The best weather we have had so far was back at Pilliga Bore Bath and since then the days have been between 17-20degrees and overnights being 1-2 degrees. Night times around the campfires we are rugged up with layers of clothing. Some mornings the diesel heater is flicked on to put some warmth in DABUS and breaky is always in DABUS, as it's too cold to sit outside.

So after saying our goodbyes to Sheryl & Brian at Cooper Creek, we did a quick drive into Windorah to have a look around, before starting our trek north towards Winton and beyond.

The roads out this way are single lane roads and the rule of the land is you give way to the larger vehicle. Hence we see a road train, we get well and truly off the road and give them a clear run on the bitumen. Caravaners and 4x4's see us, and we get right of way on the bitumen. Most Caravaners pull over and stop, some slowing crawl along the side of the road. 4x4 drivers are a different breed, some slow down, others just like to power on and these are the ones that throw up the stone that dint the front of DABUS or chip windscreens.

We are now travelling along roads that we have previously travelled on south bound, but now we are travelling north bound and you get a different prospective of the lay of the land.

Our lunch stop was at Swan Vale rest area, which is a jump up between Jundah and Stonehenge, which provides stunning views for as far as the eye can see.

Stopping at Stonehenge to get enough fuel, at $1.85 per litre, to get us to Longreach. Then dodging free roaming cattle along the way, finally camping 40km south of Longreach beside a disused quarry for the night.

Arriving in Longreach Saturday morning we were disappointed that the local market wasn't on. Did a drive around and picked up a few essentials before heading onto Winton.

Just prior to Winton we stopped at our local stash of great firewood, a disused pit of old railway sleepers, this was our third visit back to the pit and it didn't let us down. Stocked up with great firewood, we arrived at Winton at 3pm, and went in search of our free camp at Mistake Creek.

We enjoyed the morning at the new Waltzing Matilda Centre. The original centre was destroyed by a fire on Thursday 18th June 2015. The Winton Shire Council rebuilt the centre, which was opened on the 20th April 2018.

The Waltzing Matilda Centre is the first museum in the world dedicated to the song 'Waltzing Matilda' which was written by Banjo Paterson. We were both very impressed with the new centre. Some travellers who had seen the old centre can be negative towards the new centre, but as neither of us had been into the old centre, we couldn't compare, but we do highly recommend a visit to this centre.

Waltzing Matilda

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong

Under the shade of a coolibah tree, 

He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled,
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong, 

Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag, 

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred, 

Up rode the troopers, one, two, three, 

With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, you scoundrel with me.

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong, 

You'll never catch me alive, said he, 

And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong, 

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

Oh, you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

The Landsborough Highway, heading west out of Winton was a bumpy highway. At Kynuna we turned off, heading towards Julia Creek and swapped drivers. This stretch of road was so smooth compared to what we had just driven on. During the 116km we had three road trains come towards us and only a couple of 4x4's as we arrived into Julia Creek.

At Julia Creek we stopped for the night at the RV camp and later walked into town and enjoyed a meal at the Top End Pub. Before leaving town, we have decided this is a town we will come back to on our way home, as it has so much to offer travellers. While getting some washing done, we went for a walk down the main street and utilized the book exchange at the library. Our breakfast was fantastic scones and coffee, supplied at the QCWA Tea Room for $10 for two. The tearoom is run by volunteers and is extremely popular with the tourist. When the scones run out, which they did within an hour; that is for another day. The shire also provides free bike for tourist to explore the town. A credit to this town, as they certainly know how to welcome tourist.

Up until Cloncurry we have been driving through flat open plains, after Cloncurry the scenery changes to hills and the road is extremely busy with road trains. Stopping at Mt Isa 'The Isa' we stocked up of supplies and moved onto a free camp 50km west. Driving along we heard that Darwin had had 7.2 earthquake and having overnight temps of 7.3 dregees and local Darwin dogs are rugged up with coats. It is still crazy cold weather everywhere, overnight.

We wake to a mild morning and set off in shorts and t-shirts to Camooweal. Just a short drive today, as we set up beside the billabong at Camooweal. As we have arrived early, we settle in, to do some cooking. Banana bread, bolognese sauce, and salads are whipped up, whilst enjoying the warm weather. Yes we finally found some.