Getting to Cobbold Gorge
From Talaroo Hot Springs we travelled the 250km to Cobbold Gorge.
The Story of Cobbold Gorge
In an isolated area of the station, the mouth of Cobbold Creek with its permanent clean water was a popular watering hole for cattle. Anyone who did visit, didn’t seem to venture beyond its junction with the Robertson River as the sheer sandstone walls and deep water formed a natural barrier.
It wasn’t until the early 1990s, that the youngest Terry son, Simon, and two friends took a small boat to the mouth of Cobbold Creek. They paddled up the creek and were amazed at what lay before them – the magnificent Cobbold Gorge. Simon quickly recognised the potential of such a unique geological treasure and together with his wife Gaye, decided to develop a tourism venture. Around 1994 they commenced running tours out of Georgetown and then developed a camping area.
Gorge Tour
Access to the gorge is only via a tour. Two tours a day were running while we were there, with 40 guests on each tour. Three buses took us from the camp, across the dry Robertson River bed and along a track to a large shed where we disembarked, and separated into four groups of 10 people, each with a guide. From there we all went down to the pontoon where two groups started with the boat tour, and others did the walking tour. During the wet season, a flying fox carries all the boats, paddle boards, pontoons, chairs etc. from the Cobbold River mouth up to the shed to store until the dry season. Otherwise, they would all end up in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The water level raises dramatically during the wet season, filling the gorge and flooding the river systems.
The walking tour was interesting. For those not wanting or unable to do the walk, there are seats available at the boat ramp where they can sit and wait in the shade. The terrain is steep and uneven in places, but the view down into the gorge was amazing. The glass bridge was awesome. Our guide pointed out the abundance and variety of bush tucker in the area, and how the indigenous peoples made use of it.
The boat tour up the gorge was slow and relaxed and cool. It truly was remarkable. Absolutely stunning. The sides of the gorge were so close that we had to duck our heads from time to time. The boats were specially made for the gorge, with a small electric motor up each end so they don’t need to turn around; they were eerily quiet. There are a couple of places wide enough for two boats to pass if one tucks itself against the wall of the gorge. We saw a few fresh water crocodiles, just small ones, under 2 metres.
Stand Up Paddleboard Tour
Tim did the 8am SUP tour of the gorge. At 7am he was wondering why he had paid money to get out of bed and get cold and wet so early in the day. Never having used an SUP before, or ever having much success with activities that require good balance, he was a little nervous. However the guide, Savanah, was kind, helpful and encouraging and followed him in her kayak until he got his “sea legs”. Unlike the boat tour later, the gorge was quiet, calm and somewhat magical. Also magical, was the fact that he stayed upright and arrived back at the village dry (though in need of a coffee).
Here’s a tip. If you do the SUP tour and own a GoPro or similar, remember to take it. At least one of the helmets had a GoPro bracket on top but if you have a spare helmet bracket, take that too. Then, you could put photos in your blog unlike us. Here is a photo from Outback Queensland instead.
Around the camp ground
We absolutely loved Cobbold Gorge. We booked 4 nights but would have stayed longer if we could.
Powered sites with water, fire pits for each camp, plus a communal fire that was lit each evening at 5.30, Showers, toilets, laundry, air and water pit stop for cars, dump point, walking tracks from the camp, 4WD tracks, restaurant, bar, infinity pool, swim up bar, kids infinity pool, kayaks available for anyone no booking required, stand up paddle board tours of the gorge, boat tours of the gorge, helicopter flights and more.
Russell’s Lookout hike
A great hike, quite a workout at the end, but the view was worth it.
Kyaking
Kayaks, life jackets and paddles are always on the pontoon, available for all guests. No fee or booking required. Also a great ramp to safely get into the kayak for launching and disembarking.
Dells Walk
The sign at the start said “follow the signs”. It should have said “see if you can find any signs” LOL. But it was a fun hike along the creek. (Apparently, Dell was a horse and so couldn’t have read signs anyway.)
Sunset at The Quartz Blow
One of the 4WD tracks is to The Quartz Blow to watch the sunset, about 10km from the camp. High clearance 4WD is required. It is a beautiful spot. We were joined by other couple and soon became firm friends. Looking forward to catching up with them again.
A quartz blow is an outcrop of quartz remaining after the softer, surrounding rock has been eroded away.
cheers til next time, Helen & Tim.