Mt Isa

Another long drive saw us heading towards Cloncurry. Along the way, we stopped in for a refreshment and some fuel at the Walkabout Creek Hotel, the one used in the Crocodile Dundee movies. A while after we left Cloncurry the plains slowly gave way to the Selwyn Ranges, a beautiful red-rock range where we visited the nearby abandoned township and Uranium mine, Mary Kathleen. It was eerie. We stayed the night nearby at a small, shallow lake. We saw a pair of beautiful Whistling Kites and their nest and the boys were able to have a swim. We also learned about a unique local rock called a Maltese Cross. We unfortunately weren't able to stop the next day and fossick for them.

The next morning the lake was FULL of birds; pelicans, egrets and hundreds of duck-like black birds who would find where the fish were and then the Pelicans would follow them and have a feast. It was relaxing watching them all come and go.

We only had a short trip into "The Isa", wow, what an amazing and different place. The town is right at the base of the underground mine (copper and zinc). It is an unusual backdrop with the enormous stacks seeming to loom over the town. We walked around the township and grabbed a hot drink and then the boys were able to run off some steam at the awesome 'Family Precinct'. We hit the road again, staying in Camooweal for the night.