Well after the 2nd week throwing us some curved balls week 3 has us venturing further into the Queensland back.
Day 15 – Cunnamulla to Charleville
After leaving the lovely Riverside Caravan Park in Cunnamulla, we fueled up and headed north again. It was only a short hop today of 200klms to Charleville. As we tend to find ourselves on the road byy 8.30am we made it into Charleville at around lunch time leaving us time to check out the town.
As it was a Monday everything (lol) was open so we had a nice browse around town before heading out to the Cosmos centre and WWII memorial.
Keeping George out of all the country pubs is becoming a challenge. He says he likes the vibe but I am sure there is another reason!
Day 16 – Charleville to Blackall
Todays drive took in Augathella, Tambo and finally our freecamp night on the Barcoo River at Blackall. A distance today of 309 klms.
Augathella was a petrol stop with an amazing art on their water tank and stop over for a stretch of the legs and coffee at Tambo before heading onto Blackall.
As we decided not to unhook, we decided to take a bike ride around town to take in the sights and get some supplies. The most expensive loaf of bread yet $5.20! Ouch but it was local bakery and I won’t get caught again.
Our campsite was a gem. We were able to have a campfire and had a great facetime chat with Lee and Kerry.
George enjoying his first beer beside our own camp fire. Yes a little late in the night. Barcoo River Blackall Qld 
Free camping beside the Barcoo River Blackall. Yes that is a beer in his hand. 
Set up at Blackall
Day 17 and 18 – Blackall to Ilfracombe and Longreach
Today after tearing ourselves away from our lovely campsite, we headed off to our next stop at Ilfracombe (just outside of Longreach). We paused at Barcaldine on the way which was such a great place to stop to take in this town we visited over 40 years ago. My how it has changed (except for the pubs). Today’s trip was a short one – 187klms.
How nice these country towns display their town. 
Tree of Knowledge – Barcaldine. Left George there to top up his brain cells whilst i went shopping. 
Tree of Knowledge – Barcaldine 
Shearers Uprising – Barcaldine 
Barcaldine 
George was reminiscing about his youth in Barcaldine 
Morning tea in Barcaldine. George just loves selfies.
Our campsite for the night was at the Ilfracombe Caravan Park . Even though we were 28klms outside of Longreach it was a far better choice for our two day stopover as it was grassy and friendly. Of course the Wellshot Pub at the back of the van park was to George’s pleasing. I even got kind and shouted him a pub meal and drink for the night.
We spent the next day at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach, Thompson’s River and a general look around the township of Longreach .
Nice of them to welcome us. If they knew George was onboard they might of changed their minds!! 
Emu Sculptures Longreach 
Stockmans Hall of Fame 
Stockmans Hall of Fame 
Stockmans Hall of Fame 
Mural from inside Stockmans Hall of Fame 
Thompson River Longreach
Day 19 and 20 – Longreach to Cloncurry
Omg thought George was going to kill me. Today’s haul was 554klms.
We got away at 8am today with the aim of free camping somewhere along the road halfway to Cloncurry. However, after stopping at Winton, we decided that we would push on to Cloncurry for two nights to stock up, re-arrange and carry out general maintenance before heading up to Gregory Downs on day 21.
We long drive was amazing in that it was more dry and arid than anything we had seen.
It is so dry and arid out here 
Drive beween Longreach and Cloncurry 
Down the Centre Line
Our site at Cloncurry is shady and the weather is decidedly hotter. We have stowed away the winter clothes and heater and dug out the summer clothes. The nights are still coolish and the days are hot but not humid yet.
Went for a drive around and came across Chinaman’s Creek Weir, the dam and lookout.
The Chinaman’s Creek Weir – Cloncurry 
Chinamans Creek Weir Cloncurry 
Oasis in the Outback – Cloncurry 
Yes a pelican in the outback 
Do little water on the otherside of the weir 
The weir side of the dam 
water tank art – Cloncurry
Day 21 – Cloncurry to Gregory Downs Hotel – 333klms
We left Cloncurry this morning and travelled north to Burke and Wills Roadhouse for a fuel stop at $1.74 per litre – ouch. Lucky is wasn’t a full tank of fuel.
From there we headed west to Gregory Downs Hotel for an overnight stop before going onto Lawn Hill tomorrow.
So week 3 didn’t leave us unscathed. On arrival at Gregory Downs, George whipped out the portable solar panels, as we are unpowered site, and low and behold we have blown a regulator in the solar panels we use. We at least have the ones on the caravan and another set of portable solar panels which should get us through the next five days.
As we now know the NT border opened on 17 July , so we have decided to continue to push north with a view to going to Lawn Hill for a week before entering the NT on 25 July. Well thats the current plan. I am quickly running out of alphabet for my plans.
We are still worried about the boys in Melbourne. I just wish the Victorians would get their shit together. WA is still doubtful but we are hoping that once we have been in the NT for a couple of months we may be given permission to enter.
We are definitely going to be slowing things down that we have nearly reached Lawn Hill and have our permits to enter the NT.
Stay safe everyone. Missing everyone but not ready to come home. Caitlin give our Tilly a hug for us.
“We loves you all”