CORELLA DAM and FOUNTAIN SPRINGS

2^nd June, 2015

 

We've crossed the border back into Queensland and after a short stop at Mount Isa to top up our groceries, water and fuel have continued east for 65 klms. We have not camped at Corella Dam before but our nephew Greg has and says it is a great spot. So we turn off the main highway at a sign that says Clem Walton Park and let ourselves through a gate across the road and follow the dirt road for about 3klms. The road veers to the left through another gate to Clem Walton Park and veers to the right towards the dam. We follow the road to the right and as we come over a rise the waters held back by the dam come into view.

Corella Dam

Our nephew was right! This is a beautiful oasis hidden away from the main road and there are lots of free camping spots around the northern edges of the water. We find ourselves a great spot overlooking the water and set up camp.

Our campsite at Corella Dam

This isn't a large lake and Wok takes a hike around the water's edge to the dam.

The wall at Corella Dam

The lake isn't at full capacity, which is not surprising seeing as this area is in the grip of a drought, and blue green algae is a problem ….. so it's advisable to not go swimming or drink the water. No worries! We are quite happy to chill out and do a bit of R and R watching the pelicans, ducks, egrets and cranes search for their supper along the shore. Not far from Corella Dam is a mining trail and on one of our 'chill out' days we decide to do a bit of exploring. The road is little more than a track and most of the oncoming traffic seemed to be of the four legged variety.

At least these guys know which side of the road to be on

We stop at the information board where the town of Bellara once was to read about these early miners.

 

 

There is not much left of this once busy mining town – just some concrete foundations of buildings, homes, the railway station and freight loading facility.

Wok investigates the remains of the freight loading facilitiy

Hidden among the spinifex was this lonely grave.

 

A track branched off here to go to the mine at Hightville about 4 klms up into the hills. We passed by the railway siding where the smaller 2 foot railway line coming down out of the hills met up with the wider gauge railway line at Bellara.

Railway siding on the way to Hightville

Further along the track we spotted a kangaroo and joey sitting in the middle of the track. They soon hopped away as we got closer to them.

Wildlife hazard ....

The track got rougher and rougher until finally we decided that enough was enough.

The track sort of deteriorated from here ...

From where we left the Jeep it was a couple of kilometres to a tunnel which had been hand dug to allow the smaller train access to the mine.

Railway tunnel near Hightville

From Bellara we continued along the track until finally we were at a dead end. We could see water through the trees at the base of the cliffs and hopped out of the Jeep for a look. After walking along a track beside the creek whose waters were disappearing into the dry creek bed we emerged at an open area in front of a spectacular gorge.

Wok at Fountain Springs

The colours in the cliff faces were fantastic and the spring fed water was crystal clear. This awesome gorge was called Fountain Springs and apart from one information board at a rest area out on the highway there was little else to tell people what a hidden gem this was. We retraced our steps and drove back to our campsite a little weary and very dusty.

Oh no!  The Jeep got dirty!

We weren't in any hurry to clean up though and sat back to watch the resident kite swoop down over the water hunting for a fish for its dinner while the sun went down on another perfect day in the great outdoors. Life is good!

Sunset at Corella Dam