After Karumba we had a few nights to fill in so stayed at a free camp on the banks of the Normanton River at Normanton. It was quite a dust bowl and because of the resident crocs we could not camp within 5 meters of the riverbank. On advice from the helpful man at the information centre we threaded up our new rods and headed out to his favourite fishing spot. Fresh Barramundi on the menu tonight – for sure. After losing 2 brand new lures to some nasty snags in the muddy brown water, and me a bundle of nerves when John reckoned the best place to cast from was down on the riverbank – within snapping distance – we called it a day and went back to defrost some pork strips on the BT50’s engine which was still warm from the day’s motoring.

We travelled down 200kms of very dusty, rutted, gravel road from Normanton to Leichhardt Falls and another of those really special free camps. On the way we had to stop for a herd of cattle being mustered along the roadside and to take photos of the termite hills which were unusually built like slivers instead of mounds – to orient themselves North/South and minimise the sun’s heat – so clever!

Arriving at the river flood way to get in to the Leichardt Falls free camp spot we had to traverse a couple of deep sand ruts in the rock platform full of bull dust! Unfortunately we bogged to the axles by taking it too gently. The whole camp was watching. Had to resort to consulting the manual to get it into the 4WD Low ratio for the first time, 3000rpm of wally popped 5.5 tonne back onto solid ground to the cheers of the onlookers. Shrink! The falls were not running (dry season now) but the river below had plenty of water – and another opportunity to fish! Another lure gone and still no fish. I won’t attempt to describe the beauty of this place – the photo shows it all. John also had time to get out the drone and has mastered it’s navigation – woo hoo, should get some great photos now.