NORTH ON THE STUART HIGHWAY

Still very hot and sunny without a cloud in the sky to start off the day and by the time mid-day comes, a couple of clouds form.  Jenner Springs was our stop for lunch and a stretch of legs.  Not too much here other than the pub so kept travelling on up to a roadside stop for traveller's at Newcastle Waters beside the highway.  Even though the large road trains passed through the night it did not bother us and there were eight vehicles by the end of the night. Ourselves, four caravaner's and three vehicles with younger folk pitched tents beside their 4WD's.
Called into the historic township with The Drovers Statue commemorating all the local drovers alongside a billabong with numerous bird species abounding.

DALY WATERS was our lunch stop for this Sunday with the WWII airstrip and buildings, Stuart the explorer historic tree and of course - the Daly Waters Pub.  Had to have a shandy here and take in all the memoriblia hanging throughout the place.  Also the locals have a great sense of humor with the helicopter on the roof over the road.

Stopping at Bitter Springs Caravan Park at Mataranka for the next 2 nights catching up on this blog, washing of clothes and just relaxing in the natural spring fed limestone bottom pool.  Great conversation place to meet people from all over the world.  One lady from NZ currently she and her husband are up in Maningrida Arnhem Land where she is a nurse and he a driver.  A different way of life for them and so they get a free trip out to Darwin three times a year.

TENNANT CREEK

Whew!  We have made it to the Stuart Highway, off the Overlanders Highway and off Route 66.
Driving into Tennant Creek which is south once one gets to the Three Ways, we pulled up and decided to walk through the township to get our bearings and decide which caravan park to stop at.  Did not stop for lunch before driving on out to Outback Caravan Park where we were given a plastic sleeve of information on what to look at here.
Went on to Battery Hill Information Centre and got a very cheery lady who gave us plenty of information on the local historical sites to visit.

Bill Allen Lookout with views all around.

The Catholic Church that had been transported down from Katherine.  It was divided into 3. Only 2 parts made the journey as the other got washed away in the floods during transport.

Out to The Pebbles (Kunjarra) and walked around the path to view these amazing rock formations.  Smaller than The Marbles 116 kms south of Tennant Creek.

The local Kunjarra's have burnt here recently

The Overland Telegraph Station was very interesting with self guided pamphlets at the gate. Helped the pioneers from Adelaide to Darwin.

Lake Mary Ann recreational dam was named after a cattle-farmers daughter seems very popular with the local indigenous folk.

BARKLY HOMESTEAD

Had to show you a sunrise shot at Lake Francis before we left this great setting.

Travelled on the Barkly Homestead - the oasis in the middle of ???? - in time for lunch before setting up our rig and enjoying a ccccc...... swim in their pool.   Refreshing and envigorating before  settling down to watch some tv for the evening.

Plenty of travellers on their way to the Julia Creek "Dirt & Dust Festival" to be held 15-17th April.

Haha.  Wayne is driving along Route 66.

CAMOOWEAL

Travelling west towards the North West Queensland Border today I loved seeing these deep red anthills.  Some have been dressed!!

Camooweal is a small border township with historic buildings and a great pub which we stopped at for lunch before crossing the bridge and parking for the night along the Lake Francis foreshore that abounds with bird life and the lake has heaps of lilies covering the water.

Had this pair of birds(not sure what they are) watching us the duration of our visit under their tree.
What a peaceful and serene place to catch our breath before crossing into The Northern Territory tomorrow.

LAST DAY ON FLINDERS HIGHWAY THEN ON TO BARKLY HIGHWAY TO MT ISA

Passing through Julia Creek, we stopped for lunch and continued on to Cloncurry to visit Eileen and Des (Wayne's boss at Moranbah) for the night before spending 2 nights at Mt Isa.

Outback at Isa has many artworks we found very interesting.

Outback Artistry -  Three spectacular paintings by local artist Rowena Paine-Murphy which capture the outback beauty.

Copper Pour - The giant bucket once used to pour molten copper
Mining Relic's - All types of mines in the Isa regin are deplicted with ald types of devices used in each mine.



