2macstracks

The Caravan Park had a lot more empty spaces before we left and we wondered if the exodus south has really started, in our row of seven there was only one remaining and it looked as though he’d been at the Park for months. We didn’t anticipate any problem getting a site for the night. The road to Normanton is the only one out of Karumba and when we arrived we hoped to be able to buy a few things like 2 ltr of Iced Coffee, some cucumbers and fresh bread because we couldn’t get them in Karumba. A delivery must have been due.

Not far out of Normanton are the Mutton Hole Wetlands and we stopped for a few minutes to take in all the Water Lillies.

While The Chef went to get the supplies in Normanton I walked with Fergus along to the old Railway Station, each time I go there I see something I haven’t noticed before.

The only thing The Chef came back with was fresh bread from Ravenshoe Bakery, they must do very well from deliveries of their bread to all the surrounding towns.

Before we left Karumba a neighbour told us that the Mt Isa Rodeo would be on next weekend it was good to know in advance because accommodation of any kind will be unavailable. Driving along today we saw signs for Cloncurry Rodeo but luckily for us it finished last week.

Some sections of road today were single track and there are signs advising motorists to “Step off” for other vehicles but “Get off” for trucks. Stepping off means only the passenger, maybe they’ve read a sign telling them they’re not welcome. side of your vehicle is off but “Get off” means all of your vehicle is on the shoulder. We had to do that today more than once, many caravans seem to be as big as a truck – not a Road Train though, they’re in a league of their own.

Sometimes there are signs pointing down gravel roads and they list the names of mostly stations down the road.

Brolgas seemed to be everywhere until south of the Burke and Wills Roadhouse. That place always disappoints me. It has lovely old fences and buildings with plants flourishing but there are notices all over the place and all have a negative tone. I believe they could achieve so much more by appealing to people’s good nature and most people’s desire to please.

Before we left Karumba we checked out possible camp sites along our way, the first was Terry Smith Lookout, a free camp which had nice designated sites with trees between them. It isn’t near any water though and being up high was exposed to the wind, it was also too early to stop and do nothing so we continued on. The next was Three Rivers Rest Area which wasn’t appealing at all and we certainly didn’t see any rivers nearby. Another spot suggested by a fellow camper at Karumba was the Quamby Hotel which is only about 20 kms out of Cloncurry. By the time we got there it was already looking like a Caravan salesyard so we continued on. There is a Discovery Park in Cloncurry and despite Gladys GPS reluctance to help we found that and the big discovery for us was there were no vacancies! We were more successful though at The Oasis CP, they could let us have a spot in “the Overflow” but they must have jiggled things around because we have a powered site for the night. Tomorrow a Caravan Club is arriving and there will be nothing available. Luckily we hadn’t planned to stay more than one night. Looks like the big exodus south hasn’t started around here!

Who knows where we’ll be tomorrow night?