Part 3 - Landsborough Highway - Queensland

And so is was interesting that we were 2500 km out of Melbourne and having not traversed a hill since before Shepparton that we departed from Winton. The 340 km drive to Cloncurry was normal and uneventful except for a drink in the McKinlay pub that was used in the Crocodile Dundee film. Then we established that it was show day in Cloncurry and everything was closed - so we pressed onwards to Mt Isa. The 120 km to Mt Isa is a lovely undulating (trees included) drive that has no straight roads and no flat roads - what a refreshing change – not seen since about Kilmore.

We enjoyed Mt Isa, partly because of the lovely weather and partly because of Mt Isa itself.  We did an underground mine tour – the mine being specially dug for tourists.  We had to don gum boots, overalls, hat, belt and light.  Did I look good in bright orange.  The photo has been deemed “classified”.  Today we visited an underground hospital, that was never used.  It was built during WW2 when intelligence suggested that the Japanese were intending to bomb Mt Isa, partly because of the prolific lead production (handy for bullets) and the 500 US troops stationed here.  It never happened. 

As a special treat we dined at the Irish club on our last night in Mt Isa.  The Guinness is said to be the best outside Ireland – and I agree with that assessment.  The Guinness & beef pie was also excellent.  Mt Isa is an amazing place in many ways – too many to mention here.  I suggest that you put it on your “Bucket List”.

I hope you like my new haircut (see photo).

We will have covered about 3250 km by the time we cross the border into NT tomorrow (Tuesday).  On the way we will pass another town put in song by Slim Dusty – Camooweal.

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