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July 2013
4 July 2013
Six years ago on this day we were in the land of the midnight sun at a place called Chicken in Alaska, and Chicken was celebrating the American Independence Day holiday with fireworks, despite the not being able to see them because of the 24 hour daylight.
Today however we are in Talwood Queensland (no fireworks) and are again blissfully unemployed again. We finished work yesterday after coming to help out for two weeks and ended up staying for ten and a bit weeks, and we have already locked in jobs later in the year on the harvest. We had a great time here, refined some skills, learn't a few new ones and thoroughly enjoyed working with a great group of people.
So now it is again time to tour and play some more and a peek outside last night started the photographic inspiration again.
This started the inspiration for
this...
with much more to learn in the area of night sky photography, especially good shots of the milky way, but it's a start. And now that we are free from work again late nights and clear skies will provide even more opportunities.
05 July 2013
This morning we packed up and headed off out of Talwood taking the road South to Boomi (Boom-eye) in NSW before heading East towards Queensland and Goondiwindi again. On the way we came across a dirt track into the Boomera Lagoon which we had all to ourselves but only stopped for lunch as we had a more important appointment tomorrow and wanted to be closer to town.
Boomera Lagoon
We again camped overnight at the back of the truck stop, joined by three other motorhome's and spent a very peaceful night.
06 July 2013
Breakfast by the river we made our way a park opposite the Jolly Swagman Motel. Just before lunch Mum and Dad turned up as they made their way North to my brothers place at Gin Gin.
We spent a very enjoyable afternoon with them before having dinner together in the motel restaurant and some more time together in their room before it was time to hit the hay ready for another days travel the next day.
07 July 2013
An early(ish) start to today and with goodbyes said we headed off in separate directions. They continued on the Gore Highway towards Toowoomba and we turned off onto the Leichhardt Highway, named after the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt
Being back on the road again and heading for Charters Towers to meet friends Kim and Carolyn was an interesting experience and although a tad rusty at it we slowly got back into the swing of things as we again fell under the spell of the rhythm of the road.
So after 472 km's (our biggest day's drive in the motorhome since we have had it) we arrived in the small town of Theodore where we checked out the sardines in the free camp before heading over to the showgrounds where there was plenty of room. We even set the satellite dish up and watched some TV before flopping into bed for a well earned sleep.
08 July 2013
Leaving Theodore we took the back road towards Moura, passing this lagoon on the way and wishing we had more time to get some better photo's.
Gregory Development Road Gravel Pit camp ( free litter included)
09 July 2013
Arriving in Charters Towers around lunchtime after a pleasant 350 kilometer drive we found our friends Kim and Carolyn before heading off out of town to a nice campsite at Macrossan Park right on the banks of the Burdikin River.
Already in residence were around 30 other campers so we selected a nice spot and set up for the evening catching up with each others travels, making some plans for our travel together, enjoying a few drinks and watching the sunset.
Our campsite on the Burdikin River (the sand patch at the back)
10 July 2013
Leaving our camp this morning we drove the 20 kilometers back into town for fuel, water, use of the dump point, a walk around town and a visit to the lookout before heading 40 kilometers out of town to a riverside camp at Fletcher Creek.
Charters Towers from the lookout
On arrival we found around 100 other campers stretched as far as the eye could see along both banks of the river and on both sides of the road - hmmm. We eventually found ourselves a spot (unfortunately not near the river) and set up camp.
Except for the occasional burst of sun the cloud has been in most of the day and the wind is up, but despite that the temperature is in the low 20 deg C and it is generally pleasant. A walk along the riverbank showing how good some of the sites are and how long some of these people have been or intend to be here.
11 July 2013
Last night was warm and pleasant so we sat outside with Kim and Carolyn and after a peaceful night awoke this morning to a clear sky but with clouds on their way in. We left our camp and hit the road traveling towards Ravenshoe some 400 kilometers away and Queensland's highest town (in elevation). The last time we were there was when we cycled through and back then it was sunny and hot but today while it is warm (ish) it is wet.
With a tailwind for most of the trip we were passing through open country whose primary use is beef cattle production. Trees and ever larger termite mounds intermingled with dry grass and very little for the cattle to eat. The closer we got to Ravenshoe we began climbing through trees hill country where the road had long straight hills to climb and descend before we eventually arrived in town.
