Day 35: Driving the Warracoota Circuit (Diamantina NP)

Overnight temps were pretty good thankfully as we had decided to sleep with only the back open on the tvan last night.

I love sleeping with this configuration as you are not closed off so much from the outdoors and you can see out to the magic of day break in the bush at sunrise.

As a consequence I was up at sunrise checking out the waterhole at this beautiful time of the morning in the bush.

Today is Russell's birthday (5th July) - Happy Birthday Russ!!

Up early and moved camp to the "Gumhole" campground - just 10 km up the road today - mainly to experience the camping at a different waterhole and also because this campground is at the start of the Warracoota Circuit Drive we would be doing today (which means we would lessen our travelling all up by about 30km - seemed a good idea when we are mindful of the fuel).

This is not as big a waterhole - but has more private campsites and lots more shade.
We filled the ute with 2x jerry cans of diesel (40ltrs) this was an easy process after we meticulously cleaned off the dust that had accumulated in our travels - to ensure no contamination of fuel.

We then set- off to do the Warracoota Circuit drive.

We are pretty excited about this drive based on what other campers here have told us - with one lady saying that they saw 3x dingoes take down a kangaroo when they were out driving the circuit.
This 90 km circuit takes in many interesting examples of landform, vegetation and past land use that can be seen throughout the park. The actual distance can vary annually as the track is regraded following floods.
First point of interest is the Steel Yards built in the 1980's - these yards are still in use today by drovers moving stock along the Springvale Road stock route. Steel was used to reduce the maintenance required.

Then the sand dunes which are a major feature of the Diamantina landscape. Travel along this section of the drive was very sandy and we were in 4wd most of the time.
These linear sand dunes were formed parallel to prevailing wind conditions over a million years ago during a cold and windy glacial period. Their redness is due to a coating of iron on the sand grains.

Here is an Australian Bustard we saw along the drive - can you spot him?

Next we come to the Claypans and the Gibber Plains - other common features in this landscape. The Claypans appear as shimmering lakes in hot weather. In early days these mirages often led explorers astray in their search for water.

The gibber actually refers to small stones (formed many millions of years ago when Australia was experiencing a humid tropical climate) which have been polished by wind blown sand over many years. They were originally broken down from ironstone.

On further we find the Grasslands of the area- the reddish Flinders Grass and Mitchell Grass. These grasses are good stock fodder which is why the Diamantina was prized as prime fattening country.

The holding yards we find are where stockmen kept the cattle until they were ready to brand, castrate or tag them in the Bronco Yards opposite.

Lake Constance is listed as a wetland of national significance and is one of the few semi-permanent water bodies in Diamantina NP. It attracts local and migratory birds including pelicans, white-faces herons, ibis, the Little corellas and spoonbills.
We thought this waterhole was just beautiful and we saw all of these birds as well as a large flock (approx 15) of Brolga on the far bank of the waterhole - which was very exciting.

On the waterhole bank we saw was all that had been left of a feral cat - just the face!!!

The Warracoota Waterhole, a deep, long and narrow waterhole has never been known to run dry.

It was here that we ran into 'Helga' again and struck up a conversation with her. Her English was not great but we managed to quiz her about travelling alone in this remote area. She just giggled and answered - "Why Not" - she thought it was okay as the park has rangers and there are other people around.
Well the Rangers are rarely on site -- and wasn't she just lucky that we are not "axe murderers"!!
We saw this awesome nest in a tree on the drive!!

Next we came to the Green Tank which had been purpose built in the 1980's as a stock watering point and it quickly became a popular breeding spot for a large range of native birds.The water here is very clear due to the high gypsum content of the surrounding soil - in the past gypsum was often added to tanks to clear the water.
We saw another feral cat at this site.
Onwards we passed though a plateau of Mitchell grasses, named after Scottish born explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell, individual plants can live as long as 20 - 30 yrs and they are invaluable to the sheep and cattle industry in Qld.

We all agreed that this drive was a great day out!!!!!

Returning to camp we had lunch and enjoyed sitting by the waterhole watching birds and trying to find them in my bird book and just general chatting and relaxing in this serene environment.

I went exploring along the bank of the waterhole in the late afternoon - where I got talking to some people who had come from Bedourie today and they informed me that the road is in good condition. So we will definitely be going out from Diamantina NP on this road as planned.
They also told me they had seen an Eagle take a joey - and how it could barely fly off with it.
We also have seen an eagle just sitting by a kangaroo with joey in pouch - watching and waiting.
In their travels they had also seen a cow which had just given birth and nearby their were 2x dingoes just watching and waiting.
Whilst this seems awful to us - it is the way of the animal world.

At dusk we rigged up a "bush shower" in the bush along the bank of the waterhole and enjoyed taking secluded "nudie" showers in the bush. Ruth really enjoyed it!!!

Drinkies was down on the bank of the waterhole watching the sun setting again with is changing light show.

This is the life!!!!

Just thought I would give you a glimpse here of dinner preparations - we do eat pretty well!!!