The fist night as planed we stayed at Ban Ban, what a delightful place that is. I mean if you could imagine sitting by the creek, a camp fire going, cooking dinner, a wine in the hand, and get this, watching Platypus swimming around not 10 meters from you!!!! Ok we saw 2, twice! but how good is that. I wonder why we go there sometimes. Then in the morning we listened to the Magpies warble, I mean I haven't heard that since we left home 24 hours ago. Hang on till I get myself another wine and embellish this blog a bit more. So far things have gone ok, the car is behaving, Kasey is being a real little dog, I left her water dish behind at Ban Ban but seeing as it was only a 2 litre ice cream container I didn't back track to retrieve it, she is settling in to travelling ok and Di's behaving herself as well.

We came down through Kingaroy and on to Chinchilla Weir; I thought we might go down to Surat but SHMBO said why? Its a long way out of the way, back track to Chinchilla and go through to Mitchel; I SAID ok, what a great idea. So its Mitchell tomorrow and a dip in the hot spar.
Ban BanSprings
Well the plan was to leave here after breakfast and head to Mitchell but that plan went out the window last night after around 25 mm of rain. Where we camped was not in the designated area but close to it, we like a bit of space with Kasey. The ground where we are is grass on black soil. I know for sure if I try and back out the 25 metres over black soil and big pools of water you will see some great photos of us bogged to the you know whats. I just checked the rain radar and there is a huge band of rain about to reach us, in fact it's starting know. Dam I wish I had looked at the weather radar last night. Oh well it looks like we don't move till the ground dries. Stay close you just might see some good photos!!!! 

21/08/2010 Saturday

Still sitting at Chinchilla Weir waiting for things to dry out. It started raining at 9PM Thursday night and stopped raining Friday afternoon at 4PM. The ground is still to wet to try and move so will give it ago tomorrow after lunch, at least the sun is shinning. Might have to unhook the falcon which I think will get out ok but might need a 4x4 to get the van out. Good thing we are not in a hurry and we did a postal vote before we left.

22/08/2010 Sunday

Plan A. is to try and reverse out but there is a big pool of water still laying in the way and very soft, will get bogged for sure.

Plan B.slowly back up a bit and drive foward around the high bit of ground which is drying out nicely avoiding the bog behind.

