Day 64 - Monday 3rd June 2013 (267.9 kms)

The wind over the past couple of days has taken its toll on the fuel consumption, and today we are still battling headwinds and crosswinds.

Heading east today to cross the NT/QLD border and then arriving at Camooweal. Lunch at the pub and a small trip out along the Georgina River to find a camp spot for the night. Caravan city along the banks; we went along the track further to come to a bigger body of water, well waterhole really known as Lake Canellan with ample birdlife to keep us occupied and less folks.

Camooweal's Georgina River is a noted place for its birdlife and many twitchers from all over Australia visit the area. A pair of brolgas, darts, a flock of pelicans resting on rocks in the centre of the waterhole and forked tailed kites are here to watch and appreciate. I think our blog name is particularly suited - "Flock around the Block".

Day 65 -Tuesday 4th June 2013 (216 kms)

On the outshirts of Camooweal we called into the Drovers Camp Information Centre. An annual event is held here every year with drovers from all over the country coming to celebrate and share yearns about droving days. Our tour guide, Stumpy Adams spoke about the history of droving and gave an excellent account of their days. The big shed was full of much memorabilia, some of which is still used today. There was a gallery or Drovers Hall of Fame with a local artist completing two portraits per year depicting the significant drovers (men and women) from the area. A most fascinating place and a must see if travelling through.

We arrived in Mt Isa this afternoon, a quick scout around town noting that the Leichhardt River runs through town and like all the rivers dry as a bone. After dinner we headed off to the movies to see the Great Gatsby.

Day 66 - Wednesday 5th June 2013 (50 kms)

The Pajero has been booked in for a service and we are spending the day being tourists. Lake Moondarra is about 16 kms north of the township and as well as being the main water supply it is also used as a recreation reserve. The lake is in beautiful grounds a bit of a surprise out here in the outback. The lake hosts a fishing classic and fish are regularly stocked including barramundi, sooty grunters, long tom and sleepy cod. It was a lovely spot for morning tea. Later we headed into town to go to the Outback at Isa (information Centre) which hosts a couple of museums and an art gallery. A drive up Mine Road to take in the sights of this enormous mine before having lunch at the Isa Hotel.

An afternoon sunset and an easy night in.

Day 67 - Thursday 6th June 2013 (170 kms)

Left the Isa and off the beaten track once again to visit Lake Julius. A bit of a disappointment - no camping allowed and very limited access to the water for the boys to go fishing. Off to a sleepy little town, Kajabbi, supposedly an old hotel here but really the only thing left in town was numerous run down homes and the pub that looked a little worse for wear. Kajabbi's main point of interest was a memorial to the Kalkadoon and Kalkadunga tribes which was standing opposite the pub. The Kalkadoon tribe fought its last battle against the mounted police on the slopes of Battle Mountain. We set up camp in the Leichhardt River - off course no water except for a small waterhole with a few small fish, some birdlife and wallabies. Dinner and a campfire before retiring for the night.

Day 68 - Friday 7th June 2013 (288.8 kms)

Travelled from our overnight stop to meet up with the Burke Development Road, passing through Quamby (the old pub was worth a photo, built in 1860) to take us to Cloncurry. Morning tea and fuelling up then en route towards Winton. A stop for lunch in McKinlay, outside the "Crocodile Dundee" famous pub "Walkabout Creek Hotel" before having a drink at this waterhole. Tonight's sleepover is at Kynuna Roadhouse.