Karumba to The Isa

In our usual manner we covered the short distance, about 600 km, from Karumba to MT Isa in the most leisurely way. Frequent stops with short drives in between. Driver fatigue was not going to wear me down. The road surface on The Burke Development Road is mostly very good, although there are a few single lane sections to take care of. Similarly there are also several single lane bridges to be aware of.

The first stop-over was at "Bang Bang Rest Area", only 112 km South of Normanton and 90 km North of Burke and Wills Roadhouse. This is a very large area that boasts Toilets and a Dump Point.

Another view of "Bang Bang Rest Area" with our neighbours from Merbein and Newcastle.

Everybody seems to take a break at The Burke and Wills Roadhouse. Tour Coaches, Road Trains and many caravanners. Absolutely nothing has changed at The Roadhouse from our previous visit 16 years ago.

There are still a few Cattle Road Trains on the road but far less that what there once was.

Many caravans though.

But not many staying in the Van Park Area.

The second night we pulled into "Terry Smith Lookout Rest Area". This is 103 km South of Burke and Wills Roadhouse and only 78 km North of Cloncurry. This is also a large area with toilets and a Dump Point. I was surprised to have Telstra Mobile reception here so we stayed two nights and posted the previous Blog.

Wide open spaces with many white barked eucalypts.

We called into Cloncurry only to top up the van with water and to stock up on groceries. We then drove 53 km West towards The Isa and pulled into "Clem Walton Park on The Corella Dam" This is the barren, dry and deserted camp and picnic area.

This is the reason no one is camped here, there is no water.

This is what it was like on our previous visit, not many years ago.

As it was deserted at the camp area we drove into the Boat Ramp Area and camped there like everyone else was doing. At least there was a little amount of water remaining.

Chillagoe

During our previous visit to the 'Tablelands' region we made a one day visit to Chillagoe. At that time we made ourselves a promise to return to the town for a longer stay over and discover all that the region has to offer the visitor.

Chillagoe is reached by travelling about 140 km on The Burke Development Road from Mareeba. This road is also known as The Wheelbarrow Way because annually in May there is a wheelbarrow race from Mareeba to Chillagoe.

The old vault from the Bank of Australia remains in town to this day. With 'The Hub" in the background.

The Hub, as it's name suggests, is the central point for the town. Functions performed here include, Centrelink, Post Office, Commonwealth Bank, Library, Tourism Office.

Chillagoe Guest House. This building is across the road from The PO Hotel, I would assume it is the original Post Office.

The largest of two Pubs in town.

This is the only place in town to restock the pantry.

We set up camp in The Chillagoe Rodeo Grounds. Every afternoon, about 4 PM, we would see clouds like these roll in from the East.

Our camp with our neighbours Richard and Gwen from Kyogle.

Looking over the Amenities Donga and the Rodeo Facilities towards the township. Hot water for the showers was via a "Donkey", that the campers had to fire up themselves.

From the 'Smelter Site' this is the view over The Metallic Hills with the Featherbed Range on the far side of The Walsh River Valley.

All that remains of the Copper Smelter at Chillagoe, three smoke stacks in a very sad state and some rusty metal. This smelter was the 'life blood' of the region for many years.

Tom Prior with one of his restored Fords, a Shelby Mustang. Tom is a life time resident of Chillagoe, he has many photographs of the early days in the region. We spent about two hours listening to Tom and viewing all the cars and trucks in his stable. Tom is also the BP Agent in town, his fuel prices are about ten cents cheaper than the opposition in town.