Plan C. unhook  the Falcon and talk someone with a 4x4 to hook up and tow the van out
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Augathella
Augathella
Augathella
Lloyd Jones Weir
Lloyd Jones Weir
Lloyd Jones Weir
Lloyd Jones Weir
Road to Lake Dunn
 25/08/2010 Wednesday
Left Augathella and arrived in Blackall, had a look around and had lunch down in the camp spot in town. Seeing as it was still early we decided to move on plus the camp is on black soil and with the run we have had with black soil didn’t fancy being stuck again, next time it might be for a week. Out with the Camp5 book and decided on Lloyd Jones Weir just south of Barcaldine. Arrived around 4pm and the place is nearly full, found a lovely spot that was still vacant right on the bank overlooking the weir. On the way in we picked up some fire wood and soon had a fire going. This is a very popular spot; if you like fishing this is great. We meet our immediate neighbours and soon had a conversation going; we are going to meet up with a lovely couple who live on the Murray River near Albury when we do the trip down south next February. As conversations go the topic comes around to where you have been and have you been there and so on. The camp at Lake Dunn was mentioned and not being in the camp5 book was pointed out to us. We have to be a bit careful as to where we go with not having a 4x4 but was explained it was sealed road all the way, $5 a night for a powered site or $2 unpowered hot showers and loos, this sounds good. Keeping a watch on the weather it was going to come in cold for a few days so a powered site convinced us to go and have a look. Again picked up some wood on the way in, not many campers here set on a great spot right on the lakes edge sandy beach shady trees fire going and a wine in the hand. This lake is around 5Klms by 2Klms. Marge the owner of the property comes down late in the afternoon to collect the money, lovely person and at 80 years is sharp as a tack. Been here 60 years and loves to share the place. Had to laugh when she said it’s good to see you oldies enjoying the area. They gave the local council a section of land which they maintain to allow the public to come here and water ski, fish and just camp.
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
The council built the showers and are about to build a new block as the old one is a bit sad, still had a lovely long hot shower though. It was quite windy when Marge came down and I said what’s the weather going to do, she said it won’t rain with this wind, its coming from the wrong direction, you  can’t beat local knowledge. Well around midnight the wind must have changed and it hasn’t stopped raining since. We are not planning to go anywhere for a while might be here for a few days. I had a gas bottle filled in Barcaldine and the advice was if it rains be very careful where you camp in Longreach as a lot of black soil. This spot on the lake will do us for a while, got the heater going, we are quite cosy sitting here, no black soil, it’s red soil and still very slippery, but no internet, some of us are never happy, might have to speak to the council or Telstra.
27/08/2010 Friday.
This is our third day at Lake Dunn and the sun is shining!! We are going to stay put today and get some washing done; this is such a great place it’s going to be hard to leave. Dragged out the fishing rod yesterday, one of the campers gave me some shrimp that they catch in traps and use them to catch Yellow Belly. On our way back through Barcaldine I will stop and get a shrimp trap. Had a couple of bites but no fish, will try again in the morning with the remaining shrimp. Your never know it might be Yellow Belly on the Barby tonight, if not we have chops as a backup. I got some more shrimp and I caught 5 Yellow Belly!! But as far as the Barby goes will have to wait till the fish grow up a bit. Off to Longreach tomorrow.
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
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Lake Dunn
Dingo hanging in the tree
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044
045
Out here there are more caravans than kangaroos, or so I thought, if you look at photo #044 you can see one kangaroo. He had 100 more mates that we didn’t get time to photograph, drove through the mob, they were everywhere, some on the right some on the left they were going everywhere, never seen so many. A lot of Emus out here as well with chicks running along behind, but by the time you get the camera out they were in the long grass and out of sight. Saw some Bustard’s to. 
Arrived at Longreach around 3pm drove in past the Qantas museum and The Stockman’s Hall Of Fame but too late to have a look, will find a camp site and come back tomorrow. We went out to the camp site 4Klms north, a waterholes camp site, which is on black soil and a motor bike track in the bush. Have a guess what we listened to till dark!!!  The next morning we went into the Qantas museum and had a look around, well worth the visit. If you wanted to you could book to have a look over the 747-200 for an extra $10 and if you really wanted to you could book to walk out on the wing for another $85. Now I’m not that tight but I can go for a 2 hour glider flight for that price and seeing as we have just come back from the UK first class on the A380 and I sat in the captain’s seat when we landed at Heathrow we declined the 747 tour, but the museum was great. Next over to The Stockman’s Hall Of Fame, again what a great place so much to see.
Longreach
Longreach
Longreach

