Fri 20 July 2012. Left Richmond at around 8.10 am. Quite chilly - still some frost on the ground when we left. We drove on to Julia Creek and stopped for a coffee. The road here was so straight. In fact we went nearly 20km before there was a slight bend in the road - I wouldn't exactly call it a corner. Julia Creek was a lovely little town but there was a cold wind blowing and the locals were all complaining how cold it was. Once we left Julia Creek we dec...

Mon 16 July 2012. We left Longreach and headed up the road to Winton. Winton is known as the beginning of the Dinosaur Trail. We free camped behind the North Gregory Hotel which only takes about 10 vans. We were dwarfed in our little camper - huge caravans surrounded us. Once we parked we then walked down the road to the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Hard to believe they actually made a museum based on a song. It was quite interesting though. Banjo Patterson w...

13th July 2012. We left Barcaldine this morning and headed for Longreach. It was again misty and wet on leaving but it all cleared to a beautiful and hot day. We couldn't help but notice the green grass and bush. We were expecting dry, dusty landscape but I'm sure that's to come. Travelled through Ilfracombe - a small town along the way. They have a display of old tractors, ploughs, early graders, cars etc that is known as the Machinery Mile. Can't help b...

9th July 2012. Lightning Ridge. Felt pretty good this morning after yesterdays soak in the Artesian Baths. Take note Ruth - much nicer than Rotorua. At least we could see afterwards - no sulphur!! After breakfast we decided to try our hand at fossicking. We paid $5 each and went to the huge stockpile of rocks and dirt that had been taken out of the open cut mine. No opals were found - just a really great fossicking pick that had been left behind by someo...