I had the security Torq set to remove the lights from their mounts and I also was able to remove a protective panel at the front of the motorhome and found some light cable plugs which I could disconnect. It was much easier than I had expected and so we could continue without the driving lights bouncing around and causing more damage to the front panels. We had also lost a couple of small plastic plugs used to access the front panel mounting screws. We finally made it to Cobbold Gorge. I’d initially travelled slowly (20km or thereabouts) and after experimenting with various speeds, after removing the lights and near the end, I tried a faster speed which seemed to work better.
On arrival, we checked in, made our way to our site which required a couple of passes to align our rig suitably and then checked for additional damage. None in the motorhome and everything seemed OK. A couple of minutes later Lyn suggested that the Jimny passenger rear wheel looked low. A few minutes later we saw that the tyre was indeed going flat. I inflated the tyre with a small portable air compressor and around 30 minutes later realised there was a puncture. This was the third time we had a problem at the end of a journey where it could be fixed relatively easily. Cobbold Gorge would have to be one of the few resorts where they provide a vehicle maintenance option in their welcome pack.
We went for a swim in the infinity pool then back to the motorhome before dinner.
Our neighbour had seen the flat tyre and had a ratchet drill with an extended socket set and offered them to me to remove the tyre. I loosened the nuts preparing to change the tyre later. As we had to get to dinner, I left the Jimny tyre and went to the bistro for our meal. We ordered entre, main and desert after the relatively small helpings at Undara. However, the sizes were very large here and good.
Leaving the bistro, I saw a couple of staff and asked about the ability to fix our puncture. They said to come to reception the next morning and that there was a maintenance shed where basic repairs could be undertaken. Back to the motorhome to watch the Panthers easily beat the Roosters then a really close win to Port Adelaide over Hawthorn.
Day 58 (14 September) – Cobbold Gorge Tours & Accommodation
Up at 06:30 to start emptying the Jimny to get to the tool kit and to remove the tyre. By this time the tyre was completely flat. A fairly easy job to remove the tyre as the nuts had been loosened the previous night.
We had a collapsable trough so I filled it with water then tried to inflate the tyre with the small portable unit without success. I then got out our ARB compressor, connected it to the Jimny and was able to inflate the tyre. I was able to see some bubbles when I rotated the tyre through the trough but when I tried to locate the leak with detergent, I couldn’t see it. I used some insulating tape to indicate where I thought the leak was and then rolled it to the maintenance shed. I spoke to the manager who said they could look at it and would try to fix it later that day.
Overnight Lyn and I had discussed staying another night here as we only needed to be back in Townsville by the following Tuesday. I suggested to Lyn that we should try to change our booking for an extra night and that we could put off the scheduled Gorge tour for the following day (so I could watch the Storm play the Sharks that afternoon – yes, I know and have been told!).
Lyn headed off for a swim and, on return, told me she had extended our booking for a day and changed our Gorge tour to the following day (she is a gem!).
Just after 10:00 we saw the first tour buses leave for the gorge, followed by the maintenance vehicle. A couple of minutes later our repaired tyre was delivered and I was able to replace the tyre and the Jimny contents, so we were all set to go again.
It was 28 degrees at 11:00 and we decided not to go for a bike ride however we did decide to go for a walk around Digger’s Track – around 2.5km. Not a difficult walk but enough in the heat. After the walk, we stopped at the bistro/bar for a cool, refreshing drink before heading back for a relaxing early afternoon.
Lyn went for a swim whilst I watched the Storm easily beat the Sharks.
Dinner at 19:00 then back for an evening outside the motorhome.
Day 59 (15 September) – Cobbold Gorge Tours & Accommodation
Another 06:30 start (I may have watched the replay of the Storm/Sharks game where, amazingly, the same result happened).
We decided to go for another walk, this time to Russell’s Lookout which was a 5km round trip. We climbed around 400′ to Russell’s lookout on top of one of the surrounding hills. There was a good view from the lookout and a bench seat where we could see our motorhome in the caravan park in the distance. Back to the motorhome for another rest and catch up on admin.
At 13:00 we headed over to the reception area as we had to be there 15 minutes before our 13:30 Cobbold Gorge tour. Our guides, Glen and Reece, introduced themselves and away we went. The bus travelled around 4km to a shed where there were some information boards on the flora around the area. We had a briefing from each guide before joining Glen’s group for the tour of the gorge. Along the creek (a couple of small freshwater crocodiles), up around the back of the gorge and finally we reached the $1,000,000.00 bridge over the gorge which had been installed over the last dry season a had a glass bottom section. We had to put on disposable booties to avoid scratching the glass. The views were amazing. Across a couple more bridges, seeing down through cracks in the rocks and into the gorge then finishing that section of the tour at the dock.
