20260629 Qld Gavial Creek, Rockhampton, Canoona to Marlborough

20260629 We didn’t find Barra Crab because its in Clairview, so I just found out, but we did find a camp in Port Curtis driving along Roope Rd, on Gavial Creek, but be ware of the Crocks, Des can you get me some water from the river to wash up, crock food😋😂

Naming of Roope's Creek: The Gavial Creek tributary on Roope Road was often referred to historically as "Roope's Creek". It was named after Mr. William Roope, who established a historical wool-scouring operation in the immediate vicinity.

We ended up staying a couple of days and walked the grounds stopping to chat to a homeless man who found a nice spot right on the rivers edge, probably not a good idea as he was sleeping in a swag on the ground, but he said he’s never seen a crock, so that means there’s none, I don’t think so.

Gavial Creek, and Yes, crocodiles live in this Creek, it’s a known crocodile habitat as it connects to the Fitzroy River, which is famous for its large crocodile population and this is also designated to host the rowing and canoeing events for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, really, rowing and canoeing with the croc’s, that makes sense.

        

There are No Camping signs along the strip and I can see why when you witness all the rubbish people leave behind.😡

The structure is the old monument marking the Tropic of Capricorn thats located along Port Curtis Road, south of Rockhampton, it once served as a landmark for travellers.

Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) or a similar species known for its extensive aerial roots that hang from the branches, now that I have never seen before.

The Fig trees I found on my walk.

One of our many homeless Aussie, I’m thinking he has a better view than most Australians and it’s free, at least until he gets kicked out.

We’re getting low on water so we head to Rockhampton to fill our tanks then get some supplies and have a shower at the 2nd World War Memorial Aquatic Centre.

We passed this plant heading to Rocky, interested I Googled it and found this information:

 It was 1932 Harold Hastings Deering founded the Hastings Company who started by selling Exide batteries and Ford vehicles, Australian distributor for Ford. The business expanded in 1947 after securing the Caterpillar dealership in Alice Springs that then grew into Darwin (1948), Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (1949), and Queensland (1952), hence the legacy began.

The complex first opened in the 1960s, it was built to honour those who served in World War II but after a mere $17.5 million upgrade it now represents an Olympic-grade swimming facilities, and all we want is a shower.

John Leak Monument

Private John Leak and the 9th Battalion came under attack from a German strong point. Leak charged the enemy alone through machine-gun fire, he threw three grenades, stormed the trench, and eliminated the remaining defenders. During a German counter-attack, he stayed behind to protect his comrades before withdrawing last. His bravery helped the Australians recapture the entire trench.

Now that brought tears to my eyes😓

With all our chores done we leave Rocky passing the Caves and parked in a roadside camp for the night, the last time we were here a car pulled in and parked near us and Des was complaining, why do they have to park so close then 4 girls hopped out and he soon stopped complaining. 

So here we are in a gravel Pitt just out of Rocky with heaps off wood, sometimes a cloudy sky turning clear then sprinkles of rain, sounds like Tassy weather.

20260630 Driving over Alligator Creek just before Yaamba then on to Canoona, a town we’ve never checked out, my nav took us to a roadside rest stop with a monument of the gold rush with an interesting history. We continued on our way to Marlborough to camp behind the Hotel and from previous experience the owner’s a bit of a prick, my sister and I shared a meal there once and he wouldn’t allow the kitchen staff to give us an extra plate.

The monument I thought was a town.

 In 1858, William Charles Chapple swirled his pan in a quiet creek and struck gold, within weeks 15 thousand fortune-seekers rushed to Canoona, filling the wilderness with tents and dreams only to find no gold, leaving thousands broke in what newspapers labeled "The Canoona Delusion, but one determined miner looked at the river basin and stayed. They traded shovels for hammers, building roads and shops from hence the city of Rockhampton was born. The monument stands as a tribute not to found fortunes, but to the grit of the pioneers who built a city by accident.

With no town to visit we continue onto Marlborough to camp at the back of the old Pub, I like to find were I signed the wall back in 2012 but the new owner has since painted the interior, not happy Jan. Des starts talking to one of the locals who told him about a lovely fresh creek just down the road a bit with huge yabbies, but the guy was leaving the pub and was pretty pissed.

We put on some boots and walked to the creek crawling through the barbwire fence and scrub, yak, the water was stagnate but Des threw a pot in anyway and went back later to find the pot empty, no yabbies here.

     

I did manage to find a photo of it on an old Blog

20260701 On the road again and heading to the St Lawrence Lawerence to volunteer for the festival on the weekend. I was happily blogging while driving along when all of a sudden I received a message from our Jo Shepherd/Barr, “Oi you just passed us”, I try to get them to turn around but unfortunately they are on a time frame, bugger.

This guy peddled into the Marlborough Hotel and unpacked his saddle bags to build a tent for his night stay then we passed him peddling along the Bruce Highway, not my cup of tea but good on him. 

St Lawerence Festival Next