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
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