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Kalkadoon

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    • TravelerNoodles and Cats
      3
      Day 211

      T4 - Outback

      May 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

      MOUNT ISA

      ▪️Es ist die letzte Stadt in Queensland vor dem Staat "Northern Territory"
      ▪️Hier gibt es wieder Coles, Woolworth und vollem Handyempfang :)
      ▪️Den ganzen Tag verbrachten wir in einem Waschsalon, da es dort Steckdosen gab
      ▪️Haben eine Jobsuchanzeige bei Gumtree für Darwin geschaltet
      ▪️Hatten die Idee noch einen Abstecher nach Alice Springs (Zentrum von Australien) zu machen, um von dort aus an einer Outbacktour zum Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock) teilzunehmen - diese sollen sehr schön sein mit einer Nacht unterm Sternenhimmel :D
      ▪️ Kalkulierten und recherchierten, ob wir es auch auf eigene Faust mit Henry wagen können - JA! :D
      ▪️Ca. 200 AU$ extra Kosten pro Person wären es - die Tourenpreise gehen bei 300 AU$ p.P. erst los und da ist die Fahrt nach Alice Springs nicht inklusive (sparen min. 150 AU$)

      💡In der Nacht bzw. ab 18 Uhr, wenn es dunkel wird, sollte man im Outback nicht mehr Auto fahren. Der Wildwechsel ist sehr stark, da die Fahrbahnen nicht so stark besucht sind und die meisten Tiere nachtaktiv sind.      Read more

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    • Traveler2justdoinit
      Day 106

      Mt Isa

      June 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      Arrived in Mt Isa for 2 days to stock up. Found out shops and supermarkets not open Sunday, so did a mad dash shopping and got my massage for my sore shoulder. Sunday went to Bunnings. Very small. Mt Isa has a population of around 22,000 people so we are surprised there's not much here. Went up lookout also. A few Jurgens caravans have arrived and are staying at another caravan park. The Coates came over for a visit for dinner. We had a lovely night. The caravan parks are very busy. Vans are crammed in at these parks. No choice. No Free camping anywhere near here.Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      1
      Day 9

      Reality Check....

      March 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 37 °C

      So after setting up our camp in Mt Isa, we climbed the huge rock formation behind our camp and got to see how close the mine really is...the mine was built first, then the town! We went for drinks around the pool with some of our new coworkers and have enjoyed our meals in the mess hall, sure beats cooking everyday!

      We started work on Monday, and a huge shock to the system! Far out we worked our arses off....I'm housekeeping and Shaun is doing maintenance, and we didn't stop!!! Straight to bed after a shower and slept for 11hrs lol.....as the week has gone on we have got used to the heat and workload, I've actually got into a groove with housekeeping, although apparently I can't make a bed!! We have gone through all sorts of emotions this week, wanting to go home, doubting our choice of working away, and learning to be with each other 24hrs a day, a huge learning curve and character building (that's we are calling it lol). Tomorrow I'm doing a breakfast shift in the mess hall starting at 1am....that will be interesting lol....but I'm glad to be learning something new!

      We don't have a TV in the van and Shaun has taken a liking to watching home and away in the mess hall at dinner...apparently no talking is allowed!! A TV is on the list to buy asap lol

      We have the weekend off, but the car is still not going, so no major exploring this weekend....looking forward to getting the car on the road, the parts are on their way from Bundy, as nothing happens fast in Mt Isa, and that was the quickest way to get them. Although we think we might not stay long here, as we settle in, I think we might change our minds??? But no plan is a good plan at this stage...that's what it's all about.

      P.s. who thought I'd miss little kids? But I do, I haven't seen one in a week lol....maybe teaching isn't that bad!!!

      Ally and Shaun (whos gone to the pub :-) )      Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      Day 13

      Out on the Town in the Isa

      March 8, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

      A quietish few days, Friday I did a breakfast shift in the kitchen, which was much easier than I thought...winning! We finally got into town and bought a TV...winning! We also cooked at the van instead of having our weekend meals in the mess hall which felt a lot more normal. Shaun has been cooking up a storm in the air fryer and BBQ.