Left Longreach and on to Winton, we stayed at a camp site called Long waterholes which is 3klms out of town. Very quite out there lots of bird life, again is all black soil as you can see in the photos, it will only have to look like rain and you would get bogged, the next time the wife (SHMBO) says we had better move I’m going to say get out of the way you are slowing me down. It didn’t rain while we were there and headed into town after breakfast. Did the tour through the Waltzing Matilda Centre, they have so much memorabilia there the mind boggles.
We stocked up on supplies and I finally found a shrimp trap, it was it Searle’s Men’s Store, now where else would you think to look for one. 
On the road again and trying to find a camp site, bit scarce out here, went past the Blue Heeler Pub with a van park out the back, decided to go on and came to Walkabout Creek Pub, you know the one Crocodile Dundee fame, it had a van park out the back so in we went. I asked the barman what the price was for a site and he said $25 powered. The park was pretty basic but I suppose if the barman had a smile on his face and not sucking on lemons we might have stayed, I like friendly people. So on the road again, stopped at a rest area 62Klms south of Cloncurry, or “The Curry” as it’s referred to out here. Back up of the parking area more red dirt, rounded up some fire wood and had a nice fire going to cook dinner, had the spuds done in the tin foil in the ashes and was about to put the barby on the fire when these two wide load escort vehicles pulled in just down from us, well being friendly I went over and asked if they would like to join us around the fire. Rick and Jan were their names and we sat around the camp fire and talked about their travels and we talked about cooking dinner and we talked about what ever, of course over a wine and beers and guess what the spuds were still in the fire in the morning and the T-bone for me and the Eye fillet for Di was still in the fridge.
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Cloncurry region
The road in is a bit rough, but who needs a 4x4 when you have a Falcon.
Arrived at The Curry, refuelled brought a few provisions, vans full of water and of to Corella Dam, nothing there in the way of water or amenities just the dam which at a guess is about 35%. Found a nice spot on a point, nearly level, a few chocks soon fixed that. I have the new shrimp trap in and I’m waiting to catch some, and then hopefully catch a Yellow Belly, stayed tuned.
Corella Dam
Cloncurry region
2/09/10 Friday
We are still at Corella Dam, moving on tomorrow heading back to The Curry then up to Normanton. I have been catching shrimp ok get 6 to 8 a night but I have found out why I’m not catching yellow Belly here and that is because there are none here. There are perch and whatever but no Y. B. The dam has never been stocked. I haven’t given up hope yet, you will know as soon as I catch one.
Went into Mt Isa yesterday, left the van here and went for a look around. I hate to say this but I think the best part of Mt Isa is the road back out, 35+deg and trying to find your way around, I had the air con up high trying to keep Kasey cool. Went into the bottle shop to pick up some supplies at 1045am had a couple of casks on the counter and the girl said we can’t sell casks till 1200hrs, I haven’t heard of this yet and I nearly said do I look like the type of person who would sit in the gutter at this hour and drink this stuff! I would at least wait till 1400hrs any way the rule is no casks before 1200hrs and you must be in a car. Filled in some time having a bite to eat and a look around then back to the bottle shop at 1201hrs and all was sweet. That explains why the taxis are lined up at 1200hrs and the maxi taxi had 6 people in it, can’t blame them for that have to save a dollar where ever you can. If you think I joking about driving around Mt Isa have a look at the track on the map. Zoom in on the map at Mt Isa and have a look at the track, if you have the car there going round and round be care full you don’t get dizzy.
We decided to stay here another night as the weather is forecast to be 36deg tomorrow then cool down a bit after that. At least here we can get Kasey in the dam and cool here down. Had a drive around the Mary Kathleen Mine town site, nothing there except roads and concrete slabs.
Mary Kathleen Mine
7/09/10 Tuesday
Decided to leave Corella dam this morning, Sunday 5th and as it goes we were having breakfast and it starts to rain, first rain for a week or more. In between showers we managed to pack up and get out on the road. I must say I caught a few fish here but again a bit small, Spangled Perch.  Restocked in the Curry and of to find a camp spot somewhere north towards Normanton.  Pulled into the Burke & Wills road house which is about half way, to top up with auto gas but at $1.10  a litre I pulled out again, still had half a tank of gas and a full tank of unleaded which was $1.57. Cheaper to run the car on unleaded. We stopped at a rest area 112 Klms south of Normanton called Bang Bang Rest Area. Been past a few like this one now not very old with a dump point and toilets. Set up camp there and it wasn’t long before there were 5 vans in for the night. We all had a happy hour from 5 to 7 which was entertaining; we are all heading the same way.
Karumba
Brolgas near Karumba
Wet Lands near Normanton
Wet Lands near Normanton
We are at the Big Barra Caravan Park, left the van here yesterday and went out to Karumba. It is a real fishing township. Had lunch at the fish and chip shop, Barra & Chips and it was the best fish I’ve had in a long time even the chips were good, the dozen chips we couldn’t eat Kasey soon had them put away. I’m sure you will see the reason we stopped at The Big Barra Caravan Park when you look at the photos, it made me feel right at home!!! Now we have all heard of things BIG, like The Big Pineapple, The Big Banana and The Big Barra which is in Normanton,  well Normanton still has one better, check out their claim to fame, a Dam BIG CROCODILE. See photos. If these things are up here I think I’ll leave the fishing rod under the bed till we get back south a bit, I don’t think he would fit in my shrimp trap.
My FISH
Normanton
Normanton
9/09/10 Thursday
Had a call from Rob & Sue and they are at Georgetown, we agreed to meet them at Croydon Caravan Park the next day, Tuesday. Decided to stay in the park on a powered site seeing as the temp was 37deg 38deg, love those air cons, was great to catch up with them. The next morning we parted company, us going east them west, the next place we meet will be at home. But then who knows.
We went from Croydon to The Lynd and stayed in the park there, won’t comment on the place on the grounds it----, you know the rest. Lot of road construction workers there in their own camp which was quite large, they are doing a lot of road work out there. In the morning went to have a shave in the gents, first there was no hot tap in the sink, o,well have a shave in cold water then, lathered up well then turned on the cold water and guess what, no water. Back to the van looking like Santa and finished the shave there. Packed up and on the road towards Charters Towers.
Black Bull Siding
Black Bull Siding
Gilbert River
Gilbert River
Cumberland Chimney
Cumberland Chimney
Georgetown

