Throwback Thursday today, so time to catch up on another post that I didn’t share from last year. Remember when we did our trip out to Lawn Hill at the end of June in 2014? Well, we finished that trip off with a weekend camping with all the family and doing some gem fossicking at O’briens Creek, just out of Mt Surprise.
After spending five nights camping on the Gregory River, we reluctantly dragged ourselves away and pointed Peter Prado’s nose for home. We went via the Burke & Wills Roadhouse which was a nice spot to stop for lunch but we were a little disappointed as there wasn’t much there at all in the way of memorabilia/historical stuff.
Fealy Family at the Burke & Wills Roadhouse
From there we overnighted in Normanton at the caravan park we had spent a few nights in the year before. Our night there was horrendous due to such a racket going on at the pub over the road – I think we all only managed a few hours sleep! I don’t know what the occasion was but it was so noisy and awful after enjoying our time in Normanton on the previous trip! Anyway, from Normanton it was only a few hours to Mt Surprise where we turned left onto the road, opposite the Police Station in Mt Surprise and headed about 40km along a dirt road to the campground. It was pretty bumpy and dusty but most caravans/camper vans and camper trailers would make it out there no problems. Just make sure you look out for cattle!
The campground is lovely! Heaps and heaps of room right on the banks of Elizabeth Creek, lots of big shady trees, toilets and donkey hot-water showers – it was fantastic!!
Our campsite at O’briens Creek campground
The view to the creek from our campsite
Toilet and Shower block
There wasn’t a lot of water in the creek when we visited due to the pretty non-existent wet season that year, but the kids still had a ball! These next lot of photos are thanks again to Sarah Kendall Photography.
Pretty nice huh! We had an awesome time here with my Grandad, Uncle John, my Dad, my Uncle Colin, cousin Michael, the Morris Cousins from Albion Park and the Kendall Cousins from Townsville. I really hope we all get back to O’briens Creek again this year! Love looking at all those photos again and realising how lucky I am to have such a great family! My cousin Andrew turned 21 not long after this camp so we celebrated early with a yummy carrot cake made by Grammy and sent along with Grunda (yes – it is a miracle he didn’t eat it on the drive there!). Oh, and it must be noted that we nearly had to send out a search party for Grunda and Uncle Colin after they arrived just on dark on the first night due to getting a flat tyre on the ute on the dirt road in – gah – amateurs!
Matt, Jack and I took a little walk further up the creek away from the Campground one afternoon and the scenery was stunning! When there is more water in the creek you can kayak/canoe all the way up which would be lots of fun! We found a tiny little waterfall – again this would probably be very nice with more water coming over it.
Such a beautiful spot – definitely worth the drive in and we could easily have spent a week here! We did manage to head out for a day of fossicking while we were there but that needs an entire post of its own – so stay tuned for next week’s Throwback Thursday post! My Aunty Leanne also did a great post on her blog of our time at O’briens Creek which you can find here.
To book a site at O’briens Creek – give Maureen a call on 07 4062 3001 or 07 4062 5293 – she will let you know how much it costs and don’t forget to purchase your fossicking licence too if you want to have a go at digging for Topaz! Oh, and the campground is usually closed during the wet season from Christmas to March!
That’s it – we’re going back as soon as the Blue Sky Produce avocado season is over – who’s coming??
The family shot, O’briens Creek July 2014
Aaawwwww, makes me want to be back at Gregory River again!
wouldn’t mind a week out there myself
This is great! Looks like a lot of fun. I miss the days going to the river with family and friends. I use to look forward to that every time. This is a great site by the way and thanks for sharing.
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I loved O’Briens Creek so much – what a great spot!
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Nice pics and looks like lot of fun.
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I was sussing out a new spot to go camping & came across ohr old adopted family…..We miss our trips with you guys! This spot look great & after reading your review I think its a definite!