Day 33 – 21st June – Millstream Chichester National Park

We set off to explore the national park today, following a ring road that loops through the entire park.  Our first stop was a cliff lookout over the Fortescue River.  We were shocked to see so many palm trees along the river’s edge.  Apparently they were introduced when the Afghan camel traders were running camel though the area.  Obviously this is the perfect environment for Date Palms so they thrived… to the point I think they are considered a pest. 

Further around to the left of the first photo the path circles to the left overlooking a plain scattered with Snappy Gum trees.  While looking over the plain I managed to spot a dingo weaving his way through the spinifex… no, I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo…

Next stop was an unexpected delight… the old Millstream Homestead.  Historically, they have run sheep here since the early 1900s and even ran a tavern out of the homestead for a period of time.  Over the years a bath house, a vegie garden, a lily pond and even a tennis court was built on the property.  One of the old grandmothers planted a heap of Cotton Palms and introduced lilies to the waterhole so this, coupled with the abundance of Date Palms, makes for a beautiful oasis.  There is a really nice walk through the property with signs indicating where all the old buildings and areas of interest were located…

We have never seen water as crystal clear as what was running through here.  Just to the left of this bridge is where they tapped the stream for their bath house.  Unfortunately, the area is of some aboriginal significance so you are not allowed to swim here now… I hope dipping your feet in doesn’t cause offence…  

So many pretty spots

A valley of Date Palms… apparently the fruit bats love them… 

The lily pond 

From the homestead we followed the drive around the park until we came to a spot where thankfully, we can swim.  Deep Reach Pool is a couple of kilometres stretch of the Fortescue River where the water is up to 14m deep.  The banks are lined with Date palms and Snappy Gums and are full of birds.  There has been a bit of rain recently so the water was a lovely shade of brown… but it was fresh… just what you need when you’re camping without shower facilities ;)

We made it back to camp with enough time to spare in the day for some chill out time, something which has been surprisingly lacking so far.   Megan’s first birthday present project: