Julia Creek


The old steam tractor in Cloncurry

The road from Burke and Wills Roadhouse to Julia Creek had its moments. It was probably 80% skinny Nth Qld roads with lots of off on the verge options for Road Trains and some particularly fast 4WD’s who were intent to get to their destinations at all costs. Bugger you I am coming through! Some just do not get it, the harder you drive the worse the road conditions become for everyone. Drive to conditions please.
Once settled into the Julia Creek Caravan Park we were soon entertained over the Happy Hour with some great music from the 60’s and 70’s. Very entertaining. Soon after settling in we discovered we did not have any solar service to our batteries. It all worked well back at Gregory Downs. So we had to change plans and head back to Cloncurry where we knew there was a well equipped Electronics store and a reliable Mobile Auto Electricians service.
In the morning the Caravan Park Manager confirmed we needed to head back to Cloncurry and forego our planned visit to Richmond and Hughendon. I used our folding ladder to attempt to inspect the Solar Panels on the roof to no avail. Just not tall enough. In the meantime I had booked the van into Kenny’s Mobile Auto Electrical service for lunch time on Monday.
However, before departing Julia Creek we saw the CWA sign up for scones jam and cream plus coffee or tea. Like many others we went in and the place was buzzing. One CWA lady attended to all the customers and did such a great job under pressure. Top marks to her for all her hard work and courteous customer service. She did it so well and it was a great morning tea. Thanks CWA.
Once back at Cloncurry Oasis Caravan Park the manager there lent me a longer ladder. Alas I discovered we only had one out of two solar panels on the top of the van. Also, the fixing of the same left a bit to be desired, self tapping screws through a Z frame to the Solar Panel with no more than 13mm to access the screws upside down!!!  Was the damage the result of poor installation or was it stolen in the free camp at Gregory Downs. We will probably never know. It turned out that Kenny’s Mobile Auto Electrical service had been called out to a mine truck breakdown and that counted us out for Monday. However, we were assured hat they would be in touch Tuesday morning. In the mean time we went to the Cloncurry Electronics store to see if they had a replacement 12v Solar Panel. No luck there either.
On Tuesday morning I was starting to feel we would not see Kenny’s Mobile Auto Electrical service so borrowed the caravan parks longer ladder and started to sus the damage out a bit more. The panel left on the roof appeared to be quite secure so I ended up getting the wires out from underneath it to discover that the break-away panel had severed the Parallel wiring to the full unit. I attempted to isolate the circuit from the second panel to no avail. Then I re-established the missing panels circuit, replaced the battery 30amp fuse and bingo, the Solar controller had a smiley face again. So now at least one panel was feeding the batteries meaning some free camping could be sustained. We advised Kenny’s Mobile Auto Electrical service that we had restored the solar circuit and would be on our way.
By 11.00am we set off from Cloncurry heading for McKinlay and then Kynuna. We arrived at McKinlay at approximately 12.00noon so after refueling decided to visit the Crocodile Dundee’s Walkabout Pub for lunch. Dallas had a Chicken Wrap and I had a Steak Sanger! Again, another historic pub in Central outback Qld. From here we moved on to the Kynuna Blue Heeler Pub and Caravan Park. Pulled up, had a couple of drinks and then booked in for dinner and finished setting up the van. This was a good stop and relieved the tension of the lost solar panel a little! And we still have solar going to the van batteries despite there only being one panel. Also, we now seem to be on a pub themed caravan trip.
The pub has some incredible history. It was on the Cobb and Co. route. It is very close (18kms) to the Combo Billabong which was the inspiration for Banjo Patersons “Waltzing Matilda”, they brag about being a registered Surf Life Saving Club and they have many local race horses that have won on some of Australia’s great race tracks.

Dundees Walkabout Pub in McKinley

The old Dundee International run about

They only get Freshies out here so not sure why they have a Salty on the roof

Crocodile Dundee card board cut out at the bar

Kynuna Pub wall hanging of the types of customers

Matty Heanie memorial ride against Cancer.

A pen and ink sketch of an old Kynuna residence

Kynuna Pub established 1860

The publican a the bar

One of the many local racehorses hanging in the Kynuna pub
winning at one of the big city race tracks.

The old Kynuna Homestead

A piece of Waltzing Matilda on the pub wall.

Kynuna Surf Life Saving Club recognition

As well as vans and camp trailers two Road Trains spent the night at the Pub after a good meal.

Combo Water Hole signage 10k south of Kynuna

Map of the 2.6 K walk in

An interpretive board about the Stone Overshots used
 by Cobb and Co to cross creeks and rivers.

One of the over shots

An interpretation board about the Mitchell Grass around Combo

The troubled times were when shearers took to striking for better pay!

The Marker of the Waltzing Matilda Billabong
site near Kynuna

Under the shade of the Billabong Tree... up jumped the swagman and sprang in the Billabong....his ghost may be heard as youpass by that Billabong  you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.

Dallas listening for the ghost!




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance.

Image
Koalas at play on Raymond Island Paynesville Bairnsdale, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance. Now having arrived at Bairnsdale late in the day and although it would not have been our first choice we decided to remain in Bairnsdale for the Gippsland Lakes part of our journey as it is central to the lakes area. First day out we decided to drive to Paynesville and take a look around. It is only a short trip and once we had a quick look around we decided to catch the ferry, as walking passengers, to Raymond Island. This was a very pleasant journey and the walk around was well rewarded with the viewing of the local Koala Bears. Once back to the other side we decided to do lunch at the Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club. The meal was very nice, Dallas had Asian Vegetables with Rice and I had Fish and Chips, the rooms were lovely and warm with great views so it was a very pleasant way after the big rush of the day before. The lakes are just beautiful and the councils and port author...
Read more

Borroloola and its Hidden City plus we see the ocean again, Whooho!

Image
A water colour of the Caribarrini Water Hole A  Tug at McArthur River Mines transfer Station with the Gulf of Carpentaria in the background. We did get closer to the ocean later. We arrived in Borroloola at approximately 3.45pm after a long drive from old Daly Waters via Cape Crawford. Borroloola is on the banks of the McArthur River. Our original interest in coming to Borroloola, which sits in the SW corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria, was twofold. It is the town closest to the commencement of the Savannah Way . The route we originally planned to travel to Normanton by. Secondly we had read about the “Hidden City” in the Cape Crawford and Borroloola vicinity Once we read a few blogs on this journey we decided it was not suitable for our vehicle and caravan. So we decided we would have to take the Barkly from NT to Normanton. But because of the “Hidden City” we decided to still include Borroloola on our itinerary meaning once departing there we would drive from B...
Read more

Devils Marbles and Tennant Creek. Then New Castle Waters and on to Katherine.

Image
Barrow Creek Telegraph Station What a "Furphy" Devils Marbles and Tennant Creek. Then New Castle Waters and on to Katherine. Soon after visiting the Beanie Festival we headed off for the Devils Marbles. Just north of Barrow Creek and Wycliffe Well .   We arrived at approximately 4.00pm and were lucky enough to get the 2 nd to last site in the Camping area. At $3.30 per head for the night who could want more. Well done NT Parks and Wild Life (including Conservation Parks). The light was fantastic for photos and it was a very pleasant evening. In the morning we set off for Tennant Creek and to catch up with Ros and Dale Lindsay, of Relbia in the Launceston region. We arrived at Tennant Creek at approximately 11.0am and did some shopping at the local butcher and then rang Dale to ensure they would be at the Warego Mines. Could only leave a message but next thing they arrived next to our van as we had morning tea. After a great chat and listening to where th...
Read more