Augathella/Nindigully/Home

The road from Ilfracombe should have been called Roadkill Highway as we saw more dead roos on this stretch of road than alive ones on our entire trip. All in various states of decomposition. The drought is so bad here in Queensland that the kangaroos, Emus, wild pigs all come to the edge of the road where the water from the road runs off. It's also pretty flat and a very non descript landscape. To keep the boredom at bay, the driver (Michael or me obviously) would always acknowledge other drivers with the 'caravan wave'. A simple lift of the index finger is all that is needed But just for our amusement every 4th car that came our way we would wave at them with 2 hands. I bet the other cars were thinking to themselves "do we know them?". It kept me amused anyway, especially with my Grizzly Adams husband who now looks like a lumberjack starts waving.

It was about 400km to Augathella and we were going to camp in the free camp behind the butcher in the Main Street with Nat, Jase and their girls and cook up a big bowl of Spag Bol. When we arrived arrived however in sleepy little Augathella, the Pub was hosting one of the stops on a Variety Outback Odyssey car rally. They had over 30 cars pulling in and were putting a Pig on a spit and a mechanical bull to entertain the masses. 

We couldn't miss out on that, so opted out of the Spag Bol and had a delicious pork roast. The kids all rode the bull but as adults chickened out. 

They partied all night, but we retreated back to our campfire. The locals had provided firewood for the fireplaces at this free camp and there were also toilets. Not bad, but not the most scenic camp.

Augathella had some really interesting buildings.

Would love to know what goes on in there!

The next day was another 400km to Nindigully. We are homeward bound so we are doing one nighters til home. 

We had heard from other travellers that Nindigully Pub was a fantastic place to go. 

There is nothing else there but a free camp acros the road, on the banks of the Mooni River. It was good to see water in a watercourse again, even if it was latte colour. Apparently if it rains in Nindigully, big trucks are waiting to tow you out onto the bitumen as everyone gets bogged. They did have rain on Saturday and we could see the huge ruts from those attempts to drive out.

One last photo with the Filippi fam, right near our camp.

The pub is famous for its Roadtrain Burger. Apparently 6 people could not finish it. We were keen to try it but it would've taken 1.5hrs to prepare and we were starving. 

Olive and Arnika awaiting service!!!

The kids found the playground in the grounds of the Pub and we tried to find a bit of firewood. The pub doesn't charge for the camping and provides toilets, showers and they only ask for a donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

It was time to say our goodbyes to our new found friends in the morning. We had so much fun camping with them and this adventure with them will not be the last. See you soon guys!

Our last night was spent at Burning Mountain Rest Area near Scone. It was a nice enough rest area with toilets and firepits supplied just off the highway. It wasn't very level though. That night the wind was so strong that it felt like an airplane was flying low overhead. It felt like the camper was going to tip so at 3:30am after not sleeping and 4in the bed, we decided to pack up and get out. It's now 7:20 am and we are 15mins from home! 

After settling in back home and rewashing everything, we know that as a family we have so many great memories and experiences. We are so much richer for doing this trip. Both Michael and Rubes who depend on daily asthma preventatives, did not once need to take their puffer whilst away until the day we returned to Sydney. Funny that? Too much clean air and warmer drier climate.

We drove over 14000km and took roughly 3000 photos. It wasn't hard to take a good photo. We feel very blessed and fortunate to have seen a part of "this wide brown land"! My next goal is to memorise Dorothea Mackellar 'My Country' and 'Clancy of the overflow'. Don't hold your breath people!

Ilfracombe/ Longreach

We decided to stay out of Longreach at a recommended place called Ilfracombe. It was a small town but had a lot of things going for it. 

This truck had its own police escort!

The CP had a reputedly good happy hour with comedy from the hosts, Jesse and Cathy Hitson. Jesse was the MC and chief organiser for the Winton Races and Cathy was one half of  the winner in the egg throwing comp. In Ilfracombe there is also  a general store/cafe, Pub (The Wellshot Hotel) , swimming pool with an Artesian Spa, racecourse, Nursery and sports oval. It's a 15min drive to Longreach and we visited the Stockman Hall of Fame, or as I kept calling it the Hockman Stall of fame!

 It was really interesting and even better that we were able to peruse the exhibits whilst the girls happily played in the kids play area. The kids play area literally had a few cushions and a couple of toys but it somehow kept them entertained for about an hour and a half. The Royal Flying Doctor Service Exhibit was the most hands on and really interesting. 

Part of the show in Stockman Hall of Fame.

We were meeting Nat and Jase at the Cp that afternoon and we all walked up the road to the Artesian Pool. It was a toasty 38c and we sat in the small pool chatting to the other campers that we met also in Winton, and from the Shire.

