The trip to Mt Isa was very interesting, after many kms of flat low bush and a few tres we suddenly started climbing, winding and descending through the hills. We were now entering a large mining area which was first operational in 1924 and lead was mined. By 1943 copper was being mined and today there is also silver and zinc.The huge mining and processing plant dominates Mount Isa and from the lookout in the centre of town you get a great view. We went up just on sunset to see the town by night and it was just like fairy land.
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| Mount Isa |
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| Distance to Everywhere |
AUGUST 7
Investigated the shops and topped up with food for the next trip. there is a population of about 20000, largest of the Outback towns.
The Outback is really something and although the vegetation doesn't change much each town has it's own personality. Mount Isa is known as the Rodeo capital and they hold a huge rodeo once a year. All this was starting to happen while we were there so could only stay for 3 nights.
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| Mount Isa Mine behind the town |
AUGUST 8
Lake Moondarra was amazing, hard to believe all this water in the outback. The lake created by damming up the Leichhardt river and in the early 1950 therewas such a demand for water from mining as well as population that the dam was built and today they have this magnificent water playground, fishing, camping, boating and a recreactional area below the dam wall.
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| Lake Moondarra |
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| Dam Wall at Lake Moondarra |
AUGUST 9
Left Mount Isa today, passed through Cloncurry and then headed south east towards Winton.
We stayed off road at the Fullerton River rest area and through the early part of the night people seemed to be coming and going even a truck with a wide load stopped for the night as he is not allowed on the road after sunset.
AUGUST 10
As we were getting ready to leave this morning the poor truck driver couldn't get his truck going and in the excitement of leaving a small fire had developed where one of the overnight campers had been and now left. A few of the campers still parked set to and finally doused the fire thank goodness as the vegetation is rather high and dry (could have been nasty).
Arrived in Winton, home of the dinosaurs and we did a short walk around town.
We visited the Waltzing Matilda Centre where there is an interesting display of Waltzing Matilda memorabilia. Banjo Paterson wrote the song in Winton so there is a Billabong theatrette where the song is sung by John Williamson and the characters are highlighted as the song goes along.
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| The Story Unfolds "Waltzing Matilda" |
There is also a very interesting wall around a mans property who for many years must have been collecting junk of all descriptions from wheels, concrete mixers, sewing machines, pipes, ovens etc and he has created this very long wall. Quite an extraodinary site.
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| Arno's Wall |
AUGUST 11
Finally today I get to see some dinosaur fossilised bones. There is a place called the Australian Age of Dinosaurs that is actually privately owned but work in with the Queensland Uni. From here they have digs and then bring the enclosed fossilised bones back to lab to be exposed. It was so interesting and could have stayed there all day. The road in and out was a real bone shaker.
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| Mockup of "Banjo" |
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| Fossil of Australovenator wintonensis "Banjo" Approx 5m long 500kg 98million years old. |
Back in town we went off to try our luck on the musical fence. This was developed in 2003 by a percussionist composer and the idea is one can make music by hitting the fence, some pieces of tin etc but we weren't able to create anything resembling a tune.
AUGUST 12
Today is John and Trysha's last day with us so off to the pub for celebrations. We will miss their company but hopefully we may see them further up the road.
AUGUST 13
John and trysha have left for Hughendon and then onto Airlie Beach safe travels friends.
AUGUST 14
Arrived in Ilfracombe( a small village 27 k from Longreach) and we were greeted by lovely happy people. We were going to stay at Longreach but another rodeo was on so this small town was ideal.
AUGUST 15
Off to Longreach to see what this well known town has to offer. Not much as we discovered. Our first stop is always Centrelink when we change towns and it is always a hassel as each place treats you and the enevitable forms differently. Sought out the saleyards which are just out of town and a big sale was in progress so Mike was happy.
Tonight we were entertained by Cathy (Cathy and Jesse own the park) with bush poems and jokes. They have built a rustic shed from timber that is hundrd or so years old. Jesse is a builder of sheds so when he dismantles an old shed for a new replacement home comes the "good timber". The result of this is a wonderful Happy Hour shed with loads of history.
AUGUST 16
Ilfracombe is known for it's MACHINERY MILE. A fantastic dislpay of old machinery, tractors, graders etc. These are well displayed and all are labeled with age, who owned them, who transported them to Ilfracombe. The Historical Society have worked hard and this town is one of the few we have seen where the town works together.
Originally Ilfracombe was part of a huge station known as Wellshot and even to day is still quite a big station. In it's heyday carried 450,000 sheep.
AUGUST 17
Stockman's Hall of Fame, what a magnificent building, and inside an amazing time line of history through the ages until modern day. There is lots and lots of reading and exhibits that are well presented but we did find too much information was hard to absorb so decided to make another day of it.
