EP23 - Wow, Outback Beauty! | Mount Surprise QLD to Cobbold Gorge QLD

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]All right.

[00:00:33]So far in the town on the hill where the apples road. The church bells ring every hour or so. I took a little walk just to see the ships coming in.

[00:01:13]The sun rose up right above the highway.

[00:01:19]Black, blue, red, yellow, golden skyway.

[00:01:24]Just like the day that you jump into the wind.

[00:01:34]I can't go back down to that water again.

[00:01:47]Look at you two.

[00:01:50]What's daddy got?

[00:01:51]>> Good in the car. What's daddy got? It's been a while.

[00:01:56]>> Ready?

[00:01:59]>> Just a nice dust bowl. All right, we just pulled over to see how the caravan is after those dirt roads. We probably got another >> gravel pit for the night.

[00:02:09]>> Probably got another 30ks to go. Things out over happy with that.

[00:02:31]What's happening under there?

[00:02:35]The system's going.

[00:02:37]>> That's good.

[00:02:38]>> Just checking the the bearings aren't overly hot. We've driven a fair way and we've done a fair few corrugations. So, just have a bit of a walk around, a bit of a eye over everything while the dogs have a run.

[00:02:54]>> A bit cooler, >> but it's all seems all good.

[00:02:56]>> Your front right leg doesn't look that great.

[00:02:58]>> Ready? Okay.

[00:03:00]>> Yeah.

[00:03:04]>> You ready? Ready.

[00:03:12]These old muddy shoes keep on walking streets.

[00:03:17]Someone's bride by an Egyptian sheets.

[00:03:21]The window display of some little store in town.

[00:03:31]And there's my reflection against the morning light. Hello, Mr. Ghost. Mr. skeleton white. You better comb your hair. Better wipe that George clay off your brow.

[00:03:50]You better stand up straight, man. These people hardly recognize now.

[00:03:59]Lord, carry me like a sailing ship.

[00:04:05]Comfort me before I slip around the dark side of the moon. All this spinning around hurts my head.

[00:04:18]I just sit here alone some for you.

[00:04:24]There's a million things I would rather do instead.

[00:04:33]I know it takes a lot to change a worried mind. And I know it takes a year to see the warm summertime. But I made a nails man. Made a tombstone. Tall tall tall tree.

[00:05:02]>> And there you have it. Cobble gorge or cobalt >> cobalt gorge cobalt gorge. However you want to pronounce it. Here we are. We made it. Some corrugations, some dirt road, >> beautiful weather, >> and we're here.

[00:05:18]>> This is exciting.

[00:05:20]>> All right.

[00:05:21]>> Laura's been want wanting to come here for god knows how long.

[00:05:24]>> Yeah.

[00:05:26]>> And we made it.

[00:05:47]pumping a few jars in there later on.

[00:05:48]King >> how good is any shops here?

[00:05:53]>> Yeah, it's a restaurant.

[00:05:56]>> Restaurants here.

[00:06:20]Green.

[00:06:30]Hey. Hey.

[00:06:36]putting fuel on it.

[00:06:38]>> Yeah, >> that's an expensive fire if he's putting diesel on there.

[00:06:44]>> All right, D. What are we doing?

[00:06:46]>> Having dinner.

[00:06:48]>> Where are we?

[00:06:49]>> Where are we? We are at Cobalt Gorge.

[00:06:53]Amazing place.

[00:06:55]>> Look at the pool in the background.

[00:06:56]We've had a bit of a swim there today.

[00:07:00]>> Well, there's three pools. So, there's a baby pool, there's a smaller pool, and then there's this big infinity pool.

[00:07:06]>> And now we're putting away a red >> the Shirazo.

[00:07:11]>> They chill it here in Queensland in Victoria. Would never have it cold.

[00:07:18]>> You know, around the back part, >> snitle night.

[00:07:23]>> Snitle night. $30 for a schnitle. And it's on special tonight. Like, it's the chef special. So I said, "Is it just tonight or is it all weekend?" She goes, "No, it's just tonight." So that's why we're here.

[00:07:37]>> Schnitty night.

[00:08:16]Hey, Good morning. We're up at the cracker daka off to take the dogs for a bit of a walk cuz today we've got a tour into the gorge.

[00:08:40]I'm not sure if Laura explained this, but if you stay out here, you have to book a tour, some sort of tour, whether that's a helicopter tour or hike around the gorge, a boat trip. What else is there? or a stand up paddle board.

[00:08:53]>> Or a stand up pedal board. So, you at least have to pick one of those. You obviously don't have to do one every day, but just one single tour is fine.

[00:09:06]Sorry, just before we keep walking, there's two camping areas here. I'm not really sure what ours is called. I couldn't see the sign, but this one's called Sherwood Camping Area, and we're just about to walk through it to a swimming hole, but they haven't opened this, so there's no one here yet. So, they're containing everyone to the one area.

[00:09:24]>> It's It's quite quiet, but it looks like they have people that just come and do day visits. It can get quite busy through the restaurant part, which we were at last night. But >> yeah, and if you don't have a four-wheel drive to get in, uh I think there's tours that pick you up from Georgetown, so the bus will come and get you as they did when we passed them. Remember?

[00:09:45]>> Yeah. So, there's absolutely plenty of room. I could see this place getting packed. Couldn't you, Dar?

[00:09:52]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:09:53]>> If it was really packed, I think it would take away from its its beauty, especially around the pool area.

[00:10:00]>> Well, that's why the pool's so cold because So, not everyone's in there at one time or for too long.

[00:10:05]>> Yeah.

[00:10:06]>> That's what they do at Lake Argo as well. Do >> they?

[00:10:08]>> Yeah. They make it really cold. We're taking the dogs for a walk for about a good 45 minutes because they're going to be stuck in the caravan for 3 hours. So, this gorge tour that we're doing is a three-hour tour. So, I want to make sure that they're they're nicely uh exercised and they'll be tired while we're away.

[00:10:32]And that's why I've got a powered side as well, so we can just run the air con nonstop.

[00:10:37]>> It's definitely a good time to do this walk because the sun's about to come out and she gets pretty hot.

[00:10:43]>> Unfortunately, we can't put the drone up here, which would have been amazing. If we want to put the drone up, we have to get out of the caravan park. Um, and even there, there could be restrictions cuz there's a couple of stations around here.

[00:10:55]>> They've got a lot of helicopters and stuff as well that come and come and go.

[00:10:59]So, it's the other reason why there's no drones.

[00:11:04]The tour's just about to start. Short little bus trip down to a water crossing. We walk through that and then we'll start the gorge.

[00:11:15]This bus cross the river jump in the other bus.

[00:11:18]>> Saw a Michael walking crossing the line and don't look back.

[00:11:34]Think I was broken.

[00:11:37]Needed some time to clear my head.

[00:11:43]>> How was that?

[00:11:46]So, there is a bus on the other side for >> unable people to walk too far. Look, bit like King Billy. It's just going to It's going to help. Yeah.

[00:11:56]>> Um to the >> either the board of skywalk.

[00:12:01]>> Yeah. The the buggy across the sand area was well worth it.

[00:12:06]>> Yeah.

[00:12:06]>> So, make sure you pre-book that because otherwise they won't have anything organized. I've made all the mistakes and dealt with the heartbreak.

[00:12:17]I think that I feel my way.

[00:12:20]>> There were a few butterflies there.

[00:12:22]>> I've been sinking like a stone. Carol, take me home. Nothing's ever really broken. I won't let you go. Cuz I'm finding my way right back to you. I'll find my way back back to those feet on it.

[00:12:48]>> I see a river floating it way out to the sea.

[00:12:58]I can remember carving our names onto that tree.

[00:13:10]And I Yeah, I just want to see you.

[00:13:14]You will never know just how much I've been missing home.

[00:13:22]I've been sinking like a stone.

[00:13:25]Carolina, take me home. Nothing's ever really broken. I won't let you go. time finding my way right back to you. Yeah, I find my way back back to you.

[00:13:47]I think that I'm finding my way right back to you.

[00:13:58]Yeah, I think that I'm finding my way.

[00:14:04]>> Underneath our seats, we do have life jackets if needed.

[00:14:10]>> Come sit next to me, Bill.

[00:14:15]>> Done. Good job.

[00:14:20]>> See how roll So they had a problem behind the cattle >> when the storm is moving in.

[00:14:41]>> The sky goes dark and you feel the wind.

[00:14:48]Too much weight just holds you down.

[00:14:54]Waiting for the cal to come around.

[00:15:00]>> And you hover all your tears, your desperate leaps and feet.

[00:15:08]>> You will rise above. Know that you are strong.

[00:15:13]Though the road is long, >> there is always love >> to carry you home. Oh, >> when there's no solid ground, >> walls are closing in and you hear the sound of your heartbeat through your chest.

[00:15:58]Oh, your head is spinning. You can't find no rest.

[00:16:04]And you hover all your tears, your disbeliefs and fears.

[00:16:12]You will rise above. Know that you are strong.

[00:16:17]Though the road is long, there is always love to carry you home.

[00:16:34]>> Well, 3 hours later and the the tour is finished. We just got to walk back to the river, walk through the river, and then hop back on the bus. And it's about a 10-minute drive back to the caravan park or the village as they call it.

[00:16:49]>> The gorge was spot on. If you come here, definitely do that tour. Dad just got through the walk, but if you're unable to do the walk, you can sit down the bottom and just get the boat. You're still going to have an amazing time. That gorgeous stunning.

[00:17:04]>> Yeah, >> it was well worth it. But anyway, it was bucket item ticked off and we've got a beautiful photo to enlarge and put up at the farm. So, I'm excited about that.

[00:17:15]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:17:16]>> And it was great that King Billy came through. Like, it was a bit of hard work, but he got through >> and he's got some amazing photos to remember that.

[00:17:24]>> The main concern was him tripping over and falling >> cuz >> it wasn't the walking, it was just the terrain under his feet.

[00:17:33]>> That's right.

[00:17:33]>> You can't rush these things. You just got to take it easy. Unfortunately, it's not a self-guided walk. It's with a tour. So, they're going to have to wait >> for everyone >> time constraints. And >> yeah, we saw two snakes on the on the gorge, too. So, that was that was the wildlife. No crocs, unfortunately. So, >> there is freshwater crocs in there.

[00:17:52]There's about 30 of them. And we didn't see any today, unfortunately. But plenty of other wildlife. Heaps of fish.

[00:18:00]>> Just have to >> couple snakes. That was good.

[00:18:02]>> Keep our eye out.

[00:18:04]Very good. Now it's time to get back to the dogs.

[00:18:07]>> Have something to eat if you haven't eaten today. I'm starving.

[00:18:10]>> Yeah.

[00:18:11]>> And um >> and kick back.

[00:18:13]>> Crack your cold beer.

[00:18:14]>> Kick back in the pool. Anyway, let's go.

[00:18:23]>> Okay, there the sunny spot.

[00:18:31]Still fresh. It's a little bit cold.

[00:18:35]It's the coldest pool we've been in, but it's the nicest pool.

[00:18:57]>> Just got to get used to it. It's nice.

[00:19:00]>> Yeah. just not selling anything yet.

[00:19:05]Wonder what time they come.

[00:19:16]>> Are you texting?

[00:19:18]>> It's a scam.

[00:19:23]>> Whoa.

[00:19:31]gets better.

[00:19:33]I >> still can't touch the bottom.

[00:19:39]>> Oh my god. Like, um >> I was going to I was going to warn you.

[00:19:44]I thought, "No, you'll work it out."

[00:19:46]>> It like slopes down on the end. Oh, there's a little step there.

[00:19:50]>> This is where the love birds hang out.

[00:19:52]>> Yay.

[00:19:52]>> This is the insta the insta pick.

[00:19:56]M. Oh, it's so beautiful, isn't it?

[00:19:58]>> It is.

[00:20:00]This is what we're looking at.

[00:20:14]>> New element then.

[00:20:16]>> I love it.

[00:20:20]>> Very deep here. I can't touch the bottom.

[00:20:24]Let's get out of here.

[00:20:32]>> Well, we got a situation here.

[00:20:35]Bloody run out of gas, haven't we? For the barbecue.

[00:20:39]>> I thought we're fully electric.

[00:20:41]>> We are out inside the van, not outside.

[00:20:44]Fortunately, >> they've got good barbecues here. So, I'm going to go and smack this on the barbie.

[00:20:52]You right there, King.

[00:20:54]>> You had a big day, haven't you?

[00:20:57]>> Big day, right?