      Saturday we were invited out to the club with some coworkers who are born and bred Mt Isa, we had a great time hearing all about their hunting trips and eating kangaroo tail. They have invited us out for a camping trip when we all have the same time off...sounds like a plan. I love learning about Indigenous culture, and Mt Isa is a great place to learn. The Buff Club felt like ATW in Bundy, we are even members now!

      Sunday was a lazy day, I met a frog, and lots of cows who frequent the park. I tried to feed a cow, but it squared me up, so I took off. There is even a strange chicken named Gilmartin who crows like a rooster and follows me around when I'm cleaning rooms lol

      Shaun made himself a redclaw trap, and had out it in the river behind our van, lets see if we catch anything??? Apparently you can't eat anything from the river as it flows through town and has lead in it from the mines. We can't even drink the water here, why do we destroy our beautiful country????

      Hopefully the cruiser parts come this week and we are mobile again, I've got a huge list of places to go around Mt Isa and can't wait to tick them all off.

      Ally and Shaun      Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      Day 23

      Whats Been Happening???

      March 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

      We've been very quiet on here lately, taking our time to get settled in and find our new normal....and no car, so no real trips anywhere :-(.

      Lots of working and training to get up to speed with this caravan park gig, but we got this! We have met the most amazing people in the park, all from different walks of life and listening to their stories is an honour, grateful for the lessons on life!

      Shaun's been cooking up a storm on our days off, and has taken to being the cook in the mess hall too. We are enjoying the lifestyle of chilled afternoons with a few drinks and sing alongs.

      I've been drawing for everyone in the park and enjoying my down time chatting to campers who are travelling around just like us. We have new neighbours who have come from Bundaberg of all places, so making friends everyday. Met an amazing chick who was brought up in a community out of Katherine who is sharing her culture with me, so grateful to learn about indegenious culture.

      For all the hard times and there has been many this month, there are so many positives too....Shan posted a comment on a Facebook status that made me realise we have to be so grateful for the experiences we are having, we wanted to leave the 9-5 grind and we have!!! Thank you Shan for putting it into perspective :-) (see you in the Isa soon!)

      Shaun and Ally      Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      1
      Day 26

      Ahhhh Back to Nature at Last!!!

      March 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

      We finally got out and about to explore, and literally 5kms from where we are staying we landed at "The Junction" which is part of the Moondarra Lake water system. A much needed day in nature surrounded by amazing birdlife, including some very friendly hawks. We hung out with some of the cool cats that work in the park and just relaxed....it was amazing!

      The waterway has fresh water crocodiles in it, but we didn't see any, only turtles that came up for a feed of bread. Freshies or not I was getting in! And with great acrobatic finesse I jumped on the rope swing and did a massive back flop into the water! It was hard to remember that we were in the middle of Australia while we sat there, we could have been anywhere coastal, it kinda reminded me of Kinkuna and I felt at home.

      We cooked on the fire and had some delicious salads made by mates from the park and watched the sun go down...amazing sunset!!! Today reminded us what this travelling caper is all about...I can't wait to do some more exploring as I have a Mt Isa bucket list that keeps getting longer. We have started the week on a positive, and every week gets just a little bit easier!

      A huge thank you for reading our stories, it keeps me feeling connected with home, and although they are not very exciting or very well written, I do love sharing our experience with you xxxx

      "Always take the scenic route" (thanks Toni for the shirt xxx)

      Ally and Shaun      Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      Day 29

      Gillmartin the Nonbinary Chicken....

      March 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

      This is my mate Gilmartin who is a hen, but crows like a rooster and doesn't lay eggs!!! She has been following me around the park, and today she let me pat her!!! I also got to clean up her shit...maybe patting her was a reward for a job well done lol She is named after the owners of the park and turned up one day, and never left!

      Chicken joke of the day -
      "A librarian was very sad and alone in the library one day as there was no one around for her to help. These two chickens came through the door screeching "bouk bouk." The librarian quickly got up and gave them each 5 books.

