Gregory Downs

Right – blog posts are few and far between these days – my comittment to the gym is eating into my ‘free’ time at the moment!  However, the next couple of days are going to be dedicated to finishing off the posts about our little trip at the end of June.  So, where were we?  That’s right – I have already filled you in on the first three nights of our trip free camping along the Burke Developmental Road.  From Leichardt Falls we headed to Gregory Downs along a narrow, very dusty dirt road that ran alongside Augustus Downs Station.

It was only about an hour and half drive from Leichardt Falls to Gregory Downs so a nice short day of driving. We were looking forward to setting up camp for a few nights stop and a bit of relaxing.  Gregory Downs is a tiny little township, basically a pub, a school, a racetrack and a station homestead.

Peter Prado and Black Betty out the front of the Gregory Downs Pub

The main attraction is the beautiful free camping (no facilities) down by the Gregory River.  There is a sign at the river which states that the riverside is for ‘low impact camping only’ – we figured we were in that category now with the camper trailer and when we got down to the water there were heaps of caravans camping down there too.  There is also a caravan park behind the pub and a free camp near the bridge at the river with water, so lots of camping options!  Oh and a free toilet and shower for use in the park across the road from the pub!

We managed to grab a fantastic spot right on the water’s edge – it was beautiful!

Our campsite – view up the river

Our campsite – view down the river

We also got to set up Black Betty properly for the first time – annex out and everything.  We were super happy with our setup and took a few photos to show you ………………………………….

Sleeping quarters

The ‘penthouse’

LOVE the views out the windows and moon roof!!

Outdoor dining

View to kitchen

It was still a little chilly here and the kids were a bit disappointed because they could finally swim in the water (no crocodiles) but it was freezing!!  Jack had heaps of fun floating down the river with the current and even convinced mum to have a go!  Once I had got over the chilly water I did have to admit it was fun floating downstream on the noodle and had several goes to keep Jack company as it was just too cold for Toby and Lexi!  It was quite funny waving to all the campers sitting relaxing in their chairs on the bank of the river as we floated past.

Off goes Jack to float down the river

The swing was lots of fun!

Aaaaaargh – off goes Mum just to prove she’s not too old for some fun!

Jess trying to grab the swing on the way past

Missed it!

The walk back to camp after travelling about 1km downstream on the current

We had lovely neighbours here, John & Allison, who were elderly tomato farmers from Victoria and had been coming to camp at Gregory Downs for many, many years.  They told us about a spot further up the river where they used to bring their 7 children camping years ago, so on our second day at Gregory Downs we went out and did some exploring and found some beautiful spots along the river away from the crowds free camping under the bridge at Gregory Downs.

Peter Prado out doing some 4wd exploring along the Gregory River

One of the many lovely camp spots along the Gregory River we came across when we went for a bit of a 4wd.

We camped for two nights at Gregory Downs before heading into Adele’s Grove in the Lawn Hill National Park.  We had a lovely time.  We even managed to cook our first ever meal in the camp oven – a Sheppard’s Pie – it was delicious!  The free camping under the bridge here at Gregory Downs was quite crowded but we enjoyed chatting to the other campers who were all grey nomads avoiding the cold in their hometowns further south.

There was heaps of firewood about to collect and we will always remember our neighbours John & Allison having a bit of a sing-a-long together every night as the sun was setting – it was beautiful to hear!  Nobody sings anymore – such a shame!  Matt is going to to bring his harmonica on our next camping trip along with the kids ukelele’s to try to get a bit more music back into our camping.  We’ve decided that what we lack in talent, we are going to just make up for in volume and effort!!

Our campsite – Gregory Downs

Afternoon fire

Sheppard’s Pie in the Camp Oven

Matt cooking our dinner

Kipp outside with Dad who was having a coffee in the chilly early morning!

Gregory Downs is a beautiful spot to camp.  I would go out there and say probably the best free camp we have ever come across to date, definitely put it on your list of places to visit!  Next post – Adele’s Grove!