PANDANUS PARK

Left Mareeba with Bob & Wendy and headed north to Mount Molloy for one of the legendary giant burgers. They were as good as ever. Decided to stop at Palmer River Roadhouse for the night so we could watch the State of Origin. Great game although the campground there is pretty ordinary. Arrived at Kalpower Crossing that afternoon and proceeded into Pandanus Park, the Vietnam Veterans’ retreat on the Normanby River. Radioed in and were met by Mark and Ivan (the hosts with the most). Ivan showed us the available camps that were cleared and big enough for us and we settled in. What a magic place. Tried hard to catch a barra. Managed to get half a dozen cherabin each night so kept some of them to eat instead. Those that were catching barra were getting them on set lines but we had no luck. It was lovely just going out on the river in the tinny though. It is very picturesque.

Met Kerry and Jeanette and Feral (Vets president) and Annie who come from Bowen. We had a lovely time at Pandanus Park and were made to feel so welcome. Drinks at the RAP each afternoon were very social and we had a lovely evening get together with all the other campers on Sunday night. Even snuck in a paddle in a shallow part of the river. All eyes up though!

Bob & Wendy cross the Normanby River at Kalpower

We also took a day trip out to Jack’s Lakes, which is a system of billabongs to the east of Pandanus. Saw a big bunch of wild pigs along the way (which got Leo very excited) and discovered other lagoons which were full of birdlife. Didn’t see any of the legendary local crocs though. Pandanus is a great place too for bird watching. Saw lots of new ones for my log.

We left Pandanus after a week with Kerry and Jeanette. Bob and Wendy were enjoying it too much to leave so soon. Of course the night we left Bob caught a nice barra and has caught others since. Hope we get into some fish further north. Would like to say a huge thanks to the Vets committee at Pandanus for making us feel so welcome.