Returning Home

After what has been a fun filled few weeks in the beautiful outback countryside the party will soon over, and life will resume to some sort of normality. The resilience of the people who choose to live in these remote regions is just amazing ,from John&Shelia on Navarre Station who have not seen rain in 3 years to Paul&Kerry who run the charter boat service in Karumba the list goes on. The people we have met along the way it has helped us to tidy up this chaotic road trip into something we are proud of, to John Coutis the leg less motivator you took it all to another level in the lottery of life. To my 3 traveling companions I have thought long and hard on this comment just 2 words can describe this adventure we shared together PURE GOLD. And I must not forget Braidies Tavern in Strathfieldsaye for their generous support , the photo failure continues to dog these trips so I'm sorry but will continue try to rectify this major problem. As 1 trip winds down another appears on the horizon, yes Italy in July to attend a wedding. More on that later so see yah.........WADDA

Cobbold Gorge to Navarre

With the tyres on the Ford still giving us some grief we make the decision to stick to the bitumen, this will add about 400 kms to our first stop at Hughenden. Our journey takes us out through Mt Suprise then on to Charters Towers ,grab some supplies in this major centre before heading back out into the outback again. Saturday night in Hughenden is a quiet affair and it's early to bed, next day we head to Longreach. Kevin has a mate in town so we catch up with him for dinner at the Birdcage and a good time was had by all. Terry has missed the bus to Emerald by a day so we head to Barcaldine some 120kms to our east and let him try to hitchhike, no luck so his son covers the last 300kms to collect him. We head back to Navarre station to spend the night with John&Shealia Back,it's not long before we head off on the grand tour of this vast property. Arriving back at the homestead John test his guests on the shooting range, yes from pistol shooting to clay targets we had a crack at it all . Let's just say the current fishing champion is definitely not the shooting champion, the results were to close to call so no winner was declared. Gotta go .........WADDA

Cobbold Gorge

No proper service in this very remote region of the Savannah Gulf so I was very restricted in my internet use ,but life goes on. Just a couple of things you might not know about this very isolated tourist destination, firstly it has only been discovered in the last 22 years yet the property have been in the same family for 5 generations. But when you get here you feel very special this is outback central with a few perks, with the tourist season just beginning their is not many others about so we virtually have the run of the place. As we settle into this place of the rugged beauty I'm just so pleased we made the effort to drive these wild roads of northern Australia to just get here. With day tripping through the beautiful gorge and relaxing by the pool our time is soon up, we farewell this remote spot and head for Hughenden some 700kms to the South. Nothing more to say for the moment......WADDA

Karumba to Cobbold Gorge

Our time is over in the Gulf and we are starting to inch our way back down south,but not before we visit another place on my bucket list. Cobbold Gorge is the name of this beautiful place just a small dot on the map some 90kms south of Georgetownn. With the hand shaking and hugging over we leave this coastal paradise, our next destination being some 500kms to the east and fairly remote. With a tyre problem in Georgetownn soon sorted we head to this paradise in the bush, coming down the dusty driveway what greeted us was amazing with the stunning infinity pool over looking the lake   this looks good for the next couple of days .

The Captains Cup

Today is the day when all reputations are up for grabs, the captains cup is for the best overall seaman. The only 2 facing off for the grand title will be Kevin and Terry as Wadda and Paul could not compete at this level. Today on the Kerry D the charter boat being used for this event will the world renowned motivational speaker and fishing expert Mr John Coutis. For those of you who have not heard of this person i shall shed some light on his story, John was born with Spina bifita and choose to have his legs removed at 18 years of age and now travels the world giving motivational speeches. His speeches will be lost on these 2 combatants today as they battle for the bragging rights , we arrange to take this skateboard riding judge to the boat ramp . The judge is positioned with a commanding view of the battle ground at the front of the boat in the blazing sun, as we head out into the war zone .About7 kms off shore it's rods away and it's not long before we are all hauling fish over the side. As the judge bakes in the hot morning sunshine captive to his position the fish just keep coming over the side, morning tea is called . Whilst  the judge is slowly roasting away Kev has grabbed a big lead in this head to head battle , and when Kevin hauls another huge fish on board Terry hoists the white flag . Bragging rights have been retained by the current champion ,while the judge continues to suffer in the sweltering sun we head home. After thanking the ever helpful crew of the Kerry Dee we launch the judge into the back of the Ford and return him to where there was some shade, he was ever so grateful. We strike a deal with the pub next door to prepare a fish and chip lunch over looking the water ,with our new found mate sitting at the head of the table actually on the table we had a very long lunch. As he spoke of the many famous people who he had dealt with throughout his worldwide travels I'm sure that there are 4 blokes from down south who just joined this list. Again J.C the very short time our paths crossed will be remembered forever........WADDA

