Tuesday 1 August - Mount Isa

Up this morning and drove to Mount Isa.  Complete change of scenery today.  Still the red dirt but stones as well forming hills.  We were used to seeing for miles across flat landscape so it was very pleasant to have a hilly landscape.  Couldn't get into the park until after 11 so as we were driving past Harvey Norman went in to kill time.  We also stopped at Super Cheap as we had to buy a new tow ball lock due to a little accident with the old one. They didn't have one so next stop was Autobarn who also didn't have one but they hope it will be on the supply truck due on Wednesday or Thursday so we will have to wait and see.  Next stop was the park where we set up and had lunch.  There is a Bunnings here and we needed a couple of things so we headed there and then walked around the main shopping district.  Back to the van.  We have had 5 different people come over inquiring about the kayak so the afternoon has been busy.  We have decided not to do a mine tour as we have done the one in Bendigo and the one here says you are underground for 2 1/2 hours.  No thank you.

Sunday 30 & Monday 31 July - Cloncurry

Drove straight to Cloncurry.  The only thing of note on the drive was at McKinley where the pub was used in the movie Crocodile Dundee (at least that is what we were told).  As neither of us are real movie buffs we just did a drive bye.  There is a statue of a crocodile on the roof.   Arrived at Cloncurry and set up in time for a late lunch.  We just lazed around for the afternoon chatting to different people.  Monday we went to Mary Kathleen Memorial Park where we walked up to the lookout for a panoramic view of Cloncurry.  There is also a display of mining, rail and farm equipment.  There are also steam and traction engines.  The unique feature was a Ford V8 Rail Ambulance which was in use from 1956 to 1971 when the roads were impassable.   We decided to visit the Chinese and Afghan cemeteries but the directions in the information booklet left a lot to be desired.  We ended up finding the Afghan cemetery by pure luck.  The brochure said there were many graves of camel train drivers from the turn of the century to the 1950s.  We found 2 graves and the only thing that distinguished them from the rest of the cemetery was that they faced north-south.  After blindly driving around for 15 minutes trying to find the Chinese cemetery we gave up.  That just about covered things to do in Cloncurry.  There are a couple of other museums but we have  done enough museums for a while.  Back to the van for the afternoon chatting with the new neighbours that have pulled in today.  Whoops, just finished typing this and I closed the information book to find a map on the back page showing where everything is.  I looked through the book a few times trying to find the map complaining when I couldn't find it, just didn't look on the back page.  Oh well, too late only missed the Chinese cemetery.

 

Saturday 29 July - Winton

Left this morning and drove through to Winton.  We were back on the highway today and had more traffic in today's two hour drive than the three previous days driving on the development road.  Set up and walked down the information centre.  Collected a map of the town with the points of interest listed.  Lunched back at the van whilst checking out the information.   We thought we would only need one night here but have found we haven't enough time to do the Age of Dinosaurs Museum as the tour is three hours and as we have to drive back through Winton on our way home we will do that museum then.  First stop after lunch was the Musical Fence.  This is a wire fence that can be played as a musical instrument, although my attempt was terrible.  There are also different percussion instruments made out of bits and pieces.  The drum kit's cymbals we made from tin garbage can lids.  We tried out each instruments but still didn't manage to put a tune together.   Down the road to Arno's Wall.  The wall is two metres tall and extends for over seventy metres.  It is constructed of concrete and rock from Arno's opal mine with old lawnmower parts, boat propellers, old machinery, typewriters, a couple of old motorbikes and a sewing machine.  And also the kitchen sink.  Next stop the Jolly Swagman Statue, sculptured in 1959 to commemorate Waltzing Matilda and is dedicated to poet Banjo Paterson and the many swagmen who lie in unmarked graves throughout the country.  Finally we went on the opal walk and open air theatre.  The opal walk was just a corridor of rocks and some opal jewellery and you ended up at the theatre which was built in 1918 and is home to the world's largest deck chair.  It has a screen like the old drive in's and you sit in rows of canvas deck chairs which are in need of some TLC.  I had suggested when we return this way we make it a Wednesday night when the theatre show old time slides and black and white films but after sitting on one of the canvas chairs quickly changed my mind.  A plane seat is twice the width of these and there are five seats all joined together.  Was actually disappointed with the theatre, was not what I was anticipating.  Luckily the lady didn't charge us to go in.  There are chook races on at the pub this afternoon but think we will give them a miss.  Also managed to find some time to do the normal thing when caravanning, talked to both sets of neighbours.