[00:20:58]>> The old cobble gorge walker. King Belly's watching the footy. Laura's looking after some editing and going to take this over here and do some cooking.

[00:21:13]How good's this setup?

[00:21:16]Old electric barbecue. Got a burner there, too.

[00:21:21]which is cool. But you know what? I didn't bring tongs.

[00:22:06]This place is really well set out. So, you've got a bit of a conference room just here behind me.

[00:22:12]All down here is some beautiful sights, nice grass sights and a lot of the unpowered down that area. And then there's three tiers. So the top tier, we're in the middle tier. And then there's another set of caravans below us. And then here's the toilet and shower facilities. So ultimately down there's I think would be awesome to stay. There's a few powered sites just here, but that's all unpowered down the bottom there. And then you have the barbecue area. So, it's very well set out.

[00:22:48]It's a beautiful night.

[00:22:53]So, on our way into this place as well, it wasn't heavily corrugated.

[00:22:58]I I can I can see how it would get heavily corrugated, but we were fortunate. It was pretty good. So, we didn't bother about airing down. We probably could have, but we decided not to. But what I've noticed here that they've got a full station where you can fill up with water. You can put air straight back in if you want to air back up. But I suppose at the end of the day, you've still got to go back out. The park's set out really well on the dump points. Just there's two dump points. There's one here straight here and then there's another one at the front of the the camp. It's pretty big place. I'd love to put the drone up to give you some sort of perspective of how large this station is, but obviously we're not allowed to fly drones here. So, we'll leave that one alone.

[00:24:20]There you go. I've given that a good scrub. Nothing worse when you turn up to a barbecue and someone hasn't cleaned it properly. Now we got to get all this stuff back. Also want to show you guys this unbelievable sunset. Sorry I'm holding the camera like this. It's a bit It's a bit um hard with everything.

[00:24:41]But oh god, I wish I could put the drone up. It's bloody beautiful.

[00:24:54]How you doing?

[00:24:56]All right, the park is just about cleared out where there's only a few vans here now, which is unbelievable.

[00:25:07]Now, we're taking King Billy to the infinity pool. He's got his little pool noodle and the cats are playing today.

[00:25:14]So, he's got his little dicky hat on.

[00:25:17]Haven't you a dicky hat?

[00:25:19]>> Hey, it's good luck, isn't it?

[00:25:20]>> Just took the dogs for a walk down the bike track. They're stuffed. Yeah, >> they can't walk very far in this heat.

[00:25:27]>> So, they're very quick walks.

[00:25:29]>> But we've noticed that a lot of people come here on weekends or long weekends and then go. So, today's Sunday.

[00:25:37]>> If you want the place to yourself, off peak is the go.

[00:25:41]>> Doesn't look like there's any tours today either.

[00:25:44]>> We're so blessed with this weather. Have a look at it.

[00:25:54]Thank you so much.

[00:26:43]Are you ready?

[00:26:46]for this.

[00:26:51]Thank you.

[00:27:06]>> Uhhuh.

[00:27:07]>> Cool.

[00:27:09]>> I like that. Cool.

[00:27:10]>> You don't eat them too often. They don't.

[00:27:12]>> Yeah.

[00:27:23]If you haven't already guessed, we're actually off on a hike. This is 4 and a half km hike out to the Russell's Lookout. Little sunset tour we're on.

[00:27:33]>> So, I thought I'd take I'll take the miso for a bit of a date night out there. And then she said, "Oh, we'll bring the dogs."

[00:27:40]>> I don't know why, but Got Mad Dog one, Mad Dog two.

[00:27:52]And they're just starting the challenge and the hike and we got to go through a water crossing.

[00:27:57]>> It's going to be a bloody disaster.

[00:28:00]>> It's gunky. Yes.

[00:28:03]>> Get wet feet. No, you >> go on the rocks.

[00:28:07]Oh god.

[00:28:22]all over the le. That's awesome.

[00:28:26]That's it, mate. Yeah, just piss all over the leaf.

[00:28:30]>> Okay, we're here, I think.

[00:28:35]>> Yeah, >> we're going all the way. Holy crap.

[00:28:40]up there.

[00:28:41]>> 4.4 >> 4.5.

[00:28:45]But in the book it says that's return.

[00:28:48]>> And no doubt we're going to be coming back in the dark. So I got got me favorite pink torch.

