CAPE YORK TRIP Day 4

19 June 2014

MEADOW GLEN – via TILPA LOUTH (201km)

It was a very cold night but the day warmed up somewhat.  The landscape changed once we turned north towards Tilpa.   The soil was reddish.  

We passed sheep and goats and after the first little bit of dirt road we travelled along a fairly new bitumen road for a while. 

After that it was dirt road all the way for the rest of the day.  So we all dropped the tyre pressures to make for a better ride.  Whilst it was a dirt road it was a very good road.

The diversity of trees along the way was amazing.  We saw lots of ant nests built in a raised manner above the sides of the road.  Usually it is indicative of coming rain.  I wonder if it actually came.

Tilpa on the Darling River once upon a time may have been a busy place. 

Now just one main building with some outbuildings is still standing.  Tilpa comes from the local Baarkindji language word ‘Thulpa’ meaning floodwater. It has the shortest historical walk - from one sign to another directly opposite each other. 

After Tilpa the landscape changed again and the soil was greyish and the vegetation not as rich.  It was absolutely flat as far as the eye could see.  We were surprised to see a group of cyclists on the road going south.

Louth was a quaint place on the Darling River established in 1859.  

A turkey outside the pub made his presence heard.  It appeared as if it wanted to get entry inside.  

What is of significance in Louth is the memorial built in the cemetary by the founder of the town Thomas Andrew Mathews for his first wife who died in 1886.  At sunset every evening, if there is no cloud,the headstone lights up reflecting the sun’s rays across the town.  So on arriving at the pub we had a beer and asked about the memorial.   We drove up to and walked around the cemetery. 

On our way to and from the cemetery flocks of corollas entertained us.  

Finally we made our way to the river to set up camp for the night.  It was a really lovely spot.  

We walked back into town before sunset and met the publican for a walk to the cemetary to watch the memorial light up.  It was definitely a unique experience. 

Large flocks of corellas swopped around the trees and poles as the sun was setting.  They were noisy and finally there way down to the river for the night. 

Back at our campsite a campfire kept us cosy as we had dinner and relaxed for the evening.  Great company, nice music – what else could one want.