Carnarvon Gorge

What a fantastic place!  The Gorge cuts thru a sandstone belt with gorges leading off to the sides as well.  The vegetation varies from drier eucalypt to wet rainforest in the gullies.  The view from Boolimba Bluff takes in much of the Gorge and is well worth the steep climb up:  There is a section ONLY 300m of 1 in 3 incline which was achieved but with a few rests.  The view from the top was well worth the trip.  Mickey's Gorge was also quite spectacular, as well as a much easier walk.  I can certainly recommend a visit if the opportunity arises!

Leaving the area at 3pm for the Springsure campsite was interesting as my GPS took me thru the scenic route along the backroads, complete with getting lost and the petrol gauge getting uncomfortably low.  The road was gravel and mainly access to more out of the way stations, including Mt. Ogg where the road ended!  It was getting dark, there were cows  roo to worry about, I had no idea where I was nor did the GPPS, but suddenly the GPS figured out how to get me out and all ended well, if an extra hour longer.  Partway along I heard a conversation on the radio about dropping some plugs off with Sally, who was at the gate collecting them mail, and a few minutes later I passed a lass on an ATV:  We waved and I bet she thought "I wonder if that crazy Tasmanian knows he's lost?".  The road ran thru a valley with sandstone cliffs rising from it a little back from the road, a very pretty drive.  A few stops due to cramp, plus a few quick leaps out of bed during the night, but the view was still worth it.

I finally made it to Springsure at 7pm where the campsite was under a huge bluff, lit up with floodlights, a very nice backdrop.

The next day was a drive to Sapphire, passing thru Emerald on the way.  The day was spent affixing Anderson plugs to both batteries & the solar panel, plus helping a fellow from WA in the adjacent van switch from halogen spots to LED's.  They invited me for tea and a good chat after.  Tomorrow it's off to the gem fields & local tourist attractions:  I would guess this would be a good spot to pick up some sapphires!