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On location, hunting for dinosaurs! While waiting for a massive Sauropod to wander across the barren...
Destinations > Diamond In The Rough
Diamond In The Rough
Situated on a channel of the Diamantina River, Mundewerra Waterhole is a picturesque spot with coolibah trees sprinkled along it. The red-sandstone cliffs that rise up 30m above the water on the opposite bank look particularly brilliant when they are bathed by sunlight. Unfortunately the area where you can camp is fairly exposed to the elements and can be windy at times. When I was there towards the end of March the only problem I had to contend with were millions of tiny bush flies that wanted to cover every bit of exposed skin on your body. Even insect repellent rubbed liberally over the arms and face had little effect on these annoying pests, but if you visit the park in the cooler months they shouldn't be a problem.
Facilities at Hunters Gorge are limited to one pit toilet. Make sure that you have a fuel stove for cooking, as collecting firewood in this semi-arid park is not permitted. What fallen timber there is provides homes for lizards and other small animals, that would quickly die from exposure to the elements if their protective cover were removed.
Abundant Birdlife
Bird life around Mudewerra Waterhole is prolific, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when galahs, zebra finches, diamond doves willy-wagtails and small flocks of budgerigars come down to drink. Both the white-faced and white-necked herons regularly patrol the muddy banks along the waterline searching for yabbies and other small crustaceans, while overhead the distinctive high pitched calls from whistling kites can be heard throughout the day.
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To reach the park's other camping area at Gumhole on Gum Creek, head back to the Bouila-Springvale road then keep going west for another 11km until you see the sign on the right. The camping area is about 200m in off the road from here. This lovely little spot which is set amongst coolabah and bauhinia trees, has definitely more places for camping and even has a few fireplaces and a picnic table as well as one pit toilet.
Gum Creek is also a magnet for birds. During my two-day stay there I saw many inland species that I had never seen before including the red-backed kingfisher, crimson chat, banded plover and the Australian pratincole. One of the most striking birds, the beautifully marked spinifex pigeon, can often be seen in pairs and small groups walking through the spinifex on their way to the water.
My most notable sighting however was the rarely sighted Australian dotterel, which is considered by ornithologists to be one of the best-camouflaged birds in the world. These delightful little ground dwelling creatures are mainly nocturnal and it was only by good luck and a powerful torch that I was able to see them.
Warracoota Circuit
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Facilities at Hunters Gorge are limited to one pit toilet. Make sure that you have a fuel stove for cooking, as collecting firewood in this semi-arid park is not permitted. What fallen timber there is provides homes for lizards and other small animals, that would quickly die from exposure to the elements if their protective cover were removed.
Abundant Birdlife
Bird life around Mudewerra Waterhole is prolific, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when galahs, zebra finches, diamond doves willy-wagtails and small flocks of budgerigars come down to drink. Both the white-faced and white-necked herons regularly patrol the muddy banks along the waterline searching for yabbies and other small crustaceans, while overhead the distinctive high pitched calls from whistling kites can be heard throughout the day.
read on below advertisement
To reach the park's other camping area at Gumhole on Gum Creek, head back to the Bouila-Springvale road then keep going west for another 11km until you see the sign on the right. The camping area is about 200m in off the road from here. This lovely little spot which is set amongst coolabah and bauhinia trees, has definitely more places for camping and even has a few fireplaces and a picnic table as well as one pit toilet.
Gum Creek is also a magnet for birds. During my two-day stay there I saw many inland species that I had never seen before including the red-backed kingfisher, crimson chat, banded plover and the Australian pratincole. One of the most striking birds, the beautifully marked spinifex pigeon, can often be seen in pairs and small groups walking through the spinifex on their way to the water.
My most notable sighting however was the rarely sighted Australian dotterel, which is considered by ornithologists to be one of the best-camouflaged birds in the world. These delightful little ground dwelling creatures are mainly nocturnal and it was only by good luck and a powerful torch that I was able to see them.
Warracoota Circuit
next page »
