It had been so cold overnight – unusual for us – that we were up early. The plan for the morning was to buy fossicking licences and go down to Agate Creek to fossick for agates, thundereggs and other semiprecious stones found in the area.

Rose and Dave, Trev and I drove out while the Hunters enjoyed a relaxing morning at the campsite. Along the dirt road and out to the designated fossicking area near Agate Creek we passed a few road trains again – the road here seems quite busy despite it’s remoteness. The landscape was relatively green with gums, spinifex, acacias and grevilleas spread out across rolling hills with rocky quartz outcrops.

The area was once the location of volcanic activity hence the presence of thundereggs and other semiprecious stones.

After locating the fossicking area we spent the next 2 hours combing the dry creek beds and washouts for potential thundereggs, agate and other colourful stones. We all found few stones to take home – a couple may be agate and one looks like a thunderegg but we will need to get it cut open to reveal what is inside.

We raced back to camp to have a quick lunch and start the gorge tour. The tour guide drove us all in via small 4WD buses to the start of the gorge – about a 10 minute drive from the campground

Cobbold Gorge was only discovered in 1992 by the station owner’s son and a couple of mates. It is a narrow gorge filled with water that runs all year round fed by a spring – the creek runs along a narrow fissure which has now been eroded into the gorge it is today.

The gorge is quite unique in its appearance and structure – the smooth rock lining its edges having been polished by the rushing water and debri during the wet season when it is impossible to get in to see the gorge.

We cruised up and back through the narrow passage, the boat at some points just fitting thought between the walls of the gorge. A lone freshie was sunning itself on the bank and the water was full of fish.

It was quiet and serene moving slowly along the creek and the whole gorge area was stunning with amazing rock formations of all shapes and colours.

After the cruise our guide took us on a walk to the cliff above the gorge for a view over the gorge and countryside. Along the way he pointed out many plants used as bush tucker and medicinal purposes as well as native bees, termites and fauna such as walleroos – all very interesting and informative.

The Three Amigos enjoyed the view from the high point above the gorge!

The group was then bussed back to camp and Gordie, Trev and I were then taken back to do the stand up paddleboard along the gorge. Kerry, Dave and Rosie had elected to stay back at camp and relax.

There was only a small group of 6 paddling SUPs along the gorge – it was a fantastic experience to get up close to the massive rock face and paddle along the clear calm water of the gorge. We all managed to stay upright the whole journey bar one man who whilst trying to pass his camera to his wife lost his balance and went into the creek!!

We really enjoyed the SUP tour – and once back at camp jumped into the infinity pool for a quick dip followed by spag bol for dinner kindly cooked by Rosie – delicious!!