      The two chickens left satisfied. Just a few minutes later the same two chickens come through the door with no books screeching "bouk bouk." The librarian once again jumped up and gave each chicken 15 books this time. The chickens leave satisfied once again. Then for the third time the chickens returned screeching "bouk bouk", but this time being suspicious the librarian gave each chicken only one book and explained that they could only borrow more books once that had returned the others.

       As the chickens left the librarian slowly followed behind to see where all the chickens and the books were going. The chickens came to a stop by a pond and started throwing the books into the water. Appalled the librarian ran forward to tell them to stop but she suddenly noticed there were some frogs in the pond grabbing the books and throwing them back croaking behind "red-it… red-it".

      🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
      Microphone drop....BOOM!      Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      Day 30

      We Had A Win!!!

      March 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

      Off to the Irish Club after work today to check it out, very cool looking place, definitely my pick of pubs so far. Had a little go on the pokies, and bingo....a small win of $200 (that's a big win for me!) So we treated ourselves to Chinese at the Red Lantern in Mt Isa, a feast of honey prawns, hotpot, crab and corn soup and fried lice.....felt so normal for a change lol.....everyday does get easier :-)

      I chucked in a photo of Shaun who has stolen Gilmartin from me by bribing him with food every smoko....but it turns out Gilmartin who lives at the end of the park hasn't been home as there was a 6foot python in the tree down there. I'm sticking with Gilmartin the nonbinary chicken!!!

      Another photo in there of what the mine spews out 24/7!!! In Mt Isa you can't even drink the water because of the lead levels in the environment, you actually have to have lead testing done regularly!!!! Now tell me, why do we do this to our earth!!! :-(

      Ally and Shaun      Read more

    • TravelerMt Isa or Bust....
      1
      Day 33

      Now I Love the Outback!!!

      March 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

      An amazing adventure day, car us going and we were off!!! We roadtripped with our neighbours and headed out to Lake Moondarra first, a man-made lake that holds all the water for Mt Isa, even found some peacocks for Donna! Onto the Junction again where we chilled out on the water....geez its good to be near water, there were even some little waves when a boat or two went past!

      But the most amazing part of the day was put trip out to an abandoned granite mine about 15mins out of Mt Isa....I've been bagging the outback, and missing the coast, but light bulb moment this afternoon....now I understand why everyone loves the outback.....it was amazing!!! Actually amazing is an understatement! The views over the plateu as the sun went down and the moon came up were worthy of any travel show! The silence, and the feeling of remoteness were overwhelming, we drove in by 4wd (only way to get there), I did all the driving, so was very proud of my 4wd skills (I only learnt to drive 4wd a few months ago). As the moon rose from behind the rocks it took my breath away, and I even stopped talking for a bit!!!

      Thank you Angela and Rick for taking us there and for sharing some photos as my phone went flat. The centre of Australia is mindblowing, and I for one can't wait to see more..stay tuned for more adventures in the near future.

      Ally and Shaun
      Xxx      Read more

    • TravelerOff to the sun with GMcG and F
      Day 32

      Moondara Mount Isa

      July 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      At 19.45 last night I recieved a confirmation text from Moondarra CP. I had phoned emailed and Facebook messaged them with no reply earlier in the day. We had intended to go to Mount Isa for a couple of nights to recharge - literally - and get some washing done. After not hearing from Moondarra, I had tried all other CP in Mount Isa but all were full. Cloncurry CP could offer us a place, but is was much closer than Mount Isa, so therefore, it would be a short day, which wasn't what we needed at this time. Moondarra CP was half the price of everyshere else, and they had free washing machines due to housing the miners who worked in the area.
      Hearing a positive result from Moondarra was brilliant, except that I worried half the night about cancelling Cloncurry - needlessly - they didn't give a toss. It was a very no frills kind of park, but I liked the atmosphere. Down the road was the Moondarrah lake and Ian managed to contact an electrical technician to fix our ongoing light issue. down Moondarrah Road. Just outside the campsite. We arranged to take the van there on Thursday morning as we left the park. We had the steaks that we had bought from the butcher in Richmond Champion Butchers, and at $45 dollars they needed to be. We cut them in half and they were still massive! Tasted lovely though.      Read more

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    Kalkadoon

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