Leaving Winton we headed along the Kennedy Development Road towards Boulia. We have been told this is the most scenic route to take. A narrow road which has major works done over the last year and that has made it quite an easy trip. If Road Trains are coming, you just pull over, stop and let them go - they tend to be bigger than you.
The flat country side started to change to rows of jump ups. These are Mesa's or table top hills where the ridge is capped by hard rock which has resisted erosion over the years. This type of formation, we are told, only appears here and in South America ( it's in the book so it must be right). A stop and climb of the Cawnpore lookout gave a most magnificent view - reds soils and rocks, green vegetation which is reminiscent of Central Australia - very similar.
We decided to camp out of Boulia at the ruins of the Hamilton Hotel, about 75k out. Hot but there are long drop toilets and cold showers - luxury for $0. We have the area to our selves, except for a herd of cows that came to check us out. The night sky, after a spectacular sunset, has opened up and we don't think we have seen so many stars at once, even the odd shooting star.
No traffic and neighbors so a game of scrabble and off to bed..........
After a quiet night and brilliant sunrise, we watched the rubbish man from Boulia clear the bins and clean the toilets - not bad for 0730. Then it was into action - the outside shower of the van was put into action as we both pranced around naked, watching for traffic, and showering each other - not bad when we could stop laughing. Alas I was made to delete the video and photos.
A coffee stop was made in Boulia and also at the Min Min exhibition centre. They had a brilliant animatronic display all about the fable Min Min lights that have been around for 100 years, following travelers who then mysteriously disappear. It is only one of two such displays, the other being in Glenrowan (for Ned Kelly) in Victoria. Boulia sits on the edge of the Simpson Desert and is one of the last jump off points for people heading west. In fact, it seems most travelers are heading to the Birdsville races which are on on Election Day. There are over 3000 there already and there are still 9 days to go. Their polling booths will be busy.
31/8/2013 - Another 200k north through landscape that changed from flat grasslands into more rugged scenery, has landed us in a little town of Dajarra, an aboriginal town with a small camp ground, funny little pub and with a great reputation. Not much to see here with a run down museum and the pub so I am wondering what the rep is all about - possibly wishfully think on some ones part.
The roads around here (Diamantina Developement Road) is a single paved surface that has to be shared with road trains etc. it is in good condition but we had to battle into the wind all the way. The wind stayed with us all night and was good for one thing, sending the noisy obnoxious idiot next door to bed. Glad to be away from him. We did meet another traveler who came from Gembrook - small world......
Continued the next day with an easy drive to Mt.Isa. The scenery changed dramatically as we headed north, leaving that flat Aries plains and then entering hills and large rock formations - very different. We did some shopping at the supermarket to replenish supplies and had a quick look around the town - it is of course dominated by Mt.Isa mines which overlooks the whole town. The Outback Centre was interesting and is the starting point for mine tours - have done it before and the tour for the day was full, so lunch instead. We got the impression that everything we saw was just a little "tired" looking and needed a spruce up.
Another 100plus k's to Cloncurry through lovely scenery along a two-laned highway. We plan to spend the night here for a push to Karumba on the 1st September.
 |
| Jump Ups |
We decided to camp out of Boulia at the ruins of the Hamilton Hotel, about 75k out. Hot but there are long drop toilets and cold showers - luxury for $0. We have the area to our selves, except for a herd of cows that came to check us out. The night sky, after a spectacular sunset, has opened up and we don't think we have seen so many stars at once, even the odd shooting star.
After a quiet night and brilliant sunrise, we watched the rubbish man from Boulia clear the bins and clean the toilets - not bad for 0730. Then it was into action - the outside shower of the van was put into action as we both pranced around naked, watching for traffic, and showering each other - not bad when we could stop laughing. Alas I was made to delete the video and photos.
31/8/2013 - Another 200k north through landscape that changed from flat grasslands into more rugged scenery, has landed us in a little town of Dajarra, an aboriginal town with a small camp ground, funny little pub and with a great reputation. Not much to see here with a run down museum and the pub so I am wondering what the rep is all about - possibly wishfully think on some ones part.
The roads around here (Diamantina Developement Road) is a single paved surface that has to be shared with road trains etc. it is in good condition but we had to battle into the wind all the way. The wind stayed with us all night and was good for one thing, sending the noisy obnoxious idiot next door to bed. Glad to be away from him. We did meet another traveler who came from Gembrook - small world......
Another 100plus k's to Cloncurry through lovely scenery along a two-laned highway. We plan to spend the night here for a push to Karumba on the 1st September.
No comments:
Post a Comment