After the 2hr happy hour we all went next door to the Wellshot for dinner, and it was the start of our late nights with Nat and Jason.

The weather has been so warm and we were expecting it to be decidedly cooler at night in Western Queensland, but it was so mild.

We went to the Qantas Founders Museum the next day and again the girls played in the sectioned off kids area whilst we were able to look at all the artifacts and history of Qantas. 

This wasn't the real simulator but a smaller one. Michael managed to land the plane but I nose dived and crash landed several times.

Even if you don't work for Qantas, I think everyone would find it interesting to learn how the Flying Kangaroo got "off the ground"! There was plenty of visuals and memorabilia, as well as a flight simulator, wing walk and jet tour. We did the 747 jet tour as well as the Museum. Sara, our Jet Tour guide knew her stuff but she mistakenly asked Michael what he did for a living. She swore at him and then was constantly looking at him after she would rattle off some facts. She was very knowledgable though. It was great for Michael to show us his "office". 

The Jet Tour went for an hour and half and we also toured Qantas first 707 which was converted into a luxury jet for the rich and famous. The interior was etched in history from its previous owners, with gold plated plumbing, private rooms, and teek furnishings. It was then found in a state of abandonment and Qantas Founders Museum bought it for 1 Pound and brought it back to its former glory. 

The Catalina Flying Boat is also in the process of being restored by Museum volunteers.

We missed out on visiting the Bureau of Meteorology but heard it was very good.

Nat had put the rematch egg throwing challenge to Cathy that morning and it was decided that Cathy would find herself a new partner that day and meet again at 5:30. Not that Nat and I are competitive at all, but we did smash them this time. It was pretty funny as I think we were the preliminary entertainment for Happy Hour. Before we started throwing the girls were happily playing their usual game of Puppies and Owners. They make a lead using rope and lead each other around the campsite. Bizarre I know, but they love it and so do we as it keeps them entertained. Unfortunately Rubes lead was tethered to a pole and as she started to run across the throwing pitch the lead tightened and she fell in a heap. It didn't look good from a parents perspective but it was a bit funny and she wasn't harmed in any way.

Spot the egg!

Nat and I then declared we would return to the Ilfracombe Van Park Olympics next year- any takers to join us?

Winton

We only stayed at Mt Isa for a day. We would've liked to have done a Mine tour but the girls had to be 7years and older to go underground. They had lots of fun at the Family Fun park with their new friends Jade and Josh. We had met them the night before in the playground in the CP and their lovely Mum, Linda. I found out after chatting with Linda at the park the next morning that we both had our 22nd birthdays in Pokhara, Nepal. We could have talked for hours but we had to drive the 400km to Winton that day so we had better "hit the frog n toad"! Ruby and Olive had managed at the Park to get their photo taken by the local newspaper, North West Star. Rubes and Olive I think were wearing at the time their most unclean clothes as it was a travelling day- I think the paper did some editing in the photo!!!

We drove through McKinlay and you would blink and miss it, if it wasn't for this famous pub! I read in the local paper that the Pub has a new chef and they do some great meals. It didn't look very pumping when we drove by.

As soon as you hit Qld, you notice that the dreadful drought and open landscape. It seemed like all the watercourses had dried up as they had not had significant rain for 2 years.

We arrived in Winton and were pleasantly surprised. It had kerb and gutters (even the simple things are now really appealing), wide streets and shop awnings and a friendly atmosphere. When we arrived at our Matilda Country CP the girls were in love. They had a mini zoo with Alpacas, chickens, goats,Shetland pony, sheep and a calf called Costa. It was better than a jumping pillow or any playground for them. Every night in Banjo's Barn they provide breakfast and dinner. Dinner is a 3 course meal for $20 and at 7pm the Bush comedy duo "Mel and Susie" begin their repertoire of comedy, yarns and bush poetry. It is a truly great night and all for a gold coin donation. Mel and Susie will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I hope they get the same response in Scotland as they did here.

Rubes was not shy and became part of their act.

Winton is famous for being a part of Qld Dinosaur Trail with Hughenden and Richmond. We had to drive out to Lark Quarry Conservation Park (another 100km) out of town. The road, mostly dirt was fairly smooth but a long way for a 30min viewing and talk about the Dinosaur Stampede. We were able to see the footprints of the giant Theropod and other smaller dinosaurs but I don't think the girls were too interested and they were a bit tired from last night. They did sleep the whole way back to town.

The road into Lark Quarry was relatively flat but as soon as you see the sign for Lark Quarry, the landscape just changed dramatically. 

Back into Winton and even the street bins are dinosaur feet. It's a dinosaur crazy town!

Little did we know that the Winton Camel races were on the next day so we stayed another night. You couldn't miss them!

