6th Nov

Today we left Burdekin travelling to Townsville, we were going to go to Saunders Beach but it was full so we went further up to Toomulla Beach for last night with Jeanie. Tomorrow I will go to Jan Page for a couple of days then head to Moore Park Beach to see Des & Dorothy before heading home.

5th Nov

Today we had a wander around Charters Towers while we waited for Jeanie's car to get 2 new feet, saw the Miner's cottage, some of the old buildings, & the Stock exchange. We then left for Burdekin Dam stopping off in Ravenswood, where they have started mining for gold again, this town is very historic & interesting. We arrived at Burdekin driving around the dam & down to the spillway seeing the falls as well. We had a rather noisy night as 2 lots of campers were having parties, never mind they quieted down by about 10.30pm.

4th Oct

Today we travelled to Charters Towers, going up to the lookout, then on to the Gold Battery which was very interesting.

3rd Oct

This morning we descended into the gorge, & it is quite a walk down & back up & took us about 2 3/4 hrs, which double what they say it takes, never mind we did it. Resting until after lunch we headed for Prairie, where Jeanie lived as a child then down to Kooroorinya Falls Basalt Wall, we were very diappointed in it.

2cd Oct

After a night in a very ordinary free camp site at Richmomd, we had a look around then drove out to Mt Walker lookout, but due to the smoke haze around we did not get a very good view. We then drove on to Hughenden, quite a nice town but fully into evolution with all the fossills ect. We then drove out to Porcupine Gorge which is pretty spectacular, we spent the night at the NP & had a very cheeky visit from the little Rufus wallaby.

1st Nov

After a night of thunder & lightening & some rain we headed to Cloncurry, we had morning tea at Chinamans Creek Recreation Dam & went up to the lookout over Cloncurry. We then drove on to Richmond for night.

31st Oct

Went to the underground hospital this morning, this was made during the war for somewhere to evacuate the patients, it was never needed & was only used by night nurses seeking cool & darkness to sleep. It was very interesting as it is still set up like it was originally. After this we went on an underground mine tour for 3 hrs, it was very interesting. leaving Mount Isa we drove into Mary Kathleen, you can still see the streets & concrete pads where the shopping area was but that is all.We have driven past lots of fires that have been started by lightening, we camped at Fountain Springs RA.

30th Oct

Sunrise over theCamooweal Billabong was beautiful, & we really didn't want to move. Anyway we headed of to Mt Isa, arriving about 12md, we visited the lookout, & booked our tour of the mine for tomorrow, after which we booked into a caravan park, then drove out to Lake Moondarra, which was really pretty, & down to Warrina Park where there were Peacocks showing off their tails. The evening has cooled a bit but still not wanting to go inside the van.

29thOct

Still very hot this morning, so drove off fairly early, lots of burnt areas along road. After lunch at Avon Downs we drove into a storm & saw a grass fire start from lightening strike. Crossing the border into Qld we arrived at Camooweal & headed out to our campsite on the Billabong, what a lovely spot, heaps of birdlife, & blessedly cooler after the storm.

28th Oct
After washing & late lunch, we left Tennant Creek & headed out to Lake Mary Anne, thinking we would have a swim but when we got there we decided it was not nice enough, so opted for a shower instead. We drove to The Pebbles, but did not get out & walk as so hot. We headed for the Threeways & turned East, to our campsite, Frewena RA, the insects were terrible, swarming into the vans as we tried to cook tea.

28th Oct

We saw the sunrise at the marbles then headed to Tennant Creek, seeing lots of anthills on the way, it is very hot here today, had a look at the Gold Battery, which does not work any more & the mine tour was not on today, so we headed up to the lookout & then into town where we had a drive around so Jeanie could see if she remembered anything from when she lived here.

27th Oct

Today we went on towards the Devils Marbles, passing Ryans Well, quite an acheivment as it was dug & built by hand. Passing Aileron where there are huge carved statues of aboriginal people, we then stopped at Barrow Creek to see the old Telegraph Station, & of course Wycliff Well the UFO Centre ha ha. We arrived at the Devils Marbles, it was very hot, so we only drove around them then set up camp until it cooled a bit & we woandered up to see the sun set on the rocks.

26th Oct

The next day we headed into Alice, stopping on the way to see Simpsons Gap, while there we heard this lady sing & the echo was wonderful.  We had a wander around Alice, not terribly impressed & looking forward to leaving. After doing a few necesary things & a trip up to the lookout we left, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn & staying the night there.

25th Oct

We headed towards NT crossing the border during the morning, stopping to have a look at the 1st & last pub in NT, then getting to Alice Springs, we decided to head out to the West MacDonald Ranges & stay the night at Ellery Creek, we dabbled our feet in the water but decided the water was too cold for a swim.

24th Oct

Next day we visited Faye's house, she & 2 other ladies dug it out by hand, then we visited Old Timers Mine, which was very interesting but a lot of ducking under low ceilings & scrambling along rough floors. We left Cooper Pedy, and went to The Breakaways which were really a wonderful sight, such gorgeous colours.

23rd Oct

Arriving in Cooper Pedy at about 12md, we booked into a caravan park then went for an explore of the towm. The churches were great & the lookout gave a great view of the town & surrounding areas, very interesting place.

22cd Oct

Leaving Iron Knob we said our goodbyes & Jeanie & I headed for the Stuart Highway. We really enjoyed the drive with lots of interesting countryside such as Salt lakes, red sandhills & breakaways. We stopped at Woomera for a looksee, very interesting place, after that we headed for our free camp at Mulga well.

21st Oct

Travelling on towards Iron Knob where it will be our last night together before we have to go our separate ways, so sad. It has rained very heavy today, & the view into Iron Knob was very different from when we came over.

20th

Travelling from Kidnippy Rest area I went out to a little Oyster fishing village called Denial Bay before coming to Ceduna where we bought some oysters, we then headed for our campsite at Old Perlubie School Site to have a feast.

19th Oct

During the night we had a cool change & the wind dropped, so travelling was much more comfortable, but the views of the Bight were not as good as when we came over. Tonight camped at Kidnippy Rest area.

17th Today was very hot & windy, gusting badly across the road making driving very tiring, so we headed for Eucla CP for power & washing, & cooking up food before the border.

On the 16th we headed of, going to see the super pit from the lookout, then going to the Boulder Markets & on to Ten Mile Rocks for the night. the sunset was wonderful behind us as we travelled East.

I was a miner in case you don't know, the theme being The Gold Rush.

We spent 6 days at the rally, enjoyed catching up with friends, & some of the entertainment. The ball was fun except that I had a bad attack of Fibromyalgia & had to go home at 9.30 pm.

11th Oct
Leaving Boondi Rock, we headed for Coolgardie & then on to the rally Kalgoorlie. Coolgardie has a lot of history & old buildings.