Monday 23rd June

We left the Gunadoo Caravan Park in Longreach at a respectable hour. Now we are “grey nomads“we keep later hours. This is easier as the sun rises at least 20 minutes later than at home and we get to have more sun light later in the day when we have “sundowners”, in other words, drinks as the sun goes down.

Anyway, we went into the CBD of Longreach which is not very big, perhaps similar to Casino. There are many shops and businesses that are not usually seen on the coast, e.g., saddler. To our liking there were several coffee shops. So as we waited for the shops to open, we had a nice coffee. Soon after, we acquired the items we needed and set off for the day.

We travelled along to road towards Winton. We passed the turn off to where Prue’s brother, Richard, jackarooed in the early 1960s. The countryside varied as we moved along. Sometimes there was either some low scrub or quite clear land. The highway runs alongside the rail line. The road surface was good and wide enough to allow a road train with 4 trailers to pass us.

After a comfortable drive, we arrived in Winton. Here is the home of the Matilda Centre. This is predominantly dealing with A. B (Banjo) Paterson who wrote the world famous “Waltzing Matilda”. One is met by a wonderful electronic display where a ‘ghost’ tells the story of “Waltzing Matilda”. After that a walk through the Centre viewing art and stories of notable people not only from the District but also around Australia. Another electronic display introduces people that are notable performers such as John Williamson and the late Slim Dusty.

A wonderful museum is also attached with many familiar items to us. Even an “Ack-Ack “(anti-aircraft) gun the same as my father used in the Siege of Tobruk.

A joint decision was that we would overnight at the “Blue Heeler” pub at Kynuna. This was a change as we had planned to have a night in Winton and Cloncurry before we went to Mt. Isa. The “Blue Heeler” pub is not to be missed. There are names all over the walls and ceilings and doors. is not to be missed. There are names all over the walls and ceilings and doors. The names are from everywhere imaginable.

Due to no internet or mobile coverage at Kynuna, we did not do a blog or deal with any emails. So we went into the pub and had a few quiet drinks. During this time, we met numerous fellow travellers. Another night of beers and wine and a nice dinner with a real country rump steak, a big one! This cost only $22.00 and was the best I have had for a long time. Our dinner was had with a nice couple from the Sunshine Coast. Dave is a first cousin of Anne Donoghue (ex Tambar Springs). We look forward to catching up with them somewhere else as they are travelling partly the same directions we are going.

There were a large number of campers at Kynuna where it only cost $5.00 for the night. Even the Army transport drivers pulled in for a meal and a few drinks while on a rest break from driving their big transports.

Another great night a new location with new friends.