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.

Georgetown

Following our five day, busy itinerary at Forsayth we drove the 45 km back to Georgetown for some rest and relaxation. Little did we realise that The Goldfields Caravan Park at Georgetown was full of "Party Animals". There was Bocce from 4PM till 5PM then Happy Hour from 5PM till 6PM, or later!! We had booked in for two nights but extended to four nights. Georgetown is a relatively flat town therefore our fold-up bikes were brought out and we were happy to do some cycle touring around the town. Georgetown with a population of about 300 is the administrative centre of The Etheridge Shire. The Shire is almost the area of Tasmania but only has four towns, MT Surprise, Einasleigh, Forsayth and Georgetown. A Championship Medal was struck for the Bocce Competition. Jude and I were the Yellow Team and we were the proud winners of the medal on one night only to lose it to Dawn and Dennis of the Green Team at the following Tournament.

A recently deceased resident of Georgetown, Ted Elliott, was an avid collector of Gem Stones, Mineral Samples, and valuable metals from all over the globe. The vast collection is housed at "The Terrestrial Centre" at Georgetown. This is a 'Must See' exhibition.

This is only one of many displays housed in the collection.

Georgetown boasts a free swimming pool and water park.

This shady park and Picnic Area is situated beside the swimming pool and at the Easterly entrance to the town.

This five head ore stamper is in the Picnic Area and is in the exact place where it was used. Final ore crushing was in 1941.

The dry sandy bed of the Etheridge River, spanned by the bridge bringing traffic from MT Surprise.

The course of The Etheridge River as it heads towards The Gulf.

A 'Road Train' Mural on one of the sheds in Georgetown.

Jude wearing The Bocce Champions Medal in The Goldfields Caravan Park.