Taking time Out Camping at Davis Creek

Winter Camping: Davis Creek National Park and Dinden National Park

Living in Far North Queensland is a tropical paradise. With endless camping sites from beach front camping grounds over-looking Great Barrier Reef to the outback west, there is plenty of places for anyone to go out and enjoy the great outdoors. After living almost 30 years in this northern tropical paradise part of Australia, for the first-time, I decided to go on an over-night winter camping trip at Davis Creek and Dinden National Park. This place is about 23 kilometres east of Mareeba township and just 53 kilometres northwest of Cairns.

Map of Davis Creek and Dinden National Park

It was a glorious cool winter day with beautiful blue sky with a few wispy clouds. It was slightly warm and I felt that the day was beckoning me to get out and enjoy it. I packed my car with my camping gears and headed for Davis Creek camp-site taking Kuranda range route. Depending on where I go, I prefer to go during winter season camping which means fewer people or hardly anyone at the campsites.

Taking Kuranda range road as my shortest route to where my camping ground was but at the same time, it is a windy and very busy road. This road is increasingly very popular among self-drive tourists, tour buses and locals. Many locals who live in Kuranda area take a 30 minute drive down to Cairns and Smithfield to do their major grocery shopping. As I drive up this steep ascent from the bottom of Smithfield suburb, the mountain road starts to twists and curves as you drive through the thick jungle of World Heritage forest. About half-way drive along the way up the range, I came to Henry Ross lookout where I could see the breathtaking panorama view of the sugar cane fields, coast line and the city of Cairns. On a very clear day, Green island and Fitzroy island can be visible from the lookout. 

Henry Ross Lookout, Kuranda Range

After enjoying this impressive view, I continued my road trip to Davis Creek campsite about 30 minutes from Kuranda township turn-off, crossing the bridge over the Barron River and passing through small roadside cafes, houses and mango farms. It is a lovely drive. 

It was just before midday, when I turned into Davis Creek road junction. The next 16 kilometre drive from the Kennedy Highway turn-off to Davis creek camp-site was nothing like a smooth drive. It is a corrugated dirt road and the rattling of everything inside the car became my only sound of music.

I finally arrived at the base of the Davis creek. It is the main recreational area which is a very popular place for families and just metres away from the cascading water pools. I continued, driving further up the steep dirt road and not far from my campsite was Davis Creek waterfalls. It has an amazing waterfall cascading over the huge granite boulders and the impressive Clohesy River fig tree are major features of these national park. The view from the top is absolutely amazing.

After absorbing this majestic views of the pristine woodland area and waterfall, I had a short rough ride to my camp-site where I erected my tent just a feet away from the crystal clear creek. Though, it was very cold, I couldn’t resist the temptation but I was glad I only had it do it once. It was late mid-afternoon when I sat down for my late lunch before gathering some firewood for the camp-fire that night. With that cool winter evening, I decided to cook up one of my favourite signature dish – “lamb stew” for dinner to enjoy and appreciate the cold winter camp as I witnessed the sun disappearing among the tree tops. What a night, what a thrill to experience this peacefulness in the middle of now-where was an absolute blessing to me.

Davis Creek and Dinden camping area is so blessed with hundreds of walking trails grading from easy walks to more strenuous walking tracks for visitors, campers and hikers to enjoy. Some of this walking trails are only accessed by 4-wheel drive vehicles only and on many occasions, you will not encounter any soul in the area. After doing couple of easy walking trails that lead to pristine cold water-holes, I not only like the place but I just totally fell in love with hiking and the great outdoor. For me, the best of all is relaxing and having a swim at cool clear waters of the creek before taking a long-way journey home. In seeing and experiencing this hidden pristine area with unspoilt camp-sites and trails, I can see why few come to enjoy, refuel, unwind, meditate and find peace in this peaceful and quite environment.

From personal perspective: Taking time to explore some of the places that you haven’t seen and visited within your backyard, it is always a great way to start your journey. I always heard of places but taking time to be part of that surrounding environment gives you a totally different perspective – We appreciate the place more.

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© COPYRIGHT: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

© akamau.org. (2017). Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material (photography and writing) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to akamau.org with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

One of the most beautiful Getaway Camp Site out of Cairns

Why outdoor camping makes you see things differently

Getting close to nature at Lake Tinaroo for an overnight stay, gave me a chance to see things differently.

By i.c Golina

Lake Tinaroo

Where do I begin? a few months back, I was listening to a work colleague of mine, how he enjoyed his time camping at Lake Tinaroo on the weekend with his friends. He continued to state, how wonderful it was to go camping and simply having a great time at this camp site – having a drink or two, sitting by the camp fire while enjoying the night-sky filled with millions of stars above. It sounded just so peaceful to me. As I continued to listen to his adventure, I was filled with adrenaline and couldn’t wait to go camping. It sounded like heaven on earth to me. I haven’t gone camping for over 15 years. I must admit, I totally missed the freedom and close connection with the nature. Being a keen camper and camped in so many locations throughout far north Queensland – from further south, as far as Townsville to far north as Cooktown. Having 10 days off from work, I decided that it was time to spend couple of days camping on my own exploring and experiencing many things that I have missed for so long. Yes, it was time for me to go on a self-drive adventure tour around Lake Tinaroo which is a short drive away from city of Cairns.

I left Cairns in the early hours of the morning before sunrise to Ravenshoe township, where my countryside home is located. Here I  unpacked few things and added few camping gears. As I start to drive towards Ravenshoe, which is the highest town in Queensland state, it was misty, raining, cold and foggy. For any campers, this is not a great weather for outdoor camping. I took the risk of going whilst I had the time and the opportunity to take some photographs of the wildlife in Tablelands, especially at Tinaroo campground area. Travelling along quiet country lanes, windy and dusty pathways and tasting some of the local produce in picturesque villages along the way and walking along some of the ancient tracks in the footsteps of pilgrims draw me back in time what it was like during those tough and rough years. The beauty of a self-guided adventure amongst some of Lake Tinaroo’s most spectacular landscapes is that you can travel at your pace. This is what I wanted to experience and expected. 

