In planning our journey across the Savannah Way, we followed the route on WikiCamps, and then looked at all the places to stay and of interest. One planned stay intrigued us, and that was the Talaroo Hot Springs, which was proudly owned and operated by the Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation. They acquired the 31,500 hectare property following a Native Title Determination in 2013, and indigenous rangers have managed the property since that time. We wanted to support this venture for the Ewamian people on their own country, particularly after hearing of many examples of the shocking treatment of indigenous inhabitants of the land as it was opened up by European settlers. The facilities were great, with a powered and water caravan site, close to hot showers and toilets. There was a great cafe at Reception, where the ... read more

After leaving Normanton, it was time to head east for the coast, travelling the Savannah Way. Many fellow grey nomads were recommending we stop at Leichhardt Lagoon, and although it was only thirty kilometres east of Normanton, we decided to try it out. Leichhardt Lagoon is a semi off grid camp site, with only toilets and hot showers provided. We managed though to score a lagoon front caravan site, with an amazing view of the wildlife that inhabits the camp ground. After setting up, we walked down to the lagoon, and there was a freshwater crocodile waiting in the shallows for it's next meal. When walking back to the caravan, I saw something moving through the trees, and it was a Yellow Spotted Monitor, or Goanna. I walked over to the Goanna, which is Australia's largest ... read more

After being in the outback for some time, we were longing to see the ocean, and Karumba didn't disappoint. We were staying at Karumba Point, which is famous for its sunsets across the water, and after checking in, we drove down to the Sunset Tavern to see the Gulf for the first time. The water was aqua blue and who should be sitting at the Sunset Tavern, but our friends from Erina, Colin and Lindsey. After watching an amazing sunset, we arranged with Colin and Lindsey to meet the next night for dinner at the Sunset Tavern. We all enjoyed our Barramundi dinner at the tavern. We also enjoyed Fish n Chips from the famous Ash's Fish Shop in Karumba Point. Each morning, we did at least a five and a half kilometre walk along the ... read more

We managed to score a caravan site next to our old friends Rhonda and Bob at Moondarra Caravan Park, which is located outside of the town. We drove out to Lake Moondarra and walked across the dam wall. We spent most of our two days at Mount Isa just catching up with Rhonda and Bob and reminiscing about our years living in Kariong. Whilst we were sitting and chatting, we heard a bird noise above us in the tree, and what do you know, it was the endangered Cloncurry Parrot.... read more

On the way to Cloncurry we stopped off to see two famous hotels, the Blue Heeler Hotel and the Walkabout Creek Hotel, from Crocodile Dundee fame. Cloncurry has a long mining history, which is still active today. We visited the Underground Mining Museum, which contained a tree stump with the initials of Burke and Wills from their fateful Northern Australian expedition. We then visited the Royal Flying Doctor and Australian Inland Mission Museum. The first Royal Flying Doctor plane took off from Cloncurry in 1928, and remains a valuable medical lifeline for outback stations and communities. The Rev John Flynn established religious services for remote areas in Cloncurry in 1915. Chinaman Creek Dam and Lookout was a great place to look out over Cloncurry, where you can see the real outback across the landscape. As we ... read more