Free camp near Innot Springs

We headed for Innot Springs and on route we called to book our sites. Unfortunately they were fully booked so we decided on the free camp about 17k up the road from Innot Springs. The drive up from Cairns was as good as the drive we had down some weeks before because we saw everything differently being the opposite direction. It was a shame that we were not able to get in to the springs as we would really have liked time in the pools again. As it was we scored a really nice camp spot right next to a lovely creek. So nice we decided to stay there two nights. Some old fart watching us maneuver the van into the space and was saying he did not know how we were going to get out. Ha ha he has not seen some of the spots we have been to in our van. It was a magical spot somewhere I could easily spend a week and its free!

We soon got a fire going and got settled in. Michelle and Jock wandered down to the waters edge to see how it was, bloody freezing was the answer! At one point Michelle had said she would have a swim tomorrow but I don’t think she will be doing that now!! A few people came down to have a look and some did have a towel but once their toes hit the water they just giggled and walked away again. It was so clear and inviting surely one person will entertain us with a dip? It didn’t take long, a young couple with a baby came down, he was getting in once he was set up. He gingerly got in, you could see he didn’t want to back out so he stooped down put his bum in let out a little eek and slowly walked out again. Oh well, the best bit was because the water was so cold we didn’t have crowds down here with us.

As the sun went down it was just lovely with the suns rays coming through the trees. Thank goodness we had the fire on as the temperature dropped suddenly. I spent some time taking photos of the trees and river in the sunset. God knows how many photos I will have of sunsets and trees when I get home? We all felt a bit worn out and cold so we retired early ready for a lovely relaxing day tomorrow by our own little bit of paradise. This is what outdoor living is all about, it’s just wonderful we can’t get enough of it.

Next day we just rested, did not have to be up to move, no expectations from anyone just did what ever we wanted. Jock decided this was the day for the fish he caught and during the day got the fish ready for eating. It really was a lovely day, people passing by for a chat as they too come down to the river to dip their toes in. We got a fire going and the men decided the fish would be best cooked over the fire. We all had a chat about where next as all we had decided was “out west”. I had found a circuit to do called the explorers circuit/way. There were places along it I had not been to. Trevor suggested the roads to use to get there which also including roads Jock and I had not been on yet. So we had a general idea where we were going. We had not planned any part of this trip as we thought we would have been up the Cape longer than we were so anything now was a bonus.

Once again the fire was lit and Trevor made ready the hot plate we had for over the fire. The fish was on and Michelle made a salad to go with it. I of course stuck to leftovers, no fish for me! It didn’t take long and they were all tucking into what they tell me was delicious fish, they ate heaps but still there was some left over for the next day.

To be honest this is another place I would come back to stay and would be happy with a few days by the waters edge. One day, maybe when we have had a chance to explore the many other places we have yet to explore in Australia. Moving day tomorrow so it was not a late night and it won’t be an early start as where ever we will be, we will be when ever!