Ride, camp, roam and read.
17th October 2025
Base at Princess hills for access to Herbert River Falls.
I have been trying to get quality over quantity with my trips of late. I may not be going bush as often as I would like but when I do I try to go for at least 3 days. A week ago I decided I wanted to head back out to Herbert River Falls, take some photos and in between sit and read a book my daughter gave me, I would guess, over 10 years ago now.
Pepina Falls, October 2025
As I made my way out to the Ravenshoe area I pulled into Pepina Falls, one of my favourite spots to stop and have a break. That log in the water used to be out in the middle near the base of the falls and I tried for a couple of years to incorporate it into a good shot with no luck. I did catch a few leeches in my efforts however. Recent rains must have washed it further down stream.
On my first visit to Herbert River Falls I was unable to get a camp site on my first night at the Princess Hills base camp. The same happened this time :( I decided to head into the National Park near Coolabbi Creek and find a campsite in some of the old logging area.
I’m now far more confident on the bike when loaded with my camping gear so I decided to head into the bush to an area that has no tracks. I actually feel like I am a better rider than I was in my youth roaming the bush around Townsville on my TT500. It would be a short ride with no tracks on Himi to a very secluded spot where I set up camp.
I had a yellow and an orange one….wish I still had at least one of them. Photo from MCS.
I camped just above this section of Coolabbi Creek, October 2025.
This small section of Coolabbi Creek I have photographed many times in the past. It is a small Gorge that provides some nice shade and I have spent a lot of time hiding from the sun there.
My campsite looking down on the creek. October 2025.
This would however be the first time I have camped there and what a camping spot it was up on the top of that little Gorge looking down to the creek below. Without the motorbike I could never get in here on anything other than by foot.
I had this spot all to myself. What bliss cooling off in the crystal clear water sitting on the rocks.
The next day I spent the morning packing up camp and then cooling off in the creek sitting on rocks in the water.
One of the many waterfalls along Herbert River, October 2025.
Just before midday I headed off to set up camp at Princess Hills. For the next two days I would explore the smaller water falls along the river as you head downstream to Herbert River Falls from Princess Hills..
The location from where I took the previous photo. During the wet that photo would not be possible.
I would as per usual explore places I should not on my own and put my camera in danger of a watery death. Just around the corner to the right is another waterfall……don’t want to fall in!
Photo also taken from the middle of the river.
I had a lot of fun and will share the photos from those two days once I finish collecting some more from Herbert River. I am heading back there again soon and starting to know the area far better.
BTW, I did get to finish the book. Chicken Soup for the Father’s Soul is a great collection of short stories about being a father. I do question how much has been added to some of the stories…….a bit hard to believe at times but uplifting none the less.
The book was published back in the early 20’s so I am guessing my daughter gave it to me well over a decade ago. A belated thank you for the read Kristle :)