Nele & Andrew Around Oz: Takarakka Bush Resort, Carnarvon Gorge National Park, QLD

Day 250 – 24^th October 2011

Takarakka Bush Resort, Carnarvon Gorge National Park, QLD

This morning we drove to Emerald via the towns of Blackwater, Coal Capital of Queensland (where we saw many long trains full of coal) and Comet where we had a stop at the tree trunk that Ludwig Leichhardt marked with DIG, indicating to those who followed that he had buried food and journals at this spot during his second exploration of the region. In Emerald we had a look at the world’s largest replica of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers positioned on a 25-metre easel. The painting celebrates the Central Highlands’ reputation as a major sunflower producer. We didn’t stay long in town and travelled on to Springsure via the scenic route along the Fairbairn Dam and huge Lake Maraboon. Just before Springsure we had a stop to view the Virgin Rock, the weathered likeness of the Virgin Mary holding her Child. Next we drove out to Minerva Hills NP - it felt like we were 4WDriving again as the road was vey bumpy - where we had lunch at the Eclipse Gap Lookout at the top of Mount Zamia, before doing a short walk to the Skyline Lookout (1.6km return – 20min) and having a look at Fred’s Gorge. Afterwards we continued our drive to Carnarvon Gorge National Park with many nice views along the way and lots of kangaroos the closer we got. We set up camp at the resort as unfortunately the NP campsite is only open on school holidays. Nele went for a walk in the hope to spot a platypus in the creek but no luck instead she saw lots of kangaroos and a kookaburra.