Wednesday, 23 July - Cobourg Peninsula

First thing in the morning we completed our packing so we could tent it on the Cobourg Peninsula. The Williams decided to take their van so we put only 2 of the vans into storage. Next was the all important coffee stop before leaving civilisation while we waited for reasonably low water at the tidal Cahills Crossing.

On arrival at the infamous crossing where numerous vehicles have been washed off into the rocks we found the water was so low that it was all a bit of an anticlimax. After crossing we let the tyre pressures down for nearly 300km of dirt road. We soon found it was very corrugated, had numerous fallen trees and many washouts, both across and along the road. We rate this as the worst road in years of travelling the outback. 

As we approached Murganella Creek crossing for our lunch break we could see a large number of birds on the ford. On our approach the birds flew off into nearby trees and then we saw hundreds of barramundi on the high side of the crossing. It appeared they were waiting for the many smaller fish that were making their way upstream across the shallow ford.  A short time later we watched a file snake make its way upstream across the ford.

File Snake Crossing the Ford

Bird Feeding At Murganella Creek Crossing

Barramundi Lined Up To Catch Small Fish Migrating Upstream

By the time we arrived at camp we had barely averaged 50kph.
 
Next day at Cobourg we chartered a boat to visit the first settlement in the Territory, the abandoned Victoria Village. The settlement was set up by the British in 1839 to protect Australia's northern coast. It was abandoned about 15 years later after much hardship and death.



Team Brief at Victoria Settlement

 

Victoria Settlement - Ruins Of The Officers Quarters

Victoria Settlement - Remains of the hospital Kitchen

 On the return journey in the boat we spent about an hour fishing and caught enough queen fish and giant trevally for a few good meals. We also sea eagles, rays, turtles and saw a pair of water snakes mating.

At Last! Gordo Caught A Fish

 


Sea Snakes - Up Close And Personal



Our last full day at Cobourg we took a short coastal drive in the morning followed by a relaxing afternoon.

Little Frogs Turn Up Everywhere There Is Moisture

A Jabiru Walking The Beach

Not Walking On The Beach Any Longer

Lucky They Know Where To Cross The Road!

Our First Tent Camp For The Trip