Enjoying the QLD Outback

We came across a beautiful park in Cloncurry where there was grass and shade which was such a change. We kicked a ball around, had an ice block and watched a heap of roos and wallabies play and decided to have dinner there. After dinner we headed another 60kms down the road to Fullerston River, a free camp which was fairly noisy again with the road trains.

 

Next morning we drove through passed Crocodile Dundees place.

 

 

Then we came across this sign in the middle of nowhere. Phillip's Foote is where we went for TJ's 40th last year.

 

 

Then we got to Winton where we had a look around. We were in hysterics as we had hoped to swim at the town pool but found it closed for the winter. This would normally be ok except that it was 36 degrees - not exactly cold.

 

 

Anyway we then headed the 170 kms into Longreach. It is a lovely country town and what we really expected to see more of with the big wide main road and angle parking along the sides. Lovely caravan park although I think it has been a long time since they have had any grass here. We set up and went for a swim in the pool which was freezing but so refreshing. 

 

 

After dinner we went down to listen to a singer/guitar player who was performing in the caravan park. So cool. I had a yarn to him afterwards and he was an ex saddle bronc rider turned cover artist who was recently talked into going out on his own. He has just put together his first CD of original tunes which we bought. Lovely bloke and a great evening.

This morning we went into town and had a lovely walk around, did some shopping and had a nice country pie for lunch.

 

 At 2.30 we all got to wear our cowboy and cowgirl clothes again as we went on a Cobb and Co type stage ride. It was great. They took us out of town and onto the town common where the stages all used to come through. The dust coming in through the open windows made you really experience how it must have been a hundred years ago when this was how it was done. We even got to gallop for a couple of hundred metres which was really exciting but were warned to keep our mouths closed as the horse pooh and dust flew up in the air and in through the windows. Very authentic.

Back to the park for washing, a swim and dinner. The kids are now snoring and I am just about ready for bed. We can't find any station stays that allow you to get involved with the farm as they have either been scared off by the rising insurance costs or have had to sell off their cattle because of the drought. Either way we have changed our plans back to what we were going to do originally and are heading out to the coast although we will come out at Rockhampton and not Townsville as originally planned.

Just a little side note. We are usually high earners of frequent flyer points at our local GP's with the kids picking up colds, ear infections etc. Well up until yesterday we have spent our entire holiday without as much as a sniffle. Now all three of them have got colds with a bit of a cough as well. Not sure if it is because they are run down after a big few days and late nights at the rodeo or if they are winding down as we head home. Fingers crossed it passes soon.

Life is fantastic and I am really not keen about heading home just yet. I love how big the sky is out here and could put up with the dust just to stay here a little longer.