Day 91: Mon 25 Jul - Winton to Longreach

Day 91: Mon 25 Jul - Winton to Longreach

Towed 179km

10 (felt like 6) to 29 deg. Same as yesterday - sunny, clear blue sky, no wind and no clouds - just how we like it in QLD. A short pre-dawn walk around the caravan park followed by packing up and driving away from Winton by 8:30am. We both enjoyed our stay here, and agree we would like to return sometime, maybe when COVID is less rampant so we can also confidently go out for a meal or drink. The road from Winton to Longreach along the Landsborough Highway was very good, and the countryside looked stunning with vast green pastures mixed with an array of wildflower colours. The recent rains have caused a lot of devastation, but there is also some good to be seen. We had a short coffee break at the Morello Creek Rest Stop about 60km from Longreach. On the way we passed a lot of vintage cars and motor bikes driving/riding in the opposite direction. At the rest stop, was a larger group of vintage motorists who were having a break, and I found out that all vehicles are pre-1919 vintage and they are participating in an endurance drive (for humans and machines) from Brisbane to Broome - quite staggering. The bikes and cars must be pre-1919 and they drive about 220km per day, some days further. We arrived in Longreach at the Longreach Tourist Park where we checked in and got set up by 1230. It's a very large park (more than 305 sites), but it was a little challenging parking the van with not too much room to manoeuvre between other vans and cars, and line it up with the concrete slab on the passenger side.  The level gravel site with concrete slab is very good though. After setting up next Greg and Wendy, who have been here for a couple of days but leave tomorrow, we had lunch then drove into town to the information centre. Noel then headed off for some me time, and walked 2km back to the van park, while I went for a short ride with Greg and Wendy. Dinner tonight was a lovely Indian take-away which Greg and I rode into town to collect and then ate outside our caravan under the awning. Tomorrow Greg and Wendy will start heading toward their home taking a different route to us, so this was our farewell dinner with them (COVID is rampant in Longreach and we weren't comfortable dining out in town). Tomorrow, I will take the ute into Longreach for an overdue Service (>3,000km), and while that is happening, Noel and I will visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame - one of the 'must see' attractions in Longreach. 


Morning walk - Railway tracks into the sunrise at Winton

Morning Walk - The Musical Fence near the caravan park in Winton, and the historical Qantas airfield in the background

Morello Creek Rest Stop for coffee

Morello Creek Rest Stop - one of the pre-1919 vehicles on the way to Broome from Brisbane

Morello Creek Rest Stop - one of the pre-1919 vehicles on the way to Broome from Brisbane


Morello Creek Rest Stop - one of the pre-1919 vehicles (A BSA) on the way to Broome from Brisbane


Healthy looking pasture  along the highway - the photo doesn't do it justice.



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