Week 2 - Bourke NSW to Longreach QLD

        Middle of Nowhere!!

We continue our journey up the Kidman Way and came to our first toilet stop
for the day????? Oh no perhaps not!

Outback Loo!! This greeted us at the Bushtucker Inn rest stop just before the NSW-QLD border crossing at Barringon. Looks like the only thing at Barringon is the Bushtucker Inn and this rest area with the air-conditioned LOO!! Dare to go??

                                                                          

Bushtucker Inn Rest stop - peak hour? That Outback Loo is just behind our van?

                                        

      This Emu did come to greet us!

Just a few metres up the road at the NSW-QLD Border and you can check out the distances yourself. From here - it's another 1799kms before we get to Karumba.

Nardoo Station

                                           

At the Nardoo Station camp we were suddently surprized by the cattle mustering. That's us between our vans. The thundering noise of cattle being
herded thro the paddock by motor bikes and dogs was great.

And there's plenty of dust!! But that's to be expected as it's a working property where campers are welcome and it provides the station with an extra income.

Our group at the Hot Artesian Tub at Nardoo Station
from L-R Keith, Maria, Gerry, Kath, Marg, Ray, Barb & Richard.

Our night at Nardoo ended with songs by the campfire.

Charleville Qld

While at Charleville we got to ride on the Birdsville Road.  We could pretend

we'd cycled from Birdsville (only 838kms away) but you wouldn't believe us!

But that's us on our bikes.

A very interesting morning at the Charleville Weather Station where the weather balloon

is released automatically each morning precisely at 9.15am. Me holding sample balloon.

This devise is attached to the balloon with a message for the finder. It transmits meteorological data by radio signal to the Bureau of Meteorology. It takes about 4 hrs
to reach a height of 35kms growing larger as it rises until it eventually bursts.  

From Charleville we travelled thro' Tambo to Blackall.

Tambo

 

This monument at Tambo tells a sad story. A wonderful human being giving up his life

to help others and losing his life at such a young age - 34yrs.

   

      Boab Tree in Tambo.

Also in Tambo, this sign at Fanny's Rest Stop shopfront!!

Get Gas when you eat their food do you?? Gerry couldn't resist this shot!

Blackall

This monument in Blackall is dedicated to Jack Howe who in 1892 set an almost

unbelievable record of shearing 321 sheep with blade shears in one day.

Blackall's riverside camping $5 per night to council.

Next stop.... Barcaldine.

  

The artwork on the Inn in Barcaldine was impressive.

This Egret enjoying the Wetlands in Barcaldine I saw on a ride
around the area. Some spots you can only get to by foot or bike.

 Longreach

   At the caravan park in Longreach the Brolgas came to visit.

I can just imagine the wagons rolling up in front for supplies.

 

A visit to the Qantas museum in Longreach was also very interesting. The 747 is sure is a big machine especially when viewing it from underneath. The engine below looks much smaller from a distance. To replace just one of these today will cost in the vicinity of $5M.

And to think it's only held to the aircraft by 4 bolts!!! Just the thought of it! Oh well at least it held my weight. That's it for this chapter and tomorrow 23rd May we leave for Winton.