On the way we followed the rail line, you all know Slim’s song “There building a line from T’ville to Greenvale”  The Three Rivers Hotel, well this is the one. We should know we worked on it in 1972 for 12 months. Started at camp 3 on the banks of the Burdekin River till that section was finished, then on to camp 4 on the Clark River. The photos here are on the section from the Clark River to Greenvale where the Nickel Mine was, as you will see on the map. It brings back a lot of memories and as Slim says in the song, “It’s hotter than hell” he was right you know. The mine was only expected to last 20 years which was pretty close to the mark and when the mine shut down we did the trip on the rail motor from T’ville to Greenvale and stayed overnight at the pub then up at 6am to board the rail motor back to T’ville. It wasn’t long after that they pulled all the tracks up and used them somewhere else. So after taking these photos, I wiped the tears from my eyes, we hopped in the car and drove away. 
We are now at Fletcher’s Creek 42Klms north of Charters Towers.
Greenvale Rail Line
Greenvale Rail Line
Greenvale Rail Line
Clark River
Clark River
Clark River
12/09/10 Sunday
We are still at Fletcher’s Creek and look like staying here for a few more days. Don’t have to be in T’ville till 22/09 so this is as good a spot as any to prop in. Might be a bit quite on the updates for a while as this site is pretty laid back. Will have to go to Charters Towers on Monday for a few supplies.
Fletcher's Creek
17/09/10 Friday
Life has been pretty quite here at Fletcher’s creek, hot weather and plenty of entertainment. You just never know what’s going to happen next. People come and go, but it’s not until you start talking to them that the interesting things start to happen. One, you meet a lot of extremely nice people whom it’s a shame to move on and leave, but the upside is you end up with a lot of really good friends. The first thing that happened is Rob & Sue meet this couple in Obrien’s Creek, Ann &  Stuart are their names, when we meet them and mention where we live, they said we know some people from there, the world is not a very big place, you can run but you can’t hide. Then I meet a couple from Cairns and he used to work on the boats, so a couple of hours were spent catching up on all the latest in Cairns. Another couple pulled in Len & Joanne Knight; they were only going to stay one night but ended up staying two. It turned out Len & Joanne have spent most of their life in the entertainment industry. We were happy when they said they were going to spend another night there and Len explained how he travels around judging bush poets at places like Tamworth, and believe me he is no new comer to playing the guitar either. After dinner nearly the whole camp joined in at their van and listened to Len sing Country & Western songs and recite poetry, it was one of those nights that are just magic. We will make an effort to catch up with all these people in the future.
Fletcher's Creek
Fletcher's Creek
After a week we packed up and left Fletcher’s Creek and decided to move on to a camp site 20 Klms east of Charters Towers on the Burdekin River called Macrossan. We were sitting there thinking this place is no were near as good as Fletcher’s Creek, hot and a long way from the river, no shade. Well like I said you just never know what’s around the corner, in comes this rig, new Land Rover and van and another delight full couple, Doug & Judy. They were only stopping for lunch then on to Townsville. After I gave Doug a bit of cheek that Land Rovers have gone away from sliding windows and the like he showed me the new version, the only likeness to the old ones is the shape, a very impressive vehicle. Within 15 minutes Di & Judy had a plan worked out that here was not to flash and that Balgal Beach sounds good. So both our plans changed off we went to Balgal, place was packed so we stopped at another camp not far at Rollingstone called Bushy Parker. We will stay here a couple of nights then move back to Townsville, Doug & Judy will head to Cairns after the friends they meet at Apple Tree Creek catch up with them here. This is a great way to spend some time seeing the country and meeting people. What’s going to happen next????
Rollingstone
T'ville 2010
Dave&Di
Author: Dave&Di (ID: 11309)
Posted: 2010-08-28 05:42 GMT+00:00
Mileage: 1619.50 km
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Ban Ban Springs
The fist night as planed we stayed at Ban Ban, what a delightful place that is. I mean if you could imagine sitting by the creek, a camp fire going, cooking dinner, a wine in the hand, and get this, watching Platypus swimming around not 10 meters from you!!!! Ok we saw 2, twice! but how good is that. I wonder why we go there sometimes. Then in the morning we listened to the Magpies warble, I mean I haven't heard that since we left home 24 hours ago. Hang on till I get myself another wine and embellish this blog a bit more. So far things have gone ok, the car is behaving, Kasey is being a real little dog, I left her water dish behind at Ban Ban but seeing as it was only a 2 litre ice cream container I didn't back track to retrieve it, she is settling in to travelling ok and Di's behaving herself as well.