 

 

 

Friday 28 July - Longreach

Up this morning and off to school for 9 am start.  The Longreach School of Air that is.  The tour started with a 10 minute dvd about the school and comments from teachers and students.  We then walked around the school looking at how the teachers connect to their students and the day to day operations.  Longreach also have a dormitory set up so a year level can get together for a week camp.  This allows the teachers to get to know the students and the students to interact with their peers.  Teachers also go to the home of their students, each student once a year.  This often means the teacher has to spend the night.  The area covered by the Longreach School is twice the size of Victoria.  The effort put in by the teachers and especially the mothers of these children is amazing.  Not sure I could do it.  The tour finished with a 10 minute dvd of an actual prep class and year 3 class.  Thoroughly enjoyed this tour.  Next up was Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.  As with Qantas you pay a general admittance and then can pay extra to go to the show.  We had already decided not to do the show as we didn't feel the need to watch sheep being rounded up.  As we drove in we saw a guy sitting on a bull.  We both assumed the bull was a statue that you sat on for photos until the bull moved.  We parked and walked to the entrance.  The employee was still on the bull advertising the next show so we patted the bull while chatting to the stockman.  There are 5 rooms at the Hall of Fame covering aboriginal workers, pioneers, outback properties, royal flying doctor and stock workers.  I am glad that I have been to it but don't think I would return if back this way again.  Most of the exhibits are things you have seen at other museums although these ones are not covered in dust and cobwebs.  There is a sunset cruise to do which we have left to do next time.  Once again 29 degrees so just put the feet up for the rest of the day.  

 

 

 

Thursday 27 July - Longreach

Arrived at Qantas Founders Museum at 9.30.  You must buy a ticket into the museum, then if you choose to, you can do the Jet Tour and/or wing walk for additional fees.    Elected not to do the wing walk as I would prefer to climb the harbour bridge again instead of the wing of a plane.   We did do the Jet Tour and thought it was worthwhile.  We got a tour of the outside of the 747 and told about all the equipment that hangs off it and what it is used for.   We then went inside the plane and looked at the differences between economy class and first class, saw the black box (which is orange), the crew rest area and flight deck.  We also went up to the top deck where originally there was a lounge and bar area for first class until Qantas decided they could make more money if they stopped giving away free drinks and put 30 economy seats there instead.    Next was the 707 which Qantas sold when they purchased the larger 747's.  It was converted to a luxury charter jet for the rich and famous (Michael Jackson being one to charter it with the Jackson Five).  It then became the personal jet of a Saudi Prince.  This plane had timber, crystal and gold plated fittings.  Certainly plenty of leg room here.   Having finished our tour we were free to wander the museum.  It was interesting but after 3 hours we had had enough.  Your admission price let you in and out all day and you can, at the end of the day ask for a second day pass.  It was good and I am glad we did it, but we don't feel the need to go again if we ever return to Longreach.  

 
 

Wednesday 26 July - Longreach

Wonderful peaceful night where we only needed a blanket for most of the night.   Ian once again did some time lapse photos and I have included one below as well as a sunset shot from our campsite.  Have been in t-shirt and shorts (or my case 3/4 length pants) for 3 days now with the temperature being high 20's.  Sadly we set off this morning and drove to Longreach. Took a slight detour off the development road to Stonehenge.  Didn't actually get out of the car.  A caravan park and information office was all there was.  When we arrived at Longreach we went straight to the caravan park.  We had been told it was small and boy was it small.  They jammed the caravans in.  You could not walk easily between the vans and the cars were parked partly on the road so even to drive down the road tested you.   We actually have the second best site (and it has the development road behind it) although we will be pleasantly surprised if we get out of here without the car getting hit.  I have already told Ian if we ever get a site like the people opposite us we are leaving no matter how long we have paid for.  Their bedroom window is about 2 feet from the mens toilet and their dining table window is 2 feet from the laundry.  No thank you and don't start me on the showers here. Anyway enough complaining, we set up, had lunch and went to the information centre to grab some pamphlets.  We drove out and looked at the other caravan park and free camp.  There were caravans everywhere but if we are ever up this way again we will try the other park.   Next stop was the Longreach Arts and Craft Centre which displayed and sold local arts and craft.  Although it did seem that two women were the major contributors.  One lady was mainly into quilting and the other pottery.   The outstanding exhibits were a lovely quilt of a country scene and an amazing pottery chess set.   There is also an ambulance memorabilia room.  A pleasant way to spend 30 minutes.  Next stop was the powerhouse museum.    Electricity was first generated in 1921 for the town of Longreach.  The shed that held all the engines to supply the power got up to 68 degrees and the noise of the engines could be heard for 4km.  Would have hated to work there.  It wasn't a bad museum, although I was quicker to finish looking than Ian so sat out under the shade of a tree to wait for him.   Back to the van and a chat with the neighbours.

 

Tuesday 25 July - Windorah - Jundah - Swanvale Lookout

Heading towards another free camp we have been told about but first we drove into Windorah.  The town is powered by  solar dishes together with a diesel generator for when there is no sun.  The only other things there are is a caravan park, information centre, store and fuel.  The caravan park looked nice enough but Coopers Creek was 100 times better.  Next stop was Jundah where we got some fuel.  There was also a caravan park, store, little park with showers (donation) and toilet.  Very welcoming for caravaners.  Drove about 40km north of Jundah to Swanvale Lookout.  We are on top of a hill and we have a view of the surrounding countryside.  Currently there is one van here with us.  We are about 200 metres from him and 200 metres from the toilet.  Beautiful position.  Will be interesting to see how many others are here for the night.    Relax away the afternoon doing some reading but mostly staring out over the landscape.