The boats were around 2m wide with electric outboard motors at either end. 12 of us got into the boat with Glen at the back. We then started a slow and careful trip down the gorge where the top of the gorge was from 2.5 to 7m across. It was an incredible journey with some amazing scenes. At the end of the trip Glen shipped his motor, walked through our legs to the other end and then used a second motor to take us back to the dock. An unforgettable and amazing experience.
Back to the resort and then pizza for dinner at 18:00. A group of pushy people came and wanted to make two enormous tables on the balcony for their group so the staff had to inconvenience a number of guests moving them away and rearranging tables and chairs.
We left after dinner and had another quiet night in the motorhome.
Day 60 (16 September) – Cobbold Gorge Tours & Accommodation to South Mission Beach Tasman Caravan Park
I got up again at 06:00 and started preparing the Jimny for the return journey over the corrugated roads. I’d done some research and found the best tyre pressure was 20-30 psi so I lowered all Jimny tyres to 20 psi, checked all the bolts on the roof rack and got the compressor and tyre gauge ready to inflate the tyres on the exit of corrugated roads.
I watched our neighbours in a caravan take around 2 hours to pack up and leave whilst it took me around 20 minutes – it really is a lot easier in a motorhome.
We left at around 08:30 and, having let down the Jimny’s tyres and travelling at a faster speed, found the going much better. I drove for around 7km then checked the Jimny and motorhome for problems – not wanting to repeat the problems we encountered on the trip into Cobbold Gorge.
A coffee in Forsayth (46km from the resort), then another 40km to Georgetown. We refuelled at Georgetown – the cheapest fuel in those parts – then inflated the Jimny’s tyres to around 28 psi. On to Mt. Surprise for a lunch in the motorhome around 13:00 where I also completed inflating the Jimny tyres to 35psi. Lyn drove to Mt. Garnet whilst I had a brief nap.
Our next stop was Millstream Falls – the widest falls in Queensland. We started encountering some slight misty rain as we were travelling. On the way, we called South Mission Beach Tasman Caravan Park and booked in for the night.
On to Millaa Millaa Falls where the rain became quite heavy. We were pleased to have visited the falls although there wasn’t much else to do but walk down and see the falls. They were quite a sight however.
Next on to Mission Beach where the wind and weather were quite strong – very choppy seas and Dunk Island looking quite bleak.
Dinner of leftover pizza from the night before in the motorhome, then an early night again before our return to Sue and Laurie’s in Alligator Creek.
Day 61 (17 September) – South Mission Beach Tasman Caravan Park to Sue & Laurie’s
A later start this morning as it had been raining overnight. A wet and windy morning – the seas over the road out towards Dunk Island were still pretty choppy. The motorhome is easy to get ready to travel – windows closed, cupboards closed, auto levelling retracted, water hose and power disconnected and we are away (I have to unlock the Jimny steering also). It’s good that I don’t have to spend long out in the rain getting ready to leave as the caravan fraternity do.
Heading South, we stopped at the Tully BP station and refuelled. It was starting to rain more so we just continued on our way. The rain was heavier and heavier as we left Tully, travelling through Innesfail and Cardwell and finally easing up near Townsville. We had decided to drive straight through as, due to the rain, there wasn’t much point in stopping to see things. Also, we had been on this road a couple of weeks before.
On to Sue and Laurie’s who had left a couple of days before for their road trip – a pity as we’d had such a good time catching up and chatting on the way up.
On arrival at Sue and Laurie’s, I unloaded the Jimny so the service could be carried out the following day. Also, we picked up two items that had been delivered to their place – a hamper from Apollo in Brisbane and a snorkel from MegaJimny. I started fitting the snorkel and found I needed some additional tools so we headed to Coles and Bunnings for supplies and tools. Back to the Jimny where I fitted the external part of the snorkel. Lyn was able to do a load of washing and put it out to dry. We had a call from Lach which was great and, during the call with him, I received a call from Crust Pizza in Ashburton (our local pizza supplier at home) asking if they had done something wrong as we hadn’t ordered pizza from them for a few weeks. I explained that we were in Townsville on a 4-month holiday – Yogi was very relieved to find that it wasn’t them. I transferred some money to Lach so he could order a couple of pizzas to make everyone happy!!
Dinner in the motorhome then a quiet night as we had to leave around 07:00 in the morning.