We had been heading for the free camp in town but found on arrival that because of its popularity (and power and water) it now has a $15 a night fee. So what the heck, lets just pay the $15 and enjoy a powered site etc right in town. We managed to grab two good spots and settled in.
12 July 2013
Leaving a wet and cold Ravenshoe this morning we went to Atherton for some shopping and then with Kim and Carolyn off to Mareeba for the rodeo, we took a trip up the hill to see if our friend Joan was home. We house sat Joan's place for three of the summer months when we cycled around Australia and it was good to see the place again. Unfortunately Joan was not there having gone to Victoria for a few weeks, and our other mate Toby (Joan's dog) was not there either as he had died a few years back, so while the place was just about the same, it wasn't. We spoke with some others who are staying there for the moment and then headed off out of town to the free camp at Rocky Creek just the other side of Tolga.
We managed to find a nice spot and settled in with about 30 other campers and after a brief period the weather settled in for a damp night.
13 July 2013
Over the past while we have heard of a family who had lost a son in Afghanistan talking on Macca (Australia all Over on the ABC on Sunday mornings) about a memorial park they wanted to set up as a tribute to the Commando's that had lost their lives in Afghanistan so we left Rocky Creek and headed off to Yungaburra to find it.
We arrived at the Lake to find the Avenue of Honour sitting on the shores of Lake Tinaroo, so we spent some time inspecting it.
Looking down the avenue towards the central area
The names of the fallen and other plaques in the central memorial
The Statue represents the wings of the warrior, slightly damaged by action but ever steadfast.
The column in the middle is made up of stones brought back from Afghanistan by the diggers for those lost.
Leaving Yungaburra we then retraced some of our cycle trip by going back to Ravenshoe via Malanda and Milla Milla down the winding, windy, wet and narrow road, stopping along the way to see the Milla Milla falls where we got some more photographic practice.
Milla Milla Falls
Arriving back in Ravenshoe we went past town and onto the Millstream Falls National Park for some more photographic practice.
Millstream Falls
Falls close up
Unfortunately we could not get to the bottom or downstream of the falls so had to be content with shots from the viewing platform and from sneaking down the hill through the grass to the edge. Leaving the falls we went back to the Railway Village at Ravenshoe where we grabbed a spot for the night.
14 July 2013
"Where are you headed?" asked the lady at the fuel stop. Anywhere it is dry and warm was my reply, and we both laughed. Leaving Ravenshoe we were headed West towards Normanton. With Kim and Carolyn still at the rodeo in Mareeba we were traveling alone until they catch up.
Traveling where we had cycled 10 years ago we were passing through more cattle country, large Brahman cattle to be exact. The road had improved quite a lot since we rode it last but the countryside was just as pleasant to observe.
Lunchtime saw us at the Einsleigh River where we had camped on the trikes and there is a new bridge there now, the old causeway bridge removed except for the footings sitting alongside the new.
Leaving the river we commented that the last time we came this way we were cycling and in the middle of a tropical downpour with rivers of water flowing off the cuttings and down the road. The road also went back to the narrow single lane strip of bitumen that it was last time and there were plenty of roadwork's going on to improve it.
Climbing the Newcastle Range we had a beautiful vista as we came to the top and almost decided to camp there but figured that Routh Creek was not far away and continued on. Dropping down the range we arrived at Routh Creek where we had camped with Bill and Julia and where we had all dried ourselves and our gear out in the sun after the mornings drenching, and I remember Bill sitting in their tandem trike with a bed roll over his head not only drying it out but using it to shield the laptop from the sun while he wrote the days journal.
So with nothing but a roadwork water pump and a small turn around area there we decided that we would camp here once more.
Camped in the same spot as last time and not a tent in sight.
Looking back up the creek towards our camp and the road bridge.
So with the sun out we set up camp, did the washing and generally kicked back to enjoy the place. The creek is dry around here except for this part which is more of a waterhole than a creek.
15 July 2013
As the day finished yesterday we had one other camper come in and set up not far from us and we watched for an hour as they set up camp with their tent and trailer and then this morning we awoke to find another vehicle and a tent had come in during the night.
Moving on we were passing through more open cattle country where the termite mounds out number anything else. Arriving in Georgetown we took a diversion and headed South towards Forsayth to see what was there. Not far down the road the bitumen turned to dirt and it was a bit of a crawl over the corrugations to ensure we didn't rattle ourselves to pieces. Arriving in town we found a nice little town of eight streets, houses, a general store, pub, school, Police Station, clinic and a railway station.