Part of our package was lunch so we had a very yummy burger and the roos kept us company.
Jesse entertained us tonight, loads and loads of laughs.
AUGUST 18
Back to the Stockman's Hall today.
Watched the live show today (missed it yesterday), fellow had horses doing all sorts of things, plus dogs who went out to bring in the bullocks while we watched a camel and the preparation of a wooden cart ready to have logs drag up on it by the bullock team. All in all very entertaining.
Opposite the Stockman Hall is Qantas, didn't visit there as quite pricey but could see the big 747 (City of Bunbury) from the road.
Tonights entertainment was by the whole family, kids 9, 11 and 14 all told jokes and some poetry.
AUGUST 20
There is an artesian spa in town so off we went to try it out. Oh it was wonderful temp of 34, just my kind of temp.
AUGUST 21
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELINDA
We have enjoyed our stay at Ilfracombe that we have booked for another week. Time to do some more exploring so off to Isisford where there is a prehistoric crocodile that was dug up in the Isisford district.
We were going to take the bike but thankfully took the truck as roads are rough and lots of road works. On the way we stopped off to see some Stone Pitching, quite an amazing site. In the late 1800's the chinese started market gardens in the area and because they needed water they built a weir by using a method of stone pitching ( rocks with flat sides are placed edge down and walls were formed). The vegies grown were then taken into Longreach(50mile) and Ilfracombe (12mile) by wheelbarrow .
We then bounced our way to Isiford, small town but popular with the free camping fraternity. Inspected the crocodile and then headed home. On the way Mike spied a huge bird on the side of the road so stopped to take a photo and this was later identified as a Australian Bustard, not that
common.
AUGUST 22
Longreach and shopping today. Went out to see the Thomson River where Longreach enjoy their water activities. There is a houseboat and other bigger boats that have cruisers up and down the river. While we were in Ilfracombe there was a big fishing comp over the weekend. On the way back to Longreach Mike called in to check out the saleyards, there was a large yarding of cattle, 90% were Brahmans.
AUGUST 25
Stocking up with food ready for our next move.
AUGUST 27
Last night in Ilfracombe and although the jokes are now being repeated we still laugh. Had a great chat with Denis and Shirley who also have a spider so lots of comparisons going on. We will be sad to leave here but more places are calling.
AUGUST 28
We passed through Barcaldine where they have a monstrosity of a structure covering a dead tree. This tree is known as "The Tree of Knowledge". In 1891 there was a shearers strike at the tree but unfortuately in 2006 the tree was poisoned and becaused of the strong history attached to the tree a structure was built around the tree. No doubt at night it is quite specie but daytime not so great.
Jericho is a funny litle town, population 100 and the "Battle of Jericho" theme appears throughout the town. Stopped at the Jericho Showgrounds for the night. Not a bad spot and enjoyed the night.
AUGUST 29
We prepared ourselves for another rough ride, boy these roads aren't getting any better. there is certainly lots of road works but even these are shocking. We passed through Emerald but accommodation is hard to find as all the miners (coal and minerals) have taken over all the camp sites so we continued through to the Dingo caravan park, very old but at least we had some grass, Yipee!!!!!!
What amazed us was all the trains that passed us loaded with coal. We counted the waggons and their were at least 99 plus three engines on the majority of trains. Some engines were diesel and the others were electric.
Tomorrow we will be in Rockhampton.
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| Fossil of Diamantinasaurus matildae "Matilda" 15 to 16m long 15 to 20 tons 98million years old. |
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| Fossil of Titansaur sauropod "Wade" |
Back in town we went off to try our luck on the musical fence. This was developed in 2003 by a percussionist composer and the idea is one can make music by hitting the fence, some pieces of tin etc but we weren't able to create anything resembling a tune.
AUGUST 12
Today is John and Trysha's last day with us so off to the pub for celebrations. We will miss their company but hopefully we may see them further up the road.
AUGUST 13
John and trysha have left for Hughendon and then onto Airlie Beach safe travels friends.
AUGUST 14
Arrived in Ilfracombe( a small village 27 k from Longreach) and we were greeted by lovely happy people. We were going to stay at Longreach but another rodeo was on so this small town was ideal.
AUGUST 15
Off to Longreach to see what this well known town has to offer. Not much as we discovered. Our first stop is always Centrelink when we change towns and it is always a hassel as each place treats you and the enevitable forms differently. Sought out the saleyards which are just out of town and a big sale was in progress so Mike was happy.
Tonight we were entertained by Cathy (Cathy and Jesse own the park) with bush poems and jokes. They have built a rustic shed from timber that is hundrd or so years old. Jesse is a builder of sheds so when he dismantles an old shed for a new replacement home comes the "good timber". The result of this is a wonderful Happy Hour shed with loads of history.