[00:28:57]Let's look it.

[00:28:59]We're looking for green.

[00:29:03]Let's go.

[00:29:14]1.24k 1.2k from the river.

[00:29:20]>> 1.2. So >> that's two 2ks.

[00:29:23]>> Yeah. So maybe it was >> that's 4K return.

[00:29:26]>> 4 and a half to the lodge to the village.

[00:29:29]>> Oh, that's right.

[00:29:30]>> It's very well signposted.

[00:29:33]>> Okay. So that's a bike track, but we're looking for the green post. So we're going this way.

[00:29:50]Yeah, the spiders though.

[00:29:58]Now they're behaving.

[00:30:44]nearly there.

[00:30:46]>> So far, that's pretty high. So, Good girl.

[00:31:01]You're a good girl, darling. Thanks.

[00:31:05]Thanks, Gil. Mom's all right.

[00:31:19]There's a seat.

[00:31:25]Good boy.

[00:31:27]Good boy.

[00:31:29]Good girl.

[00:31:31]>> That is a lot harder than what it seems.

[00:31:33]I'll give you that tip. Run them.

[00:31:37]Wow.

[00:31:38]>> It's worth the view though. Beautiful.

[00:32:03]just talking about our trip and how far we've come. That's the village right through there. If you can see, there's some fires in the background and the gorge is over there somewhere. I was thinking while walking up that everyone goes to Carageni National Park and you can't take dogs there and there's so many tourists. Yeah, you got lots of beautiful water holes, but there's places like this that people haven't even explored. You got a beautiful gorge, great restaurant, infinity pool, >> all dog friendly, >> hiking and dog friendly.

[00:32:46]Yeah, it's a pretty good spot.

[00:32:48]>> It's very There's a lot to do.

[00:32:50]>> So, >> a lot of hikes, a lot of bike riding and >> gorgees to to visit and >> Yeah.

[00:32:57]>> Yeah. It's pretty pretty stunning.

[00:32:59]>> And it's in Queensland.

[00:33:02]But anyway, you're just going to have to come and see it for yourselves.

[00:33:06]>> Put it on your list. It's a bloody beauty.

[00:33:08]>> It's not hard to drive to either. Like I said, you can bring a two wheel drive here. You just got to take it easy.

[00:33:14]>> Yeah.

[00:33:17]bit mate.

[00:33:17]>> Obviously with the floods and stuff is will be would be different with a lot of water crossings.

[00:33:22]>> Yeah.

[00:33:23]>> But it's definitely well worth it.

[00:33:25]>> So we call her Ranger Stacy, but I did ask her yesterday what's the best time of year to come here and she said now because it's still really green here.

[00:33:35]>> Yeah.

[00:33:35]>> And there's still a fair bit of water around. So >> right on the fringe.

[00:33:39]>> Yeah. They open on Easter weekend. So, if you can get here in April, then >> just after Easter, >> yeah, make it happen. Easter's pretty busy. But if you like that and you like the hype and there's a lot of activities and you know there's a buzz around the village, then come Easter weekend, but otherwise come the weekend after, which was what we've done.

[00:34:02]>> So, are we staying for sunset or we turning around?

[00:34:04]>> No, I think we'll go cuz the sun's going to set there. And what's happened is the grass has been whippers snipped on the way up here. So it covers a lot of the rocks, some of the cut grass. So you got to watch where you put your feet. And I don't really want to go down that when it's dark.

[00:34:20]>> Yeah.

[00:34:20]>> So we might as well head back now.

[00:34:22]>> Yeah. And try and get the sunset on the GoPro. Hey D, until next time.

[00:34:30]April 2026.

[00:34:33]Let's go doggies.

[00:34:40]Come on, Cous.

[00:34:42]Wait for dad.

[00:34:45]So, they were saying on the tour yesterday that this is a nature reserve and that's why it's dog friendly and run pretty much by the village, but it's overseen by national parks. So there's certain conditions that they need to meet. Like you can't swim in the gorge, but you can stand up paddle board.

[00:35:34]smile on your face when you're going downhill. It's >> a lot easier coming back, that's for sure. It's going to be a beautiful sunset, though.

[00:35:51]>> Feel like I'm on Opal Hunters.

[00:35:54]>> What do you found there, D? Color.

