Isisford, Longreach, Winton and The Mistake Creek.

 Isisford - Winton 

Stopped at Longreach just for a walk around. Sunday most everything closed. 

Arrived at Winton for a quick walk of the main and noted how much it's changed since my last visit about 13 years ago. Lots of growth and improvements even looking prosperous. Drove south a few kms to Mistake Creek. Nice, no mistake here a good spot for the night. All the roads so far have been sealed and in good condition, even if recently patched.

Some moments I'm wondering what I'm doing, so far from home. Then the next I'm set up, beside a creek, like I am tonight, and think how lucky I am to be able to do this.

Very lush - green everywhere.

Blackall, Isisford and The Barcoo.

 Blackall - Isisford

Good road, easy run for today.

Isisford is a nice spot, very quiet, as it's not on the way to anywhere really. Small  with just one surviving pub and a general store that keeps bank hours. Fuel price about the same as Longreach. The town has a great free camp down by the Barcoo River and it's very popular with caravaners. About 50% have Vic rego plates. 

Second night with no power, morning expected to be 3deg. Brrr.

Some never forgive!

The Barcoo.

Welcome

Nice Pub but closed.

Morven Charleville Augathella Blackall

 Morven - Blackall

Stopped in at Charleville and the IGA, stocked up. Turned north on to Augathella. Realised I had been there before and didn't like it then either. Stopped for lunch road side rest ~50km north near Nive. Checked a few other rest stops but finally continued on to Blackall. Free hot shower was the incentive and stopped in the free camp in town. First night without power, expecting ~5deg in the morning. See how we go. 

Silo art.

Windmill goes round and round
legs go up and down
wheels go round and round, nice.

Chinchilla Miles Muckadilla Mungallala Wallumbilla Morven.

Chinchilla, Muckadilla, Mungallala, Wallumbilla all good Australian names.

Google says via Gympie, VW says via Caloundra. Kms and travel times similar so I prefer to travel the Wide Bay and Bunya Hwys so north rather than south on the M1. Will get plenty of the Warrego later. 

Stopped in at Chinchilla Lake free camp but was too busy. Fuel at Miles is cheaper than on the coast, go figure. Drove on to Wallumbilla a fav with hot showers and the power free. Made a donation.

Checking road conditions online; closed, 4x4 only or open with caution. Still fluid exactly where I will be going, but heading west again.

Next morning managed to snap some street art on the approach to Roma then cruised right on through. Stopped outside the Mucka Pub (Muckadilla) for smoko. Then another health stop and photo at Mungallala. Made me think: what do the locals shorten it to? Lala.

On to Morven. A counter lunch at the new pub, mistake. Stopped at the Recreation Reserve for the night. Power with donation, nice to be warm. Not a mistake.

Always wondered what to do with the old wire.

Always a fav use of old horseshoes.

I love street art!

Lala.

Maroochydore surf and sand.

 Cotton Tree - tour north

Building a plan. Cranking up the anticipation. Head west get more central then north. Road restrictions in far west Qld. Resent floods? Need to keep checking road status.

On the morning I'm leaving the dredge has started replenishing the sand on the beach in front of the surf clubs again. Should be finished in time for summer, nice.

Pumping sand from the river to the beach.

Cover up the coffee rock again...