Day 28 – Kurumba to Gregory Downs

I’ve looked at the itinerary and I think we can fit in a side trip to Lawn Hill. There are two ways to get there. We can go west via a dirt road to Burketown and then head south to Gregory Downs, or we can go south to the “Four Ways” then west to Gregory downs, the latter is longer although quicker, as it is all tar, but will require about 150km of backtracking the following day. Did I mention I hate back tracking?

We need to head to Normanton anyway, so I suggest we go there and maybe ask about the condition of the road to Burketown.

But first some housekeeping to be done.

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I don’t really know the fuel situation on the Bourketown Road, Justine’s back is playing up a little so whilst I’d love to go via Burketown it is probably more sensible to go via Four Ways. This way we can also delay the absolute decision to make the detour till we get there.

We arrive at the Burke and Wills road house in time for lunch, and top up with fuel.

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Decision made, we’ll make the side trip. We look at camp grounds along the way and we see what appears to be a good one just south of Gregory Downs. It’s a little off the road, it suggests 4×4, but the wikicamp comments say it is pretty easy, so it looks good.

We hit Gregory downs and head south. After about 5km we hit dirt, first there is 10km of roadworks. Then about 20km of straight dirt, which was pretty easy to drive. We find the turn off, it’s still a few km in to the campsite. After a short while the road gets pretty narrow, then some deep ruts, then a steep descent. I should mention there is so far really nowhere to turn around. Then we get the trifecta, a narrow, steep descent with ruts. We get down, but in the back of my mind I think about the fact that we need to get back out. Another km or so and we reach the site. Whilst really nice there is very little space and of course there is another couple already there. I’m taking a punt they are naturalist and I’m sure there is the distinct smell of pot in the air.

If we were there alone, I’d probably have stayed, but it would have meant camping on top of the other group. I’m also concerned about getting out and want to get that over and done with. So we turn around and drive out, turning around was a test in itself.

I hadn’t dropped the tyre pressures at this stage as, I really didn’t think the dirt road was very long. But at this stage I drop the rears a few PSI.

We make it out relatively easily, the car and the van did a really great job, although there was one moment on trifecta hill that we started to lose traction and thought we might be stuck, I was putting on a brave face, but inside I was panicking more than a bit. I was really impressed with how the rig handled everything.

We drive back to Gregory downs and stay about 1km from town, by the side of a lovely creek. Mnnn, probably should have come here first.

Now to survey the damage. Red Dirt – Everywhere, Step Mat – Gone, Van Number plate – Bent, Car Rear left tyre – Flat.

First tyre change completed. I can see a puncture about 1.5cm long, I’ve got a tyre repair kit, but think this may be a bit much for that to handle. The tyre otherwise looks OK, so hopefully it can be repaired in the next town. Did I mention it was 40° and I’m between hot rocks and the underside of a hot car.

The kids enjoy the river and after changing the tyre, I cool off from the 40° with a dip too.

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