Theresa Creek Dam - 16th to 19th February

Arrived here about mid afternoon to overcast skies and the dam water level encroaching into the camping area. Kim, the manager, suggested: "Better not camp too low down, we're not sure how high the water will rise." We took Kim's warning at face value and chose a high level camp site. We didn't relish the thought of having to move camp at 2 am! We were here for four days and it rained each day and night but after that first night the water level was slowly dropping day by day. Mal and Veronica had been camping here for three weeks and only had three fine days in that time. People had been catching Redclaw in the 100's before the muddy, trash filled water came down stream, but it was still possible to bag 40 - 50 in 3 or 4 hours. Next trip we'll have some pots on board. At $10 per night for two people Theresa Creek Dam is great value with hot showers and ample picnic shelters and free electric BBQs. The final evening here Jude discovered an active ants nest in the car. Some were around the warmth of the Engel fridge compressor and the others were on the back seat with our hats and travel books. We don't know whether they boarded from a previous stop or from here but it took half a can of Mortein to exterminate the critters.

Dark skies across the lake.

Looking across the park from the day visitors car park towards the lake. Our camp is just visible, middle photo, on the extreme left.

Wet under foot, looking down the boat ramp.

Scene across the camp and lake towards the dam wall.

From the boat ramp, looking across to the Ski Club facilities. You can see the high water level in this photo.

There is a second camp area, further around the lake. This is the boat ramp and loading jetty.

There are about 18 shelters at this camp area. Some people erect their tents or camper trailers under the shelters, others, with vans and mobile homes, park along side and have a great outdoor living space.

Spaced around the camp ground, close to the water are these pot bellied redclaw cookers.

I'm not supposed to be here taking this photo from under the dam wall but is more dramatic at this spot. This is a little over half the length of the wall. Note the tree stuck on the crest of the wall, I came down each day expecting it to be gone, but it's still there!