We weren't sure whether we'd make this in a oner but in fact we did and the drive between MountIsa and Karumba was the longest we've travelled in one day - well over 600 kms.The road between MountIsa and Cloncurry (or 'Prawncurry' as E likes to call it) is more interesting than expected and winds its way through rugged scenery.Cloncurry has an interesting past.Not only was it the main regional hub for the area but it was the original home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.However, it has lost its status to Mount Isa although it's still an attractive Australian outback town with wide streets.With a long way to go along what we thought was likely to be mainly a single track road (only one lane of tarmac up the middle) which meant having to move over on to unsealed verges in order to pass oncoming traffic - including road trains!Fortunately we didn't encounter many. The first settlement after MountIsa was Normanton, another attractive outback town, then some 70 kms further on is Karumba, a small town near the mouth of the NormanRiver where it meets the Gulf of Carpentaria. The community appears to exist because of significant zinc and lead mining in the area and a successful prawn and barramundi fishing industry in the Gulf. But like so many small communities, it is strangely attractive and relaxing. A night at the local pub - in the aptly named Animal Bar - dining on barramundi enhanced the relaxed feel of the place. On Sunday we took an evening trip out on the NormanRiver to see more of the area and the sunset (sorry - more photos we're afraid!) going down over the Gulf.We learned that Karumba is Queensland's second most successful port and it's not hard to see why.Zinc is shipped from Karumba on the Wunma (a 30,000 ton vessel) to a waiting larger vessel further out in the shallow Gulf 28 days out of 30.Each of these journeys earns the mining company, Zinofex, over AUS $23m!! We also had evidence that we were back in the humid tropical North with stories of recent cyclones, a big saltwater crocodile sitting on the muddy riverbank within the town, and not least M's curly locks have returned. Loads of Whistling, Black, Braminy Kites and Sea Eagles followed our boat for a free fish high tea.We decided to stay on in town but headed for another site at Karumba Point, where we'd anchored the previous evening to watch the sunset.This was a delightful little settlement right on the shore.We spent the day lazing around (it was becoming slightly more humid) and wandering along the shore spotting and photographing many species of birds.We saw the Wunma return to harbour having shed her AUS$23 load of zinc pellets. Back at the camp we had new neighbours one side. Although caravaners they were a young couple with a much more modern lifestyle, attitude, music - somewhat refreshing after months and months of the usual wrinklies (although most of them are actually very nice).Evening finished with a BBQ and the last 4 episodes of series 5 (the last?) of 24. The following day we spent much needed time sorting out our photos and videos to ensure they don't get lost and free up space on the laptop. We also placed the advert in the CMCA Wanderer Magazine and CMCA website to sell Annie.Everything now is gearing up to us moving on - funny how time is flying by and all too fast.