Alone.
17th July 2025
Camp site on Rocky Tate River.
Alone seems to be my natural environment and that might be a good thing considering how many people I tend to annoy when I socialise :) I have been exploring the old mining area between Atherton, Mt Garnet and out to Chillagoe of late.
Sunset on Rocky Tate River.
On my long trip down to South Australia I worried a fair bit about where I would camp for the night. A few months on and I now worry very little. I have always found a spot as I did late afternoon on the banks of Rocky Tate River. There was even an already formed fire pit………just gather some firewood and good to go.
Sunrise on rocky Tate River.
I had the spot to myself and a magical spot it as. A new favourite place to pitch the tent. In the morning as I packed up camp the top of the river was like glass.
Beyond Chillagoe
Camped on the banks of Walsh River.
My next destination was Walsh River just outside of Chillagoe past Mungana. I have been planning to camp there for many years now and Himi allows me to two wheel right into some great spots.
Walsh River.
During the wet this river is much wider but on this occasion it was a wonderful narrow flow of calm clear water.
I have now figured out what to take out of my gear to allow room for the big wildlife lens. I did not have much luck on this trip but I did enjoy using the long lens again. The Little Pied Cormorant was the most relaxed bird around me but most were the same as that Peaceful Dove. Of course there are always dragonflies to photograph when the birds do not cooperate.
Walsh River, outside Chillagoe.
A local has informed me that in some sections there are Freshwater Crocodiles but I did not see any and there were plenty of people swimming in the deeper sections near my campsite.
Walsh River, outside Chillagoe.
I was camped above the bridge and spent most of my time there. I did go for a short walk below the bridge but there was a group of intoxicated campers and it looked like it would rain so I made my trip short. I will explore more when the party people are absent and the weather a bit more accomodating.
Once I finished at Chillagoe I intended to ride over to Irvinebank. As I headed out of Chillagoe I stopped by at Castle Rock to spend some peaceful time. The light was not so good for a photo so I decided to photograph the Rock Art on the top of the cave for the first time. This is a magical spot.
The legacy of silver and tin mining?
A sign near Emu Creek.
On the way to Irvinebank I passed through quite a few little creeks. Near Emu creek there are signs that warned of poison water. Time to pay attention!
Montalbion - an old silver mining town
A marked grave at Montalbion Cemetery.
A little bit past Emu Creek I visited the old cemetery at Montalbion. Almost nothing is left of the town and despite the cemetery being clearly marked it is well and truly abandoned. The cemetery was used between 1886 and 1922.
A now umarked grave at Montalbion Cemetery.
Very few graves are marked but the cemetery is the final resting place for 68 people. 32 of those graves are for children under the age of 10!
Montalbion Dam.
Another remnant of the town is Montalbion Dam which was built circa 1890. Pelicans are often seen at the Dam and there was one present when I arrived to have lunch. Unfortunately it did not want to spend time with me and flew off before I could take a photo.
Little Black Cormorants ready to fish!
A group of Little Black Cormorants that were fishing the lake as they do as a team were not so shy. As I ate lunch I watched them fish and then dry in the sun. These birds work so well as a team as they herd fish to be captured by one of the team.
Mount Misery
The view towards Chillagoe from Mount Misery Road.
After passing through Irvinebank I decided to head back out to Mount Garnet via Mount Misery. During the ride I parked my bike on Mount Misery Road and climbed even higher up to get a clearer view of the area.
The view towards Ravenshoe from Mount Misery Road.
I am not a big fan of the look of these windmills on the landscape. To me they are a bit of an eye sore. They are however no doubt more and more in our future .
A milo break at Wurruma Swamp
Once I made it to Mt Garnet I decided to head into Wurruma Swamp to see if the Black Swans were about. I have not seen any on my past few visits.
A change of plan - off to Blencoe Falls
Might be due for a service before hire?
After Mt Garnet I was wondering what to do? With pretty much a full day ahead I decided to do the ride from Mt Garnet to Blencoe Falls ride again. It was such an enjoyable ride. The road from Mt Garnet to Blencoe Falls was pretty well graded so highway speeds were no problem at all.
The one and only Blencoe Falls,
I have to find another photo of the falls as this one I have taken quite a few times now. I never get sick of sitting and watching the falls but taking the same photo seems pointless.
The last part of this trip was the much slower, rougher and winding road from Blencoe falls to just north of Cardwell. The dirt road was dry and the ride was a lot of fun. A great few days out in the bush camping and riding on dirt roads sadly ended with 180 kilometres of black top to get home :( You cannot have it all!