Week 9 – Decision Made

Well there is not a lot to report this week as we made our decision on where we were headed next and made a bee line for our next adventure.

Where to you ask well that is next week’s blog.  You will probably get the gist of where we are going from this week’s blog.

So, after throwing all ideas around we used the most scientific method of deciding into which state we were headed.    Yep we tossed a coin heads hot climate – tails cold climate.

Luckily, I think, heads won and yep off into Queensland again!!

Of course, this meant that we were A) covering some old ground and B) going to do a lot of travelling – 1806klm in total this week.

Day 57 – Katherine to Banka Banka – 572klms

Today’s travel was George’s punishment for wanting to stay in Katherine yesterday (my least favourite place) instead of travelling the extra 107klms yesterday to Mataranka.     We are such troopers.   Not once did I complain about being in Katherine and not once did George complain about the long drive!!   Yeah sure I hear you say, and you would be right.     At least at the end of our day we got to spend the night at Banka Banka Station, a place we both like, in the shade and for George, company and a bar.

Day 58 – Banka Banka to Barkly Homestead – 264klms

We left Banka Banka Station and headed to the Three Ways Roadhouse only about 70klms down the road.    After filling up here it was decision time and George was unanimously elected to do the coin toss.  

It came up heads for hot, so we made the left-hand turn at three ways and headed down the Barkly Highway to Barkly Roadhouse for the night.      So after only doing a short hop skip and jump today the domestic chores were attended to here.

Day 59 – Barkly Homestead to Mt Isa – 450klms

No today’s miles were not a punishment for George, there just is not much between Barkly and Mt Isa and we had already experienced Camooweal so put in the extra grunt and pushed on to Mt Isa.  

We were met at the border by a lovely Queensland policeman who after seeing what great people we were, let us through into his great state.  

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On arriving in Mt Isa, we decided to go to the information centre after setting up to see what not to miss in the Mt Isa.

Mt Isa lies within what they call “Gulf Country” in Queensland and is affectionately known as the “Oasis of the Outback”.     Well I am not completely sold on that analogy.

Mt Isa came into existence as a result of the vast mineral deposits found in the area.     They mine lead, silver, copper, and zinc in the area and the biggest of the mines in the area is located right in the township of Mt Isa.

Day 60 – Mt Isa

Today we headed to the Telstra Shop!   Yep that is right the Telstra Shop.      After over an hour in the store we think we have nearly sorted out our phone accounts and walked out with a new phone for me.   How that came about is too long a, story but needless to say I am still trying to work the bloody thing out.

After this mammoth outing we headed over to the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, the Hard Times Mine, and the Outdoor Park.

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These tourist attractions were well set out and informative and we enjoyed every moment.   So much so that we booked a guided tour of the fossil centre for the next day.

Just before dinner we ventured to the lookout for sunset.

Tonight, we ate out at the Buffalo Club, as one does when in Mt Isa and retired to our little home after dinner.

Day 61 – Mt Isa

We arrived at the Fossil Centre for our guided tour and after about 2 hours of the most informative tour we have ever done, we came out with a new appreciation for fossil fossickers and palaeontologists.   What patience these gifted people must have and the knowledge they need to retain.        It was fantastic and a definite must do.    

We then travelled out to Lake Moondarra which was a lovely cool drive in our car’s air con, and we were well rewarded with the views and wildlife running around this area.

Day 62 – Mt Isa to Julia Creek – 257klms

What a bloody road for a highway.    Its called the “overland way” should have been called “the bouncing bitumen”.    The dips are deceiving, just when you think you have them mastered and knowing what to expect along comes one which whilst in a car wouldn’t be a big deal but put a caravan on the back of that car and we became like the old nodding dog on the back seat of cars. Car up, caravan down, car down, caravan up and to top it off a very strong head wind.     We nearly used a full tank of petrol for this one leg.

After arriving we decided not to unhitch and headed off on our bikes for a look around Julia Creek.   Well one thing we have learnt in our 9 weeks is that the outback towns close from 12.00 noon on Saturday until 9.00am Monday all except the PUB.  So of course, George twisted my arm and we settled down for counter lunch and beer (I drank water).

Tonight’s delight at the park and the main reason for staying at Julia Creek was the sunset bathtubs.    What a great treat.       This is one of the highlights of our trip.     Manned with our drinks, cheese, and bickies, we spent the next hour relaxing in these tubs watching the sunset over the vast paddocks of nothing.     Again, a must do but be sure to book!!

Day 63 – Julia Creek to Hughenden – 264klms

Well the overland way did not let us down again today if anything it was bouncier than yesterday.

OMG!!!   We are truly surprised that when we arrive everything is still in its place in both the van and the car.

We again decided not to unhitch and ride our bikes around town.     Today’s surprise was that the pub was not even open.      We did however have a lovely ride around the man-made lake in Hughenden but like everything else Sundays even see the tourist attractions like the dinosaur museum closed.

So that is the end of Week 9.      Week 10 will see a definite change.    Less travel, no RED dust and maybe just maybe a whiff of ocean air.   

Ty is very busy and stressed at the moment as he is in his last semester of his honours year and trying to decide what to do next year.    Thank goodness Kiandra keeps him grounded.

Jay is busy skipping, eating, walking, and watching TV as you all probably know.    He has truly been restricted by the COVID lockdown in Melbourne as he can only exercise for 1 hour outdoors and only in a 5 klm radius.   He reckons he has walked every street.     

They are both well which is a huge plus and with the numbers dropping in Melbourne hopefully they stay that way.        It has been eight months since I have seen them, and I miss them so much.

We hope you have all dried out at home and that with the end of Winter upon us it will start to get warmer. We have not seen rain in 9 weeks!

Until next week, love youse all and bring on the grass (lawns that is)!!