Gregory Downs Queensland

Today we headed north to Gregory Downs. 

Most of the 270 km was on sealed roads with a few patches of dirt, corrugations and dust.

A highlight of the drive was when we had to pullover for 2,000 head of cattle being mustered along the road. What a sight!

It was just before 1pm that we drove through Gregory Downs.

The old Hotel holds court as the centre of town society. Originally built to serve passengers on the coach run from Burketown.

At one time it was a Mounted Police post. In World War II, officers at this station won fame when they searched with Doomadgee Aboriginal trackers for the crew of the ditched plane Little Eva. The crew flew out of Iron Range Airport for a bombing run to then-New Guinea and they became disoriented in a tropical storm. 

Gregory Downs Station was one of the first cattle runs in the Gulf Savannah. It was one of a range of properties established on Lort Stokes’ Plains of Promise, a vast monsoonal savannah stretching from Gregory to the Leichhardt Rivers.

The peaceful waters of The Gregory River remains a natural attraction and offers free camping along its banks.

We drive past the main camp next to the bridge and settle in a lovely spot further up stream… and enjoy a couple of nights here.