In mid July we left the cold and not so wet of SA and headed to warmer climes. Unfortunately we got as far as
Roxby Downs and on the second day the gearbox on the Prado decided to stay stuck in second gear. 14 days later and a brand new box we were back on the road(luckily still under warranty). Next stop
Marree and then onto
Birdsville, they call it a track but it is just another country road with more stones than I have seen in my life, but good just the same.
North to the Isa where the annual rodeo was about to begin so continued onto
Cloncurry to find a caravan
park that was not full. Second time to the Isa and only stayed a couple of hours both times.
Called at
Lawn Hill National Park after a great
free camp on the
Gregory River, great to see crystal clear
water after a long time.
Fished for Blue Salmon (and succeeded) in the Porta Bote at
Karumba and across to Cobbolt Gorge and Undarra Lava Tubes, both of these
places are on the must see list.
From there to
Atherton and stopped in the Barrabadine
Scout Camp on Lake Tinnaroo, $5 a head per night with hot showers but no power, recommended.
Up to
Cooktown on the inside road and back to
Mossman and stay at
Wonga Beach Park then to Port Douglass and
Cairns.
Then down to paradise in the form of
Etty Bay, you have to go there but don't tell anyone about it!!! Sheer heaven.
Another
free camp at
Balgal Beach and onto
Townsville and then out to Charters Towers and back to
Ayr and
Home Hill.
Continue down the coast to Mackay , very good
free camp at
St Lawrence, a very pretty spot at 1770, another
free camp at
Fat Hen Creek( I will let you look this one up yourselves) and then into Cooloola
Cave for two weeks with rellies.
Then two days on Fraser Island which is fantastic, it was here that I think I really learnt to fourwheel drive. A beautiful place.
Headed for home out through
Roma and
Charleville, south to Burke and
Cobar and then home via
Broken Hill and a visit into
Peterborough where I spotted the infamous Willem.
!4 weeks and a lot of
miles with not a puncture or any outward damage to the Coopers and discounting the gearbox issue not another thing going wrong.
I have posted our daily diary entries into a blog which is a bit tedious in
places but available on the following link.
http://malanditripnorth1.blogspot.com/
Mal and Di