Einasleigh and Copperfield Gorge

On our arrival at Einasleigh we had a 100 metre stroll down to The Pub to collect our pre-ordered lunch and a beautiful chilled XXXX Beer. After lunch we made our way to Copperfield Gorge, only about 400 metres from The Pub. It's a 'big' town this one.

Copperfield Gorge is formed in a different manner to Cobbold Gorge. Whereas Cobbold Gorge is formed by a Fault Line, Copperfield Gorge was formed by Volcanic Action at a similar time to the nearby Undara Lava Tubes. Copperfield Gorge began as a Lava Tube but over time the roof has collapsed and left an open Gorge through which The Copperfield River now runs, when it rains, that is.

After clambering all over the Gorge, we wandered back to The Pub and boarded Max's Toyota Bus for the journey back to Forsayth. The 'through' passengers on The Savannahlander got back on the train to continue their journey to MT Surprise.

Obviously, The Einasleigh Hotel.

At the rear of The Pub. Note the air conditioning system and the Fire Escape!

An old Dodge Brothers relic beside the Pub.

The Einasleigh XXXX Fire Wagon.

The path down to Copperfield Gorge.

The river outflow end of The Gorge.

Looking Up-Stream through The Gorge.

A wider view of the preceding photograph.

Savannahlander Railway

We were planning to drive to Einasleigh but on our arrival at Forsayth we learned that we had timed it perfectly to travel by train, on The Savannahlander Railway. The Savannahlander travels between Cairns and Forsayth over two days, stopping mid journey at MT Surprise with the passengers transferring to The Undara Lava Tubes Resort for the night.  The following morning The Savannahlander departs MT Surprise and terminates at Forsayth, many of the passengers then transfer by coach to Cobbold Gorge Resort. The train stops overnight at Forsayth then departs for Einasleigh the following morning This is where we boarded.

The Savannahlander waiting for us to board at Forsayth Railway Station at 8:30 AM.

Will providing a running commentary of our travel through the country side and driving the train.

Typical of the terrain we travelled through on the way to Einasleigh.

An idea of the interior of the carriages.

A 'Ballast' truck toppled off the line and was deemed too difficult to recover.

Cobbold Gorge

Max, our host at Forsayth CP, drove a Toyota 22 seater bus load from Forsayth to Robin Hood Station, the location of Cobbold Gorge. The distance is about 45 km of very corrugated gravel road. All passengers aboard for the ride thought the windows were going to drop out of the bus and conversation was almost impossible. On our arrival at Robin Hood Station we all paid up for the tour and then it was straight into a superb cold meat and salad lunch.

After quickly digesting lunch we were ushered onto 28 seater Hino 4WD coaches for the tour to the gorge site. The group split up so that some went down to the river to travel the river cruise and the remainder went for a hike over the escarpment to view the gorge from above. There were interesting facets and dialogue to the hike as well, e.g. Termites that build mounds above ground are cellulose consumers, that is grasses in preference to wood, unlike the critters that would eat your home, also, the termites only exist in soil that is deficient in phosphorous, graziers in these regions have to supply lick-blocks containing traces of phosphorous to their cattle. At mid point of the tour the two groups crossed over and our group concluded the day with the river cruise on battery powered punts especially designed to navigate through the sometimes extremely narrow gorge. The cruise was quiet, peaceful and with majestic views of the water worn walls of the gorge. The Hino 4WD coach was travelling to Forsayth to collect passengers from The Savannahlander Railway, so we all stayed on board and had a smooth, dust free and relatively shake free trip back to the caravan park at Forsayth. We all voted the tour as great value.

This is the entrance to the shop and booking office at Robin Hood Station Village.

There is also resort style accommodation at Robin Hood Station, this swimming pool is adjacent to the dining room and function centre.

The village has a direct communication link.

Another group cruising through the gorge on the battery powered punt.

The gorge was formed along a fault line and is very narrow in places.

