Day 232 / 2016 - Cloncurry to Townsville

Arriving in Julia Creek we originally planned to park at the muched talked about free camp spot a few kilometres East of the town but Anne had a pile of washing she wanted to do so we decided a night in the caravan park to wash then a couple of nights at the popular free camp by the river. It turned out to be our saving grace as it rained quite continuiously through the night.

Reports from campers who had been there described the grounds and roads as quite boggy a few motorhomes decided to drive out at 1am in the morning when it first started raining the rest that stayed were trapped with only a tow from the friendly shire tractor as a way of getting out. They expected an influx into the caravan park from the free camp but we were not so sure this would happen. The ones that stayed were probably okay and would be able to get them selves out in a day or so. Those that wanted to get (towed) out probably went on to their next destination. Having said that the caravan park was full for the night.

Our washing done just waited for it all to dry there was a nice strong brease to help but it was cold so drying was a little slow but was all finished and packed away by that evening...just. The sun occasionally peaked out from behind the clouds providing some warmth. A short walk from the caravan park we visited the information centre. They had these old railway single room buildings setup with history and lifestyle information about the McKinlay Shire. In each room there was a number of videos you could watch about past, present and future McKinlay as well as information attached to walls around the room.

Next morning it was cool but the skys were clear as the sun rose in the east. After breakfast we packed up rehitched the van then headed east towards Richmond our next destination. The road wasn't in the best of condition with many dips. We kept the speed down to 80 km/hr in places as I was worried we would lose the van if we went much faster. About half way to Richmond we came across roadworks which stretched for a few miles. It appears they are doing the road up but it's a large job and only doing small sections.

Arriving in Richmond we made our way to the free camp located not far from the centre of town. It is a large paddock, included a dump point and water tap and is aimed at the self contained traveller. Unhitching the van we made our way to the tourist centre where we registered. You are suppose to fill in a permit but appears they didn't have any left so they just recorded our registration in the back of a book.

The Information centre contains the Dinosaur Discovery Centre called Kronosaurus Korner dedicated the the ancient marine reptiles and mamals from the local area. This centre consisted of a theatre where you watch a 8 minute video about dinosaurs which inhabited the local district. Approx 100 million years ago where Richmond now stands use to be 40 metres below the surface  of an inland sea. There are maps which overlay the sea on a modern day Australian map showing just how much of the land was covered at that time.

The rest of the centre has a number of dsplays of dinosaur fossils both marine and land based. Included in the centre is a fully equiped preperation area which restoration activities can be viewed from behind a set of glass windows. The centres crowning glory display which has its own enviromentally controlled room is the almost complete skelecton of a Plesiosaur from the Cretaceous period found at a cattle station not far from town. The guy who discovered it first though is was tree root then after some digging though it was a crocodile head then more digging relised it was something more important and contacted the Queensland Museum.

Other attractions in Richmond worth a look was the The old Cambridge Store which was originally the homestead of the now abandoned Cambridge Station. The building contains a number of artifacts depicting early life in the region. You can also walk a little further up the street to Lions Park the location of the War Memorial. This memorial is uniquly designed it is an artistic impression of an australian frontline burial site in Belguim marked with three rifles planted in the ground by the bayonet's and a cross.

The night was forecasted to be cold but having the gas heater helped keep the caravan warmer. We had happy hour drinks with some of the other travellers at the camp site. After drinks most went off to the local caravan park who was hosting a fund raising 3 course dinner for $13.00 a head. We had already defrosted our meat so opted to continue to cook our own dinner on the webber.

Next morning we moved onto the next corner post of the dinosaur triangle marked by the town of Hughenden about 120km further to the east. The road between Richmond and Hughenden was the worst we had encountered so far this trip I think a roller coaster would give a smoother ride. At times the car and caravan pitched quite violently and we both agreed Queensland would have some of the worst Major Hwy's in the country.