Burketown to Karumba,

After a great overnight stay at the Savannah lodge in Burketown and a big breakfast we make our way eastward across the gulf. This 300km section is unknown to this bunch of southerners so it will be a suck it and see trip. Pretty soon we hit the hard and fast dirt section of the Savannah way and it's game on, with plenty of creeks and gullies to cross these are testing times for both car and navigator. We arrive at the major turning point so do we go left or do we go right ,the road left is 250 kms shorter but has had a lot of rain a few weeks prior to our arrival. No coin tossing decisions to be made  here we turn left , as we move toward the unknown i think of my loved ones so far away. The others I'm not so sure as I look at their dead pan faces ,through washed out rivers and creeks we inch eastward with caution. As we are in big cattle country Kev gives a running commentary on feed conditions also the quality of these big cattle with the hump and cattle yards,our minds now rest easy . Arrival at the Burke and Wills camp number 119 brings us some joy as its now no far from Normanton, hot and humid conditions greet us at Karumba, time to relax and prepare for the evening boat cruise. Damm it's 4.40 pm we are informed the boat leaves at 4.45 pm for our sunset cruise ,not tonight maybe tomorrow perhaps. This hardy bunch of seafarers is booked on the 6.45am KERRY D fishing trip so no late night tonight, this is the only time to KO the current family fishing champion big KEV . Over the evening meal another challenge is unearthed regarding the famous sport of seamanship, only 2 contenders in this division which happen to Mudgie V big Kev will fight for the captains cup. Paul and WADDA will only be observers

Camooweal to Burketown

We leave this small town which is so near the Northern Territory boarder you could you nearly kick a footy there, armed with far more knowledge of this small town and it's people than we ever imagined.These are the most down to earth people you would ever wish to meet, even though our time here was short my memories will linger for a long time to come. The locals became very interested in the journey of these 4 brothers inlaws from the south, footy was a major topic and anything else they thought of. One of these blokes was called Paul Finlay who not only knew the history of Camooweal but also the whos who of the people, after a few beers he invites us to his drovers camp museum on the edge of town. We arrange to meet the next morning at the site, the stuff Paul has collected is absolutely amazing. Time is now pushing our buttons so we depart this lonely little town headed for Burketown about 400 kms to our north, road conditions are pretty good for most of the trip even after 240 mil of rain a fortnight ago. Stopping off at the Gregory Downs hotel brings back a few memories for Paul and myself as we passed this way in2009 ,as we continue north toward Burketown some 120 kms further on the temperature continues to rise. Arriving at the Savannah Lodge the boys are impressed with this tropical haven and give it the thumbs up, so we chuck our stuff inside and head to the pool cos now it's stinken hot. After many hours in this place of pleasure it's off to have our evening meal at the Morning Glory restaurant, Barra  of course , tomorrow we head for the town of Karumba about 70 kms north of Normanton........Wadda

Mt Isa to Camooweal

The day has begun like any other Sunday on this trip WADDA up early the rest will follow,as we chow down on another fabulous breakfast at the Leichhardt Accomadation block our planned trip to Camooweal is being unthreaded at the breakfast table. After pumping more gas into the rig we set sail for Camooweal some 190 kms away in a westerly direction, Time has come for the tour director to speak to the other party members regarding a alcohol free day in accordance with the grey nomads guide. With shock and horror written on there faces you would have thought a arm or a leg had been lost, with three to one odds against me I felt the battle been lost but Paul was prepared to compromise with a 8 hr rest been 10 pm and 6 am. The other 2 stood there ground and would not budge, on arrival at Camooweal we pushed on to the N.T boarder some 20kms further on , with the outside temperature hovering around 40c we ditched the grey nomad handbook for another day. Now to the Camooweal caves about 25kms to the south ,shit is hotter than the devils breath out here back to the Post Office hotel for dip in the pool . This hotel is a gem which means spotlessly clean and most definitely welcoming, no let up with the heat so we are sitting on the veranda facing the Barkley highway watching the world go by very slowly. No meals at the pub so we hit the servo ,another gem in this very remote location,as the sun dips on the horizon I will treasure this memory of a great country town.......WADDA

