1 - 2 July 2025
I had wanted to go to Riversleigh Fossil Site for many years, and had even tried to book a tour once, but we had yet to organise a visit. This time we were able to include it in our plans to head towards the Gulf of Carpentaria. We packed up and left Mount Isa, and drove north-west along the Barkly Highway until we reached the turn-off that would take us to the Gregory Downs - Camooweal Road. We stopped for a cuppa at a rest area and then continued on. We joined the Gregory Downs - Camooweal Road and were surprised that the bitumen went further than we had expected. It didn't last too long though and we soon had to stop to let some air out of the tyres.
Even though GoogleMaps plots a course that goes all the way to Gregory, we knew there was a turn-off that would take us direct to Riversleigh. It was well sign-posted but there was a temporary sign indicating "road closed". I had checked that morning and there was no indication online that the road was not open so we decided to continue, knowing we might have to turn around as some stage. Not far along we stopped a mine vehicle coming towards us and the driver confirmed that vehicles were getting through. We did come across some new bitumen works, and surmised that the road may have been closed for a short time while it was being laid. As sometimes happens in remote locations, no-one had bothered to remove the sign.
We continued on and crossed several creeks with runnning water. We stopped by the side of the road near one to have a quick picnic lunch and then drove on. We were quite surprised at the amount of water flowing across the causeway at the Gregory River. We were also able to see the effects of recent floods. We missed the entrance into the campground and stopped when we reached the Riversleigh World Heritage Site. As we planned to stop on our way through the following morning we didn't linger, instead heading back the few kilometres to the campground.
When booking to camp at Miyumba Campground you don't book an actual site so you can choose the one that suits you once you arrive. We chose a nice big site that would give us some shade, and also some sun for the solar. We had discovered the Anderson plug which provides power to the camper trailer batteries while driving, had been broken on the rough road so getting some solar in was essential.
We went for a walk down to the Gregory River which is nearby and Mick spent some time looking for birds. It wasn't very productive but Miyumba Campground was still a nice spot to spend a night. There was only one other camper there at the time which made for a very peaceful evening.
The following morning Mick walked back to the river, and repaired that broken Anderson plug before we set off to explore Riversleigh D Site. This is the only site open to the public, with interpretive information and a walk that winds up a hill and back down again. Many of the fossils are labelled but a careful look as you walk, reveals so many more. D Site was one of the first sites to be discovered at Riversleigh, and contains 25 million year old fossils of turtles, fish, snails, crocodiles, lizards, pythons, birds, as well as many different types of mammal.
After our walk around the site, we had lunch then continued on towards Adels Grove.
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