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Two geologists found dead in Queensland's Gulf Country have been remembered as friendly, conscientious and dedicated to their work.
The bodies of Garry Alexander Edser, 65, from Toowoomba and his 69-year-old female colleague, who the ABC has chosen to not name at this stage, were found on Esmeralda Station, about 400 kilometres south-west of Cairns, on Wednesday.
Andrea Johanson described the pair as old friends. (Supplied: Croydon Caravan Park)
Croydon Caravan Park manager Andrea Johanson called police when the pair did not return to their accommodation on Monday and authorities launched a ground and air search.
Ms Johanson said she last spoke to Mr Edser on Saturday afternoon beside the pool, where he could be found every afternoon during his stay.
"We had a chat about how the pool is the place to be because it was so hot," she said.
"He talked about how he loves swimming."
The pair's remains were discovered 2.5km south of their hired four-wheel drive, which was found parked at a dam about 8km from the Esmeralda Homestead.
The Bureau of Meteorology estimated the temperature in Croydon, 77km from Esmeralda Homestead, would have peaked at 38 degrees on Sunday, based on observations at Normanton and Georgetown.
People visit Croydon for its rich heritage, good fishing, and strong local industry. (Supplied: Andrea Johanson)
'Like old friends'
Ms Johanson said Mr Edser and his colleague were regular visitors to Croydon and she welcomed them "like old friends".
"Every time I saw them, it was just nice to see them again," Ms Johanson said.
"He was jovial, very friendly, and easy to get along with. He was a lovely man."
Ms Johanson described Mr Edser as having a high attention to detail, and said she was mystified how he and his colleague perished on a dry creek bed.
"He was very pedantic, a perfectionist. They were very detailed in their arrangements," she said.
"That's why I knew it was odd when they didn't check out.
"It was very out of character for them. They are conscientious people."
Ms Johanson said after a park cleaner found their belongings in their cabin, she tried calling the geologists and later looked for them by the pool.
"When they weren't at the pool, my concern grew," she said.
The alarm was raised when Mr Edser wasn't at the caravan park pool on Monday evening fro his daily swim. (Supplied: Croydon Caravan Park)
Well versed
The circumstances leading up the geologists' deaths are now subject to a Queensland Police Service investigation.
Resources Safety & Health Queensland told the ABC it believed the geologists may have been fossicking at the time.
Mr Edser worked as a geology consultant and owned several small companies that held patents, researched artificial intelligence in geology, and held mining leases.
One of those leases was on land at Esmeralda.
Ms Johanson said the geologists had stayed at the caravan park more than a dozen times in the past 12 months, including their longest stint prior to Christmas last year.
"People who visit Croydon tend to be aware of the conditions, particularly over these hot summer months," she said.
"They had been out for five days in a row in the same conditions."