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| And the "Powers that Be" say my "House On Wheels" is overwidth!!! |
AUGUST 16
Ilfracombe is known for it's MACHINERY MILE. A fantastic dislpay of old machinery, tractors, graders etc. These are well displayed and all are labeled with age, who owned them, who transported them to Ilfracombe. The Historical Society have worked hard and this town is one of the few we have seen where the town works together.
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| "Machinery Mile" from western end |
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| 1917 Ruston Kero Tractor |
Originally Ilfracombe was part of a huge station known as Wellshot and even to day is still quite a big station. In it's heyday carried 450,000 sheep.
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| Scale model of a "Wellshot" cart carring wool |
Stockman's Hall of Fame, what a magnificent building, and inside an amazing time line of history through the ages until modern day. There is lots and lots of reading and exhibits that are well presented but we did find too much information was hard to absorb so decided to make another day of it.
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| "The Stockman" in front of Stockman Hall of Fame. |
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| Inside Hall of Fame |
Jesse entertained us tonight, loads and loads of laughs.
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| Eating area at Hall of Fame |
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| Satisfied customers |
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| Statue of "Braham Bull" in memorial gardens |
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| Memorial Gardens |
Back to the Stockman's Hall today.
Watched the live show today (missed it yesterday), fellow had horses doing all sorts of things, plus dogs who went out to bring in the bullocks while we watched a camel and the preparation of a wooden cart ready to have logs drag up on it by the bullock team. All in all very entertaining.
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| Bullock team being prepared |
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| Bullocks about to load a wagon |
Opposite the Stockman Hall is Qantas, didn't visit there as quite pricey but could see the big 747 (City of Bunbury) from the road.
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| Boeing '747' named "City Of Bunbury"...coincidence? |
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| Size compared to "Spyder Bike" |
Tonights entertainment was by the whole family, kids 9, 11 and 14 all told jokes and some poetry.
AUGUST 20
There is an artesian spa in town so off we went to try it out. Oh it was wonderful temp of 34, just my kind of temp.
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| 34 just my kind of bath |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELINDA
We have enjoyed our stay at Ilfracombe that we have booked for another week. Time to do some more exploring so off to Isisford where there is a prehistoric crocodile that was dug up in the Isisford district.
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| Fossil of "Isisfordia Duncani" |
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| How it is believed to have looked |
We were going to take the bike but thankfully took the truck as roads are rough and lots of road works. On the way we stopped off to see some Stone Pitching, quite an amazing site. In the late 1800's the chinese started market gardens in the area and because they needed water they built a weir by using a method of stone pitching ( rocks with flat sides are placed edge down and walls were formed). The vegies grown were then taken into Longreach(50mile) and Ilfracombe (12mile) by wheelbarrow .
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| Hand laid stone on end |
We then bounced our way to Isiford, small town but popular with the free camping fraternity. Inspected the crocodile and then headed home. On the way Mike spied a huge bird on the side of the road so stopped to take a photo and this was later identified as a Australian Bustard, not that
common.
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| Australian Bustard |
AUGUST 22
Longreach and shopping today. Went out to see the Thomson River where Longreach enjoy their water activities. There is a houseboat and other bigger boats that have cruisers up and down the river. While we were in Ilfracombe there was a big fishing comp over the weekend. On the way back to Longreach Mike called in to check out the saleyards, there was a large yarding of cattle, 90% were Brahmans.
AUGUST 25
Stocking up with food ready for our next move.
AUGUST 27
Last night in Ilfracombe and although the jokes are now being repeated we still laugh. Had a great chat with Denis and Shirley who also have a spider so lots of comparisons going on. We will be sad to leave here but more places are calling.
AUGUST 28
We passed through Barcaldine where they have a monstrosity of a structure covering a dead tree. This tree is known as "The Tree of Knowledge". In 1891 there was a shearers strike at the tree but unfortuately in 2006 the tree was poisoned and becaused of the strong history attached to the tree a structure was built around the tree. No doubt at night it is quite specie but daytime not so great.
Jericho is a funny litle town, population 100 and the "Battle of Jericho" theme appears throughout the town. Stopped at the Jericho Showgrounds for the night. Not a bad spot and enjoyed the night.
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| "Tree of Knowledge" Barcaldine. |
AUGUST 29
We prepared ourselves for another rough ride, boy these roads aren't getting any better. there is certainly lots of road works but even these are shocking. We passed through Emerald but accommodation is hard to find as all the miners (coal and minerals) have taken over all the camp sites so we continued through to the Dingo caravan park, very old but at least we had some grass, Yipee!!!!!!
What amazed us was all the trains that passed us loaded with coal. We counted the waggons and their were at least 99 plus three engines on the majority of trains. Some engines were diesel and the others were electric.
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| Part of 99 wagons we had to wait for. |
