We set off from Mt Isa at 9 am and had our first stop just before 10 am, just in time for mornos. The road we were on this morning was built in the Second World War as part of the inland defence system. Prior to this the road West was a series of tracks between billabongs. The Japanese bombing of Australia made us realise that the rapid movement of weapons, equipment and troops through to the North was critical. We made it to the Camooweal Billabong (aka Lake Francis) just on the other side of Camooweal about 12 pm, just in time for lunch. Parked up overlooking the water.
What a gem of a place this is; a bit like a Monet painting with all the water lillies. The sun paints a different picture as it goes down. There are many vans here but you wouldn't know it as every one is being very well behaved, no loud talking, yahooing, or music. At 6 pm the vans are still rolling in. There are two caravan parks in Camooweal itself, plus this very large free camp. The only negative about the free camp is there are no toilets. The nearest are back in town about a 2.5 km walk or bike ride away.
Whilst Wendy did a couple hours of work, Greg visited the Drover's Camp Museum and was taken on a guided tour with detailed explanations. "Stumpy" the tour guide, was a packhorse drover of old and knew his stuff. It was great to hear someone so passionate about keeping history alive. Wendy then walked into town for a toilet break and met up with Greg and we both had an icecream at the roadhouse, about the only thing in the town that hasn't closed its doors permanently. Oh, the pub is still going of course, but not being a Thursday, we did not go in.
Back at the van we had a cuppa overlooking the water and watching the various birds come down for their late afternoon drink - a marvelous end to a great day.
A quadruple-bogey road train, saw many of these today
Where we are tonight; will be crossing into the NT tomorrow, about 12 km on the main road
Statue to the Drover
Not sure about the vailidity of this sign anymore, but at least we're trying
A bull kangaroo at Camooweal
The view from our van, Lake Francis
Kind of like a Monet painting, but in real life
The Drovers' Camp
Stumpy giving his commentary
A horse pack
An old ex-drover daydreaming of his droving days
All made with Greenhide, as it's known by in Oz.
Diorama of cattle yards
Camooweal Cenotaph
Camooweal Town Hall
Town murals
Very beautiful and different from the past 10 days or more, hey!?
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