Cruising Into Cania

Our little convoy headed north (once more) with our planned stop being Cania Gorge and Cania Dam just north-west of Monto.  Had to spend a few hours in Monto as a lot of our supplies had run short.  Gas bottle refill was number one on the list, then some wine for The Captain (and not too much of it either as it is a little bit more expensive up here), fuel for Tuf Tinnie and the generator, oh, and then some actual food!  Although there was a nice little fruit and vegie stall just out of town that had some great (and very fresh) stuff for sale.

Onto the Gorge.  Team Turtle actually had to stay in a caravan park as there was no camping at the dam or in the National Park.  The one we chose was a very nice one - just to the south of the Park Entrance and closest to all of the walks!

Next morning we were up and at it reasonably early.  A nice drive to the Dam to check out the boating facilities and then onto some of the walks that are scattered throughout the National Park.

Cania Dam and Castle Mountain

The walks took in a wide range of lengths and difficulties.  Top of the range was a 22 klm return walk with an expected time of 7-8 hours.  We did not do that one!!  Our first walk (a short one) was to an old gold mining area - we didn't find any gold but it was interesting as to how they mined the gold in the area during the late 1800's.

Waiting To Find Gold

After a sumptuous picnic lunch (whipped up by The Deckie) we started out on our longest hike for the weekend - to the Dragon Cave, Bloodwood Cave and the Gorge Lookout.  Estimated hiking time - 1 hour.

First off, The Captain felt like he wanted to wait for the wheelchair that the sign had on offer

Its Not All That Far!

A short stroll along the track and we came to our next small problem

A Small Bit Of Flood Damage

 But help was at hand as the National Parks people had put a temporary crossing in so that we wouldn't get our feet wet.

The Temporary Creek Crossing

Onwards we trekked and hoping to make it to the top of the escarpment

Our Destination

Before we reached the top, there was a small detour to what is known as the Dragon Cave.  There was some fairly impressive markings and water carvings but we couldn't see what was supposed to be a dragon's face.

The Dragon's Cave

To alleviate that little hiccup, The Deckie took a pic of a pic that was outside the Caravan Park's Office.

Looks More Like A Monkey Than A Dragon

A further (and rather steep) climb to us right to the top of the escarpment.  Not a bad view and once more, they have let the trees grow right near the lookout.  Something about "not being able to see the forest for the trees" comes to mind.

Made It To The Top

On the way back down the escarpment, we found this rock formation which we both thought looked more like a mythical creature than the dragon rock.

Captured In Time

And just a short stroll from the Caravan Park there was the last of special rock formations that we were going to look at for the weekend.  It was called 'Big Foot' - not the Yowie like monster but someone's footprint in the sandstone.

'Big Foot' Rock

And after all of that rock climbing in one day, The Captain and The Deckie had a very early night in anticipation of a pleasant day on Lake Cania.