We came down through Kingaroy and on to Chinchilla Weir; I thought we might go down to Surat but SHMBO said why? Its a long way out of the way, back track to Chinchilla and go through to Mitchel; I SAID ok, what a great idea. So its Mitchell tomorrow and a dip in the hot spar.
Ban BanSprings
002
Well the plan was to leave here after breakfast and head to Mitchell but that plan went out the window last night after around 25 mm of rain. Where we camped was not in the designated area but close to it, we like a bit of space with Kasey. The ground where we are is grass on black soil. I know for sure if I try and back out the 25 metres over black soil and big pools of water you will see some great photos of us bogged to the you know whats. I just checked the rain radar and there is a huge band of rain about to reach us, in fact it's starting know. Dam I wish I had looked at the weather radar last night. Oh well it looks like we don't move till the ground dries. Stay close you just might see some good photos!!!!

21/08/2010 Saturday

Still sitting at Chinchilla Weir waiting for things to dry out. It started raining at 9PM Thursday night and stopped raining Friday afternoon at 4PM. The ground is still to wet to try and move so will give it ago tomorrow after lunch, at least the sun is shinning. Might have to unhook the falcon which I think will get out ok but might need a 4x4 to get the van out. Good thing we are not in a hurry and we did a postal vote before we left.

22/08/2010 Sunday

Plan A. is to try and reverse out but there is a big pool of water still laying in the way and very soft, will get bogged for sure.

Plan B.slowly back up a bit and drive foward around the high bit of ground which is drying out nicely avoiding the bog behind.