Heading back towards Georgetown we successfully negotiated the dirt again and eventually arrived at the Cumberland Chimney camp site and lagoon. There is nothing there but the old Chimney now but it was a gold smelter back in it's day. We managed to snag a water front site and spent the day enjoying the water view and birdlife.
Nothing beats a front row seat
About 4 feet in length he was certainly not worried about us.
A closer view (good job I have a zoom lens)
Kim and Carolyn turned up a bit later as the place was starting to fill up but still managed to camp behind us. We did some exploring, got some fire wood and then sat around enjoying the view with a few drinks before cooking on an open fire.
Even the sunset was nice
16 July 2013
A very peaceful night ended with a beautiful morning, the sun casting a magical light across the water. While we were enjoying the view and breakfast we saw flocks of budgies flying in formation and coming in for a drink, their wings shimmering in the morning sun as they banked and turned.
Budgies coming for their morning drink
Reluctantly leaving our campsite we headed of towards Croydon, stopping along the way at two of our old campsites. The camping area at the Gilbert River was small and had nothing but tall grass and thorns when we cycled through 10 years ago but now it is an open area which actually looks appealing as a campsite and then it was onto Little River where we camped on some station land put aside for travelers in memory of one of the hands killed in a car accident. Now the place is all grown over, the gates are shut and locked and the sign says no entry because of insurance liability (typical).
Arriving in Croydon we watched a movie about the place in the information centre and took a drive around the town to view the heritage buildings. Croydon was a gold town and now relies on tourism and the local cattle stations for income.
Leaving Croydon we stopped at Blackbull Siding (another of our cycle camps) for lunch. Sadly Jeff, the house and Blackbull Bumnut Egg Farm are gone now but the railway siding remains as a stop for morning tea on the Gulflander rail motor train trips to and from Normanton each Thursday.
Blackbull Siding 2003
Blackbull Siding 2013
Lunch over it was a short drive to Old Glenore Station about 28 kilometers from Normanton where we took up a campsite next to the Lagoon (along with a heap of others).
17 July 2013
Left Old Glenore Station and headed the short 28 kilometers into Normanton for fuel and a quick look around before heading North to Karumba at the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Karumba is primarily a fishing and tourist town but it does have a live cattle export and precious metals export area at its port.
We stopped for coffee and a paddle at the beach, walking across the hard compacted surface that looked like rock which was in fact compacted shells and other sea bed articles. The water was fabulous and we would have had a swim had the crocodile issue not been there.
The beach and Gulf of Carpentaria waters at Karumba
We took a drive around town and stopped to buy some fresh Barraumundi before heading back to Normanton via lunch at Walkers Creek. Back in Normanton we topped up with fuel (Diesel $1.79 c/l) and headed off to find Burke and Wills Camp 119, their most Northerly Camp in their ill fated expedition.
Arriving at the site of Camp 119 we explored the area to read the information signs and tread in the same area as the explorers before a quick check of the nearby Boyne River.
One of the information Boards
The Monument to mark the site of Camp 119.SD
Plaques denote some of the 14 trees that the Burke and Wills Party Blazed at this their most Northerly campsite
Leaving Camp 119 we explored the river where we found a couple of crocodiles sunning themselves on the rocks and no matter how many rocks we landed near them they were intent on remaining on their rock to soak up the sun.
Boyne River
Sunbaking Crocodile
Back on the highway we headed South on what is now a very nice double laned road. When we cycled it ten years ago it was a single lane strip of tar. Late in the afternoon we arrived at the Flinders River where we had camped in a gravel pit on our trikes. This time however we managed to find the track down the the old causeway that was once the highway and it was there that we found a lovely campsite on the river bank over looking the old road.
Flinders River and old highway causeway
Our campsite next to the Flinders River
A walk around allowed us to spot a crocodile in the river which we managed to spotlight again after our BBQ dinner. A chat with Kim and Carolyn while checking out the stars and then it was time to write this up before a shower and bed.
18 July 2013
Reluctantly leaving our riverside camp we passed a number of our old campsites and enjoyed morning tea in the truck stop opposite the Burke and Wills Roadhouse (Diesel was $1.78.9c/l). Lunch and a look around was at the old Quamby Hotel (now no longer running after a family argument) and then it was on into Cloncurry.
