Einasleigh and Copperfield Gorge

On Thursday the 10th of June we left Georgetown and headed to Einasleigh where Copperfield Gorge is located. It was a drive through beautiful hilly country. We have left the plains behind and whilst it is still savannah country we have more beautiful gum trees, at least on this drive. We arrived and pulled into Silk’s Rest. This is a cheap camp owned by a great bloke, Rob Silk. $5 per person per night with clean showers and toilets and you can hook up to water. Einasleigh is in a broad valley nested amongst some beautiful hills and a couple of red rock hills. This is our camp for two nights.

After set up and some lunch we took a walk to see the rest of Einasleigh and Copperfield Gorge. We walked down to the vehicle bridge for our first view of the river and the gorge. The rail bridge is a beaut and there is a quite a dip in the bridge. We weren’t sure if this was a functioning train line at all.

We then walked down to the gorge. It is amazing that there is no signage to explain and promote Copperfield Gorge. Whilst walking through the gorge we got talking to a fellow who was also checking it all out. He was actually working for QLD Tourism and was assessing the gorge for prospects of promoting the place. The Shire had asked for assistance with that and he was going to Georgetown for a meeting with the council following his visit to Einasleigh. Whilst we were walking around the rim of the gorge the train turned up which answered our question as to whether the train line functioned. The train is called the Savannahlander (similar to the Gulflander) and operates as a tourist attraction between Forsyath and Mount Surprise. They are beautiful old carriages, diesel operated.

Then we went down into the gorge and onto the sand. The gorge and the river is fantastic and I looked forward to going back the next day for a swim.

Opposite the walkway into the gorge is the Einasleigh Hotel. It was a warm day and we just hade done a good walk so it was hard to go past. We just had the one beer and checked it out.

Back to camp and relaxed. The sun was going down and it was a beautiful spot to watch it. The hills around the town shone a beautiful red but unfortunately I did not get a photo. We had a beautiful dinner and fire that night. Most of the campers came to the communal fire that Rob has set up. As normally happens you get tips about where you are going and tonight was no exception.

I had a peaceful night sleep and woke up to a beautiful morning. I had already decided the night before that bacon and eggs were in order for the next morning. But on such a morning as this I would have got get the urge anyway. So guess what, I had bacon and eggs for breakfast. That was the start of a great day.

After a chat with Rob and campers we headed off for a walk to check out more aspects of the place. We walked down onto the old concrete bridge.

We walked up to the other side of the river. This hill is best seen at sunset because of all the red rock in it.

From that side of the bridge you can take the road to Mount Surprise. So if you want to go to Einasleigh and Forsayth it makes for a good shortcut to use that road and the road to Georgetown from Forsyath.

There use to be a copper mine above the river on the rim. So we went and had a look. Again none of this has signage or promotion.

After the walk it was back to camp for lunch. Then time for a swim. I went down to the western side of the main lot of sand and had a beautiful swim. I got a video but it does not show quite how nice it is there. Some of the photos help.

I walked back to camp and on the way was struck by how beautifully quiet this place can be, and I am talking about the whole place. I walked on the roads and did not have to move for any vehicles as none came.

I arrived back at camp and chatted to Rob who was working about the place. He told me about how nice it was to go to the waterfall and swim there. What waterfall? Now you tell me Rob! You can’t tell me that and me not do it. I may suffer a bit from a syndrome of ‘the fear of missing out’. It think there might even be a name for it. He explained where it was so with a little encouragement from Jan I went back down to the gorge and swam to the waterfall. It was such a nice spot to swim. The next morning we took a walk there as we had not seen it from above and so I got some photos and videos of it then. When I got back from the gorge I was stuffed and my dodgy shoulder was also. Still suffering for it about three days later.

Back at camp I changed out of the swimmers to go to the pub for dinner but could not leave until this sunset was done. It looked very promising as far as being amazing but it did not quite reach those heights. Fussy aren't I? We had decided we were not cooking that night and went to the pub where we had hamburgers and chips which were pretty good.

So the next morning we went back to the gorge to look at the waterfall from above which we had not seen. I know if we were staying another day I would have got Jan & Ross to join me in a swim at the waterfall. It was a great spot.

So that concluded our time at Einasleigh. I love that place.