On the water now, the high water mark is clearly seen here.

Heading into some narrows.

Mossy patches are nourished by water seepages through the rock walls.

Another narrow section coming up.

It is quite dark and cool at the bottom of the gorge.

Heading back to the pontoon docking station.

The Hino 4WD coaches waiting to take us back to Forsayth.

Forsayth Turnout

Being "Johnny-come-lately" Queenslanders we didn't know what a 'Turnout' is. Do we stay in town for another day or drive away like so many others did? We were told it is like a Show Day. "Like the EKKA?" we asked. No not quite that grand but 'everybody' will be there. We thought we better book into the caravan park or we will be homeless! Friday afternoon came and all we saw at the Turnout site was a couple of marques and a few temporary market shelters. We were thinking, this is going to be a "BIG" day out. But as it eventuated, it was a brilliant day of continuous activities. The crowds of families there totally enjoyed themselves. Full credit to the organising committee for a fantastic day.

Log cutting with a 'Crosscut Saw'. The winning pair, one male and one female, sawed the log in 13 seconds.

The greasy pig chase. This is the second release, the first time the pig ran into the exhibits shed scampering under the tables.

You can just make out the pig running behind the marques, it bolted through the cattle yards and back into the bush.

Girls sprint final.

Boys sprint final.

Girls whip cracking. This is the winner, same girl as in the sprint above.

Boys whip cracking, the winner.

Tossing water filled balloons, drop it and you are OUT.

Dog high jump. Some smart animals ran around to the side of the ute and jumped in!

This is the eventual 'Runner-Up' clearing the hurdle.

The eventual winner showing his style.

Forsayth

On leaving MT Surprise we run the car and caravan through a weed and pest control truck wash facility, although not a perfect result, it at least this got rid of most of the accumulated dust and grime.

We then drove the 92 km west to Georgetown. Mostly on two lane sealed road but there was some single lane road to navigate. Because of Government Policy there has been a massive decline in the beef market in this area and consequently there are not too many cattle road trains to look out for. After lunch at Georgetown we then drove 45 km south to Forsayth where we booked in for one night. Later, after booking two gorge tours that we learned of on our arrival, we stretched our stay to four nights. We then further discovered that Forsayth had it's Annual 'Turnout' Festival planned for the weekend that we were to leave, so we extended again.

The entire region is in drought conditions having missed out on the summer rains last season. There is little water available to the cattle unless the water troughs can be fed from bore water. The population of Forsayth is about 100 persons and the town is under strict water restrictions. I did notice that some of 'The Tourists' still have their half-hour showers, no consideration at all. One downside to camping here is that there is no digital communication what-so-ever, No Mobile or Internet. The TV is only 3 Analogue Channels unless you have a Satellite Dish.

The Goldfields Tavern in Forsayth.

The Forsayth Hospital is for day treatment only. Any serious medical cases are flown to Cairns by The Royal Flying Doctor. Forsayth boasts a sealed airstrip at the airport.

The old Station Masters House is now a 'Bed and Breakfast'.

This is The Forsayth Railway Station, believe-it-or-not! This is the end of the line for the Savannahlander. After an over night stay the train begins it's return journey to Cairns.

A dry creek bed that runs directly into the back of the caravan park.

This is typical of the country around the town of Forsayth.

A very old 'Golden Fleece' hand pump/gravity feed fuel bowser. This is in the front garden of a residence in the town of Forsayth.

There are many old relics scattered around town, this was the Mail Contractors mode of transport at one time. It is actually cut down from a sedan.

This huge contraption is a soft drink bottling machine.

This diesel/electric locomotive was once used by the mines around Forsayth.

A windmill fed cattle trough from one of the nearby stations. This windmill would still operate but it is disconnected at the pump shaft.

The remnants of an old boiler.

A stockpile of sleepers, of various types for the Savannahlander Railway. There is still a rail gang living and operating from Forsayth.