Day 62 (18 September) – Sue & Laurie’s – Alligator Creek
An early start as we had to get the Jimny to the service centre before 07:30. Lyn was up early also and we left for the city at 06:40 getting to NQ Auto around 07:15. We waited until 07:30 when they opened, explained the problems, including a smashed fog light that we’d found the previous night (probably from the gravel roads). Then a long walk along the Ross River bank, into the city and we arrived at the museum at 08:50. We were their first visitors at 09:00 and spent most of the morning in the museum learning about the Pandora (a ship that had visited North Queensland and been wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef), the tropical rainforest and coral reefs in the area.
While we were in the museum, I received an SMS from RQ Auto which included a video of the work they proposed to do on the Jimny – I hadn’t seen anything like it before – quite impressive.
Next a walk down The Strand to Strand Park where we had lunch and then read our books until I got a message at 12:30 that the Jimny was ready – great service as the SMS also included the cost of the work. We had walked around 5.5 km so decided to take a taxi back. As we were heading back, I noticed a police station so called in to ask where the nearest taxi rank was located. No luck and even they were frustrated by the challenges in calling for a cab. I’d seen a rank around 1 km back down the Strand so we headed back, waited a few minutes, then was taken to the service centre by a helpful cab driver.
All work completed except the fog light as the part would have to be sent from Melbourne. I got the part number and so will probably organise to have it repaired in Mt. Isa.
Into the Jimny, back to Chemist Warehouse for a couple of items for Lyn then on to Supercheap Auto and BCF where I wanted to get bolts for the driving lights and some chemicals for the toilet cassette.
I called Complete 4×4 who had installed the driving lights and they were surprised the lights had come off, initially suggesting the nylon locknuts shouldn’t have come undone. I explained that the nuts weren’t nylon locknuts. After checking with the guy who installed the lights, they suggested the nuts shouldn’t have come off because of the spring washers used, I explained that these weren’t installed either. They tried to help us get the Hardkorr bolts with no luck in any Townsville store so I suggested we pick them up in Mt. Isa in about a week if they could be sent there (let’s see what happens).
Back to Sue and Laurie’s where I fitted the rest of the snorkel and Lyn did some more washing. We decided to play golf the following day and so booked in to Townsville at 08:26 – this time with a cart.
Some reading, admin and blog work, and dinner in the motorhome before another night in the driveway at Sue and Laurie’s farm. It was really pleasant sitting outside watching the wildlife and cattle in the property next door.
Day 63 (19 September) – Sue & Laurie’s – Alligator Creek
We had to leave for golf around 07:30 so a relatively early start again.
Off to Townsville Golf Club where we were given the option to play by ourselves at 08:26 or to join the pair behind. I thought it better to play by ourselves and wasn’t worried that we might be held up by the players in front. As we were hitting off however, the pair behind came up and wanted to play with us. They introduced themselves as Brad and Doug. Reluctantly we agreed and off we went. All was good for the first 9 holes (we were 4 minutes behind the pace of play for the first 9) then Brad was a bit late back after the “intermission” break and so we were 12 minutes behind as we started the second nine. As we were playing the second 9, 4 golfers in a couple of carts zoomed up and started puting pressure on us – even for the last few holes gesticulating and clearly wanting to play through. We finished 10 minutes behind so had made up a couple of minutes but clearly it wasn’t enough for the hoons behind us. We decided not to stay for lunch and left the club around 12:45. I had a call from Ben of Complete 4×4 who had arranged for the replacement driving light bolts to be delivered to Supercheap Auto in Mt. Isa so I could re-attach the driving lights to the Iveco there.
We thought we’d have a pub lunch and headed towards the Fairfield shopping centre. No pubs around so we decided to head towards The Strand. Driving along The Strand, we found a car spot (they are at a premium at that time of the day there) outside Watermark. We’d had lunch there many years ago so decided to return. The meals were good, we headed back to the motorhome after getting more insect spray – the insects were prolific at night in Alligator Creek as we initially tried to leave the doors and window screens open.
I prepared the Jimny for a departure the next day and then called a couple of caravan parks in Hughendon and Cloncurry (and Charters Towers – who didn’t answer) and booked in for the planned trip over to Mt. Isa. I then ordered the parts for the Jimny (front fog light assembly) and the Iveco (front panel inserts) to be ready for us in Mt. Isa.
As petrol is very cheap in Townsville, I took the Jimny to the local service station, filled up the Jimny and a jerry can with unleaded and then returned to Sue and Laurie’s. A quiet night getting ready to leave, having a small dinner and doing some reading and video watching.
Day 64 (20 September) – Sue & Laurie’s – Alligator Creek to Charters Towers
Not a big drive today but a few last-minute repairs and checks before we departed.
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