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Private Notes
The year got off to a strange start, but lockdown gave Jase and Simon plenty of time to dream up new vehicles and new adventure destinations. So the moment they were allowed to leave home, they hit the road for 1770 and took the back tracks out to Bustard Head. Ruts and washouts, slippery tracks and tight turns only added to the fun of being back off the beaten track.
Jase and Simon continue their way up the Queensland coast and make their way to Stanage Bay where there are plenty of spectacular islands to explore with fishing to match! But first while they’re in the area, Jase wants to show Simon an abandoned copper mine near his uncle’s old property that he used to visit as a kid. They manage to find the old chimney, but bats have taken over the mine… so it’s a good time to cook up a Coconut Lime Cheesecake for dessert.
Jase and Simon head for the Carpentaria Shire and explore some of the history of the area. Simon has a tip on a place where they are pretty much guaranteed to catch barra, but instead they’re the ones getting caught.
The boys become quite familiar with the history of the old Normanton gaol and some of the people who spent time there.
The manage to break away and head to Delta Downs, a working cattle station of a million acres. After being welcomed to the station by Quinton, Warren & Dave, the boys head out to experience what this beautiful land has to offer including the incredible birdlife and stunning beach camps.
Jase and Simon are in Carpentaria Shire, and it’s Simon’s turn to offer a little service to the community by lending some elbow grease to the Les Wilson Barramundi Hatchery. Jase also cooks up another recipe submitted by members of the community. This time it’s tasty Cherabin & Barra Fritters.
After a job well done, the boys head out with Dave who takes them onto his country in search of some bush tucker. After some hunting, fishing and… celery? …they have a cook-up on the coals with thanks to the elders.
The next morning the boys are in for a treat, as they get to join in the muster at Delta Downs station. Jase in the buggy and Simon with his own horsepower join the others in a coordinated dance between choppers, quads and horses to bring the cattle in. It’s a huge team effort rewarded with damper and billy tea at the end of the day.
Jase and Simon finish up their community service with one last Cooking with Council winning recipe. Savoury Mince Spaghetti — with some extra heat for Simon. Once they get the all-clear from Mayor Bawden, the boys hightail it out of town.
David wants to show the boys some of his secret fishing spots on Delta Downs, but there’s a bit of carnage on the way out while attempting to get the vehicles down to the beach. Jase makes it through with a little crunch before Simon turtles it and the recovery gear comes out.
Once they finally get to a spot to launch the boat, they set up camp and have a little fish from the shore. Dave takes them out to Grandad Jimmy’s fishing camp, a special spot frozen in time.
Jase and Simon pull into Burketown to meet some traditional owners and to get Simon coffeed-up. First they meet up with Murrandoo Yanner, a famous local who has worked tirelessly to get hunting rights back for aboriginal people to hunt their own bush tucker. He has some tracks for the boys that haven’t been touched in a long time, which is just what they like to hear.
So they hit the road with a group of rangers who are coming along on the ride. They get to put it in 4WD in no time. Will low and slow win the race… or will Simon’s method of ‘get on the gas’ work best? They get to Moonlight Creek crossing, and Simon declares that it’s time to set up camp.
Jase and Simon start at Hell’s Gate and then make a run for the NT border at the first opportunity to cross. They meet up with some rangers who join them for some offroad fun. There’s bulldust and billabongs, before they set up camp near Running Creek.
Day 2 starts with Bacon & Egg Pastry Jaffles for brekkie. Then it’s back on the track, or what they can see of the track. It’s all part of the fun of driving, and as they head into the rocky gorge country, they face a tricky crossing where everyone has to work together. Bee stings and ‘Keith’ moments don’t put a damper on the day.
Jase and Simon are in fishing heaven whether they’re in the boat or on the shore, there are fish jumping on their hooks. Queenies, mangrove jacks and barramundi galore! Heading out in the 4.2 tinny on the river, there’s cod and jacks. The boys are loving it! Even the cameraman gets in on the action.
But all good things must come to an end, and a tough drive in means another tough drive out. Even the little bogholes cause big problems.
Jase and Simon head back to one of their favourite spots… Lorella Springs. But with a million acres, each trip offers something new, and this time is no exception. The boys are on a mission to follow in the footsteps of German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt who came to a mysterious end while trekking through northern Australia. Based on drawings in Leichhardt’s journals, his camps were nearby, so they set out to see if they can find any trace.
But first, there is a rock formation that Rhett tells them is worth a detour, and after getting through the sandy tracks and rocky escarpment, Jase and Simon can’t resist a climb. With views like this, it’s not hard to appreciate what an amazing country we live in!
Back in the trucks, they set out to look for a place to camp. Tonights dessert is a Jaffle-style Apple Pie.
Jase and Simon head to some familiar ground — the salt pans of Lorella Springs. The last time they were in this area, it almost ended in disaster with Simon rolling his truck while trying to recover Jase’s very stuck vehicle. This time Jase has a new plan to get out there by following the river beds, so they head out and are met with some very soft sand.
That’s not the only challenge they’ll need to face, as Simon discovers he’s run out of coffee. With the prospect of facing 3-5 days before they’re back to town, he’s not a very happy camper. But Jase has an idea of how to put a smile back on his dial, and he makes a little pocket change in the process. It’s service with a smile as he serves up coffee with a slice of Simon’s Hundred Dollar Cake.
