I recently spent a bit of time poking around the old copper fields and gold fields of the Etheridge Shire to the South West of Cairns. It is about a 5-6 hr drive and is not on everyone's usual tourist routes. Although two of the main attractions out there are the Georgetown Minerals Museum and Cobbold Gorge, we didn't stop at those locations, preferring the less beaten path.
We copped some fantastic storms and heavy rain whilst out there and the drive was awesome.
Gilberton Station is open to the public for fossicking and camping and Agate Creek is the same. Costs were minimal.
Below are a couple of pics from along the way.
Copperfield Rocks by Ben Kincade
Copperfield Ranges by Ben Kincade
Cycads by Ben Kincade
Copper ore by Ben Kincade
Einasleigh Gorge by Ben Kincade
Einasleigh Gorge by Ben Kincade
Night skies after the storm by Ben Kincade
Moon rising over the camp by Ben Kincade
Searching for rock art by Ben Kincade
Rock Art on sandstone cliffs by Ben Kincade
Sunset on route to Gilberton by Ben Kincade
Incoming Storm on the Gilbert River by Ben Kincade