Mt Isa to Barkly Homestead Friday 16/07/10
We had a cool night again last night in Mt Isa. Winter is cool, particularly at night, in these parts. We left Mt Isa at about 9a.m. , which was about as early as we can do it. We were heading west and north today. The scenery for a while was ranges, coloured rocks and shrubs and trees, then gradually the scene became flat grasslands again. We again saw a sign to tell us we were again in the Lake Eyre Basin
Morning Tea at 11a.m. was in Camooweal. We parked and enjoyed a cuppa, then filled up with fuel, and also had a short look at the historic shop, which is now closed, and then at a mural of horses being driven from Camooweal to Adelaide in the 1930’s depression. We drove around the block, and noted a school and police station. There is of course the old pub, a post office/general store, and 2 pleasant looking caravan parks. A good place to stop before tackling the Barkly Tablelands.
We decided to continue on, planning to get the the Barkly H’stead over the NT border where the speed limit is 130kph. We stopped for lunch at the Avon Downs Rest Area. We had stayed the night here in this free camp in 2006. It seems to be have been enlarged and a new windy loo has been installed. There were a few shrubs to park near and a creek with a few waterholes nearby.
The scenery is flat grasslands as far as the eye can see on this first part of the journey. The traffic consists of caravan/motor home/campers, and road trains. Just a few individual travellers as well.
We have continued till the Barkly Homestead, which has caravan parking with power, and is well covered in vans, and campers, etc. I am finding it difficult to open the bathroom doors with the key provided ($10 deposit). We’ve had dinner, and after writing this will go to bed early, and we’re half and hour earlier anyway. We need to keep that body clock the same so that starting work/activities at Knx at 6 a.m. won’t seem so hard.
Barkly Homestead Banka Banka Station - Saturday 17 July 2010
The time is moving on. It was chilly this morning at Barkly Homestead. We slept well in spite of the generator sound all night, which is how the place has its electricity. We had a powered site. The car had to have fuel at $1.89 per litre. The road continues on straight almost westward to Threeways, the intersection with Stuart Highway. The scenery is more native shrubs and small trees, and wattle almost in bloom. We saw some grevillias when stopped for morning tea. We havn’t changed the clock yet, so still have ½ hour to spare. We also wonder as we travel, just where it was we broke down in a coach tour in 1987. That is another story. Peter should remember.
We turned north at Threeways, bought petrol again at the corner, $1.69 this time, and then travelled north. It was not far to stop for lunch at the Stuart Memorial Rest Area. No doubt a lot of people stop here overnight. There is a toilet (windy-loo). We noted a van parked and staying a while, with solar panels, satellite dish, shower tent and a Eureka Stockade flag (I wonder about that). Others often will have petrol generators. We enjoyed our standard lunch of some salad and bread rolls (stale) and water.
We then continued about 30 ks to Banka Banka Station caravan park, arriving about 1.30pm . Early for us. There were others here already, we have a pleasant site in shade no power,phone,internet,tv or radio. Took some backing and filling to decide the position! Then after all that the van was lopsided, the block we’d put under one wheel was too high. So, rather than moving off that again, Roger jacked it up, and then put a smaller piece under. Somehow the levelling at the front did not agree with inside the van. I think we’ll have a level sleep. There was time to enjoy the area, with a walk up the hill and along some way amongst red rocks, with amazing view over the wide, wide country side. After a sumptuous dinner of some chicken and vegetable stir fried in the pan, with pasta carbonara (thanks to San Remo
The morning is cool, but soon the day is warm to hot. We stopped off at Newcastle Waters historic village, a few ks off the highway. There was much bird life on the lagoon in the creek. It was interesting again to see a few old buildings, including the old AIM church.
We needed to fill up again with petrol at Elliot, the town where we had stayed on our last trip, and where we had tyres repaired on the caravan. We had our morning tea here this time, and then moved on northwards.
We’ve been at Dunmarra since about 1 p.m. , so were early to get a site, though it is now full with caravans and campers. We are surrounded by big (very big) caravans, and feel a bit inferior. The neighbours have just been using their shower, and have not put a drainage hose on! We’re still out of mobile phone and internet range. We joined in the ‘happy hour’ at the bar where we did not win a $20 refund on the camping fee, and did not therefore get to delve into the lucky dip, which was a very large python! We sat later under the stars and watched a movie, and ate our barra burger and chips. It was good to sit in the shade and relax and read for a little while in the afternoon, also to have a cold swim in the pool, and then have a walk along the back of the area here. The main business is the ‘wayside inn’, but it is also a working cattle station.
Dunmarra to Mataranka Monday 190710
The days are hot now 35 degC today, though nights cool down to about15 degC or so. The distance we travelled was about 200 ks., taking a short look at Daly Waters a few ks off the highway, and later stopping at Larrimah. Larrimah consists mainly of derelict memorabilia, and an hotel which has a free zoo. Mostly birds in large untidy aviaries, but nevertheless a wonderful variety.
We’re now staying at night at Mataranka Springs, where we’ve enjoyed a swim in the warm spring water which flows constantly. On arrival I noticed the offer of a watercolour class for 2 hours for $25. After lunch I joined another woman and the teacher and we had an enjoyable 1 ½ hours learning a few watercolour techniques with the chance of finishing the picture. Velda the teacher went off for a few minutes to get another 2 copies of the postcard we were using as the subject, and apparently chatted with a staff member and tripped over a notice board onto her face. She came back with someone to help her, but they insisted that she go and lie down. So I have an unfinished masterpiece!! The trees and shrubs are still to come and highlights to various parts. She wasn’t able to finish the class today, will continue tomorrow, but we will be gone. Maybe there’ll be another class somewhere else. I am sorry I didn’t get to do one in Bourke, which was offered for an hour or so in pastels, but found out too late. Another unexpected and interesting thing to do if the opportunity arises.
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