0044 Mt Isa to Cloncurry 3rd August

The roadside camp was really very good – if they were all that good, we wouldn’t need to go into camp sites. They were having some cycle race from Isa to the border – Some 75 kms – and as we were at the 50 km mark, it was a refreshment / change over point, so as we had our breakfast, suddenly lots of shouting people !  In the middle of no where !!

 We then drove the 50 kms into Mt Isa, and on arriving there, were a bit disappointed.  The stack from the mine dominates the entry into town, and that was interesting, but apart from that, found the rest of town very sad and uninviting.  I am sure we are wrong, and if we knew where to go, it would be OK, but on the surface, not a lot.  And I have wanted to go there for a long time.  So we did a quick shop for supplies, then drove around and around town for an hour or so looking for something interesting, and finding nothing of interest advertised or brought to our attention, drove out of town towards Cloncurry !!

 

Leaving Mt Isa several army tanks passed us, and they were very wide, and very close to us as they went past !!   Must be on manoeuvres !!

 

As we entered Cloncurry, we stopped for a picnic lunch in a park next to their museum, and after exploring the museum, it was so good, the day was gone !!  It turned out the local rodeo was on for the weekend, so after the museum curator had helped us find a campsite (crowds in town due to rodeo), we went there – Site called “Wal’s Place” !!  We were camped out between the hay bales, but  they had hot showers and clean toilets, so not a problem.  We then went into the showgrounds and spent the evening at the rodeo, watching the bareback bucking bronco riding, and the bull riding, and steer roping – All the usual rodeo stuff.  In these little country towns this is one of the big highlights of their year, so the mayor, local politicians, and anyone who is anyone locally, was there.  A great country atmosphere !!

When the last event was over, we went home, but planned to be up early to get back there for the morning breakfast and bush poetry reading !!

 

Pics :-  https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0044MtIsaToCloncurry?authkey=Gv1sRgCPKVrOedppXExQE#