Photos of Walkabout Hotel and Clem Walton Park and Corella Dam wher we stayed on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th May 2011

Corella Dam and Clem Walton Park - We walked the dam wall

The river we camped on at Clem Walton Park

Lunchtime - Clem Walton Park

The road into Clem Walton Park and Corella Dam.

After leaving Clem Walton Park we spotted army personnel carriers (M113's) being transported from Darwin to Shoalwater Bay - north of Rockhampton.

Our motorhome outside the 'Walkabout Hotel' QLD

The Walkabout Hotel famous for its feature in the movie Crocodile Dundee.

Mt Isa

Sunday 29th May 2011: Happy 12th Wedding anniversary to our dear daughter Joanne and her husband Paul. The landscape on the drive to Mt Isa is forever changing and very pretty but the town of Mt Isa itself is a large industrial town with a tall copper and tall lead stack. Being Sunday nothing is open although Chris managed to find an open liquor store! Our supplies were almost zilch! so the find was worth it. Tomorrow we are headed for the supermarket and then hope to travel to Camooweal, we believe there is another off the beaten track for a camp site for the evening. I probably won't have telephone reception and definitely no internet access.

Combo Waterhole

Banjo Patterson territory - Combo Waterhole

On the track to the waterhole - crossing stone overshots.

Combo Waterhole - A flock of kites.

Unusual land formation near Winton QLD

Thursday 26th May 2011: We came across a very quite and peaceful spot to stay the evening - Combo Waterhole. Banjo Paterson wrote our national song 'Waltzing Matilda' at nearby Dagworth Station about the events that happened at the Combo Waterhole. The sister of the owner of Dagworth Station wrote the music. Chris got into the spirit of the waterhole and did a performance. I have a video of his rendezvous and will endeavour to publish when the internet access to do so is heaps better.
Friday 27th May 2011: Travelled onto the small town of McKinlay - home of the 'Walkabout Hotel' which became famous after it featured in the movie 'Crocodile Dundee' starring Paul Hogan. As the afternoon approached we headed off the highway down another track to Clem Walton Park and Corella Dam. Found a fantastic spot along the Corella river bank and stayed for 2 days enjoying relaxing, bush walking and soaking up the sun in the bush retreat. Met some other lovely folks particularly Glenda and John who have been travelling around Australia for two years. Sat at night around their camp fire and chatted.

Winton

Winton QLD

Arno's Wall had everything, even the kitchen sink!

Chris drumming away at the musical fence - I have a video of his performance which I will attach to my blog when I have better internet coverage. Anyone liking a copy can request the video on my blog site!

Memorial Statue of Banjo Patterson with the words of the song 'Waltzing Matilda'

The North Gregory Hotel, Winton, where it is said the first performance of Waltzing Matilda" was held.

Wed 25th May 2011:
This picturesque town has strong links to 'Waltzing Matilda', Qantas and even dinosaurs!

Camped behind North Gregory Hotel, the hotel where legend has it that 'Waltzing Matilda' was performed for the first time. Cost to camp $10.00 refundable when you purchased a drink at the bar. Visited the Winton Tourist Info - were given a 'Waltzing Matilda Centre' Winton - CD Photo Archive from a coupon we received on a Winton brochure from the Motorhome and Caravaning Show, which we attended in Sydney, just before we left on our travels. We visited Searles general store where you can purchase almost anything even stock I would say from 20 years or more ago! The store had an abundance of hats, jeans, shirts, suits, all kinds of gardening items, toys you name it it was there. We ventured downtown to the Tatts hotel for dinner then settled in home to watch Queensland defeat NSW in the State of Origin Rugby League match.
The Winton Club in Winton is where in 1921 the first board meeting for Australia's National Airline, Aqntas, was held.
At a nearby property in 1999 Australia's largest dinosaur find. Many fossils remains have been unearthed since.
Arno's Wall - An eccentric 2m high wall made up of rock from Opalton and studded with a whole mixture of objects, including the kitchen sink!
World's first musical fence - where Chris relived his teenage years bashing out a tune of sorts on the drums. Oh! so musical.

I've attempted to add a few photos however the internet connections here in the outback are almost non existent and it is becoming increasingly very time consuming and even frustrating waiting, falling out, trying again and falling out so I am just going to write and write some more and see how I go.

Longreach

Hanging around inside a 474 Jumbo Jet!

Trust me I'm in control!

Underneath the belly of a 474 Jumbo Jet.

Wednesday 25th May 2011:

Before leaving Longreach we had a must visit to the world class attraction - The Qantas Founders Museum. The original Quantas hanger still exists and a decommissioned 747 jumbo jet. This very QANTAS 747 jet 'Spirit of Bunbury' Chris travelled in, on one of his many trips to America. We toured the 747 and visited the museum. This world class attraction is a must when you visit Longreach!

Longreach

LONGREACH 24th May 2011:

Travelled a further 27klms from Ilfracombe to Longreach. Central Queensland. The Tourist Information centres are very helpful so we visited to get an idea of the points of interest for Longreach. Visited the local IGA store and local bottleo to replenish our food and wine supplies and checked into the Discovery Caravan Park. Settled in and then ventured 300mtrs by foot to one of Longreach's major attractions, the Outback icon, The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre. A very fascinating and interesting journey of all things of yesteryear in the Outback.

Ifracombe and Longreach

Infrcombe - interesting town - a mile an half of machinery and other memorabilia.

• Tuesday 24/05/2011:
  Farewelled Barcoldine and travelled 79klms west across very flat countryside to Ilfracombe - an extremely interesting quaint town. Wandering around the town a must featuring:


• The great machinery mile display features horse-drawn vehicles, steam engines, harvesters and earth moving machinery.


• The folk museum showcases the role of women and children in Outback life in the early years.


• The Jackson collections of gun displays and unique bottles. ***I noted there were no NSW Aerated Waters bottles - which were started by my Great Grandfather in Newcastle in the early 1900's.


• Romani Hall is dedicated to preserving the story of the Light Horse Troops.


• Oakhampton Cottage was relocated from a nearby property. It is significient as a typical outback structure and offers a glimpse into an early Outback household.