A change of scenery on the way to Cloncurry

Cloncurry is a small town but central to the surrounding outback and the mines in particular.  Once again we enjoyed cooling off in the swimming pool before taking a stroll in the evening down into the "town".  We found a pub with live music issueing from it and decided to go in for a drink.  The members of the live band were mainly aboriginal.  They were great and we really enjoyed their music which consisted of popular songs but we were very surprised when they started playing some "Shadows" tracks! 


Sunday we travelled the 346km to Winton.  Temperature consistanly around 42/43C.  Winton is the home of Waltzing Mathilda.  It is where Banjo Patterson wrote and first performed Australia's unofficial National Anthem.

Ther are many unusual names

We saw many road trains on this journey. One had approx 8 swimming pools stacked on board - obviously destined for the mines to keep the miners happy. We also stopped at The Walkabout Hotel which was featured in Crocodile Dundee.  I also saw a road sign - Brisbane 1715km.
 

Lin at Walkabout Creek Hotel

Note the satelite dish on this old cottage

On these journeys we frequently see the gateways to various cattle stations but rarely do we see the homes as they are far from the highway.  One sign indicated that the driveway to the house was 85km long!

In the Outback you see very few cars as most vehicles are 4x4s, utes or trucks.  The landscape is flat and the roads are straight - you seem to be able to see forever!

Steve & Jacqui's van in the wide open spaces

These road trains stopped opposite while we were having lunch

 

Double decker Cattle Road Trains

Cattle on the Road Train

A pet Brolga from the Service Station next to
where we had lunch
 

A Rest Stop

All through The Outback local councils provide rest stops in the middle of nowhere.  There are bush toilets and a covered picnic table.  Note the solar panels.  A great service.

Nearly at Winton and the famed Waltzing Matilda Centre.  This is also dinosaur country.