Lake Dalrymple - QLD

Lake Dalrymple or Burdekin River falls/dam/pond (depends on rainfall) is one place that many Explor Oz members have passed through but not seemed to rate or review. After googling the various names I found that was not much help either. So here are the raw facts.

Driving there.
From Collinsville about 135k's bitumen road. Can't really tell you much as we came in from the other end however, you CANNOT access the camping area from the Collinsville side if the dam is overflowing, no matter how big your snorkel is! It is a long way to drive around so check with Sunwater first before you attempt the drive from south. Getting in from the north is relatively easy. A well signposted turn off from the Townsville/Charters Towers road (Flinders Highway/A6). DON'T listen to your GPS and turn off early unless you are a real adventurer. The road conditions through the one horse/cow towns change after every downpour and require local knowledge. Travel through Mingela (don't blink or you will miss it) then Ravenswood and on for 80ks to the dam. MAKE SURE you have all supplies prior to leaving Ravenswood as there is NOTHING except water at the dam. A long way to come back for a can opener. I would STRONGLY advise travellers to do the drive during the day. Most of the road traverses open stock paddocks and the cows quite like the warm road after a long day basically doing nothing except eating grass. Skippy also abounds so beware.

What's there
A very grassy caravan/camping area would fit about 60 sites without being to friendly. Reports of crowds of 400 at easter seem a bit off-putting. A big dam containing sleepy cod, barra, and some perch thing that no-one seems to eat. Redclaw have not been seen for about 2 years. The park is clean and in some parts shady with both powered and non-powered sites. Amenities are good with a camp washing up area and a laundry with washers and dryers. Disabled facilities are available. Ranger comes around at 7am each morning and picks up the rent. You cannot book a site so be early on long weekends. $10 U/P or $15 pow. per night for 2 adults. Ruggies under 12 are free, extra hangers on over 12 will cost you $5. You cannot camp on the dam foreshore and the boat ramp is about 3km from the campsite. Your faithful hound is welcome on a lead. Day trippers can use one of the many shelter sheds and BBQ's that are further on past the camping area. There is also a huge group BBQ area that would seat about 80 with 5 big gas bbq's. The camping area has a pool.

Communications.
There is NO mobile service from any of the carriers. Sat phone should be OK. I had no problems calling Charters Towers VKS 737 on HF. There is one public phone.

Wildlife.
Wallabys hop through the place at dusk and peacocks wander around the park during the day. the large quantity of native trees attract various other birds as well. Apparently there have been sightings of Salt Water Crocs in the dam and below the dam wall which you may wish to consider before taking a dip.
Grey Nomads also are sighted frequently in the park reading last weeks newspapers and complaining about share prices whilst sitting outside their mobile condominiums.

More info?
Contact me at caternorth@gmail.com and I will do my best
Craig Mc Donald & Julie Cox
Quebec 1770