We hit the sack fairly late last night but had a very comfortable night until the alarm sounded at 6.00am. We were on the road at 7.45am and after a quick stop in Longreach for some bread, we were heading north west. 177 kilometres down the road is the township of Winton where it is claimed that Banjo Patterson wrote Waltzing Matilda. There are reports that it was actually written at a small settlement to the north of Winton. We had a quick look in the visitor’s centre but decided not to pay the entry fee due to self imposed time restrictions and what we considered was an excessive (think $20) entry fee. We also spent a few minutes looking in a shop that sells local boulder opals.
“He” made a very wise decision and refuelled the van providing sufficient fuel to make it to Mt Isa where we understand diesel is around the $1.55 mark. We had lunch at a roadside rest stop, stopped and took photographs of the Blue Heeler Hotel and then the Walkabout Creek Hotel where some scenes from Croc Dundee were shot.
The driving was shared today and we arrived at Cloncurry at 3.00pm.
After checking into the caravan park we visited a local dam (there was warning signs about freshwater crocs) followed by a local lookout that gives an expansive view of the area. Cloncurry is surrounded by strange looking rock features and a large rock opposite the van park changes to bright red as the sun sets. We had microwave meals for tea followed by mixed fruit and cream. This was all washed down with an excellent Brown Bros wine.
An early departure tomorrow is required to ensure we are in Mount Isa by 8.30am for an underground mine tour. The alarm will be set for 5.00am.