Travelling with Tracey: Townsville Express via Carnarvon Gorge National Park

Warrumbungle National Park

The new contract in Townsville gives us just a few weeks to get from our location close to the SA border of NSW to North Queensland. The journey takes us through Cobar in the heart of NSW’ and into the most beautiful National parks. We spent a morning at the Warrumbungles a mountainous conclave with the straightest trees I have ever seen, flanked by perky mountain tops and navigated by winding roads leading the viewer from one lovely scene to another.

From there it was through Narrabri, onto Moree and over the Queensland border via the Carnarvon Highway. Most of the motorway was edged in the most enormous cotton fields. I didn’t know Australia produced that much cotton. There was more cotton than grain which begs the question – where is the food???

We made a decision a bit earlier to power our way through to Townsville with just one stop to break the journey. That stop was to be the Carnarvon Gorge National Park where Michael would celebrate his birthday and we could rest before the short run to our final destination. Good choice us!

Carnavon Gorge National Park is stunning. Glorious mountains interspersed with tropical savannah, creeks running with cool mountain water, magnificent gorges and palm trees hedged the road into the Takarakka Retreat our hosts in this adventure. Once inside the park was an oasis packed with a plethora of animals including Wallabies, Pretty Face and Grey Kangaroos, Kookaburras and other bird life of every sort. Couldn’t do anything but relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

We met a lovely couple next door who put us to shame in the walking arena. Whilst we lazed they went on every walk in the area and then some! On Michaels birthday we booked in for resort, 'fine pig on a spit' dining experience and laughed at the terrible entertainment on offer. Fun all round.