JULY 2012
See Granma has cut Granpa's hair.
Looking west from Theresa creek Dam camp site
If you are very observant you can see the sun is still over the yard arm
We left Theresa creek dam about the 10th July.
There was widespread rain about and some local flooding.
Headed for Barcaldine or "Barcy"as the locals call it.
Barcy is the home of the tree of knowledge made famous by the shearers strike
in about 1891. It is the place in history where the Australian labor party was founded.
The tree was, I reckon, about 200 years old when it was poisoned by persons unknown.
It was uprooted and sent away for preservation, returned and placed in original location
so people like me can gaze at it and seek inspiration.
Wendy reckons I could gaze for a month and still just be the same smart arse so we only stayed
for 3 nights but did check out the Australian workers heritage center which is worth a look.
Left Barcy for Lake Dunn and Lake Gallilee about 120 Kms north east via Aramac.
Aramac is now a small town but said to be the center of wool production back in the late 1800's, most of the Barkly Tablelands is now cattle country. After passing Aramac the country is abundant with roos and emus. There is a range which forms an escapement about 30 Kms SW of Lake Dunn that takes us onto another plateau with a change of vegetation and scenery. Arriving at lake Dunn we select a site beside a fishing shack right on the lake, we are allowed to use the large deck of the shack which is over the lake and a great place to fish and enjoy a glass of red as the sun goes down.
Wendy is very excited to catch the first of several yellow belly's, they are said to be very good eating but we found it very soft textured and not much flavor, however fun to catch.
There were lots of cows around the camp area. Note the excellent condition which is typical of the stock after a good year. Remember they had many years of hardship/drought until year before last so good to see some good times on the land out here.
Leaving Lake Dunn we go back to Barcaldine and West on highway to Longreach where we stayed 18-21st July. Visited the Stockmans Hall of Fame and the QANTAS founders museum, both very well presented and absorbing.
The roads out here are very good but from Emerald to Mt Isa and Isa to Tennant Creek there are long stretches between drinks with only subtle differences in the landscape
so we had some high mileage days.
Left Longreach for Winton where we stayed two days then to Kynuna a one horse town where we stayed overnight behind the historic Pub. Everything out this way is historic and many of the pubs have relics of days gone by.
Next day we passed through McKinlay where the famous Walkabout pub from the Crocodile Dundee
movie can be found.
Pressed on to Cloncurry and Mt Isa where we stayed for two days. Isa sky line still looks the same but the city has changed a bit from when I was working there. Lake Moondarah is still a nice spot with more recreational areas developed.
Wendy has a new hat
From Isa to Camooweal across the border into the NT and overnight at the Barkly Homestead.
Both of the old road houses that Blue worked at all those years ago have gone. Not a trace. The roads in many places have been realigned since then and are very good and well maintained.
Next Day we drove on to Daly waters, A very lively little pub and a packed out caravan park if you could call it that, more like a paddock with power.
There's all sorts hanging on the walls in here
Short leg to Mataranka and we stayed at the homestead where they have the hot springs
Then to Katherine where we stayed at the sardine packed park at Nitmiluk national park.
This site is at the entrance to the Katherine Gorge. We arranged a 1.5Hr scenic flight over Nitmiluk and out into Kakadu, Jim jim Falls and Twin falls.
Unfortunately there was a fair bit of smoke haze on the day spoiling the pictures we took, but we did get a good look at the area.
Next day hired canoes and paddled up the gorge.
Where's the new hat ?
From Katherine we drove to Pine Creek, a nice wee town, and then out to Kakadu where we are staying at a bush camp catching our breath. We are in fact not far from the falls we flew over a couple of days ago
It's a great spot, so we will be here for a few days.