Plan C. unhook the Falcon and talk someone with a 4x4 to hook up and tow the van out
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Augathella
Augathella
Augathella
Lloyd Jones Weir
Lloyd Jones Weir
Lloyd Jones Weir
Lloyd Jones Weir
Road to Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
 25/08/2010 Wednesday
Left Augathella and arrived in Blackall, had a look around and had lunch down in the camp spot in town. Seeing as it was still early we decided to move on plus the camp is on black soil and with the run we have had with black soil didn’t fancy being stuck again, next time it might be for a week. Out with the Camp5 book and decided on Lloyd Jones Weir just south of Barcaldine. Arrived around 4pm and the place is nearly full, found a lovely spot that was still vacant right on the bank overlooking the weir. On the way in we picked up some fire wood and soon had a fire going. This is a very popular spot; if you like fishing this is great. We meet our immediate neighbours and soon had a conversation going; we are going to meet up with a lovely couple who live on the Murray River near Albury when we do the trip down south next February. As conversations go the topic comes around to where you have been and have you been there and so on. The camp at Lake Dunn was mentioned and not being in the camp5 book was pointed out to us. We have to be a bit careful as to where we go with not having a 4x4 but was explained it was sealed road all the way, $5 a night for a powered site or $2 unpowered hot showers and loos, this sounds good. Keeping a watch on the weather it was going to come in cold for a few days so a powered site convinced us to go and have a look. Again picked up some wood on the way in, not many campers here set on a great spot right on the lakes edge sandy beach shady trees fire going and a wine in the hand. This lake is around 5Klms by 2Klms. Marge the owner of the property comes down late in the afternoon to collect the money, lovely person and at 80 years is sharp as a tack. Been here 60 years and loves to share the place. Had to laugh when she said it’s good to see you oldies enjoying the area. They gave the local council a section of land which they maintain to allow the public to come here and water ski, fish and just camp.
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
The council built the showers and are about to build a new block as the old one is a bit sad, still had a lovely long hot shower though. It was quite windy when Marge came down and I said what’s the weather going to do, she said it won’t rain with this wind, its coming from the wrong direction, you can’t beat local knowledge. Well around midnight the wind must have changed and it hasn’t stopped raining since. We are not planning to go anywhere for a while might be here for a few days. I had a gas bottle filled in Barcaldine and the advice was if it rains be very careful where you camp in Longreach as a lot of black soil. This spot on the lake will do us for a while, got the heater going, we are quite cosy sitting here, no black soil, it’s red soil and still very slippery, but no internet, some of us are never happy, might have to speak to the council or Telstra.
27/08/2010 Friday.
This is our third day at Lake Dunn and the sun is shining!! We are going to stay put today and get some washing done; this is such a great place it’s going to be hard to leave. Dragged out the fishing rod yesterday, one of the campers gave me some shrimp that they catch in traps and use them to catch Yellow Belly. On our way back through Barcaldine I will stop and get a shrimp trap. Had a couple of bites but no fish, will try again in the morning with the remaining shrimp. Your never know it might be Yellow Belly on the Barby tonight, if not we have chops as a backup. I got some more shrimp and I caught 5 Yellow Belly!! But as far as the Barby goes will have to wait till the fish grow up a bit. Off to Longreach tomorrow.
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
Lake Dunn
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Lake Dunn
Dingo hanging in the tree
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044
045
Longreach
Out here there are more caravans than kangaroos, or so I thought, if you look at photo #044 you can see one kangaroo. He had 100 more mates that we didn’t get time to photograph, drove through the mob, they were everywhere, some on the right some on the left they were going everywhere, never seen so many. A lot of Emus out here as well with chicks running along behind, but by the time you get the camera out they were in the long grass and out of sight. Saw some Bustard’s to.
Arrived at Longreach around 3pm drove in past the Qantas museum and The Stockman’s Hall Of Fame but too late to have a look, will find a camp site and come back tomorrow. We went out to the camp site 4Klms north, a waterholes camp site, which is on black soil and a motor bike track in the bush. Have a guess what we listened to till dark!!! The next morning we went into the Qantas museum and had a look around, well worth the visit. If you wanted to you could book to have a look over the 747-200 for an extra $10 and if you really wanted to you could book to walk out on the wing for another $85. Now I’m not that tight but I can go for a 2 hour glider flight for that price and seeing as we have just come back from the UK first class on the A380 and I sat in the captain’s seat when we landed at Heathrow we declined the 747 tour, but the museum was great. Next over to The Stockman’s Hall Of Fame, again what a great place so much to see.
Longreach
Longreach
Longreach
Winton, Long Waterhole

