Day 11 ?? (I think)
Depart Winton 8.30am
Arrive Emerald 5pm
595 kms (biggest day yet)

Stops
- Longreach for supplies only to find everything was closed because it was Sunday, but we did get fuel
- Barcaldine for lunch
- Alpha for fuel

We started the day aiming to cover about 430 kms from Winton to Alpha, having allowed time to stop in Longreach for supplies. But Longreach was closed, so we pushed on and stopped for lunch at Barcaldine.

We found a picnic table in the shade next to the Tree of Knowledge Memorial (the tree unfortunately died a few years ago). As we set up for lunch, we realised that we were also next to the Barcaldine railway station, and it was our lucky day as the Spirit of the Outback (which only passes through twice a week) was due to arrive any moment. The train arriving provided a nice distraction for the kids, and a bit of a laugh for us adults as we watched the Grey Nomads, who had stepped out of the station to look at the Tree memorial, race back to the train as the whistle blew.

We made it to Alpha early afternoon, and decided to push on another 100kms to a place called Willows as our alternate stopping place for the night. We got to the Willows turn off at about 4pm, and the looming brushfire smoke together with the lure of Emerald (biggest town we've passed through since We left Brisbane) being less than an hour away, and our lack of will to make a meal from meagre supplies, saw us push on to Emerald, and arrive just before 5pm.

We found a caravan park just in the nick of time (it closed at 5pm, and we drove in at five past, and fortunately they hadn't quite shut up shop).

After a quick camper trailer set up, we headed out for dinner.

It was much warmer today - probably around 35deg, so was a good day to be in the air conditioned car.

Tomorrow we head for Carnarvon Gorge, taking a much more leisurely drive given we are 170kms closer to it than we had planned to be.