Upon departing Woop Woop the road nearly got better – still single lane blacktop but less bouncy jouncy, almost cruisin’. 85 was a reasonable speed but every now and then Jude went through the roof over the dips and humps I didn’t see coming.
Julia Creek next stop. Delightful Information Centre, everything there, nothing much left in the town. All of the history and much of the structure is all captured at the VIC even the local rat (Dunnart for the uneducated) – one in captivity, nocturnal so just about have to take their word for its existence. Not very photogenic when you can’t use a flash. Lots of history to the town told by locals in video shows throughout the centre – very well done. All my photos of the VIC turned into videos too, so they won’t download. You’ll just have to see Julia Creek for yourself (although I wouldn’t rush). They do provide a fabulous free-camp location though and it was well used. The deal is 4 days no charge (as long as you are self contained) then a 5th night for $15.00 at the council owned caravan park where you can top up everything. We did only stay the one night cos other more interesting? places beckoned.
On to Richmond. This place has some sentimental attraction as Jude and Robyns oldest brother Ian spent some 20 years here through the sixties and seventies. A baker and ambulance driver Ian was part of the local community. I don’t think much has changed in recent years other than the development of a lake adjacent to the hospital and old peoples village. We didn’t stay over as the small caravan park was full and the council provided van park was barren….
The lake the hospital the dinosaur the streetscape and Ians old bakery and some shop fronts Ian may remember. Riveting Richmond. We had hoped to catch up with an old friend of Ians but he’d left for somewhere else.
Roadside overnight on Flinders Highway then came Hughenden. A very interesting Visitor Information Centre focussed like Richmond and Winton on dinosaurs. A quite good fossil museum and a great overview of the townships history and yet another plastic dinosaur….
Best hamburger yet at FJ Holden café. Out to Porcupine Gorge about 70 k north of Hughenden for an overnight, only to find you have to book in advance and there was no space for us. Nevertheless, a beautiful place…
and quite unexpected in this otherwise flat, desolate environment
Further along the Flinders Highway to Prairie for an overnight behind the Prairie Hotel. Cost – a couple of beers. Mind you its not worth much more – its just a paddock at the back of the pub but the pub itself is quite eclectic having a history of around 140 years…
I’m not sure what you do with the pool cue.
Charters Towers was calling. Arrived Wednesday afternoon and started work. iOM has acquired Civic Guides and many of the country sites require reselling so muggins here gets suckered in to “have a go”. The full story next instalment.
One Response
Hmmm, I had expected much more of Richmond. Was there not much there anymore, or was it just uninteresting I wonder?
Glad you are still interested in finding the best ‘Hamburgeries’ around. I well remember in my younger days, of travelling halfway across the suburbs in our quest to get ‘one of the best burgers’ after a hard night of ‘socialising’.
That Porcupine Gorge looks amazing – especially since the countryside around it is so uninteresting and flat. Sad you did not have time to explore it more.
Not sure what you were up to in Charters Towers, but look forward to hearing about it all.
Cheers
John & Jan