Reader’s Ride: Cobbold Gorge, Queensland

This entry is part 21 of 22 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #2

A two-day DSMRA ride in north Queensland.

We’d planned a 6.00am start, so the mighty DR650 was packed the night before and blasted off right on time. A group of us were planning to meet the rest of the DSMRA boys at the base of Mount Fox in the Paluma Range about 75km west of Ingham, Queensland, and a steady 30 minutes of highway and a blast up the range gave us our first taste of dirt heading down the western slopes on our way to Hidden Valley.

From Hidden Valley we turned north to follow the range. The track was in pristine condition and we emerged on the other side to pick up the last of the riders and begin the trip proper.

Dam!

The Valley Of The Lagoons beckoned and it was there we had to make our final decision on which route to take across the Burdekin River. After reports of considerable rain, and seeing the height of Reedy Brook, we decided to head out through Lava Plains.

These roads have become like superhighways and the pace was decidedly quick on the loop to the highway. A short punt down the bitumen rolled us in to lunch slightly behind time and visions of riding in the dark increased our urgency, so we bolted our tucker and we were soon on our way again.

A 100km or so later we hit Copperfield Dam. Taking in the views from the dam wall we noticed Barry was missing. Suddenly he appeared on the other side of the wall. He seemed to be doing a bit of sightseeing, and we attempted to get his attention by using Andrew’s hi-vis jacket. When this failed Donnie opted for the tried’n’true method of yelling. This brought laughter from all as Barry was actually riding and was all of 500m away.

“At least I tried to get his attention,” said Barry in his own defence.

Miner setback

We all met up at the bottom of the dam wall and realised we were running really late. There was still a lot of riding to do.

We headed for a shortcut that should have seen us hit Cobbold by happy hour. “Should” was the important word. Things started to unravel from there.

Our first turn took us to a dead end, and so did the second turn, even though the GPS said it was the correct route. Someone spotted a miner’s house, so we elected to get directions, and that’s where things became interesting.

Arrrgh!

The good ol’ boys came out looking slightly suspicious of the seven unexpected visitors. As Donnie and Tony explained they’d come through 10 years ago, it was suddenly realised that these were the same blokes they’d spoken to when geeographically embarrassed back then!

Directions were given and a few laughs had before we set off again into the fast-fading light.

Geoff was busily checking his GPS while listening to the directions, and decided he’d better lead this ramshackle mob. One piece of info he missed was the left turn straight after the creek. He led us up an actual road, but added about 80km to the trip.

Geoff was a dedicated leader though, and he did take us through some really snotty, deep, bull-dusted tracks that were a blast. During one of the patches of sand the aptly named Black Pearl – Anthony’s Ténéré – went down in a puff of dust. It was quickly resurrected and he set sail once more.

Barry wasn’t the happiest of campers after punting his 990R through, but all made it unscathed.

Wooden eye

As expected, we did ride in the dark with the ever-present Skippies and cattle ready to pounce. With the DRs riding in formation and our combined two-candlepower high beams glowing, we limped into Cobbold at about 7.00pm. At this stage we still didn’t realise we’d gone the long way. After we set up camp and inhaled a beer we trundled off to dinner, and this was when we learned of the error in our navigation – Geoff’s navigation, actually.

I guess that’s why it’s called adventure riding.

Dinner and a few beers later it was decided we should now be known as DSMAA – Dumb Shits Meandering Around Aimlessly. It was quite fitting, we all thought.

We retired to the fire for a few quiet beer/rum/ports and partook of some bench racing. Everyone was feeling the day’s ride and made it an early night for some peaceful sleep under the stars…until the Dibella boys broke into rhythmic snoring which sounded like a gang of timber cutters.

So we were all up before the sun to start the next day.

Home again

With breakfast done and bikes fuelled and packed we were off.

A quick run down some high-speed dirt brought a reminder of the previous night’s nav error. The track out of Robinhood was unbelievably close to Cobbold when you went the short way, and we hit Agate Creek in no time. This was where the best track of the trip began. It ran through Iona Station, winding in and out of creeks, over ridge lines and travelled through some spectacular gorges. This section was like a mini version of the Flinders Ranges, and it’s on the list as a “must-do again”.

All too soon we were back on the high-speed dirt to the Lynd Creek. Another blast up bitumen to the Three Ways for lunch and fuel, and another 100km to Blue Range and a run into Mt Fox had us on the final leg home.

With just over 1200km done in two days, and all bikes and riders making it safely, it was an awesome trip.

Maybe next time we’ll allow three days.