Normanton to Cloncurry

Normanton to Cloncurry

We left at 8.20 - 376 kms today half way point was Burke & Wills Roadhouse. Just about everyone stops there – some coming back from Lawn Hill National Park & Gregory Downs. Petrol was $172.9 – we got 20 litres. We had morning tea there.

So interesting to see the distinct changes in the vegetation – from savannah (high yellowy grass, small trees, small termite mounds) to dry floodplains of wide green grass beside the road; great rocky outcrops of dark brown rocks or limestone coloured marble affects often along the way.

The road is a Development Road so quite narrow parts where passing vehicles have to get mostly off the road & dirt & dust fly! - & other stretches of wide 2 full lanes.

Lots of ‘3 BIG BINS/trailers’ road trains from the mines in Cloncurry.

More dead kangaroos with crows & hawks on them We saw 3 BIG black & white (bird book says (Papuan Harriers) who try to carry the whole animal away as a car comes up to it. A BIG browny - orange goanna walked across in front of us!

Coming up to Cloncurry like coming up to Broken Hill – lots of high rocky outcrops.

We are staying at the Discovery caravan park – half of it is mine workers accommodation (long cabin type rooms; a portable gym, ‘mess hall’, laundries of front loader machines & driers we can use for free as well.

Lots of miners & other workers back late afternoon – walked into town later in evening. We heard lots of (ore?) train whistles at night.

26 during the day – Warren went in the pool but VERY cold!

A doona night – 10 degrees – lovely!  (Lowest temp ever in Canberra minus 7!!)

After a hot breakfast & I washed – we went sight-seeing. There was a Gem & Minerals Buyers Festival on at Info Centre – quite interesting – about 15/20 guys showing & selling. A few other market stalls.

We went out to the lookout & Chinese Creek dam area for morning tea – very pretty. Pelicans, ibises, hawks.

Also went out to airport (saw Virgin plane arrive) to see the original QANTAS hanger where their first commercial flight was from in Nov 1922. Also big John Flynn & Flying Doctor Service display centre in town.

At night we went to the Miner’s Mess for dinner ($25)