Sunset from the city's lookout giving you 360 degree panoramic views watching the sun set and city lights coming on is quite the finale for the day at Mt Isa.  We enjoyed a yummy meal at the Buffs club and cocktail/beer to finish off the memories of Mt Isa.

RICHMOND

Richmond was our next port of call to stop for the night - catchup on washing and visit "Kronosaurus Korner" an unforgettable prehistoric adventure listening to audio guides at ones own pace after listening to a theatrette presentation taking you back to watch prehistoric sea monsters come back to life.  Mostly marine creatures but also found locally are two different dinosaurs.

The caravan park is adjacent to Lake Fred Tritton which provides locals to participate in all water sports - fishing, skiing, canoeing and jet skiing.  On the shoreline you have sandy beaches, free bbq facilities, water park, paved walking track which we walked to the Bush Tucker Garden where plants are native to the gerion, labelled with their traditional purposes helping to promote the educational aspects of indigenous culture.  Gridgee stones and Moon rocks complete the garden.

HUGHENDEN AND PORCUPINE GORGE NATIONAL PARK

We decided to head into and explore the attractions in and around Hughenden before heading up to Porcupine Gorge National Park north for the afternoon and night.
Hughenden is part of the Australia's Dinasaur Trail so spent time learning of the local discoveries of all speciem of prehistoric creatures in this area.

 A very informative museum and local walking trails around the town showing sculptures and the historic Coolabah tree acknowledging two explorers discovering the grasslands for farming back in 1863.

The Gorge is well worth the visit as you can see by our photos once you walk 1.2 klms down to the pools and Pyramid formation which is the prominent feature after a swim in the waterhole just below the spring water comes down.  Whew!! A tiring climb back up to the campground but all very worth while.

Whew, what a climb back up to the camp area. Lots of water stops to catch our breath!

OVERLANDERS HIGHWAY - FLINDERS HWY AND BARKLY HWY

Thursday we stopped for lunch at Charters Towers and walked the main street enjoying looking at the historic buildings, reading of the history and calling into the Information Centre to ask for points of interest along our journey.  Tiffany was very helpful even though the Hughenden "Holden Bakery" did not have "The Best Beestings In Australia" baked this Friday for us to taste!!  Charters Towers has a special interest to Wayne as his grandfather, Alfred Henry Maddaford was born there ins 1899 in Manners Street, Charters Towers.

We continued along the Flinders Highway until we reached White Mountains National Park, renowned by its white sandstone formations. 550 metres above sea level.  Camped back off the road  where birds abounded but I could not get a photo of them!?!?  Enjoyed walking along the tracks before sunset.

TOWNSVILLE

Townsville on Tuesday and Wednesday visiting Stu Bell and family the Tuesday evening only to come back to Duz Us to find a water leak meeting us at the door.  Wayne found a plastic joiner had let go around the hot water system so off to Bunnings the next morning to get the necessary bits to fix.
Visited Wayne Hornby at Bellevue Hotel for a couple of shandies before meeting nephew Daryl Bawden and Amanda at the Vale Hotel for dinner and lots of catchup conversation.  Unfortunately the night came to an end all too quick as they had to work the next day and we headed WEST.

HITTING THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS AGAIN

With tears in my eyes leaving Coral Cove we headed up as far as the Boyne River Rest Area for the first night.
Next day we hit the Bruce Hwy to Rockhampton to shop for supplies before pulling into the Marlborough Hotel Grounds.  Chatted to the locals over a couple of well earned shandies.
Thursday evening we spent in Sarina before passing by the old work (Bus It) yard at Pagett and calling into Walkerston for meat and vegetables.  Joyce our old neighbour spotted us so called over to see how she was before setting up Duz Us on Tony's acreage for 3 nights at Midge Point.  Cooked a roast dinner for the 3 of us and sat around a Tony Bonfire which burnt all night long, not that we stayed up that late!

After Terry Leahy mentioned he loved Hideaway Bay we had to call in and experience it for ourselves.  Well worth the visit.  Peaceful as no children's facilities only a lovely bbq area behind the amenities block and friendly staff.