Day 12 - Camooweal

After another breakfast without peanut butter we headed off to towards Mt Isa. Saying goodbye to the Matilda Way and hello to the Overlanders Way. This was built as part of the WWII inland defence road system. 

Had a look at Chinaman Creek Dam then onto the old town of Mary Kathleen. The main road in had been washed out and was only fit to get the bikes across.

On into Mt Isa and to Supercheap Auto to get some double sided tape to repair the rear lights on my bike which had shaken apart on the rough roads.

Had a coffee over the road from Bob Katter's office before riding on to Camooweal.

Met a family cycling around Australia at the first rest stop outside of Mt Isa. Very well set up and organised. They were raising money for Motor Neurone Disease. Hats off to them. 

After setting up camp I met the cook from the hotel. Turns out she's a wantok from Manus Island. Had to brush up on my pigin. 

Spent the evening with Deano who's been doing the block from Darwin on his beemer. Our paths have crossed a few times so far. Great evening of sharing stories over a good red. Thanks mate. See you in Darwin.

Day 11 - Cloncurry

Woke to the sounds of half a dozen planes firing up to head out prawn spotting. Decided to hit the road later due to the number of roos we met on the road yesterday. So breakfast was 100 mtrs down the road. Had a chat with a couple of Housoo's (they believe it's Ho Girls). Great chat regarding the state of the state etc. They insisted on a picture with us.

Saddled up and back to Normanton for petrol, then south on the Matilda Way to the Burke and Wills roadhouse for the biggest bacon and cheese pie I've ever seen. Fuelled up and then down to Cloncurry for the night. We've diverted from the Savannah Way as it's untarred across to Daly Waters.

Tonights fare at the Oasis hotel is curry in Cloncurry. The hotels claim to fame is that it's had three murders and a death. Two of which were the publican!

Day 10 - Karumba Point

A lovely dry morning with no dew as we were woken by the sound of a helicopter starting up for the days mustering. We departed Georgetown for Croydon 145kms for breakfast. Roger diligently swept aside at least half a dozen roos, four or five cattle, a huge snake, a goanna and sundry brolgas and eagles from the road. Not to mention the vast amount of road kill, a least one hit not a minute before we rode past it.

Croydon is the end station for the Gulflander which we caught up with at Normanton. The town was full of backpackers who worked for three months and move on to the next job

As we rode on to Karumba Point and we came out of the scrub it reminded me of the Hay plains, grasslands for as far as the eye could see.

As we sat at the local watering hole we watc

Day - 9 Georgetown

A disappointing finish to last night with a couple of local lads helping themselves to the contents of my tent. All this while we were not 15mtrs away. Luckily they were disturbed and only took my toiletry bag. Very sad indeed. 

This morning started with a little shower which made the road up to Kuranda very greasy. Halfway up and we came across a ute into the bank, no one hurt. 

Without doubt the best little railway station in Australia. Stopped in the town for breakfast which was an eye opener. Unfortunately the town has become just a FIFO tourist spot. One shop could only do a bagel for breakfast, but no Vegemite or peanut butter and the counter staff had difficulty understanding my English. Since when did a bagel become a common Aussie breakfast? 

Kuranda was the furthest north we're heading, I guess we're heading home now. From Kuranda to Atherton, the highest town in QLD. Onward to MT Garnett where I learnt that MT stands for Mining Town, not Mount. Further west to MT Surprise and the highway reducing to a single lane.

Unfortunately the road into Einasleigh was washed away in parts and closed, so we rode on to Georgetown for the night. Visited the Ted Elliott mineral collection, a must see if you're up this way.

Day 8 - Cairns

After the ferry trip back to Townsville we headed north. Brunch was at Ingham. Another country town in decline. Off the bikes and walked past four empty shops in a row. Coffee while good was dearer than I pay for it in Sydney! $7, did I buy the cup?

Next it was to Mission Beach. Over rated and under delivered. No cassowary to be seen either.
Beautiful views of the mountains as we weaved between the sugar and banana fields to Tully and the Golden Gumboot at 7.9m tall which is amount of rain Tully received in 1950. Had a 30 second shower while we were there. Looked up and the cloud just evaporated. Guess this is what you get in the wettest town in Australia.

Onward to Cairns and overnight in one of the local caravan parks. After cleaning ourselves up we went down to the Esplanade for a feed. 

The Esplanade is looking a million bucks. They've done well.

Day 7 - Nelly Bay

Stayed at the Airlie Beach backpacker park last night. I've never seen so many yippee vans in one place.
I'm sure someone had a little generator running most of the night.
The driest morning so far with no morning dew. Great morning for the washing to dry on the back of the bike as we rode. There's something special about having the wind in your undies at 100kmph.
Normal start today with breakfast at Bowen after visiting Shute Harbour and the BIG mango.
Then it was off to Magnetic Island via the ferry from Townsville.
Stayed with our friend Shane.
Dinner at the Arcadia hotel after a ride around the island.
Great to catch up with a fine red on the deck.

Day 6 - Airlie Beach

Dined last night at the Marlborough Hotel where they also allows Pub camping. Unfortunately we'd already booked into the caravan park. In hindsight this probably saved us.
Slept like a log with our now routine wake at six and depart by 0730.
We had breakfast at Camilla, no sign of Charles. Onto Sarina and a tour of the sugar cane factory. Very interesting.
Then the BIG Toad! Next to the BIG Toad is what looks like disused toilets (which they are), however they were originally the towns WW2 underground bomb shelter!
Onto Mackay for lunch before the final ride into Airlie Beach.
Hells Bells, I've arrived 40 years too late! Not a Grey Nomad to be seen, Rog and I were the only people over 24 and only possessing an Aussie passport!
Set up camp betwee an old Aussie lech and a couple of Swedish ladies.
Shower and down the strip to see the night life.