Road to camp grounds

With 8 official camping sites across Lake Tinaroo and beyond, these camping trips offer a leisurely way to explore the countryside on self-adventure drives, just 2 hours drive away from Cairns city. Lake Tinaroo have fully checked routes with maps and directions and with visible sign board along the way on each camp sites. Danbulla National Park has the largest camping grounds in Far North Queensland, which Lake Tinaroo has it all. From its pristine wilderness of forests, wildlife, lakes and mountains to  small country towns, diverse landscapes and more adventures than you could possibly imagine. Lake Tinaroo offers a multitude of ways to experience and enjoy Danbulla National Parks spectacular natural area.

Camping Sites

The campgrounds can be easily accessed and used by day-use visitors and if you plan to camp for a night or more, it is compulsory that you book your camping spot online. Booking online is easy and your required to state which camping ground you will be camping, to ensure to track back if any issues may arise. Once you have booked, you’re then given a random unique number identification and a tag which you have to collect before entering the camping site. The tag needs to be tied onto your tent or somewhere it is visible for the ranger to see and check if necessary. This permit allows you to camp legally and also to avoid any penalties, which rangers patrol the areas on regular basis and unexpectedly. Booking online with Queensland National Parks is easy and is available 24/7. To avoid disappointment and penalties, I booked my camping spot online. ‘Yes’, I was on my way to the campsite – Fong On bay. To reach this campground from Tinaroo dam’s main entrance, was about 20km of drive through some bitumen and dirt road. When I finally turned up at the campground, it was like I had hit the jackpot, the weather was perfect. It was sunny and not a sight of storm appearing. The location of the site was beautiful, located right next to a very big lake. Apart from the short distance of dirt road which made it unpleasant for my low-level vehicle but I reached my camp-destination without any mechanical problems. I didn’t have to pitch-up a tent as I used my car as my sleeping tent. Once, I lowered the two back-seats folded forward, it was a full-length sleeping space from the back of the boot to the back of the two front seats. After organising my sleeping space, I felt my spirit was very high at this point. This campground does not have an allocated sections – like some camping sites at Davis Creek near Mareeba, so it is virtually, first in, best location. Apart from, meticulously clean amenities (toilets only), you’re to supply your own hot and cold shower buckets which the campground only have shower cubicles but without any facilities. I was pleasantly very surprised to see how clean the toilets were and how well the campground was maintained compared to the public amenities in the Cairns city ground and picnic areas. 

Camp grounds at Lake Tinaroo

After I settled, I went for a short walk to scan the whole camping area, along with my lens. Fong-On bay is a huge camping ground area so you have to drive around the area to find a best and suitable spot to erect your tent. This particular camping area is mostly a ‘speed boat’ paradise, where many campers come to display, enjoy and test out their speed boats. I have seen, why they come to this particular location because of its vast calm lake. Shortly after, I started a camp fire and cooked dinner early before sunset as I wanted to capture the sunset at this campsite location. As I just finished washing the cutlery, the sun started to go down which created a perfect picture moment. This is what I came to see and it certainly presented itself amazingly for me to capture. As I begin to prepare myself to relax for the day inside the car, the weather started to turn and spots of rain descended on what had been a good start to my camping trip.

Camp Fire

Sunset at Lake Tinaroo

As I settled down to bed, the rain started to get very heavy. During the course of the night, it started to get very heavy rain and wind which kept me up most of the night. However, as the morning began to break, I noticed that it was just a another perfect morning and the sky was crystal clear with no heavy clouds hovering above. At this point, I knew, it was going to be another beautiful day without any concern. Without any delay, I got out my camera to capture more of the sunrise as it starts to ascend above the pine trees which spread its array of colours over the lake. I could truly witness the true extend of the sunrise at this campsite which created a beautiful scenery to photograph. Just like the sunset before the nightfall, the sunrise certainly presented its morning glory in a perfect way for me to capture the beauty of this natural phenomenon.

Sunrise

Apart from the sunset, sunrise, cleanliness of the campground and the spectacular natural area, there was an abundance of wildlife. I must say, this was the highlight of my camping trip. The Fong On bay certainly spit out the true dwellers of the lake. I was totally in my photography glory and tried to use my amateur photography skills to capture this living creatures inhabit this gigantic lake. To avoid disappointment and not to miss out on any action, I couldn’t stop clicking on my camera. Every turn was vital to me and it was truly an amazing experience.

Being surrounded by wildlife both at day and night time was an unique experience. It is something that I missed for so many years. This short camping experience has given me back something that I love doing. It has brought me back so many great memories of camping and I should to do it more often. Yes, I had a great time camping alone. I will certainly be returning again but to a different camping location to experience other campgrounds and its attraction of wildlife.

Wildlife at Lake Tinaroo – Fong On Bay camp site

From a personal perspective: 

Travelling is not only about traveling in style or luxury. It is about challenges and experiencing different form of travels. Whether you are travelling from air, land and sea to backpacking or simply driving and camping along the way, each journey creates its own unique experience. I tend to experience different forms of travels either independently or in groups. This gives me true challenges in life that I dare to experience. Camping in Lake Tinaroo certainly gave me a different perspective on how see city life to camping life. I must admit, I thoroughly enjoy every moment of it.

© COPYRIGHT: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

© akamau.org. (2017). Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material (photography and writing) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to akamau.org with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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