The Old Quamby Hotel, once a staging post for Cobb and Co.
The interesting and clever verandah steps
A visit to the tourist information centre saw Kim and Carolyn head off to two local attractions while we went off for food and fuel shopping. We all then met back up at Wal's Camp, a local camping area where for $20 we enjoyed a powered campsite.
19 July 2013
Left Cloncurry and headed South towards Winton. Crossing barren open country we arrived in Winton and enjoyed a pleasurable couple of hours inspecting the town Museum and Waltzing Matilda Center.
Headed over to the Long Waterhole where we had camped last year, and where it had rained and we had an interesting time trying to get out (see 28 and 29 September entry on this page). This time however the clouds that had been building decided to be kind to us and only provided some spectacular photgraphic experiences.
Our camp (on the right) at The Long Waterhole which is in fact part of the river (shown below).
The Blue line is our Track as recorded by our GPS.
Rain on the left and middle provided a good picture and thankfully nothing else
Joanne took this great shot of me taking sunset shots.
So after all the fun of the photographs we sat outside at the concrete table and seats and enjoyed our evening meal with Kim and Carolyn as the cloud covered the stars and we retired for the night.
20 July 2013
Pitter, patter pitter patter on the roof made us stir from our slumber around 2am and a quick look outside showed that the clouds had moved in and were not only obscuring the moon but were the reason for our awakening and the noise on the roof.
Kim and Carolyn decided that they would leave for safer ground to ensure that they could keep heading for WA and home. They left before the rain got any heavier, and we rolled over and went back to sleep. The past 15 days since we left Talwood to catch up to and to tour with Kim & Carolyn have been most enjoyable and we have covered a lot of ground, (3,865 km in fact) so as they continue home we are going to slow back to our usual pace, but in the meantime we are taking a day off to relax and decide where we are going to explore next.
21 July 2013
Left our campsite and emptied the toilet, filled the water and the fuel tanks before inspecting the Musical Fence where Joanne decided to play the drums made up of tins, plastic drums and wheel caps etc, and then to have a crack at playing the fence. The fence is so tightly strung that by following the numbers on the music sheet and tapping the wire at the same number you can play Waltzing Matilda.
Moving on towards Boulia we took the single lane road known as The Outback Way.
Flat open sort of country made for easy going and we stopped to inspect and read the signs depicting things along the way including what was part of a railway that was started in 1910 and abandoned in 1916. We crossed the Diamantina River and were disappointed to find it was more like a series of creeks (dry) which when in flood make up the river itself.
The open flat country then changed to that of small ranges where the road was cut through or ran near to them and there was a picture at every turn. Stopping for lunch allowed some more photography before we came into more open country again.
One of the roadside views
The view at lunchtime
Stopping for a quick look at the Middleton Pub (which is in the middle of nowhere) we drove on across flat, open lifeless country where the colour of the dead grass that sits no more than six inches high and in clumps matched the grey of the clouds above and where large ranges on the horizon were just shimmering black objects in the distance. Cattle out here looked like they were on their last legs and the place really was barren and unforgiving.
The Middleton Hotel with original Cobb & Co carriage
We had not meant to drive so far but it was hard to get out to the practice from recent days, added to which there was so much to see around the next turn in the road. We eventually came to the Cawnpore Lookout and after a short climb up to the viewing platform (too steep for us to drive according to Joanne) where the camera's really got a workout and we decided to camp nearby.
Looking back towards Winton
Yes, it really is that colour
Pity the sky wasn't blue to add to the spectacular colour
Meant to be an easy access to the lookout for some night photography it turned out to be our campsite for the night after the cloud covered the sky and with only a few vehicles going past during the night it was very peaceful.
22 July 2013
The cloud has remained overnight and the since has picked up though thankfully more in our favour as we move on. With little prospect of good photography weather we decided to move on to see what was around the next corner and to find another campsite.
Passing more and more open flat country with minimal vegetation we arrived at the site of the old Min Min Hotel, now nothing more than a pile of old broken bottles and a grave of someone who choked on the food at the hotel. Like the Middleton Hotel the Min Min was a Cobb & Co stop and was destroyed by fire in 1912. It was near here that the first sighting of the Min Min light was reported by a stockman who saw this ball of light rise from the grave and float towards him. Several others have allegedly seen the light as well.
