Burke & Wills Monument And Leichardt Falls

On Friday the 25th of June, I left Normanton and headed for Leichardt Falls but was not sure whether I would be staying there. I was aware that the Falls did not have water coming over the falls so did not know if was worth staying but I have never been there. This was new ground for me and a new adventure so I was a little excited. The Burke and Wills Monument is 33km from Normanton so I stopped there for a look and to pay my respect to these intrepid explorers. I will let the signage do the talking. Unfortunately some of the signs are showing their weathering.
The custom of the explorers was to put a blaze on trees where they were camped and area they progressed through. These photos show some of the blazes on the trees that still remain. Some of the trees that have not survived have been marked by plaques in concrete. There is also some signage that explains the protocols for blazing and the authenticity of these blazes.
As a lover of history I found it remarkable to read the letter of Alfred Howitt from a Relief Party that set out to find the Burke and Wills Expedition. The letter informs of the finding of John King.
I continued along the Savannah Way and shortly before Leichardt Falls came to a monument to Fredrick Walker who was a bushman, explorer and surveyer. A very interesting and intrepid guy. The info board explains it all.
I arrived at Leichardt Falls. It was a very rough road getting into the falls to a position to camp as it is so rocks and you bounce all over the place. Plus there were some drop offs on the sandy tracks. The van and the Landcruiser never missed a beat, but the poor driver was stressed out.I found a good spot which was perched at the edge of the Falls escarpment.
I went for a walk down the river. It was an unusually cloudy day. That weather system included high winds for about three days which was in my favour while travelling but I could have done without it.
Looking across from the other side of the river you can see my spot. White van and white Landcruiser.
Unfortunately there was no water flowing over the Falls. I have included a photo of an info board which shows water flowing over the Falls to give you an idea of what it would be like.
Then woke the next morning to a beautiful sunrise. I then bounced my way through the rocky landscape and sandy tracks, back to the highway.

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