3 Days on Coroboree

[SteveNT]

Part 1

Just spent 3 days on a houseboat on Coroboree Billabong on the Mary River (about 100 linear km to explore plus the dinghy for the tighter creeks). 6 of us on a 2 story boat cruising from paperbark swamps to open floodplains, vast expanses of water and tight little channels. Bird life was spectacular and crocs were everywhere but the fishing was crap. Neither Darlyn or I wet a line. The others flogged away but when the crocs are out the water is cold and when the water is cold the fish dont bite. The shags, sea eagles and snakebirds were getting plenty though!

It's a luxury trip for us, hot shower, dunny, fridge, big bbq, double bed, music, etc and it cost about $280 per person. On the friday we had the place to ourselves, a bit of traffic over the weekend but very easy to find your own place. 1) A 10mm view from the front of the houseboat. 2) it's a big river on the floodplains. 3) the birds muck around, food is abundant 4) they sail past the boat like it wasn't there. 5) saltie 6) jabiru 7) another houseboat in the distance 8) jacana

Coroboree is FOOD for the SOUL. After 3 days here you are cranky with nothing (except having to leave!

Part 2 next.

 

[solar 17]

"THANKS" for sharing l always love these stories.....cheers (solar 17) Baden

 

[SteveNT]

Part 2

1) cormorants 2) big fella 3) they're everywhere! 4) country

etc

(note croc stalking birds in the last photo)
etc

There was no moon so the stars were thick as treacle when the sun went down. Swimming optional.
etc

 

[saratoga]

Sounds like bliss to me. Beautiful spot. Did you see many freshies? was a great spot for seeing good numbers of both; at night with a spotlight is pretty interesting too.

Thanks for sharing all the great photos.

 

[SteveNT]

Yes the freshies are coming back. They virtually disappeared after the toads went through but we saw several this time after seeing none the last couple of years.

 

[chantalfrogs]

that sound great could you post the name of the company used to hire the boat I would love to do that

 

[imported_Varanus]

Thanks Steve Truely "food for the soul"!

 

[SteveNT]

that sound great could you post the name of the company used to hire the boat I would love to do that

Yep- Mary River Houseboats.
They have a website with the layouts of the various hire boats. Amazingly the price is still the same as it was 15 years ago. This is because the new 4 stroke motors use 1/4 the fuel the old 2 strokes used to chew through.

Book early Chantal because they get booked out quickly (especially weekends).

I highly recommend this trip, much better than looking at things in a zoo!

- - - Updated - - -

Final instalment (unless Darlyn wants to show off her debut photographer skills)

This was our "tie-off" spot for night 2.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Wally]

Be bloody hard giving the boat back I reckon. Thanks for sharing Steve.

 

[SteveNT]

Ha ha that's why we do a 3 dayer. One night is not enough. We all used to decide to take a sickie on the Monday and keep going. And run out of refreshments. Now we plan ahead!

 

[Radar]

Looks amazing. My better half and I are heading up to Kakadu and Litchfield in about 8 weeks - going to melt I know but that's never stopped me before. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of your country, I've done central and southern NT but never the top end.

 

[SteveNT]

It's hard work in the "build up" but there are a lot less tourists around. And the fish are ON!

PM me, we'll give you some clues, maybe catch up for a beverage.

 

[damian83]

It's hard work in the "build up" but there are a lot less tourists around. And the fish are ON!

PM me, we'll give you some clues, maybe catch up for a beverage.

if I can ever get up that way mate, you will need to take us out to see places like this mate

It's hard work in the "build up" but there are a lot less tourists around. And the fish are ON!

PM me, we'll give you some clues, maybe catch up for a beverage.

if I can ever get up that way mate, you will need to take us out to see places like this mate

- - - Updated - - -

Fishing for bass, barra and croc

 

[imported_Varanus]

Love seeing those big crocs; we really are very lucky.

 

[Darlyn]

Here's some more crocs for you IV

And some bat's that were just hanging around.

And the sunset

 

[Poggle]

oh wow.... i would love to be back up there

 

[imported_Varanus]

Thanks Darlyn! Most water roosting fruitbat colonies seem to attract a resident croc or two.

 

[Skelhorn]

That def looks like a worth while trip, very lucky, plus to have the luxuries that you mentioned.....can't complain

 

[SteveNT]

Hi Steve,
Just saw your e-mail as Wo has had pneumonia.
Sunday night last (fathers day) but happy too say
on the mend now.
Enjoyed all the pics.
Living the good life.
Love Dad.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Steve,
Just saw your e-mail as Wo has had pneumonia.
Sunday night last (fathers day) but happy too say
on the mend now.
Enjoyed all the pics.
Living the good life.
Love Dad.

- - - Updated - - -

Wow! What is my technophobic Dad doing on APS? And posing as me too ha ha! Good onya Dad! Hope Wo is all better now and you're on the mend too.

cheers
Steve

 

[Darlyn]

Thats hilarious : )