More open windswept land and we arrived at the Hamilton Channels, a series of creeks that flow through the area. Just near the end of them we found the ruins of the Hamilton Hotel, now nothing more than an old hitching post, part of the concrete floor and the chimney complete with petrified wood built in. Adjacent are toilets, seating and shelters complete with water flowing from the artesian lakes underneath this part of the country.
Nearby is the grave of the lady who ran the Middleton hotel from 1910 and who then took on the Min Min hotel until it burnt down in 1912 and then came to the Hamilton Hotel with a son and daughter in law. She died at age 85 and was buried in the dam wall because there was nowhere else to place her because of the floods.
It's slightly windswept here at the ruins but good enough for us to camp at for the rest of the day before we head into Boulia tomorrow morning.
23 July 2013
Last night's sunset was quite spectacular and most of the six campers that were in were enjoying the sky as it changed colours.
The sunset as taken - WOW!
Once the wind died down the quiet of the night set in, in fact it was the type of quiet where your own breathing is the only noise and the earth seems totally at rest.
Awakening to a cloudless sky we were treated to a sunrise that was not going to be outdone by the previous days sunset. The temperature nowhere as warm required more than just a pair of shorts and a light shirt.
A magic start to the day
Moving on towards Boulia we were again on single lane bitumen and passing through very flat, open country until we neared town and the Burke River (named by and after Robert O'Hara Burke). What we found was a pleasant little town that was recovering from the weekend's camel races.
Main Street of Boulia
We stopped near the airport to enjoy a nice hot shower before emptying the grey water tank and toilet at the dump point and then it was a short stop in town at the tourist information center, the small supermarket and the service station to top up the fuel.
Leaving town we turned off the main road and with a fairly brisk side wind headed South towards Bedourie where the landscape was again flat, open and non descript except for the Burke River that was running parallel to the road for some time.
One of the points of interest along this road is the Waddi Trees, supposedly from the age of the dinosaurs and a seed from one found in Burke's diary when he was found dead on his ill-fated expedition.
The Waddi Tree stop.
Around lunchtime we stopped at the very dry Georgina River and it was here that we decided we had driven far enough for the day and made camp.
24 July 2013
Our campsite last night proved to be another good one with the exception of the strong cool wind that has been blowing through the area, and if we were to be really picky the fact that the river was dry.
We set off this morning across more barren open ground before coming up on some hills and a look out as we crossed into the Diamantina Shire. It was bit of a steep climb to the lookout but AJ handled it well and before we knew it we were enjoying the view out across the same barren open ground we had been driving through, and by the look of it there was more to come.
Arriving in Bedourie we found a neat little town of around 120 people. The only real attractions being buildings from the past such as the hotel and The Mud Hut which was built in the 1880's with mud from the nearby Eyre Creek, and was owned by Sir Sidney Kidman of cattle baron fame and the free Artesian Pool and Spa.
The Mud Hut
We enjoyed morning tea and paid a visit to the tourist information centre before taking a short drive around town. Topping up with fuel ($1.96.9c/l) we continued on and headed off towards Birdsville.
Leaving town we eventually crossed Kings Creek which was named after the sole survivor of the Burke and Wills expedition and which was a favourite spot for Afghan Cameleers to stop at in years past. The terrain changes somewhat here and the good sealed road was cutting through more and more bright orange sand dunes which are lightly covered with vegetation including small trees, bushes and spinifex.
Crossing the Eye Creek we passed Glengyle Station (10,000 square kilometers) bought by Sidney Kidman in 1903 and from the road we could see the homestead and the "Kidman Tree" which Kidman had supposedly camped under on his first trip through the area. After 55 km of sealed road we came to the first of the dirt stretches (the sign said 16 km of it), or I should say, gravel and rock. The formed road was very good to drive on and a speed of 50 - 60 km/h quite achievable with hardly any corrugations and only the occasional rough patch to watch the tyres on.
After 55 km's we found a very nice pull over next to the Eye Creek and almost stopped there to camp, but we were aiming for another spot which we came to after another 13 km's.
Cuttaburra Crossing is more of a rest area next to a permanent waterhole on the Eyre Creek than an actual crossing. Pulling in we found toilets, dump point, water tap, bins, a shelter, two bird watching hides and an old rusty truck. So setting up in the best spot to block the wind and to view the water and birdlife we declared the days travel over.
