Flora River Nature Reserve

A boat ramp with a difference

We were told about this spot from a ranger in Litchfield National Park so we had to go have a look for ourselves.  We were not disappointed and had a wonderful time here. We put the boat in, which was an effort on its own. As the banks are so high a ramp with winch was installed to lower the boats into the water. However someone had stolen the winch rope so we used the 4wd and a rope to lower the boat in.

The water in the Flora river is a beautiful emerald green colour, this is because it is spring fed and passes thru limestone as it comes out of the ground. The water becomes rich with calcium  carbonate and the sunlight reflecting on the water is what gives the water its emerald green colour.

Tufa falls

Taking a dip in one of the Tufa falls pool

There is a 4km stretch of the river in which you can fish. This is because there are tufa falls either end of the stretch. These are just spectacular to see and learn about.  Tufa is when the calcium carbonate solidifies from the water as it passes over rocks or branches. There are so many waterfalls formed from the tufa. We found a section with layers of waterfalls and pools which made for a safe swim.

The base of the waterfalls also make good fishing spots. Finally it was my turn to land the big Barramundi for the day, just a little 76cm catch. This has been my biggest catch for the trip so I was very excited. We were able to share our catch with our neighbours Peter and Maryanne, we enjoyed Barra dinner together that night around the fire.

Mums big 76cm Barra - Yippee

Fresh chocolate cake for morning tea

Darrin and Peter went for an early fish the next morning and while they were gone Maryanne and the girls made a chocolate cake cooked in the camp oven for morning tea.

There are 2 short walks to do from the campground, which we found very interesting as this is where we learnt about the limestone and tufa in the river. There are so many waterfalls/rapids in the river that are formed from the tufa. It is such an amazing and beautiful place to explore.

School time

I have to include this photographic evidence of the girls actually doing their school work. We meet so many people travelling and they all ask the girls "Are you on holidays" and their reply always is "No we are travelling around Australia". They generally further explain that we are away for 6 months but we still have to do schoolwork so it is not a holiday.

Darrins morning catch

 As usual Darrin likes to get that last fish in before we leave somewhere, so he was up early on the morning we left to stock the fridge. Would you believe we were sitting around the fire having some breakfast and back comes Darrin with his catch of the morning. A nice size Barra and a Sooty Grunter.