Stopped overnight in Cloncurry and had a swim in the public pool just before it closes for the season. Unheated 18deg, two quick laps. Bloody cold, pink skinned, hitting the hot shower. Slept in the street near the pool and public toilets.
The Cloncurry to Normanton road was OK some roadworks all but complete. The narrow single lane bitumen flood plain areas still remain but are OK if you don't encounter a 50 meter long road train.
Karumba road open and good.
Slept in the street in front of the Sunset Tavern. Quiet night. Drove around Karumba Point and the township of Karumba a few kms away. Karumba reminds me of Tin Can Bay. Tin Can Bay reminds me of Papua New Guinea. Places where you find misfits and dropouts. Lots of rusty stuff in the yards of the residents as well as the mandatory boat. You're not in town unless you have a boat.
Not sure if I'm early but tourism seems to be down atm. The last time here the place was overflowing with tourist. Now caravan parks with lots of vacancies. Can't be good for a community that is all but closed during the summer wet season.
A short drive down the Normanton - Burketown Dev Rd is Burke and Wills last camp. Camp 119. In 1860 they left Melbourne and were intent on making their way to the gulf and all but made it. There are still blazed trees at the camp site proof they were there.
 |
| Normanton IGA - street art. |
 |
| Interesting. |
 |
| Harry did it as well in 2018. |
 |
| Blazed tree @ Camp 119. The last camp. |
