Wyndham & the trip home
With snap lockdowns in Brisbane and Cairns, we decided we'd better not dawdle too much on our way home from Purnalulu. However, we were tempted to make one last side trip to Wyndham, stopping along the way at yet another rock art site near Moochalabra Dam, and at the Grotto. It seemed strange to suddenly see the ocean again at Wyndham, after driving through such a dry landscape. I had my first taste of crocodile in a pie - a bit like chunky chicken.
After weeks on dirt roads, the long, straight bitumen was not as boring as I expected. We turned east at the Three ways, and found a grassy campsite at Barkly Homestead. There we met a solo cyclist who'd ridden about 10000kms, across northern Australia, down to Perth across to Port Augusta, and back up through the centre. Now that's a challenge!
We decided to revisit Bladensburg NP, just 20km south-east of Winton, to enjoy one more camp under starry skies.
Continuing on, we made it as far as Blackall and found an overnight cabin in a quiet caravan park. Fun fact about Blackall - there are no hot water systems, because the town water is artesian, and naturally hot enough.
Although we had to complete our online border passes for the Northern Territory and Queensland, we didn't have to show these at any border crossings between Kununurra and Brisbane when we drove home in mid August.
We retraced our route, stopping at a few places we'd missed on the way west, including Joe Creek in Gregory/Judberra NP. Here was another extensive rock art site, but once again sections had been damaged by fire.
In Katherine we left the Victoria Highway and turned onto the Stuart Highway, camping overnight in Mataranka. Heading off the next morning we were surprised to see several police cars pass us, heading south. Later we saw them stopped by side of the road, lights flashing, talking to a couple of blokes in an old army Jeep. As we continued to pass more historical cars we realised it must be an organised event. Eventually, when we had internet signal, we found out it was a re-enactment of a WW2 military convoy, Alice Springs to Darwin. Here's a link to a news article about the event, "Back to the Track".
In Katherine we left the Victoria Highway and turned onto the Stuart Highway, camping overnight in Mataranka. Heading off the next morning we were surprised to see several police cars pass us, heading south. Later we saw them stopped by side of the road, lights flashing, talking to a couple of blokes in an old army Jeep. As we continued to pass more historical cars we realised it must be an organised event. Eventually, when we had internet signal, we found out it was a re-enactment of a WW2 military convoy, Alice Springs to Darwin. Here's a link to a news article about the event, "Back to the Track".
The next day's diversion was provided by the annual Mt Isa to Camooweal cycle race (180km). Fairly early in the day we met the leaders and support vehicles, and for the next 80 kms passed various bunches, until we met the last group about 100kms from Mt Isa, including one person on a mountain bike - now that's hard work.
In Mt Isa we enquired about getting the COVID vaccine, but since it was the weekend it wasn't possible. Rather than wait around, we continued our journey after an overnight stay.
We briefly visited the John Flynn ( founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service ) museum and gallery in Cloncurry. Here were many interesting displays on his work and life, including this little organ, a pedal radio, and his car.
After a coffee and snack at the Winton bakery, we drove to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum. I was keen to see the new sections that I didn't have time to see on the way up - the relocated dinosaur trackways, and dinosaur canyon.
Next morning, we looked for a coffee shop in Augathella without success, but saw this wonderful mural on the water tower. Luckily, at Morven there was a coffee van at a park next to the museum. The replica Kerosene Tin hut is an interesting example of bush ingenuity.
We kept cruising across the western Darling Downs, stopping for regular breaks and driver swaps. We were tempted to detour to Carnarvon National Park, but also keen to get home, so that will have wait for another trip. It was a long day, but we were glad to arrive home safely that evening after a marvellous trip. The 3500 km trip back from Kununurra took us 6 days, and the whole trip of 13500 kms took a little over 2 months.