They could certainly move and the whole Camel Races is part of a circuit. The last ones were in Boulia, the week prior. It was a hoot of a day and lots of things were planned for the kids as well.

I think Rubes went in every kids race- 3 legged race, egg n spoon race, sack race and the running race. We had met Neve, Maisie and Arnika yesterday whilst having a drink in the North Gregory Hotel. It's a great Art Deco pub. We chatted with their parents, Nat and Jason whilst the kids played on the children's climbing frame in the beer garden. How good is that? We were going to see them again at the Races the next day and in the photo below Rubes 4th from right with her 3 new friends to the right of her. I think Rubes and Neve came last and when they did cross the line, the whole "grandstand" cheered. They did win another race though.

Here I am lining up for the 100m Dash for Cash. Michael has taken this right at the time when I am letting the guy next to me know that I will be using elbows if he tries to beat me. I didn't win unfortunately but I had lots of cheering from my new friends on the side of track.

Children's egg n spoon race

Nat and I were nearly victorious in winning the Female Egg throwing competition. It was such a fun day!

Rubes had spotted another green tree frog in the toilets. It was sitting up on the wall behind the cistern and against the "toilet brush". Rubes was adamant that she had to show her friends and told her that it was more hygienic to leave it where it was. I'm not sure who of them picked it up but it was time to wash their hands.

Michael Nd Jason were also pipped at the post with Egg Throwing Comp.

I think these kids had to be under about 8years old and were riding sheep. It's called Mutton Busters.

Rubes was a bit shocked as she watched some of the kids being thrown of the calves in the Poddy Races. She was right above the gates where they would hold and release the poddy calves into the ring.

This fellow was about to take part in the Tag the Camel. I was on the stopwatch, Olive was holding the microphone, and this guy in pink was about to place a piece of gaffer tape on th side of the wild camel, come back and touch the gate and then go back to the camel and remove the tape without being kicked or spat on by the camel. At one point I think the camel was kickboxing one guy. I never knew that camels has such a good side kick. The guy who can do all the tagging the quickest gets $500. A local guy did it in 8 seconds. Whilst all this is preparing and the MC (blue shirt) is cutting the gaffer tape, Olive is asking him "Are they Baby camels?"

Yes, motorbikes can come with training wheels!

We've had a great time in Winton and also enjoyed visiting the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Winton is where the song got its roots from. We also found out a lot about Banjo Patterson.

Off to Longreach tomorrow and will be camping with Nat and Jason at Ilfracombe, just out of Longreach.

Stuart highway, NT.

After losing our hitch pin somewhere at our camp in Lake Argyle, Michael managed to rig up a bolt and wire that would get us back into Kununura to buy a new one. As we were leaving we mentioned it to our neighbours and they happened to have a spare. Great..that saved us a trip back into Kununura as we heading to Katherine that day and it would be a big day.

The road to Katherine was scenic and the Victoria River Roadhouse looked good for an overnighter but we pushed through to Katherine. We were surprised to find that Katherine had its own thermal springs so we walked through the Riverview CP where we were staying to the pools. It was a great temp and pretty busy at 5:30pm too.

We had seen our fair share of termite mounds but in the Northern Territory they loved to dress them up.

After leaving Katherine we stopped in at Mataranka and enjoyed their thermal pools. They were toasty and the girls didn't want to leave. After 20mins they were almost too warm as the outside temp was also quite warm. 

A short boardwalk leads you to the pools.

Not as natural looking as Bitter Springs thermal pools but pretty special.

In the car park we ran into Simon Christie who heads up 4WD TV.

Our next photo stop was Larrimah. It's famous for 'The Big Stubby' and it's pink hotel.

We stopped at the Daly Waters Pub for lunch. The specials were Barra Burger, Barra Bites and Barra Wrap.

After lunch Rubes asked me where Daddy was. "Oh he's at the shop across the road, the one with the helicopter on the roof"!

You've got to love the spelling in the outback

As we were leaving a group of guys on old Postie bikes rolls in. They were a bunch of friends who had so far raised $50 000 for Beyond Blue. They hat matching shirts and hats with "BTD"- beyond the darkness.

That night we stayed at Banka Banka Station and were really glad we did. It was only $20 a night, with hot showers, camp kitchen and grassy sites. 

It was lovely to walk barefoot on the grass and not worry about 3 horn jacks. I forgot to take a photo of this menace but they are like a bindi but more solid and very sharp edges. Some 3 horn jacks seemed to have too much fertiliser and had about 10 horns and double the size. Nasty types.

It was pretty full with overnighters and there was a communal camp fire and apparently they have a kiosk/bar that opens for happy hour.

Unfortunately we didn't take any photos of Banka Banka as it would've been nice to capture the amazing pink hues in the evening and the giant size black spider sculpture.

We gave this road train a wide berth.