To Lake McIntosh

Spent a night at at Gowrie. Heavy rain during the night. Lots camped there. Decided not to unhook the van and do the day trip to Cradle Mountain from the Gowrie camp - and very pleased I made that decision. I would have had to take that VERY windy road three times if I had done the 45 min (?) trip!!!!! The road winds way down to the River Firth then all the way back up. 1st & 2nd gear most of the way towing the van. Will do Cradle Mountain another time. 

Stopped at Black Bluff overlooking Lake Lea.  A large conservation area of native grasses. The vegetation certainly has an alpine feel about it - and the wind was cold! Cradle Mountain in the distance.

There was a farm of sorts along the plateau. Lots of trees have been cut and there was some fencing. Interesting that they use more wires here  and the new fences have steel battens - like NZ to keep sheep under control?

Came across an area of some sort of conifer with brilliant orange/red new growth.

About 7km of gravel roads ready for sealing once I turned onto the Murchison Highway. I was expecting truck rest areas - or ANY rest areas but nothing so far. But then the distances are not great between towns - just takes a long time to get there! I have to remember that 2 inches on the map may only be 50 km rather than the 250 km in WA. The roads do not have wide verges either so no where to pull over easily. All a new learning curve for me.

Out to Lake Mackintosh for a few days. Very pretty hydro dam. Had to drive across a narrow dam wall then down over a spillway. The lake is very full and if it spills we will be stuck here. A local tells me they will come and warn us to move if that is likely to happen. There is an island which is accessible for camping when the lake is lower.

I have been warned about Jumping ants and tiger snakes, and the mossies found me fast! BUT - it is quiet and pretty. Not sure if I will be brave enough to go swimming as some of the campers here are doing! Water is quite cool!
Shifted after talking to some locals. Around the corner at the end of the road beside another dam wall. On sealed area - dry and clean and totally silent at night. Seemed a shame to be at a lake with no view so this is heaven.Spent 3 peaceful days there. Went to Rosebery for fuel and checked out Lake Murchison. Saw a snake on a gravel road there. No where to camp though.
Next stop was Reece Dam. When a local tells you the road out to there is all FLAT for the large trucks taking gear out to build the dam he means NO CAMBER as opposed to no hills! Still - a very nice drive and not as steep as the road to Rosebery. Talking to some campers when I arrived  who suggested I didnt come any further as there were 2 Tiger snakes in the ditch between us! Back pedaled fast. 4 others lots came and camped with their swags late in the evening - a hot night until the thunderstorm hit about 5.30am! I headed of in the morning to Zeehan - a CP felt like a good place to be as this rain is widespread. A good chance to do the washing.