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Published: August 19th 2008
Karumba Sunset
From Sunset PointHello Again
Well we have moved out of the Outback now and have moved to the coast. We both commented that we are really water people. We have loved the outback experience and it got better as we moved along although Cloncurry still rates very poorly on our list. We have covered close to 6000 km now and are doing between 300 km and 500 km on our 'transfers'. A very manageable thing.
Rhonda is going well with her 'disability'. The pins protrude from the skin so they catch easily and that gives her 'larry doo'! What I haven't mentioned is that she hurt her ribs an the right side. They give her a lot of grief and it seems that perhaps there is a crack in there. Still, she's a soldier and keeps taking up the challenge. She does most of her personal stuff herself now
The X5 continues to power on over all sorts of terrain. We attached two kangaroo whistles and they obviously worked as we didn't hit one! 😊 The scariest bit is a road train coming up behind as they really disturb the balance of
the rig and at the same time the third and fourth trailers tend to 'waggle' quite a bit. We got to the stage tha we either slowed right down or stopped on the side of the road for them.
With a bit of luck, using this recording system we can add some photos more easily and we will do that too.
KARUMBA
'Not sure you'll like Karumba' said the caravan park operator in Cloncurry! She couldn't have been more wrong. We really enjoyed it. A Gulf of Carpentaria 'city' of 65 permanent individuals and a transient population of a few hundred. It is definitely a fishing spot but we didn't do any as the barramundi were not on. We had a spacious site for the van and walked everywhere.
The half day Mud Crab catching, Croc and Bird spotting tour was excellent. About five or six mud crabs were brought on board and another dozen or so released . We observed one 6-8' crocodile and numerous birds. Around lunch time they brought out cooked mud crabs, banana prawns fruit platters, beer and wine [you got to keep your
Karumba Sunset
Taken at Sunset Point glass or stubby holder] and invited unlimited access to it all. It was magnificent.
The big event of the year is the school fete. They even close down the shops for it! Needless to say, we went too and wondered what the fuss was all about! Still the Lions did make a nice steak sandwich. They were loving it though so we are spoiled.
I washed the car and van, we did the washing, went to Sunset Point for a sunset viewing and generally relaxed for the rest of the time.
MOUNT SURPRISE
The 466 km to this little hideaway was predominantly good roads but quite a lot of single lane highway. Luckily we didn't see much traffic so we were able to make our own pace. Bedrock Village the best van park to date with a huge drive through site and the people were fantastic. We had two nights and had camp dinners on both nights. $12 each and campfire and singer with guitar!
Our reason for this stop was to visit the Undara Lava Tubes.
Birdsville Travellers
A group of horse riders who had ridden right through from Birdsville! A bus from the park took us the eighty or so kms to Kalkani Volcanoe where we did a 2.5 km walk to observe the volcanoe and flora/fauna around it. From there we visited a couple of underground 'tubes' where lava had flowed from the Undara Volcano some forty kms away. They were amazing. Up to 12 metres in diameter with resident bats etc. Well worth the visit.
MISSION BEACH
Only 300 km on this run but two substantial mountain ranges to pass. We got in at about one o'clock, set up, and took in the beautiful sea air with a pleasant 'the sun just came over the yard arm' drink. Last night we went so a restaurant where Rhonda had barramundi and I had a cold seafood platter. Beautiful! The park is sensational! Palm trees and other tropical plants everywhere and manicured lawns and gardens throughout. A real picture. We are here for three nights so I will add more later.
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