17 July - Karumba to Mckindlay - Walkabout Pub campground.

Well we excelled this morning without even trying. We were on track for 9.30 departure - water tank filling delayed a little, a quick trip into Karumba - fuel, butter, bread and coffee for us. At the bakery Dad was waiting for the coffee and I spotted the most amazing looking Prawn, lettuce and SS rolls. I figured it was seafood sauce, the roll was almost 30cm long so I paid $14 and Dad and I shared it for lunch. There were so many large fresh prawns in it - I reckon my half had a least 8, all so fresh and delicious. Can't recommend it highly enough. Do yourself a favour if in the vicinity of Karumba Bakery and get one. 

Quick pic of town entry sign and a family of Brolgas as we departed. 

Today we are sadly heading south which is homeward bound. There are still a few activities along the way, but one week from now some of us are back at work!!! 

Sunrise and our camp on the two sites at Sunset Point Caravan Park, Karumba.

A good sign at the entry to town.

Brolgas on the side of the road

A family group again, Mum, Dad and a yougster.

We tootled out towards Normanton where we stopped again to check out the town. Nice historical QLD town, wide streets, 3 old pubs with wide verandahs, amazing red stone gutters with iron grates, a replica of a hugemungous croc, a purple pub, we checked out the historic but still operational railway station, home of the Gulflander train, which actually did some shunting on the tracks while we were there. Dad and I also saw a huge croc cage outside the Police station. 

Now a tourist info centre and other things.

Croc cage outside the Police Station

It was big, very big.

3 Pubs in town.  

Replica of the reportedly biggest ever recorded croc. See sign below.

and a rear view.

Pub # 2.

Historic gutters and steel plates, see sign following.

and the hitching rail as per sign above.

The hitch bit.

Pub # 3. The Purple Pub...orginally named.

Train's cow catcher at Train Station. 

The Gulflander, shunting in the yards, it runs weekly evidently. Leaves Wednesday, heads to Croydon and returns Thursday, known as the train from nowhere to nowhere, according to their website.

Then we headed for Cloncurry - this was probably the MOST boring road we have traveled. Just not a lot going on. It was bitumen but not real smooth and it kept narrowing to single lane then there would be parts that were quite good. Almost had to run over a huge goanna - as I had an oncoming vehicle and couldn't swerve. Luckily he moved off just in the nick of time. 

We forged on till after 1.30 and stopped for lunch and fuel at Burke and Wills Roadhouse. Parked opposite to eat - the Apostle birds were amazing they descended in huge numbers looking to share our lunch. I can assure you they got NO prawns from me, just a tiny piece of bread roll. 

Burke and Wills Roadhouse

As we were pulling out to the road Stef noticed one of the TVan shocks was hanging limply - a quick socket set job to take it off and we are continuing without it. No major issue it seems. Something else for Dad to chase up when we return home.

Then onto Cloncurry for more fuel and on the road again. The landscape was a bit more interesting and we decided to get a few more kms under the belt. 

We tried to find some bush camping around McKindlay - to no avail - ended up at the Walkabout Pub's campground behind the Hotel built in 1900 and used for the Croc Dundee movie. 

We arrived after 6pm as the sun was setting. A quick set up of camp before darkness. Then we all cooked our meals and ate, did dishes before heading over to the pub for a drink. There was us and the owners and the publican in the bar. One other guy came in for a couple of takeaways. 

Communal dishes, before we head to the pub for last drinks as a crew together.

More of the dishes crew

You just can't take some people...anywhere.

The pub is full of stuff, interesting tidbits about a range of things. Bits and pieces people have left behind and of course a lot of reference and bits and pieces relating to Croc Dundee. Had a great chat to the owner, her and her husband brought the pub 4 years ago. What an interesting life they live out here in middle of nowhere. 

Here we all are.

And here we are with the Publican and his marvellous beard.

''Twas our last night as a group. J heads direct to Longreach tomorrow while we are all headed for Lark Quarry, famous for its dinosaurs. In order to catch a guided tour tomorrow we are aiming for an 8 am departure (I think we might be dreaming)