[00:35:56]>> Big piece of quartz.

[00:35:57]>> Bit of bling. Yeah, >> it's not worth bugger.

[00:36:12]This way, girl. Thank you.

[00:36:24]Don't fall in, my love.

[00:36:52]Awesome hike.

[00:36:55]Bit challenging at the end there. The last 600 meters are the hardest is the hardest.

[00:37:02]>> An hour and 27.

[00:37:05]Stay up there for long.

[00:37:06]>> Yeah, the time >> 6:00 hour and a half just in time for sunset.

[00:37:25]Good job.

[00:37:26]>> Good job, sweet drink for you back at the caravan.

[00:37:30]>> Beautiful.

[00:37:37]>> What a place to sign off.

[00:37:41]Might have to go in the water.

[00:37:46]It's It's actually quite pleasant. It's nice. 33° today.

[00:37:50]>> Yeah, it's beautiful. Anyway, we are at the end of our stay here at Cobbled Gorge. It's been amazing. Like, we were wanting to only stay for three nights, but I'm glad we pushed it out to four nights cuz we've just got today to chill by ourselves in this amazing pool, bar, restaurant, >> the best.

[00:38:09]>> And the grounds around.

[00:38:11]>> Absolutely amazing place to visit. We're so glad that we come out here. Please put this one on your bucket list. It's fantastic. So many things to do. The only thing is you have to book one of the tours if you want to stay here. So that's part of the requirements of staying here. Uh doesn't matter how many nights you do it, but you the family basically has to book some sort of tour.

[00:38:34]>> Just check it out on the website or give them a call if you've got any concerns because I'm sure there's going to be some sort of uh different rules around elderly or kids or toddlers especially.

[00:38:45]So, >> if they can't hike the gorge or anything like that, then you can jump on the boat and do the gorge tour, which is highly recommended anyway. I mean, if you come here, you you really should do that regardless.

[00:38:56]>> Plenty of hikes to do like Laura and I did yesterday up to Russell's Lookout, which was fantastic. And then there's some other longer hikes as well.

[00:39:03]>> Yep. And if you got a bike, there's plenty of bike and bike trails.

[00:39:06]>> Uh there is a drive up to the Quartz Blow Lookout, but we can't go up there at the moment cuz it's still a bit too muddy at this time of year. But that's okay. We've um we've really enjoyed it and we will be back. I really want to bring my parents here. Mom and dad, if you're watching, uh this is going to be on your bucket list, too. Well, it definitely ticks all the boxes. It's dog friendly. You can have fires. The caravan sites are extremely large. This I'm tipping there'd be 150 sites here. I mean, it's it's quite big. The only downside is I couldn't put the drone up and show you guys. They do have phone footage on their social media posts and stuff, but I didn't bother asking for permission. They have choppers and stuff flying in, so we didn't worry about that. But yeah, it's been an unbelievable stay and I' loved every second of it.

[00:39:52]>> Yeah. And it's been so good to be able to bring Bill here and actually get him on the hike, too. So, >> he was a bloody trooper on that hike. It was quite difficult. You know, he's got a pretty crooked knee and uh we navigated our way through it.

[00:40:02]>> Yeah. Plus, he turned 77 on Good Friday, so >> he's up there >> and he's still getting around. But this is why we bring them on tour.

[00:40:15]>> Exactly. It's great for us, we'll continue to do that.

[00:40:21]>> So, like I said, guys, definitely put this on your bucket list. It's a ripper.

[00:40:26]And we'll see you on the next one.

[00:40:27]>> Thanks for all your followers appreciations. We have received so many of those. We're overwhelmed. It's unbelievable.

[00:40:34]>> And likes, comments, hypes, all of that sort of stuff. staying at the hip camp.

[00:40:39]You guys are really helping us keep this journey going.

[00:40:42]>> But without you guys, it's not possible really.

[00:40:45]>> Yeah.

[00:40:45]>> Um so, thank you very much. We'll see you on the next one. We're about to have lunch in this beautiful restaurant here behind us >> and then we're going to have a little swim >> and then this evening we'll just kick back and might have a fire. But, um we'll see you on the next one. We'll show you guys where we're off to next.

[00:41:01]>> Yeah. The rest of the outback. All right. We'll see you on Sunday night.

[00:41:05]>> Have a great week.