We are located only 10kms from this unique and most magnificent national park and 50kms from the World Heritage listed fossil fields.

Brief History

The property now known as Adels Grove, located adjacent to Lawn Hill National Park and close to the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil deposits, was originally gazetted in 1904 as a Miners Homestead Lease.

In 1920 Albert de Lestang took up the property as an experimental Botanical Garden (hence the name "Adel" arose from Albert's initials).

Albert planted many species of trees and shrubs and supplied the Botanical Gardens of the world with the seeds produced by his nursery. The Botanical Gardens in Brisbane still has 536 different samples of seeds sent to them by Albert, held in their collection.

In the early 1950's a fire swept through the grove while Albert was absent (some say deliberately lit) destroying everything including his dwelling and trunk containing all of his research papers.

Albert's last years were spent in a Charters Towers nursing home, were he died in 1959 at the age of 75, most probably broken hearted.

Activities

• Swimming: Adel's Grove is located alongside Lawn Hill Creek downstream from Lawn Hill Gorge. This creek is a perennial, clear and spring fed waterway and many thousands of visitors have enjoyed swimming in its waters over the years.
• Canoeing: Canoes are available for hire both here at Adel's Grove and at Lawn Hill Gorge. No fast water and a delightful alternative way of viewing the gorge or creek. Canoes are hired on the basis of first come, first served.
• Fishing: Recreational Fishers will enjoy wetting a line to try their skills against the likes of Barramundi, Bream, Grunters, Perch, Cod, Catfish and more.
• Walks: We have a couple of excellent short walks in the immediate vicinity of Adel's Grove and there are a further 20 kilometres of walks within the National Park. Adel's Grove offers a quite different environment to that of the Park consequent upon the planting of many exotic tree species here by a French Botanist in the 1930's.
• Bird Watching: We have the advantage in this area of several entirely different environments in contact or in close proximity to each other. Our savannah woodlands, open savannah plains, lush riverine remnant rainforest and rocky spinifex escarpments all support a wide variety of bird species. Bird lists available.
• Tours: Our ½ day tours of the World Heritage Riversleigh Fossil Fields operates on a regular basis. departing at 8:00am and returning by 12:30 pm. The tour includes local history, an informative interpretive walk around 'D Site' and morning tea on the magnificent Gregory River. Pick up is available from Lawn Hill National Park by prior arrangement. Tours operate on a regular basis. COST: $45.00 (Min 4 people)

Facilities & Services

• Bar and Restaurant: For campers and residents.
• Campground: Our camp ground gates close at 8:00pm each day to keep the cattle out. New arrivals are asked to shut the gate behind you after that time. We offer 53 camping & van sites in a spacious bush setting located where possible near native trees for shade. Each site is provided with water, fireplace and BBQ plate, but no power. Our modern amenities block offers flush toilets, hot showers and a small laundry with tubs only. Once again there is no power. During June, July and August it is now necessary to book well ahead for sites.
• Tent Accommodation: is available all year we have a number of pre-erected tents each containing 2 good single beds and we supply all bed linen. Bookings are essential. There is a water tap, fireplace and BBQ plate positioned near each tent in our tent hire area, each tent set in the bush . No power - you need a torch. Amenities used are those in the camp ground with a walk of approx. 150 metres. A torch is needed for when the generator is turned off.
• Accommodation with Dinner and Breakfast is available at Adels Grove in the form of pre-erected tents with single beds and clean linen and share amenities close by. Cost is from $70.00 (tents), $80.00 (rooms) and $90.00 (river tents) per person twin share. A torch is required. Extra $15.00 for single supplement.
• Fuel: Diesel and unleaded petrol are available by bowser. Refills of LP gas are available but only to cylinders with a current date. Aircraft fuel is available in 200 ltr drums by prior arrangement.
• Shop: We stock ice, cold drinks, frozen bread and some confectionery, tinned foods, long life milk and a limited number of other basic supplies. We also carry some souvenir items. A public telephone is situated near the shop and phone cards are available for purchase. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Bankcard. EFTPOS facilities are also available.
• Repairs: We offer emergency tyre repairs as well as emergency welding repairs.
• Airstrip: Permission is required to land, please phone for further details. For more information please download our Adels Grove Fly-In Fact Sheet.
• Co-ordinates: 18°42' South, 138°32' East (WAC 3220)
• Location: 10 Nautical Miles South West of the airstrip shown at Lawn Hill Station
• Surface: Gravel/Clay
• Length: 1130 Meters
• Heading: 05/23
• Height: 429 ft ASL
• Roads: All roads in this immediate area are either dirt or gravel and conditions can change rapidly week by week depending upon weather and/or traffic density. Between May and October these roads are generally suitable for conventional vehicles towing small vans but care needs to be exercised since there will still be the odd rough patch. Our 'wet season' normally occurs during the months of January, February and March with some storm activity in November, December and April. 4WD is advised at these times. We also advise checking with us on conditions before entering this area during these months.

Accommodation Prices For 2004 Season

For Further Information:

Adel's Grove
PMB 2
Mount Isa, Queensland, 4825, Australia


Ph: 07 4748 5502
Fax: 07 4748 5600
Email: adelsgrove@bigpond.com
Web: www.adelsgrove.com.au

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