Meandered to Moree

We only had a short drive today because we decided we would have a stop at the thermal springs before heading south into the cold. We need a recovery day after having a meal at the Nindigully Pub last night. Nice meal but pretty pricey $40 for a steak, salad and chips, $26 for fish, salad and chips. We probably skip this spot in future –been there done that.

My back is playing up today so it might be time for a thermal pool plunge.

Nindigully Pub For Dinner

Only a very short run down death row (there were hundreds of dead kangaroos on the road)  through to St George (where we topped up with water at the Information Centre and fuel at the Caltex Service Station) and then onto Nindigully to try and find a campsite amongst all the other free loaders. We  eventually found one but it was hard going. Off up to the pub for a shower, drinks and a meal tonight.

Nindigully Creek through the back window

 

Womalilla Creek Camp

Travelled a different road today, headed down to Injure then across to Womblebank Station then down through Mitchell to Womalilla Creek free camp. Beautiful spot beside the largely dried out river bed and small waterhole frequented by kangaroos, cattle and other wildlife. Had a roaring campfire while watching the southern skies – glorious!

Turtle relaxing by the campfire

Virgin Rock

Travelled down the highway to Virgin Rock free camp, arriving to find it was largely occupied at the back of the site so had to settle for the roadside area – plenty of trucks to keep us entertained. They have now incorporated a light show to light up the Virgin and her rocks. Moving further south tomorrow.

Nature’s light show
Man’s light show – with a little help from the moon

The Bogans Move On To Bogantungan

Bob had his new tyres fitted yesterday, so today its full steam ahead. We travelled to the old railway town of Bogantungan where we set up camp in the free camp in the middle of the largely deserted town. Tomorrow we will head into the gem fields for a bit of prospecting.

Camped in front of a lovely old lady at Bogantungan

A Day at Winton

We  drove into Winton from our free camp and headed straight to Tuff Tyres who were able to do a great deal on the new tyres. They didn’t have all the tyres there so it was decided that the Willies would wait until all the tyres were in stock (tomorrow) before having them fitted. Meanwhile our Solar system was functioning at reduced power so we decided to book into the Pelican Caravan Park (yes, seriously in outback Queensland) to carry out some maintenance. Turned out it was just a bit something (probably dust) in one of the connections so simply undoing it and reconnecting it fixed the problem. A bit of shopping then back to the park for a shower after grovelling in the dirt yesterday. Feels great!

 

Dinosaur Meets Flat Tyres

Before we could even leave camp this morning Bob had to change a blown tyre. So we didn’t leave as early as planned. We headed back along the Cork Road toward Larch Quarry. After about 60 kms the recently fitted spare tyre delaminated so it was a torturous trip into Larch Quarry. Bob tried to get RACV  service as he now had the left hand rear duals reduced to one inflated tyre. After viewing the spectacular Dinosaur Stampede (I would seriously recommend this site to everyone – its the only example in the world) we waited for the RACV to confirm that they would provide assistance. After waiting for hours we decided that we best head back to Winton while we still had daylight. Off we headed and got 40 kms down the track when the delaminating tyre spat out some more tyre and dragged the inner mudguard up onto the duals. This meant we had to jack up the vehicle on the side of the road, remove both wheels, straighten the inner guard, put the original blowout back on and head back into town at a reduced speed. We made it back to the Long Waterhole free camp where we celebrated with a fire and a few drinks while watching the stars once again. Into Winton tomorrow for new tyres for the Turtle.

The crack pit team carrying out roadside repairs.

Popped a Cork at Old Cork Homestead

We left Julia Creek free camp and headed south to Kynuna then onto Winton. We decided we would like to visit the Dinosaur Stampede site at Larch Quarry, so headed down to stay the night at Old Cork Homestead, an abandoned homestead originally settled in 1865 and finally abandoned in the 1960s. The ravages of time and thieving visitors have taken their toll but it was nice to spend the night on the banks of the Diamantina River watching the shooting stars in an outback astral show. It turned quite cool and as there was a strong breeze so no chance of a fire. Off to Larch Quarry tomorrow.

The old cheese at Old Cork Homestead

Reached Julia Creek

We travelled on roads new to us today, from Burke and Wills Roadhouse down to Julia Creek. A leisurely days drive we settled into a very nice Free Camp set up by the local shire. Self contained vehicles only.

We fuelled up at Normanton at the almost defunct roadside bowser(the BP servo was shut on a Friday)

The roadside bowser at Normanton

The camp at Julia Creek has Optus service so the Willies are happy!! As I said, nice camp if the Grey Nomads hadn’t parked so badly that only half of us have access to the water – but, hey, its free.

Our free camp at Julia Creek

Fish For Dinner

Well done to Bob and Jenny! They caught fish for dinner tonight aboard the Kerry D Fishing Charter. Everyone in the caravan park is complaining that there were no fish today, only two or three returned with fish. Our intrepid hunter/gatherers returned with 3 blue nose salmon and a skipjack between them, enough for a big feed of fresh fish tonight. Jenny’s got the bug so she down fishing off the beach –crocodiles or no crocodiles.

The hunter/gatherers return aboard the KerryD