Mareeba Rodeo and Fletcher Creek July 2010

While we were at Fletcher Creek we were visited by 2 horse floats from Tamworth and Armidale with 9 horses between them and the people who were with them  said they were on their way to Mt Surprise to the rodeo and after that they were going onto Mareeba and then back to Charters Towers.

 Our "sundowner " spot

 Fletcher Creek is a great spot about 40 klms north of Charters Towers and we had a top spot with lawn behind the van that went down to the creek's edge which was flowing quite quickly. There was also a besser brick BBQ where we used to join our neighbours each afternoon for a sundowner and Colin used to feed the Kites with cheese.

Fletcher Creek

 Remains of old bridge across Fletcher Creek

 Feeding the Kites

   When our rodeo friends said the rodeo at Mareeba was on the next weekend we decided that as there was a good campground at the rodeo grounds we would go  and check it out. However seeing as we still had some time up our sleeves on a day that was rather overcast and cool we decided to check out Dalrymple National park as the track to access it was closeby.

Burdekin river in Dalrymple National Park

 We were very surprised to see so much sand  and so little water in the Burdekin but there were signs that it had been in flood  fairly recently. As we continued through the park we came across some of the historical aspects of the park including a marker from Leichardt famous trip through the area a long time ago.

Leichardt's marker

 Continuing on through the park we came across some old graves  not far from the junction of the Burdekin and Fletcher creeks. We opted not to walk down to the actual junction but others told us the track was quite okay. We took several side tracks down to the Fletcher on our way back  and saw some quite pretty spots. Me looking towards the junction of the Burdekin and the Fletcher creek.

 When we headed north towards Mareeba we started to run into rain and as we had to go through a lot of roadworks north of Greenvale our vehicle and caravan were very muddy by the time we reached our stopover at Ravenshoe. It was wet there too and quite cool. However  It was a lovely surprise to catch up with some friends that we had met at Mitchell, and sit around the fire for a chat.

 The next morning when were leaving we had planned to get a gas bottle refill and post some mail but  we hadn't reckoned on a public holiday for the Atherton Show so we couldn't get anything done. Our friends from Mitchell weren't up when we left  so we couldn't say goodbye to them. They were also going to the rodeo but not leaving for another couple of days. However late in the morning after we had setup at Mareeba and were heading into town to get those things done which we couldn't do at Ravenshoe we were pleasantly surprised to see them arrive.

The number of rigs and grey nomads at Mareeba was a real eye opener for us as weren't used to seeing such large numbers of rigs. By the time the rodeo got under way there must have been 800 or more rigs of all sorts and particularly large motorhomes. although we were there a week we only had to pay for 5 nights camping as there was no charge for camping when the rodeo was on. However there was only a very limited number of powered sites so most people had to rely on generators etc.

Mareeba Ballooning

Mareeba is a well known ballooning spot and several mornings while we were there the balloons came over first thing in the morning.

Rodeo action

 Getting a rider ready the chutes

 Barrel Racing - Females

 As we had paid to  attend the rodeo the fee covered the 2 days of action so we could wander over and check out what was happening as we pleased instead of having to go and spend the day there.

 We have friends who live in Mareeba but spend most of the winter months prospecting for gold on their lease near the Palmer River. A phone call earlier had revealed they were away but a chance visit found them home for a few days to get a few things done before heading out again. It was great to catch up with them again even though they were home for such a short time.

Sunday morning at the rodeo grounds saw a bit of action in our area as it was discovered that chairs had been taken form outside our van and the van next door. Our neighbour thought that the culprits were a group of young people who were sitting around a fire not far away and a visit revealed that someone was sitting in his chair and on further investigation Lynn found our chair in the back of a Ute. When Lynn when to find the cops or security he could only find an organiser who just moved the group down to the main camping area for the overnighters..