Gulf Savannah Visitor Guide

Australia’s Adventure Drive - www.savannahway.com.au 51 • Air-conditioned Cabins & Rooms • Shady Powered Sites • 2 Ablution Blocks & 2 Laundries • Camp Kitchen • Fish Cleaning Area • Takeaway open from April to September • Shop sells, groceries, drinks, ice, ice creams, bait, tackle & camping gear • Great Coffee Book accommodation online at www.burketowncaravanpark.net.au or Phone 07 4745 5118 • Fax: 07 4745 5126 • Email: stay@burketowncaravanpark.net.au 23 Sloman Street, Burketown, Queensland 4830 Burke Shire Self Drive South east of Burketown you’ll see the Frederick Walker monument at the Leichhardt River crossing near the Floraville homestead. A natural campsite near the falls has some Aboriginal grinding slits in the river bed. There have been crocodile sightings around the river crossing above and below the falls. The Burketown cemetery Take a fascinating journey into the past as Burketown was the original Gulf settlement with very turbulent beginnings. The cemetery also gives a good indication of the devastation of “Gulf Fever” (thought to be typhoid). The historic remains of the original Gulf meatworks are on the Albert River just north of the town. Photography fans will enjoy the stark salt flats and prolific bird life. Town Walk Stroll along the unformed Albert River Drive at sunrise/ sunset to enjoy an array of mangrove birdlife. Visit the Artesian Bore, sunk to a depth of 722m in 1887 as the town’s water supply but ultimately too mineral laden for this purpose. Now the steaming 68 degree water flow forms a wetland refuge for wildlife and photographer’s favourite, especially in the early morning glow with its eerie mist. The Old Post Office, now the Visitor Centre was built in 1887 and is the oldest building in Burketown and the third oldest remaining building in the Gulf. Tours Take a half or full day fishing charter with Yagurli Tours (Ph: (07) 4745 5111, or www.burketown.com.au for bookings). Yagurli also offer sunset river tours, tag-along 4WD tours and star-gazing experiences with a cultural twist. THINGS TO DO AND SEE The Burketown cemetery