Around Oz the First Time - Chapter 35 - El Questro Day 2

Today we are going to wander. I suspect we will jump in the Cruiser and motor to some of the more iconic sites around this place. Slept almost 10 hours last night with an early morning nature call, Robyn did the same.

We are woken from the second portion of the sleep, well I am, Robyn is in the shower, by a knock at the door. Its Silver Leader, looking to lock in a time to commence our trekking. 8.30 gives Robyn and I time for a leisurely breakfast and Rosalie time for a shower he says. The usual early morning movement of vans and campers is on, returning of items into the cramped spaces of vehicle and van or particularly camper trailer is a dead give away.

We are going to the Zebadee Spring early, which is a set of pools not far from the park we are at. We need to do this first as they close at noon to allow for bus tours and Homestead staying guests to get in, in fac they actually close the gates at that time. After that we will see what we think. First though we need to confirm our cruises and tours for the following day, which means a trip to reception where we suggest Silver Leader and I would like to go fishing with Shaun, one of the guides, who we struck up a conversation the previous afternoon and Forbsy and the girls would like to go on the Explosion Tour.

First snag of the day, the Explosion Tour needs at least 4 to be an event and we are the first three to want to go, so the group goes on a waiting list, but are ensured that it should be OK. The fishing trip is sorted and paid for.

Off we go, not knowing what we are in for but with enthusiasm. Crossing the water crossing adjacent to the front gate, Forbsy opens his door to see how deep the water is, after I told him the back of the van disappeared at one point yesterday. Rosalie captures the event on video, which starts a progression of sledging videos during the day, much to the mirth of the group. The video ends with Forbsy saying “well its not my car” much to the guffawing of the other passengers.

To the carpark and the temperature is already in excess of 30 degrees and its not yet 10.00am. The sign on the carpark suggests that if the car park is full. Come back another time as the pools will be full as well. Luckily the carpark is nothing like full and we gather our things and head in.

It’s a short walk across 2 boardwalks to the pools area. Robyn curses as we head across the larger one not enjoying the bouncing that occurs when much larger males walk on the boardwalk behind her. At the first crossing the water is quite deep, and Silver Leader tests the temperature and yells “ouch” as if his finger has been grabbed by a predator, just for fun. He is asked as to the temperature, to which he replies, “it’s fine”.

Once in the pools area, we can see why it is popular with adults and kids alike. We quickly disrobe down to our swimmers and test out the waters. The water temperature and the outside air are about the same. The crystal, clear water offers a soothing relief, and we immerse ourselves in it, finding rocks or banks to lean back against and luxuriate. Forbsy gets so relaxed he looks like he has nodded off. Robyn and I find a deepish hole and the Silver Leader and Rosalie move further down where the bottom is as much beach sand as anything else.

Numbers increase steadily and in time we become pruny, so I start the process of removing myself from the water. Once out of the bath, I dry myself and take to taking pictures of those still in, particularly Robyn, as she is situated, where from where I stand, I can see her, but she cannot see me. Silver Leader and Rosalie have the same predicament, whilst Forbsy was the first one out.

A little bored with myself I conjure up a plan to video Silver Leader who stays in the water the longest. I commentate much like Richard Attenborough, suggesting he is able to stay in the water much longer than anyone else because, he is continually talking with his hands, and they are out of the water most of the time. The video gets a hysterical thumbs up from everyone, including Silver Leader once he finally withdraws from the thermal springs.

Finally all out, its getting on towards 11.00am and there will be a mad rush shortly to beat the gate closing at noon, we are walking back and Forbsy remembers his hat is still sitting in the tree where he re-robed. Never let a chance go by I say, and being from Newcastle Forbsy would attest to that, I start to commentate again like Richard Attenborough, starting with the video on his bag suggesting it was evidence of the rare Mark-Ivor bird. As he returns, hatted, I go on to suggest it’s the even rarer hatted variety. Again guffaws from the peanut gallery.

