MacAir flights go from Mt. Isa to Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Burketown, Normanton, then Cairns. It is a mail run and a small plane. The flight was uneventful. Unfortunately, when I checked my bags, they were tagged for Mornington Island, not Normanton. On arrival, I found myself without luggage, in a strange town, and without my pickup. I had arranged to spend the time at Normanton with acquaintances who have a cattle station in the district. They were busy with the cattle right then.

What was I to do but go explore the town? Maybe it was fortuitous that my luggage was off-loaded early so I didn't have to drag it around town with me. I eventually caught up with my wonderful hosts and settled in. My luggage arrived on the flight the next day, so I was free to go look for the famous newly named Normanton waterlilies, Nymphaea carpentariae. This is an area that large salt water crocodiles frequent so, as I was alone, I had to be very aware and very cautious. There is usually no second chance with these creatures.

My next move was to drive northwest along the road to Karumba on the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Along this road, I crossed several creeks with Nymphoides crenata and the Nymphaea carpentariae. On the way to Karumba I crossed a large very flat grassy plain with few trees and here I saw a pair of saurus cranes (Grus antigone), with grey bodies and red heads and necks. It was a rare treat for me to see these birds, as it was my first sighting.

I had a look around Karumba, then headed back to Normanton. After lunch I went southwest, back along the road to Burke & Wills Roadhouse on the way to Lawn Hill. My host had told me of some dams along this road where I might find water plants. I found more Vallisnaria caulescens, some native Papyrus, Nymphoides crenata and a saltmarsh Crassula. There was little else that was interesting.

The following day, we went out to my hosts' property, Mayvale Station, about 100km (62 miles) southeast of Normanton. This was different country again and I was excited to see the wetland trees, billabongs, and the masses of white waterlilies. These billabongs are the water supply for the cattle that run on the property. The whole of the Gulf country is low floodplains, with creeks and rivers all heading north into the Gulf. In the dry season it is harsh and dry, but after the wet season rains, it is a bird lover's paradise and a waterlily lover's heaven. There are stands of small Melaleucas, various Eucalyptus and Pandanus.

My host put me in the ute (utility vehicle), gave me a mud map and said, "Follow the tracks to Gum Hole, then head back to the other billabongs. I will see you back at the homestead at lunch time. Don't hesitate to use the satellite phone for emergencies."

I am glad he had such confidence in me. The first billabong, Gum Hole Lagoon, was almost full of white waterlily flowers. What a sight! I went mad with the camera with photos from every angle.