Alice Springs to Mount Isa

We spent 2 nights back in Alice Springs basically to replenish or supplies as from here we are heading to Mt Isa in Queensland. It will be 2 nights 3 days of the grid. We left Alice early and continued north. We weren’t too sure how far we would go to day as the wind has come up again but notionally we aimed for the Devils Marbles. We gave up about 40kms shy of the marbles at a place called Wycliffe Wells which it would seem is incredible famous for UFO sightings. Interesting place which has clearly capitalised on the UFO thing in the past although I think its wearing off now.

Reasonably early on the road again this morning as we continued north, stopping off at the Devils Marbles. Really interesting rock formations and we walked around them for about half an hour. They are significant geological formations and quite amazing in the way they have formed roundish shapes and the way they have split, almost like someone hit them with an axe. Back on the road we went through Tenant Creek and about 20kms north came to Three Ways. This the point at which you head to Darwin or turn east to Queensland. We turned east so we have reach our furthest extent for this trip – it’s all downhill from here. Out through Mt Barker Homestead and on to Woonarah Bore for our overnight stop in a roadside rest area. There were quite a few other travellers at the site and went really quiet after a bout 9ish so we managed a good night’s sleep.  We were treated to a fantastic sunset and it felt great to just sit there a watch it.

Awake at a reasonable time again this morning and back on the road by 8.30 for our last leg, through Camooweal and on to Mt Isa. We stopped for coffee/drink at Camooweal and it wasn’t too bad for an out back whistle stop. We got into Mt Isa about 3ish. So far we have clocked up about 3950kms.

People need to get out an experience some of Australia, the people out here do it tough and from my observations a lot of people expect the same standard as they get in the larger cities. It’s the outback, it’s hard on people and infrastructure and cost significantly more to provide basic services. At Mt Barker for instance all power comes from generators to provide power to the Roadhouse/camp grounds etc etc. Their generator uses 500ltrs of diesel every day. Oh and the road trains, we have been pretty lucky and haven’t encountered too many but at 56 mtrs long I’m not sure I want to. Most of the time they pass us and after the second of the four trailers pass you wonder when it’s going to end.

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