Day 5 Thursday 26th June
Bladensburg NP to Corella Dam via Cloncurry. (420km)

Woke up just before dawn...neither of us having slept well!! It was a lovely, crisp, clear morning. We were on our way by 7.50 am. The Ranger didn't come around so we unable to pay for our camping, and judging by the lack of permits on other campers vehicles, we weren't the only ones. Loads of 'roos to avoid on the way out of the NP. We didn't stop in Winton....this being another place we have been to a few times already. Our first coffee stop was about 60km west of Winton at a very chilly road side pull-in. Then we continued to Kyuna where we stopped for fuel and to take a photo of the Brolga wandering the 'main' street. It must be his 'patch', he seemed quite 'tame'.
We had another stop for wood collection and a coffee and then on to Cloncurry. We stopped here for our lunch and to check e-mails and make phone calls. Interestingly the caravan park we stayed in last time we were here had no vacancies. (We are here later in the year.....I think it is a busier time). Then we drove another 55 or so km to a 'free' camping area called Corella Dam. It is very picturesque with lots of birds, and we have found a private little spot where we can overlook the dam. Once again it is quite busy with travellers, mainly caravanners. The only unfortunate thing is that in the bush many of them use generators for their power and the sound of them spoils the tranquility. Hopefully they will be turned off overnight! In a tree near our camper there is a large black Kite and a juvenile. They keep circling around looking for prey. We have been for a short bush walk. It is very warm this afternoon and we are in shorts and T-shirts for the first time on this trip. Back into long pants as the sun sets though! Our fire is alight and we are BBQ-ing steak tonight. There is not a cloud in the sky so it looks like it will be a cold night again. But the stars are amazing. And the generators are off!