Left Longreach and on to Winton, we stayed at a camp site called Long waterholes which is 3klms out of town. Very quite out there lots of bird life, again is all black soil as you can see in the photos, it will only have to look like rain and you would get bogged, the next time the wife (SHMBO) says we had better move I’m going to say get out of the way you are slowing me down. It didn’t rain while we were there and headed into town after breakfast. Did the tour through the Waltzing Matilda Centre, they have so much memorabilia there the mind boggles.
We stocked up on supplies and I finally found a shrimp trap, it was it Searle’s Men’s Store, now where else would you think to look for one.
On the road again and trying to find a camp site, bit scarce out here, went past the Blue Heeler Pub with a van park out the back, decided to go on and came to Walkabout Creek Pub, you know the one Crocodile Dundee fame, it had a van park out the back so in we went. I asked the barman what the price was for a site and he said $25 powered. The park was pretty basic but I suppose if the barman had a smile on his face and not sucking on lemons we might have stayed, I like friendly people. So on the road again, stopped at a rest area 62Klms south of Cloncurry, or “The Curry” as it’s referred to out here. Back up of the parking area more red dirt, rounded up some fire wood and had a nice fire going to cook dinner, had the spuds done in the tin foil in the ashes and was about to put the barby on the fire when these two wide load escort vehicles pulled in just down from us, well being friendly I went over and asked if they would like to join us around the fire. Rick and Jan were their names and we sat around the camp fire and talked about their travels and we talked about cooking dinner and we talked about what ever, of course over a wine and beers and guess what the spuds were still in the fire in the morning and the T-bone for me and the Eye fillet for Di was still in the fridge.
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Winton, Long Waterhole
Cloncurry region
Corella Dam
The road in is a bit rough, but who needs a 4x4 when you have a Falcon.
Corella Dam
Arrived at The Curry, refuelled brought a few provisions, vans full of water and of to Corella Dam, nothing there in the way of water or amenities just the dam which at a guess is about 35%. Found a nice spot on a point, nearly level, a few chocks soon fixed that. I have the new shrimp trap in and I’m waiting to catch some, and then hopefully catch a Yellow Belly, stayed tuned.
Corella Dam
Cloncurry region
Mt Isa
2/09/10 Friday
We are still at Corella Dam, moving on tomorrow heading back to The Curry then up to Normanton. I have been catching shrimp ok get 6 to 8 a night but I have found out why I’m not catching yellow Belly here and that is because there are none here. There are perch and whatever but no Y. B. The dam has never been stocked. I haven’t given up hope yet, you will know as soon as I catch one.
Went into Mt Isa yesterday, left the van here and went for a look around. I hate to say this but I think the best part of Mt Isa is the road back out, 35+deg and trying to find your way around, I had the air con up high trying to keep Kasey cool. Went into the bottle shop to pick up some supplies at 1045am had a couple of casks on the counter and the girl said we can’t sell casks till 1200hrs, I haven’t heard of this yet and I nearly said do I look like the type of person who would sit in the gutter at this hour and drink this stuff! I would at least wait till 1400hrs any way the rule is no casks before 1200hrs and you must be in a car. Filled in some time having a bite to eat and a look around then back to the bottle shop at 1201hrs and all was sweet. That explains why the taxis are lined up at 1200hrs and the maxi taxi had 6 people in it, can’t blame them for that have to save a dollar where ever you can. If you think I joking about driving around Mt Isa have a look at the track on the map. Zoom in on the map at Mt Isa and have a look at the track, if you have the car there going round and round be care full you don’t get dizzy.
We decided to stay here another night as the weather is forecast to be 36deg tomorrow then cool down a bit after that. At least here we can get Kasey in the dam and cool here down. Had a drive around the Mary Kathleen Mine town site, nothing there except roads and concrete slabs.
Mary Kathleen Mine
Bang Bang Rest Area
7/09/10 Tuesday
Decided to leave Corella dam this morning, Sunday 5th and as it goes we were having breakfast and it starts to rain, first rain for a week or more. In between showers we managed to pack up and get out on the road. I must say I caught a few fish here but again a bit small, Spangled Perch. Restocked in the Curry and of to find a camp spot somewhere north towards Normanton. Pulled into the Burke & Wills road house which is about half way, to top up with auto gas but at $1.10 a litre I pulled out again, still had half a tank of gas and a full tank of unleaded which was $1.57. Cheaper to run the car on unleaded. We stopped at a rest area 112 Klms south of Normanton called Bang Bang Rest Area. Been past a few like this one now not very old with a dump point and toilets. Set up camp there and it wasn’t long before there were 5 vans in for the night. We all had a happy hour from 5 to 7 which was entertaining; we are all heading the same way.
Karumba
Brolgas near Karumba
Wet Lands near Normanton
Wet Lands near Normanton
The Big Barra at the caravan park
We are at the Big Barra Caravan Park, left the van here yesterday and went out to Karumba. It is a real fishing township. Had lunch at the fish and chip shop, Barra & Chips and it was the best fish I’ve had in a long time even the chips were good, the dozen chips we couldn’t eat Kasey soon had them put away. I’m sure you will see the reason we stopped at The Big Barra Caravan Park when you look at the photos, it made me feel right at home!!! Now we have all heard of things BIG, like The Big Pineapple, The Big Banana and The Big Barra which is in Normanton, well Normanton still has one better, check out their claim to fame, a Dam BIG CROCODILE. See photos. If these things are up here I think I’ll leave the fishing rod under the bed till we get back south a bit, I don’t think he would fit in my shrimp trap.
My FISH
Normanton
Normanton
Normanton
9/09/10 Thursday
Had a call from Rob & Sue and they are at Georgetown, we agreed to meet them at Croydon Caravan Park the next day, Tuesday. Decided to stay in the park on a powered site seeing as the temp was 37deg 38deg, love those air cons, was great to catch up with them. The next morning we parted company, us going east them west, the next place we meet will be at home. But then who knows.
We went from Croydon to The Lynd and stayed in the park there, won’t comment on the place on the grounds it----, you know the rest. Lot of road construction workers there in their own camp which was quite large, they are doing a lot of road work out there. In the morning went to have a shave in the gents, first there was no hot tap in the sink, o,well have a shave in cold water then, lathered up well then turned on the cold water and guess what, no water. Back to the van looking like Santa and finished the shave there. Packed up and on the road towards Charters Towers.
Black Bull Siding
Black Bull Siding
Gilbert River
Gilbert River
Cumberland Chimney
Cumberland Chimney
Georgetown
Greenvale Rail Line

