Day 61 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

Back to the Qantas Museum and we finished looking at that. Excellent. Stockmans Hall of Fame next. We just did the museum part, but I think we have been musemed out, there was some interactive stuff and a movie but the colour had gone from it and a lot of the interactive stuff didn't work.

Back to Waterhole for the night. We were directed into to a spot by a guy who said it didn't look like we had 6 kids and three dogs so would be worthy neighbours he was a Tasmanian.

I am outside typing this but it looks like we may get a drop of rain which would be good to settle the dust.

Day 60 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

Still in Winton on to the Musical Fence, the fence when struck with something pipe it makes music. Well I made noise, not a musical note in my body.

At last, and I have been looking forward to this, Longreach. All the caravan parks are booked out. The girl in the info centre said that there was camping at the Waterhole its in Camps 5. Just as we were coming into Longreach the road was covered in cow poo, found out why in another km, they were droving a mob along the road the Vic in the car and caravan was just dawdling along behind the stockmen were trying to urge him through, Gerald was getting pissed. I think the drove was for something on TV or movie as there were camera men etc.

Went out to the Qantas Founders Museum. We took a package which included the museum, a guided tour of 747 and 707. It was so good, but we will have to come back tomorrow to finish seeing everything.

Out to the Waterhole no trouble getting a spot, but a guy lit a fire right beside our bus and smoked us out and the guy next to us too. He and Gerald went over and complained but he (the fire lighter) was a bit under the weather so he didn't care.

Day 59 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

Back to the Qantilda Centre, it had a lot about Qantas as well as Banjo Patterson. The first board meeting for Qantas was held in the Winton RSL. When we got there yesterday we were offered a package that allowed us into all the attractions at Winton for one price and we got a book of discounts too. There is so much to see, we especially liked the little people who told us about several famous and influential Australian people.

The Opal Walk wasn't much but that did lead to the outdoor theatre, they had a show on tonight and Gerald is going to go back for it. Oh yes it had the"biggest" deckchair.

Day 58 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

On to the Walkabout Creek Hotel, where part of Croc Dundee was filmed. Because we have a sticker on the bus that says that we are from Bridport in Tasmania, a chap Adrian came to chat he had been working in Scottsdale and had stayed in the top pub for a couple of months and was able to tell us a bit of the goss from home.

Past the Blue Healer Pub don't know what that is famous for but once again pic at 60 km an hour. We are entering sheep country lots more in the paddocks and less cattle. There also seemed to be a lot more road kill usually roos.

Check into the back of the North Gregory Hotel, suppose to be where the first public performance of Waltzing Matilda was sung. The thing is you register and pay $10 but once you buy a drink or food or something you get your money back, we had tea there,

We went to the Waltzing Matilda centre, there was that much to see we had to get a pass out to go back tomorrow.

Day 57 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

When we were in the info centre yesterday we noticed over the fence was a dump point so we went there, but they had a ruddy great tree you had to negotiate to get near it, some people just don't think.

On to Cloncurry and the John Flynn Centre. All about the start of the Flying Doctor, once again very good.

Didn't go much on the rest. There was suppose to be something on Solar Power but when we got there is wasn't finished yet. Gerald was most upset, we had cut our other tour short to go and see this and even went to the trouble of getting and extra day pass, but we didn't need it.

Spent the night at Wal's Camp, showers and toilets no power $10 per night.

Day 56 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

Yesterday afternoon got a visit from Dan another Tassie guy travelling by himself escaping the cold too.

Spent most of the day at the Outback Tourist Info centre once again an excellent display.

Took Gerald to the RSL for tea tonight, very good meal.

Day 55 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

OWWW I forgot it was Gerald birthday. It was Mandy ringing that remindeded me, we were in the Julia Creek info centre, excellent.

On to Mt Isa, rang every caravan park and they were all full it was suggested that we try the RSL on the far side of Isa. There was a huge area there with a few caravan in there so went off to find some bread and milk. Eventually we found a Coles and the info centre.

Was going to buy Gerald tea at the RSL but it was closed Mondays, oh well.