Winton QLD

Whoever coined the phrase “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” clearly never drove from Undara to Winton. Queensland highways leave a lot to be desired.

Our longest travel day so far began early, sharing the highway with free range cows who seemed completely unconcerned with self-preservation as evidenced by the big bovine roadkill 😳 And we thought dawn was kangaroo hour. “Out of the way dopey” 😆

After refuelling at the Oasis Roadhouse - also claiming the title of Australia’s smallest bar - we proceeded along the Kennedy Developmental Road towards Hughenden. The road itself was an adventure with multiple creek crossings before the bitumen abruptly ended 😳 Somehow they managed to seal 300 km on either side but left a random 20 km gravel section in the middle. Why?!

We stopped for lunch in Hughenden beside a weathered dinosaur marking the start of Australia’s Dinosaur Trail - a sign of what’s to come.

The final stretch of developmental road into Winton, although technically sealed, was among the worst roads we've driven anywhere in Australia - rough, potholed and relentlessly bumpy - so bad that someone had actually taken a spray can and written “slow down” in big letters across the road 😆 Honestly, I preferred the dirt section and that says a lot coming from me!

We finally rolled into Winton around 4:30 pm and checked into the Winton Wanderers Caravan Park (memorable for its pleasant but stinky bore water showers) before heading back into town to the North Gregory Hotel for dinner, where we were treated to classic live Aussie music by Matt Scullion. He was actually pretty entertaining 😁

Fun facts: On April 6, 1895, “Waltzing Matilda”- Australia’s beloved unofficial anthem - was played in public for the very first time at the North Gregory Hotel. Furthermore, during the 1920s, quiet yet pivotal meetings were held within the Hotel as Winton locals laid the foundations for what would ultimately become QANTAS, the world-renowned airline.Read more