Our Campsite at the Cuttaburra Crossing
25 July 2013
Five other campers pulled in last night and we spent happy hour chatting with one couple (Bob and Ollie) who camped near us. We set up our respective satellite dishes and had some fun helping each other find the bird before the night sky closed in.
Noticing the moon was not up yet it was time for some photgraphic adventures before the place was bathed in moonlight.
Firstly trying to get good clear shots of the Southern Cross and the Milky Way.
Still some way to go with getting these the way I want but it's a start
Then as the moon came up over the horizon this shot came to mind.
The moon was a real orange colour and because of its glow I was not able to focus on it like I wanted, but the end result was pretty nice.
So after a very quiet night and a coldish morning we were the first to move off. The road was continued to be kind to us and the going was slightly better than yesterday and with around 70-80 km/h being possible we were skipping along nicely.
Oncoming traffic was minimal but we did have one large load come through and we were more than happy that the wind was on our side.
We noticed some ruins on the horizon and they were are the Carcoory Homestead, another of Sidney Kidman's properties. We elected to stop there on the way back but did stop to inspect the Carcoory Artesian Bore and the creek that flows from it which was nearby.
Looks like a good campsite for the return trip.
People in the bush make their own fun and we came across a collection of unwanted household appliances which we named the Birdsville Harvey Norman Store.
Don't think the lawnmower is much good out here!
Arriving in Birdsville we stopped for the obligatory photo next to the pub and then found a spot next to the tourist information centre where we could catch up on the emails, texts and voice messages from the past few days. Interestingly one of the favoured ways of getting here is to fly in and the airport is right across the road from where the planes park, there's even a pedestrian gate for easy access to the pub.
The iconic Birdsville Hotel
We went over to the Bakery and bought our lunch (Kangaroo and Claret Pie) and inspected the photos and paintings on the walls inside before heading off to the border for lunch.
Beautiful Sturts Desert Pea in bloom as well
About 12km's out of town heading down the Birdsville Track is the border between Queensland and South Australia. There is nothing much there except for the respective State signs and a small information sign where we stopped to enjoy our pies before heading back to the Diamantina River some 5 km's out of town to find a campsite. And guess who turned up just as we were deciding on which side of the river to camp on - Bob and Ollie.
27 July 2013
Two other campers in last night to enjoy the Diamantina River, which when you looked at it was nothing more than a muddy brown watercourse, but it was certainly less crowded than the caravan park in town.
The stars were out in all their glory again last night but we sad as it is we sat inside and watched TV instead. We had set the satellite dish up in the afternoon and helped Bob do the same and then we decided that as we were only a few km's out of town we should check the normal aerial only to find we could also get TV on it as well - doh!
A cool night last night and as we had trees blocking the morning sun we drove into town and parked near the waterhole and had breakfast and a shower before we had another look around town inspecting the artesian water supply as it comes out of the earth before heading out of town and back towards Mt Isa.
Water from the artesian basin in Queensland which is estimated to be 2032 km's long by 1450 km's wide. Birdsville's bore was sunk in 1961 to a depth of 1292 metres. The water arrives at the surface under 280 lbs/square inch at 98 degrees C and is pumped 20 metres up into a 45,000 litre tank where it is then used in town for drinking and household use.
81 km's out of town we came to the Carcoory Ruins and nearby Artesian Bore where we decided we will camp for the rest of today.
Our campsite during the day
Carcoory Homestead Ruins during the day
The afternoon was a lazy one and then as the sun set the stars beckoned more photography lessons, over the artesian water pool initially and then we moved camp half a km away up to the ruins. Then just as we had set up and got the camera out a couple came up in their four wheel drive and stopped right in front of the ruins - oh no!
The artesian bore pool at night
Speaking with them they were in fact going to camp there but were gracious enough to move over nearer to us to allow our planned activity to take place and the camera came out again. David and Jill (from Bairnsdale) chatted with us for a bit and then Jill got her camera out and spent some time learning how the star trails and light painting shots are done.
The wind was cool but not too bad and the camera went to bed around 10.30pm with processing going until 11 pm.
Carcoory Ruins at night complete with star trails and rising orange moon influence
27 July 2013
Joanne was up early again and off for a walk as the sun was getting up and when she returned we spent an enjoyable few hours with David and Jill before we headed off.