OK, it’s 11.00am what’s next. The consensus is Edith Gorge, that can’t be far away, and we can walk it before lunch. I plug in the Gorge into my GPS and, hang on, it’s all the way back out the corrugated road and them some, are we sure we want to do that? Needless to say, it wasn’t long before we were on the corrugated road we struggled with yesterday, in the dust, heading out to the main road. The faster I am able to go, and that is no more than 60kph, the easier it seems to be.

Edith Gorge Resort is part of El Questro, but does not cater for vans, only glam tenting and cabins. Just as well too or we would be there, as it’s only a kilometre or so off the highway. We check with the reception about the walk, ensure our provisions are at adequate levels and head off.

Early on it’s a pretty easy walk but the further you go the tougher it gets. Along the way there are many designated photographic opportunities and we take them all. All of a sudden, we are at a sign which suggests only able-bodied people should continue past this point. I should have headed that sign for not long after, over heated and heart racing alarmingly I had to stop. Robyn stays with me as the others go on. It takes quite some time to get back to what might term normality, just as well we had lots of water, straight from the fridge in the Cruiser and it was still quite cold.

We start to head back, pausing at each piece of shade for a moment to ensure the overheating does not get worse. I have hurt myself today, my legs feel like jelly and my heart quickly begins to race as soon as we start walking again. We get to the sign I should not have ignored and self-video a sledge of myself, chastising me for not heeding the sign. I am not the spring chicken I used to be, obviously.

We finally get back to the resort and pump some Powerade into our bodies. Its not long before the others are on approach and I buy a round for them which is ready as they walk in. We all agree this was as silly idea, doing the Gorge in the heat, BUT, looking at the pictures and videos the others have taken, the trip to the top, the ensuing swim and the views were more than worth the torture.

So lunch, we all decide on a light calamari snack as we will be dining in the steak house tonight. This is consumed, and we realise we need to get back to the main resort before 4.00pm to confirm our Explosion Tours, if there have been other takers. We jump (and that’s being generous to what really happened) back into the Cruiser and head back.

The turn off to the resort has no other vehicles on the road. I am in my element, a little rushed, no dust and no other vehicles to contend with. The 60kph speed limit is quickly ignored and we are off down the corrugations. The Cruiser at 80kph hands the corrugations much better than yesterday at 40kph, I even get to hang the back end of the car out a little before the automatic traction control takes over. Back across the water crossings and back into the resort with 10 minutes to spare. Everyone comments about the smoothness of the trip back.

Quickly to reception to check the wait list and pay if needed, we find all is OK for the trip, another couple have booked, getting past the required number, so everyone pays. Silver Leader and I have to get rods etc ready for fishing tour so we decide to all meet back at the bar area for happy hour in 40 minutes.

My gear sorts itself out, not really been put away since Ivanhoe Crossing. Forbsy heads off before Robyn and I but we are not far behind him, our reservation in the steakhouse is for 6.00pm and given the soreness ion everyone’s legs we will be lucky to see much past dinner. So, we are in a steakhouse and what does everyone order, everything but steak! Bucking the trend I order their largest one, Silver Leader and Rosalie order the seafood (hey we are having fresh caught Barramundi tomorrow night) and Robyn and Forbsy have lamb.

During the dinner Silver Leader enquires whether, should we stop a nice Barramundi tomorrow can we bring it to the chef and will he cook it for us. The answer is “El Questro has a catch and release policy on all fish caught” with a little wink form our waitress Michaela.

Robyn crashes out at the table, her body has given up, I am suffering cramps to which Michaela prescribes more alcohol. It doesn’t help. After dealing with desert and the bill we wander back to the van. I set the alarm for 4.15am and fall into bed, I suspect dreaming of catching my first barramundi tomorrow.

Robyn asked me today had El Questro started to reclaim some of it’s mystique back from my initial thoughts. I said ask me after fishing tomorrow.