On the way we followed the rail line, you all know Slim’s song “There building a line from T’ville to Greenvale” The Three Rivers Hotel, well this is the one. We should know we worked on it in 1972 for 12 months. Started at camp 3 on the banks of the Burdekin River till that section was finished, then on to camp 4 on the Clark River. The photos here are on the section from the Clark River to Greenvale where the Nickel Mine was, as you will see on the map. It brings back a lot of memories and as Slim says in the song, “It’s hotter than hell” he was right you know. The mine was only expected to last 20 years which was pretty close to the mark and when the mine shut down we did the trip on the rail motor from T’ville to Greenvale and stayed overnight at the pub then up at 6am to board the rail motor back to T’ville. It wasn’t long after that they pulled all the tracks up and used them somewhere else. So after taking these photos, I wiped the tears from my eyes, we hopped in the car and drove away.
We are now at Fletcher’s Creek 42Klms north of Charters Towers.
Greenvale Rail Line
Greenvale Rail Line
Greenvale Rail Line
Clark River
Clark River
Clark River
Fletcher's Creek
12/09/10 Sunday
We are still at Fletcher’s Creek and look like staying here for a few more days. Don’t have to be in T’ville till 22/09 so this is as good a spot as any to prop in. Might be a bit quite on the updates for a while as this site is pretty laid back. Will have to go to Charters Towers on Monday for a few supplies.
Fletcher's Creek
Fletcher's Creek
17/09/10 Friday
Life has been pretty quite here at Fletcher’s creek, hot weather and plenty of entertainment. You just never know what’s going to happen next. People come and go, but it’s not until you start talking to them that the interesting things start to happen. One, you meet a lot of extremely nice people whom it’s a shame to move on and leave, but the upside is you end up with a lot of really good friends. The first thing that happened is Rob & Sue meet this couple in Obrien’s Creek, Ann & Stuart are their names, when we meet them and mention where we live, they said we know some people from there, the world is not a very big place, you can run but you can’t hide. Then I meet a couple from Cairns and he used to work on the boats, so a couple of hours were spent catching up on all the latest in Cairns. Another couple pulled in Len & Joanne Knight; they were only going to stay one night but ended up staying two. It turned out Len & Joanne have spent most of their life in the entertainment industry. We were happy when they said they were going to spend another night there and Len explained how he travels around judging bush poets at places like Tamworth, and believe me he is no new comer to playing the guitar either. After dinner nearly the whole camp joined in at their van and listened to Len sing Country & Western songs and recite poetry, it was one of those nights that are just magic. We will make an effort to catch up with all these people in the future.
Fletcher's Creek
Fletcher's Creek
Rollingstone
After a week we packed up and left Fletcher’s Creek and decided to move on to a camp site 20 Klms east of Charters Towers on the Burdekin River called Macrossan. We were sitting there thinking this place is no were near as good as Fletcher’s Creek, hot and a long way from the river, no shade. Well like I said you just never know what’s around the corner, in comes this rig, new Land Rover and van and another delight full couple, Doug & Judy. They were only stopping for lunch then on to Townsville. After I gave Doug a bit of cheek that Land Rovers have gone away from sliding windows and the like he showed me the new version, the only likeness to the old ones is the shape, a very impressive vehicle. Within 15 minutes Di & Judy had a plan worked out that here was not to flash and that Balgal Beach sounds good. So both our plans changed off we went to Balgal, place was packed so we stopped at another camp not far at Rollingstone called Bushy Parker. We will stay here a couple of nights then move back to Townsville, Doug & Judy will head to Cairns after the friends they meet at Apple Tree Creek catch up with them here. This is a great way to spend some time seeing the country and meeting people. What’s going to happen next????
Rollingstone
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