We stopped at our one of our previous camps and used the dump point to get rid of the grey water and to top up with some fresh, only to stop a few more km's down the road for lunch.
We had been making good progress on the gravel road and the condition of the side heading North indicative of more traffic heading North from Birdsville than to it. We stopped to check a few memorials etc out and then before we knew it we were almost back in Boulia. More km's than we wanted to do but there you have it.
Using WikiCamps we found ourselves a nice campsite near the dry Burke River behind the racecourse in amongst some very nice trees and along with a number of other campers settled in for the afternoon and night.
Riverside Bush Camp at Boulia
28 July 2013
Our Boulia bush camp was not only peaceful but quite warm overnight and so we got up and drove back into town where we filled our water tanks at the fill point up next to the towns water tank and then drove over to the wash down area where we managed to give AJ a good wash with the warm artesian water. Then it was into town to enjoy eggs and bacon for breakfast while the washing was going in the laundromat. A top up with fuel and then we were on our way North towards Mt Isa.
The side wind and single lane bitumen were making the trip interesting with the oncoming traffic earning a smile and wave of thanks for pulling over to let us stay on the bitumen. More open plain terrain and a few wedge tailed eagles until we were about 30 km out of Dajarra when ranges and trees came into view.
Arriving in Dajarra we found a small town about the size of Talwood and one that has a pub, general store, campsite at the old railway station site and not much more. We decided to stay and took up one of the powered sites near the toilet/shower block and settled in by putting the mat out, drying the washing, setting up the satellite dish and generally just kicking back. Nobody seems to know who or how to pay for the power so we will just see if someone comes around, or maybe leave a donation at the store.
Dajarra Campsite
29 July 2013
Dajarra was reportedly the largest trucking centre for cattle in the world with cattle being brought here to go on trains, but with the advent of road trains the railway dwindled and now Dajarra is nothing but a small town whose inhabitants are mainly aboriginal.
Today was a good chance to clean the house and catch up on a couple of small maintenance tasks to a day off was declared. All sorts of tasks were carried out and it was great to be able to listen to the ABC Radio from Perth by changing the satellite from TV to radio.
30 July 2013
After a good couple of days at Dajarra we moved on towards Mt Isa to restock our food etc. Leaving town the road was very scenic with small ranges, spinifex and white trunked gum trees which stood out against the red dirt and rocks. Then it was back into open grassland for quite a distance and then as we neared Mt Isa the ranges, trees and red dirt came back to provide another beautifully scenic drive.
Shopping, fuel, dump point, water obtained or removed and we were on our way out towards the ghost town of Mary Kathleen one of Australia's previous uranium mines.
We pulled off the highway and started down the bitumen road and after only 500m came to the first of the slabs. Driving around we noticed a number of other campers set up on slabs that would have been peoples houses or some of the public buildings. We located what was the town center where it once had a water fountain and plaque denoting Prime Minister Robert Menzies being here to open the town before selecting a slab of our own (turns out it was the Fire Station) and setting up camp.
The Town Center 1964 and 2013
The Mary K as it is known was open from 1959 to 1963 then reopened in 1974 and finally closed in 1982. The town and mine was dismantled in 1984 with everything going to auction. Now it is just old roads and concrete slabs where a community of 2,000 people lived and worked.
Our Campsite in the old Fire Station
31 July 2013
We decided that as we have nowhere else we need to be today that it was a good opportunity to spend some time investigating the old township. As we were about to head off we had a chat with one of the campers nearby who gave us his map of the town to use as we walked around (I scanned it when we got back for our own copy).
We managed to locate most of the places we were interested in and it was a very pleasant walk around as we wondered about how the place actually looked, the people that lived here and their lives.
Click on the map for a larger copy (opens a new window)
Looking at the map the town certainly had all of it's needs met (as mining towns and camps do) even back then. It would have been nice to have seen the Executive houses area but that it out of bounds and exclusive to the man who has the lease on the area for his cattle to run through hence the written instructions on the map. The mine itself is around 7 km from here so we will see if we can get there tomorrow.
There are so many nice trees around here with their white trunks just so brilliant in the light so today was tree photograph day and while you may think that taking a good photo of a tree is easy let me tell you it is not as easy as you think. Anyway, here are a couple of the best from today.
and for another perspective
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