Drove through Cloncurry (not much happens in Cloncurry – the town highlight is that they have Burke and Wills water-bottle!!) and stopped at Corella Dam for a few nights – awesome spot – camped right on the waterfront – full of waterbirds and parrots.
Chilled out a few days – including a drive to a place called Mary Kathleen – once a mining town built by Rio Tinto for the nearby Uranium Mine … but now a ghost town … fascinating really. Also drove out to the old open cut mine – with the most stunning blue water you will ever see …. Amazing what toxins can do!!
Then it was onto Mt Isa – which is a large mining town. The mine continues to operate and dominates the town – it is massive. The town itself is actually quite nice – contrary to expectations … in fact so nice that I left Donna there locked in the caravan for 4 days while I flew to Melbourne to watch Sorrento lose the Grand Final against Dromana. Great to see Jackson and Sean – few beers, and then it was back to Mt Isa … Donna had survived.
Then it was onto Lawn Hill …. A long long drive – past the Burke and Wills Roadhouse (of course!!!) stopping at Gregory Downs Pub for the night – before trekking into Lawn Hill on the "worst road in Australia". Drove most of it in the wash off (not the actual road, but the bit beside the road) to avoid the large corrugations. We were glad to get to Lawn Hill – although as bad as the road was … it wasn’t as bad as we expected.
Lawn Hill is stunning – amazing!!!!! Camped in the national park – a short walk to Lawn Hill Gorge – with its beautiful clear green waters covered in lilypads and surrounded by huge Livistonia Palms. Stayed for 5 nights, and did various walks, including a long trek to the Top Gorge, and the shorter walk to the top of the Stack with great views down the Gorge, and to Wild Dogs Dreaming – with Aboriginal Art. In between we saw plenty of Agile Wallabies, lots of fish, colourful birds, and even a Wild Pig!!! Also celebrated Donna's birthday with a day of feasting …. Egg and bacon brekky, picnic lunch and a swim at Indarri Falls, and a butterfly lamb roast for dinner!! With the mercury hitting 35 degrees every day, we did walks in the morning or evening, and then chilled at the Van during the mid-day heat, broken up with a couple of refreshing dips in the gorge each afternoon. Surely one of the best spots in Australia.