Boulia to Camooweal 21./7. to 22./7.

Dear Petunia and Porky,
We left Boulia before daylight, leaving Camel race enthusiasts and pig racers behind and headed further North. After travelling through sparsely vegetated areas, greenish ‘valleys’ and rocky hills we arrived at  Mt. Isa. Smoking chimneys, massive conveyor belts, open cut mining areas, oh yes ........ copper... copper.... copper....lead.... silver.... zinc.

The area belonged to the tribe of the Kalkadoon. Settlers and prospectors gradually destroyed their hunting and gathering grounds. The final stand off between the original owners and ‘settlers’ was at the Battle Mountain’ in 1884 which more or less finished the Kalkadoons’ right of their land.
Enough of this, we did our shopping, diesel refueling and sped off to the man made Lake Moondarra,
The main source of Mt. Isa’s water supply. Incredible beautiful with abundant bird life this huge lake is an oasis amidst mining scars and the harsh South West Qld.environment.
Unfortunately no camping allowed( fair enough), so we continued toward the NT border and camped for the night at a billabong in Camooweal with a lot other happy campers. admittedly  we arrived quite late, a reason to stay a full day to shake the dust off.
Billabong life in Camooweal:

Cheers D.Kong

Birdsville to Boulia 19./7. To 20,/7.

Passing queues of waiting happy campers to clean their cars with hot water from artesian springs in the outskirts of Birdsville and  still passing patient patrons lining 2 bowsers after 386km in Boulia for petrol and diesel. We gave the camel and pigs race a miss and settled for a relaxing evening far beyond the racecourse along a small river.

Birdsville The Big Red Bash

Kasey Chambers

Thousand of refundable cans collected for the local community.

The cleanest and best organised event ever.

10,000 people, 3000 thousand cars, peaceful, harmonious outback. Fantastic music and activities. Dog and child friendly. An amazing setting.

Betoota to Birdsville14./7. To 15./7.

Hi Petunia,
Arrived in Birdsville in one piece. Lots of cars and campers, busses. Long cues at the 2service stations for people needing to buy fuel, one was only able to provide diesel, the other was already sold out, we heard. Fresh bread, milk,🌽  🍅 all sold out, long life stuff still available. We will leave very early in the morning for the Big Red Bash. The venue is 45km west out of town. As the event is booked out they expect 3000 cars to drive in and been directed to the allocated spot will take a minimum of 2 hours. So THEY decided to hit the road before 🌅 and be in at opening time at 7am.
Opposite us at the makeshift camping area we saw this cute camper

More from us soon. Say hello Daddy Porky from me.

Windorah to Birdsville (Betoota) 13./7 to 14./7.

Hi Mum,
Had a long ride on a dusty gravel road and set up camp away from the road with the ruins of the former hotel of Betoota. Betoota had one resident till 1994 when the owner a Polish migrant fell ill and had to give up the hotel after 4 decades. This outpost was created in the 1800s to charge royalties when using the stock route to cross into Queensland.
Tomorrow we will face another long gravel road to Birdsville.

Sunset 

Cooladdi Creek to Windorah( Cooper’s River) 12/7. -13/7.

Hi Mum,

Just a short report today, flies are abundant, we arrived close to Windora again make free camp close to  a river. The edge of the Simpson desert is green, lush, flowers everywhere and teaming with birds, butterflies and quadrillion os flies. SHE fell in love with a flowering plant she doesn’t know the name of, she calls the honey plant because it smells like delicious honey.

That’s it for today.

Wallumbilla to Cooladdi Creek 12/7. -13/7.

Hi Petunia,
THEY shared driving and after about 400 km we arrived at lunchtime  at Cooladdi Creek. The Walembilla council showground was  pretty ordinary but offered hot super clean showers and toilets for a voluntary gold coin or more  donation. The trucks drove by all night applying their breaks entering town, but a lovely gesture by the council to offer their space ans generously supply amenities. On the road to Cooladdi Creek we admired the cool powerlines for several kilometres before arriving at our next stopover. The free Campgrounds ⛺️ were super large alongside a river, relatively private ans about 1km away from the road. All in all we saw in the distance 3 happy campers. That’s all for now. Talk soon D.Kong

Brisbane to Wallumbilla 11/7.- 12/7.

Dear Petunia
We left Brisbane in the early hours of the morning. We had a splendid with the Champions, Anouk and  Malou wanted to adopt me as they thought that was the reason I was travelling with THEM. It was great to have an insider tour of the Howarth Smith Precinct, what a place!!! Fantastic venues, catering for all ages, tastes and interests. The Champion girls were entertaining as per usual. Pia is changing her garden into a sustainable  urban garden. We promised to see all of them on our return trip.
Keep you posted, 💗 D. Kong

Baking bread in Brisbane

First stop

Still Loading the car, I am actually ready !