TRIP to CANNNG STOCK ROUTE Days 48-51 Plenty Highway

TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE DAYS 48-51

29-31 July, 1 August - 2012

STAGE 4 West to East Days 4-6

PLENTY HIGHWAY TO BOULIA, KENNEDY DEVELOPMENTAL RD TO WINTON

Mid morning we left Alice. First stop was to do a grease and oil change. There was a sudden gust of wind as a result of which hubby was splattered with oil. Then we headed east along the Plenty Highway. The highway was a mixture of good road, bitumen, dirt, corrugations (but not too bad) and roughish stony surface. It was much better than we anticipated.

Heading east the Hart Ranges in the south provided a lovely backdrop as travelled. The scenery was interesting and ever changing.

In Queensland there was much more of the large sweeping plains with Marshall grasses.

As we travelled the synchronised flying by huge flocks of budgies was a sight to be seen.

The first night we camped at Marshall River rest area near the start of the Hay River Track across the Simpson.

It was a lovely morning except for that wind. As we travelled we saw the odd termite mound and they were all big.

We crossed several dry river beds and after Arthur River there was a significant change in the landscape. Tarlton Ranges and other jump ups and ranges added interest to the trip.

The soil has changed from the deep rich reds and browns to a yellow creamy sandy soil.

Vast plains of sunburnt country interspersed with grasslands.

The second night we camped at Georgina River rest area. The reinforcements on the bridge work attests to the power of the water in this channel country. The huge tree trunk swept up against the bridge could easily have brought it down if the bridge had not been so strongly erected.

Next morning was warmish and would have been nice except for the strong breeze. We continued on along the Plenty Highway past large open plains of very flat land.

We arrived at Boulia late morning. We did, as instructed by Harry, go to the Information Centre and booked in to see the Min Min Show. Would not have expected something of such high calibre to be put on by a small community such as Boulia. A very interesting and thought provoking show. Thoroughly enjoyed it. After lunch we made our way to the Stone House Museum.

I really enjoyed seeing the fossils that had been discovered in the channel country.

We stopped at a lovely new rest area 76km out of Boulia. The remains of the Hamilton Hotel fireplace had been turned into a memorial to mark the completion of the sealing of the road between Winton and Boulia.

The following morning was cold and we were above the Tropic of Capricorn. The weather is just unbelievable.

The Kennedy Developmental Road is a sealed single lane road. This means that overtaking is an issue as they have to wait until there is an overtaking lane. Sometimes 23km between them. We were in a good place – behind a road train carrying cattle – except for smells eminating from the truck. When we saw a road train coming towards us we wondered who will move over to the side – it was the incoming road train as he was empty. So we were able to just keep going behind ‚our‘ road train.

Cowpole lookout was spectacular.

The colours were rich, the formations interesting.

It was hot inside the cabin but the breeze was too cool to be without a windcheater when outside or to have the windows open whilst travelling. Crazy weather!