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Published: September 15th 2012
Cattle truck
Semi with 3 trailers carrying cattle from all the stations around Barkly Tablelands. These cattle stations are some of the biggest in the country.We had heard that the fishing is good at King Ash Bay near Borroloola in Northern Territory so with two other groups of friends we decided to all meet up in Mt Isa & travel up together.It's about 1800 klms from Bundaberg to Mt Isa & a bit further from Warwick where our other friends were coming from. We'd all lived in Mt Isa at various times in the past, its a mining town about 200 klms from the border with Northern territory & roughly halfway between Townsville & Darwin, we used to go fishing at the Limmen Bight in N.T when we lived in Isa.It's about 1000kls from isa to these fishing spots on the western Gulf of Carpentaria. We came from Cairns where we'd been to see our new grandson so we were a bit closer. We free camped at some nice spots on the way, Fletchers Creek outside Charters Towers is very nice. We camped next to the flowing stream at a nice spot with about 50 other vans. There were toilets & cold showers there but we are self sufficient so did'nt use them.Stayed a couple of days then moved on to Julia creek, a small town
Barkly Homestead
Roadhouse on Barkly Highway N.T on the Flinders highway. All those small cattle towns seem to be doing it really tough since the last time we went through them about 20 years ago, the supermarket had closed at Richmond & they all looked very tired, no toilets or showers but there was water. From Julia Creek we camped at Corrella Dam inbetween Cloncurry & Mt isa, lovely spot but got very windy in the night & we had to get up & put our awning down in case it blew away.Again no toilets or showers. Next day we came into Isa & waited for our friends then did the shopping as Mt isa is the largest place to shop for 1000klms east {Townsville] or west to Darwin, though there are a few small roadhouses that sell essentials.Its also the cheapest place for fuel in fact it was the same price as it is in Bundaberg & after the prices charged by the small servos along the way, we fuelled our long rage tank which takes 250 litres diesel.We all headed off & free camped at Kiana bore on the Tablelands highway near Cape Crawford.We shared the area with some grey brahman bulls & saw quite
Barkly Homestead
Restaurant, shop & dining. a few of them victims of road kill as there's no fences on this one lane highway. Next day we got to Borroloola & on to King Ash Bay. The road from Kiana Bore was a bit of a roller coaster but came good near the Mcarthur River mine & was good untill we hit the dirt 20 klms from King Ash Bay.The corrugation is pretty bad but we were assured by other people at the camp that if you come via the Hell's gate- Wollogarang road, the corrugation is nothing compared to that road which goes for around 400klms, all dirt!!! King Ash Bay has a nice camp groung with good facilities & a nice clubhouse & bar right on the Mcarthur River. Of course the week we were there was the wrong winds & wrong tides & its a 40 klm run to the mouth of the river & we're not too keen on trolling or luring which seemed to be the preferred method of fishing there, mostly for barramundi which are not only a good eating fish but great fighters.it was hot through the day[around 38C but pleasant at night, around 10C but as 2 of our
camp had powered sights we found it fine though our friends on an un powered sight found their camper very hot during the day but as we were busy fishing through the day it was not a problem. We put 2 crab pots in hoping for some nice mud crabs but caught a large cod instead, tasted good though. There is not a lot of mangroves in the river & we never got any "muddies".Darrell & Tony caught a barra each on 2 consecutive days but not much else. We decided to leave after a week though the unpowered camp decided to stay a bit longer & were considering moving camp to Batten Point which has no facilities but is much nearer the mouth.We had a drive down there & there were about 25 camps already there.On the way back to Isa one of our group had 2 blowouts on their van, luckily only about 40klms out of Isa & with phone coverage which was very handy. Got new tyres in isa & staying at a caravan park with the intention of leaving tomorrow Sunday} but our GMC has declded not to start & the RACQ man could'nt find the
Cattle truck
Semi with 3 trailers carrying cattle from all the stations around Barkly Tablelands. These cattle stations are some of the biggest in the country. problem so on Monday we have it booked to be picked up & taken to a mechanic in town. Fingers crossed they can sort it out. Could be worse as we could have been a long way from town, the Isa's got good facilities.
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Scouse Cobber Coll
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Liverpool calling!
Hi Sanantone! What a home based expedition now! You are certainly getting about! Pity the fishing sparse - they must have heard you coming!! I note you do not appear to have introduced your Brandon to living in the wilds of Aus yet! Thanks for all the postcards, last from Cairns - such happy memories (except of San and Jill on the boat to Green Island!!!). I look forward to the next Blog. Best wishes and love! XX