Winter 2013

PART THREE
Mount Isa to Richmond

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We travelled about 3000 kilometers before the faulty alloy wheels started cracking. This "Lemon of a Paramount Caravan" has now messed up our winter travels for two years in a row. The wheel suppliers in Melbourne thought we would get the new wheels here in Mount Isa within "a few days" - but we have been waiting a week already. I learned that the courier handed them over to Australia Post in Brisbane last friday (June 7th) and as of today (June 11th) they are still there in Brisbane. 

Tuesday 11th June - BAD NEWS - Australia Post have now told me we'll probably get the wheels on the 17th June. Asking Australia Post to get a move on is a bit like asking the Australian Tax Office for a discount - - -  F%#* Australia Post.

GOOD NEWS ! - Beaurepairs in Mount Isa rang me this morning to say that the wheels had been delivered to them. Whats wrong with Australia Post and their sophisticated computer system?

Now the  BAD NEWS - The wheels are supposed to 15 inch alloy rims. Beaurepairs rang to tell me that the wheels they had recieved were 16 inch alloy rims. Oh NO !!!!

Now the GOOD NEWS - the wheels were packaged in the wrong boxes, and were in fact the correct size.

Now the BAD NEWS - We'll go to Western Australia next year. This year we are grateful that we did at least travel through Birdsville and the Birdsville Track.

Now that our wheels are eventually fitted, we'll head up the road to Cloncurry for a few days or a week, and continue east to look for some unexplored parts of Queensland.

Hi Mel!

During our prolonged stay in the Mount Isa caravan park, we luckily camped beside a river/creek.

Sixty kilometers from Mount Isa - a very short run for us - we stopped at "Fountain Springs Rest Area" for the night. The name is far more appealing than the rest area but we were parked on a tar sealed area rather than dust - so it seemed quite luxurious. As you can see, there are no marked parking spots here - just push in and stop.

Seven kilometers from our last stop - yes Richard, only seven kilometers, we came across Corella Dam and Clem Walden park (above). Unfortunately it looks a lot better than it is. With no drinking water and no phone reception the appeal was lost. The track into the park was rough and dusty too. It's about 70 klm from Mount Isa. The wind blew a gale all day.

Last year we arrived in Cloncurry just in time for the Rodeo. But this year we arrived in time for the Cloncurry annual show. As usual we filled our tummies with pancakes and ice cream - then regretted it.

I was thrilled to come across the "MUSICAL STRIPPERS" and nearly paid for the tickets - but Connie told me to look at the sign again - ugh!

Holy Cow! we do some mad things at shows. I accepted the challenge!

They picked me because I was the smallest person in the crowd, and I admitted having a motorcycle license.   ;-)

This early radio was used by outback dwellers and Flying Doctors. For the younger generation, the glass bottles on the right are "valves" - today they use transistors of course, but the transistors are so small you cannot see them. To get the size into perspective (that is more likely understood) this transceiver is the size and weight of 48 cans of beer!

Until 1954 Cloncurry had no rail ambulance [shock! horror!]. So they obtained a Ford V8 road ambulance from Qld Ambulance Service and fitted railway wheels to it.

If I understood the signs correctly, they had a jacking point underneath at the centre of gravity and one man could jack it up, turn it around, and put it back down on the rails facing the opposite direction.  I'd rather drive it in reverse and tell the patient to keep watch out the back window.

Our neighbors were slightly ahead of us. They buy in bulk and make use of the empty boxes. This is their door step. We dont keep the empty boxes.

Our arrival at Julia Creek...

"A way with words"

If you know the name of this little cutie, you are very well informed. He is only about 100 mm long plus a tail of the same length. The only other hint is that he is an endangered species.

If you want fresh fish in "The Outback" there aren't too many options. Fortunately, Jim & Viv Peady run this business called "All Wild" which services 28 towns in over 13 shires!. If you text them your name and town, they will text you the day before their next visit to your location.

Jim DOES look a bit like the mural on the side of the truck. Viv quickly opened the door [and covered her mural] before I took the pic - not sure why?

Connie remembers everything. If you mention Julia Creek to her next year, she'll quote this sign verbatim.

Is this what they mean by "a sign from God" !

Between Julia Creek and Richmond we saw first hand the effects of the drought in Queensland. Cattle have to be fed, and the only feed available is along the roadside. The problem is that the cattle aren't real smart with traffic - so you need to be extra careful.

On a Sunday in Richmond...

There was not a soul to be seen - then we heard the sound of motor bikes in the distance and realised that today was the day of the 4 hour endurance ride in the bush a few kilometers away.

It looks as though there is no problem with garbage disposal in Richmond. But who has the contract to supply new bins?

For a tiny town like Richmond, this man made lake was a great idea and an achievement.

Some caravans are totally self sufficient (some even have amateur radio on board)! So when the caravan park is full, they find an empty paddock and "move in". ... not quite ... most outback communities including Richmond, make free areas available to attract more visitors.

End of Part three