(written by Nancy) Weird at the Walkabout Creek Hotel – lots of truck noise from the highway that was not too far from the campsite. There was also a rather unpleasant smell – a bit like gas or overflowing septic tank. Dave joked that was why the grassy area right behind us was so green … Continue reading Changing scenery along the Matilda Hwy – McKinlay to Cloncurry (109/3398k)

(written by Dave - 3 June, posted 4 June) We both had a great sleep in the tent. There were not nearly as many road trains as we had feared. We got up in the middle of the night for the call of nature and wow, the stars were amazing. There were no lights at … Continue reading To Crocodile Dundee’s home – Kynuna to McKinlay (76/3289k)

(written by Nancy -- 2 June, posted 4 June) After a fairly unappetizing dinner last night (we tried a new kind of soup packet with noodles that didn't turn out so well) we packed up most of our bags so that we could try to get an early start this morning. So, when the alarm … Continue reading Another long day on the Matilda Hwy – Winton to Kynuna (164/3213k)

(Written by Dave) You can tell that we are getting further “out west” as the towns are less and less eventful. We slept in, lounged over brekkie and still had time to see pretty much everything in town by 2:30. There are many things we didn't see outside of town but we didn't have a … Continue reading Rest day in Winton

(Written by Dave) Another icy night – the internet said 1.3 degrees when we got up at 5AM! We had everything packed the night before but still had to eat a mountain of brekkie. We were ready to ride about 6:15 but it was too dark. We finally left at about 6:45, with everything we … Continue reading Long, long way into Winton – Longreach to Winton (180/3049km)

(Written by Dave) Up early for home-made egg and bacon rolls before we headed to the Longreach School of Distance Education – our last tourist stop in Longreach. Distance education was a big customer of ours when I worked at Polycom so I was interested in learning how they made use of technology, specifically how or … Continue reading Last rest day in Longreach – 7 week summary

(written by Nancy) We walked into town last night for dinner at the Eagles Nest Bar and Grill – food was good and the beer was even better (James Squire)! The walk back to the campground was very dark but this time we remembered our headlights so we were safe from harm. Actually I'd be … Continue reading Rest day no. 2 in Longreach – museums with cowboys

(written by Dave) Nice rest day in Longreach – not really resting as we headed to town for a look around, then hit the Qantas Museum in the afternoon. It was cold again this morning, no frost still which was great. We slept in a little but were still up early – guess we have … Continue reading Rest day one in Longreach – QANTAS Museum

(Written by Dave) It was bloody cold overnight. The radio said “4 degrees, with wind chill, feels like 1.4”. For the record 1.4 is getting darn close to freezing. We didn't have any frost on the tent but it was hard getting out of bed. Not a cloud in the sky so at least you … Continue reading Blowing along the Matilda Highway – Barcy to Longreach (110k) (2870k total)

  (written by Nancy) Well, not a happy end to the State of Origin game last night for the Blues – once again a loss to Queensland. We stayed at a pub until half-time, when Dave could no longer take all the hooting and hollering from the Maroon supporters. The game was also on in … Continue reading Rest day in Barcaldine