Blackall To Mount Isa
FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
Left Blackall at 9:40 after refuelling. According to a sign in Blackall we are now going “Beyond the Black Stump” that means we’re entering Queensland’s Outback. Fairly uneventful drive, although still interesting enough – long straight roads just going on forever. Beautiful trees, still plenty of birds although most of them are too fast to identify.
We went through the tiny town of Ilfracombe a few miles before Longreach – a huge display of very old vehicles and farming equipment all along the main street.
Stayed overnight at the Discovery Campsite in Longreach – a bit pricey at $28 a night, but we had a lovely long swim in the pool and decided that it was worth it. V. hot and dry – 38C.
SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
Bought a new CB radio before we left Longreach – the one provided (!!) in ‘Betty’ was knackered. Finally left town for Kynuna at 11:40 – another uneventful but still interesting drive. We’re still looking out for live ‘roos!
Arrived at Kynuna and booked in at the Blue Heeler Campsite. A bit basic but very friendly and a good pub. Met the Steele family who had been with us in the pool at Longreach – they were only stopping briefly intending to carry on to Mt Isa so that they could find a good church to attend the following morning. Nice family with 3 great kids. Camped next to us were a couple from SA with their 3 Basenji dogs – naturally we got talking. Jeff then decided he liked the look of the pub menu so he ate there. I was too hot to be hungry so didn’t bother. When Jeff returned – stuffed (he said that the meal was so big it even beat him – 2 pork chops per serving!!) we had a drink or three with Tony and Heather in their caravan, and met the dogs too. Don’t think they were happy about being invaded – the dogs I mean.
SUNDAY 21 / MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
We were greeted by 4 brolgas this morning – these are tall crane-like birds with grey plumage and pinky-red flesh on their heads – totally tame, just marched about the site.
We said our goodbyes and left the campsite at 7:30!!! and filled up at the town’s gas station – what a pair of right miseries. Jeff couldn’t get the pump to work so he politely asked if it was working and this grumpy woman came out and flicked it on and started to go back in. Jeff asked if she would turn on the other pump (it seemed to have a better nozzle) “No” was the blunt reply. Then when Jeff went in to pay, the bloke behind the counter was really sarcastic about the amount of fuel Jeff had bought. It was only a top-up as we like to start each day with a full tank. The majority of people we have met on this trip have been really great – the others on the road, the reception bods at the campsites, people in shops – so pleasant without it being forced, and then you come across people who wouldn’t spit on you if you wuz dying of thirst!!! Kinda takes the edge off things a bit.
Fantastic site along the road to Cloncurry – thousands of termite mounds stretching into the distance on either side of the road. All different sizes from about 9” to 3 or 4 feet.
We stopped briefly at the Burke and Wills Memorial and saw a young calf on the wrong side of the fence obviously trying to find it’s way back to Mum. A little way along the road Jeff spotted a camel. He stopped the van and went to photograph it – of course it moved away. But then he saw some more and got more piccies. As we moved off I spotted the camels running parallel to us in the bush, so I leaned out of the window and took some more.
We got into Mt Isa and went straight to the Visitors’ Information Centre where, who should we meet but Tony standing outside in some shade with the dogs. Heather was inside trying to get information on site which accepted dogs. We got some general info on sites in the town and decided to try one that was on the river. HAH – it was on the river alright, it was even called the Riverside Caravan Park, part of the Copper City Caravan Park – but there weren’t no water in the flippin’ river. Anyway, we were allocated a spot and pulled up alongside another Coaster. Got talking to it’s owners Tom and Gin. Soon after, another rig pulls in and parks close by. This was Max and Anabel with had met Tom and Gin earlier at another camping ground. We all got along famously. Had a most welcome dip in the pool. Then sitting having a drink after dinner we saw fruit bats overhead leaving for a night’s foraging.
Max, amongst other things was a ladies hairdresser, so he put a coloured rinse through Gin’s hair and cut mine!!! Flippin’ good job he made of both, too. Max and Anabel spend half the year in their sooper dooper motorhome and the other hald on their boat – what a life. Anyway, Max is interested in ropework so he and Jeff had a session with Jeff teaching him several knots.