Driving into Hughenden we made our way to the low cost campspot provided by the shire. In reality it is the car parking area for the showgrounds but they have planted some trees, put in a dump point and a few taps which supply potable water. You need to obtain a permit from the Information Centre which has to be displayed at all times in a location that the ranger can visually check if needed. The cost per night is $6.00 the area is flat but a little exposed to the wind. The shire is quite strict about self containment camping fortunately we didn't need to have grey water tanks installed only a means to prevent the water from touching the ground then dispose of at a suitable dumping point.

Hughenden also has a dinosaur centre called the Flinders Discovery Centre with its central piece a replica skellecton of a Muttaburasaurus which was discovered in the local area. Other attractions in the town included FJ Holden's Cafe which we just had to stop for a milkshake. There is also the Comet Windmill in a park opposite the shire admin building which is the largest size built by Comet standing at 35ft High. The windmill still turns but no longer pumps water from the Artesian basin.

Leaving Hughenden we made our way east again towards Charters Towers about 240km away. The road just east of Hughenden was again very bumpy and we wern't looking forward to 240km's of this but after a few kilometres it settled down to just your avearage bumpy hwy. Travelling through we stopped at the picturess Campaspe riverside rest area for lunch. There was plenty of shade with a toilet block and level grassy areas. This looked like a good place to camp for the night there was even internet and phone access.

While here we received an SMS message which included a picture of one of our grandaughters with a badly injured face and the caption underneath "fell off Mums Pajero's car surfing." Oma was then compelled to make an urgent call home but after a few giggles from the other end she realised it was all make believe. Granddaughter had downloaded an app which could overlay realistic images of injuries onto her face. She also put a beard on her dad with him describing as his winter look. As we were about o leave Anne found a glasses case which had been run over by a car with the glasses still inside. They looked as though they belonged to a school child as there was a reciept for an event at Winton State School. She wanted to hand it into the next available police department.

Continuing on after lunch we finally arrived in Charters Towers. We booked into the same caravan park as last year the Big 4 Oasis Caravan Park. It was fairly full and they put us on a nice drive through site.  While checking in they gave us a choice of 2 other sites with slabs. After looking at them all we decided the original drive through site suited us best. After unhitiching and setting up we took a drive into town to see if the local police office was open but alas it was closed for the weekend.

While in Charters Towers we booked a seat on the Texas Longhorn Safari. We had tried to book last year but the season had ended by the time we arrived in Charters Towers. We tried to book the Wagon Tour but it was booked out running only twice a week. On the days they don't run the wagon tour they run a Safari tour which takes you out into the paddock amongst the cows in a Polaris ATV. You actually get up close and personal with the cattle and can cover a wider area than the wagon so the tour was unique in its own right. We looked at the diverse cattle that lives harmoniously here which included Texas Longhorns, Bramhas, Scottish Highlanders, Water Buffalo and America Bison. Our guide explained the origins of their farm and why they got into Texas Longorns. They have a steer called JR who holds the Guniness book of Records for the longest horns measuring 3 metres from tip to tip. After the tour we were treated to a home brewed refreshments consisting of Tea or orange jucie, home made slice and ANZAC biscuits.

Leaving Charters Towers we headed for Townsville. We have been in Townsville a few times now so there wasn't anything in particular we wanted to see just somewhare to stop for a few days. Frank and Alice were in town so it was good to catch up with them. We went out for dinner each of the days were were there. Frank and Alice had discovered the meal specials at the Australian Hotel, we indulged a $15.00 Barramundi and Chips, $10.00 400g MSA steak and the $10.00 Parmi and pot of beer. We also checked out their hotel room in the Oaks which is a self contained unit on the 8th floor overlooking the river. It was quite pleasent to sit on the Balcony sipping wine or coffee and tea. During the day Alice took us on a voyage of culinary discovery of coffee and chocolate. Her favorite place was Max Brenner who we had never heard of yet made the most delicious chocolate based sweets.

When here last year they were renovating the Salt Water swimming lagoon which is situated below the Jezzine Baracks. This year the renovations are complete it was now full of water and looked the picture of a tropical scene. We also looked through the Jezzine Baracks Museum which is only open on Wednesday and Sundays. There was a number of displays about the wars Australia has been involved in.