Saturday in Mt Isa

The weather up here is in the high 30s so we plan to just take it easy for day or so, the Leichhardt Accommodation block is resort style living with a difference . The breakfasts here are a fantastic buffet style all you can eat affairs, the place is absolutely spotless and the donga style rooms are just what the weary travelers need. With a few small jobs to attend to our work is soon done and it's off to the lake for a picnic, Lake Moondarra is about 14 kms to the north of Mt Isa .With a few navigational errors we finally arrive at this water wonderland and find some shade, out comes the bickies and cheese. The temperature has risen to about 38 c and we are sure feeling the effects so we all reach into the esky and settle for a cool drink. As WADDA checks for any dangerous lake monsters he then enters the warm murky water, this bath like water is refreshing but that's about all. The heat eventually beats the brave souls from the south and we head home to the air conditioned donga and lay out a plan for Saturday night in Mt Isa. As we chill out and plan the evenings events a couple of blokes from Townsville introduce themselves and it's game on ,the stories come thick and fast and very soon we are long lost buddies. The couple of hours spent with Bob and Eggon will stay with us for a very long time, planning our evening out is put on hold, when the back slapping and hand shaking is over we head for the Irish club. The food was fine but we need our rest so catch the bus back home, our day is done........WADDA

Windorah to Kynuna

Up and about early for some , the road to Bedourie is still closed so the trip will be re routed via Longreach and Cloncurry, the 300 kms to Longreach will take in 2 isolated towns called Stonehenge and Jundah .  After a couple of hours in Longreach we push on ,the trip to Cloncurry is about 550 kms so we decide to head for this far flung place, a quick stop at Winton and the journey continues. Driving into the setting sun takes its toll at Kynuna so we seek shelter for the night at the pub. We settle on the price for the night in this flyblown insect ridden poverty pack hotel,as few more weary travelers pull into this lonely place I dont feel so bad ,fed and watered we wander back to the luxury section of this lonely place and open my door and enter the wide world of insects .After a couple of quick night caps I retire, not long into planned sleep find i am not alone ,yes miss preying mantis is also sharing my space so after a flick and a kick she didn't bother me again.Next morning early we flee this overpriced insect infested hellhole, with empty stomachs we head for Cloncurry still some 180kms away. Hit Mt Isa around lunch time the temperature is hovering around 36c so we get a early check in and hit the pool .Off to the Buffs club for dinner WADDA snags a prize in the raffle the Maggies pip the Tiges in the footy things just got a whole lot better ...........WADDA

Eulo to Windorah

As I awake to another overcast day in the outback my mind flicks back to the previous evenings antics I just shudder. After a big breakfast at the quaint Eulo pub we hit the road again. Passing the mud baths we all look at one another and just  laugh. Hoping to find some black roads today as we never saw any yesterday, here's hoping as we are on a express run to Windorah some 600 to the north west. With the early morning sun at our backs we head for Thargomindah about 160 kms away to see the thermal power generator in operation, but to our dismay it's buggered so no history lesson today. As we strike north toward Quilpie i find since my last visit to this region more bitumen has been added to this horrid road so it's time to to let the big ford loose for a while. Our arrival at the Tompine hotel is welcomed with a cool drink, Quilpie being next stop for lunch . The long lonely road to Windorah is a mind numbing experience which you all should experience at least once in your life, the main survivors in this area are FLYS yes they are here in their millions  of them. Arriving at Windorah the temperature is 36c and more flys , again greeted by no phone service which means no blog. Coopers cabins are a welcome relief in this outback oasis and our cabins are spotless, the restaurant run by the owners is first class with beautiful meals and a great selection of Australian wines so we invest the sponsorship money into sampling some of their collection. The travel weary boys retire but far from defeated have a nightcap before retiring to bed in this very tranquil location.....WADDA