Day 9 - Winton to Mount Isa
I thought that it is about time to put a map indicating what I've done so far. Here it is.
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| Sydney to Mount Isa |
The nights here are very, very cold. This morning it was 6 degC
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| Cold, cold... |
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| Just before leaving I saw this baby Harley. |
The road leaving Winton is interesting. It starts with full vegetation and then slowly and clearly, as it approaches Cloncurry it became barren and dry.
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| Nice, barren landscape |
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| Some beautiful rock formations, the one on the left, I mean. |
The flat area is spotted with small short and flat mountains, the aborigines call them 'jumps'
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| The 'Jumps' in the horizon |
After leaving Winton, thre was a sign indicasting petrol at 180km, when I arrived this service station, it's pumps were faulty (for some time apparently) and there was a caravan there that didn't think they'd make it to the next town.
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| Caravans in trouble |
Of course I didn't have a problem, as my range is now near 600 km, so I can now even travel for a full day and will not need refuelling (i.e. Sunday).
I stopped at this very old Roadhouse, outside there were 3 huge brolgas.
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| The 'Blue Heeler' Roadhouse, on the Matilda Highway |
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| Brolgas |
On the way, I saw this sign, for all the ones out there that didn't believe me about the lengh of the Road Trains.
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| Here it is closer, in case you missed it |
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| Termite city, a huge quantity of termite mounds, they were everywhere. Termites, anyone? |
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| Another view of the termites |
On the way, I found this Memorial to Burke and Wills. Apparently they passed this area. The story of Burke and Wills is very close to my heart. One of the first books I read about Australia, before choosing this country as my own, was the one describing their fateful journey. since then I wanted to travel this wonderful country.
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| This is a memorial conmemorating Burke and Wills |
When I arrived at Cloncurry, I went to visit a friend of mine that was working at the Oasis Hotel. Her name is Shelly.
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| Some interesting contraption at the Oasis. I would love to try one of these. |
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| Do they have anything against the irish? |
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| In case you are wondering; a gidgee is a type of wood found on the Acacia trees. |
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| Finally got to the 'Isa' Apparently now I am a real aussie. |
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| I might be a real aussie now, but I am also really tired and this night I will splurge in a bit of cabin luxury. I miss a soft comfy bed. |
