Pioneer, Australia Travel Journals & Blogs

Traveler Around Australia
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- Jun 19, 2019, 7:56am
- ☀️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 361 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Pioneer -20.72439, 139.5090520°43’28” S 139°30’33” E
Day 5
Karumba to Mount Isa
June 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
The neighbouring campsite assured us that their children would be up at 5.30 so we packed up the swag and waltzed down the Matilda Highway to the Mutton Hole Wetlands National Park (you could call it a billabong) for billy tea and breakfast with the dawn chorus. The wetlands is home to 120 species of birds either as residents or migrants having a break. The sign said canoeing was permissible but risky with canoes being referred to as 'croc bait'.
Stopped for fuel at the Burke and Wills Roadhouse then lunch at Cloncurry, birthplace of John Flynn.
Grocery shopping at Mount Isa and camped for the night.Read more
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Traveler The Long Road Home
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- Jul 10, 2021, 10:08pm
- 🌙 14 °C
- Altitude: 351 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Pioneer -20.720818, 139.51657120°43’15” S 139°30’60” E
1 1
Day 14
Page 28
July 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
We decided to leave early from our campsite and have breakfast on the way. Today’s driving was just over 500km all on page 28 of the map book, so needed the whole day. The map showed some gravel road stretches but we were pleasantly surprised that these had since been sealed. The road was however single lane seal which meant we were slowing and heading to the gravel shoulder quite a bit as vehicles passed us.

We bypassed Bedourie and pushed through and stopped at Boulia for brunch and fuel. This is a small town surrounded by dry barren plains. As we headed north the geography started changing. The moonscape started turning with a few trees and waterways. Still very dry of course. A lot of rocky outcrops and by Mt Isa we were seeing a lot of trees.

For the last 40km into Mt Isa we caught up with a road train. These are the top dogs on the road so all vehicles pull over when these machines approach. This is a great advantage as we just stayed in behind this grain carrier as he barged his way along the single lane seal so although it was slower that our normal speed we stayed steady all the way with no one trying to get back onto the seal until we passed. I also had no desire to attempt to overtake him either as getting past a 50 metre long behemoth wouldn’t be fun.

Arriving at Mt Isa motor camp just on 5pm, luckily we had prebooked earlier in the day. We got a great site and set up then promptly had showers and will look forward to a few days removing red dust from every part of the caravan and ute. We also walked to dinner and enjoyed choosing from a menu.Read more
Traveler Lucky you didnt get your windscreen cracked
7/12/21Reply
Traveler Well done you two
7/12/21Reply
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Traveler The Long Road Home
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- Jul 11, 2021, 9:07pm
- 🌙 16 °C
- Altitude: 351 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Pioneer -20.720791, 139.51660220°43’15” S 139°30’60” E
Day 15
Mt Isa
July 11, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
A rest day for us to repair, restock and recharge. Unfortunately Sunday trading in Mt Isa only exists for Bunnings and KFC. No supermarkets or camping stores which we need. Temperature has increased to about 26 degrees which we are really enjoying. Dipped our toes into the unheated swimming pool but thought no thank you.

So a rest day which involved cleaning the ute and inside of caravan to remove as much outback dust as we could. Also 4 loads of laundry which takes a while as the camp is full from Big Red Bash people all wanting to clean like we are doing. A bit boring for the blog but the satisfaction of feeling cleaner is important.

A drive around town and a walk down by the river with no flowing water was about all we did of interest. Mt Isa is a small town dominated by the open cast mine looming over it. It mines lead, silver, copper and zinc and is one of the worlds most productive mines. It wouldn’t exist without the mine but it’s quite a sight from town with the high chimneys bellowing vapour all the time.Read more
Traveler Looking good you guys! Sounds like you are having a ball 🥳🥳🥳🥳
7/12/21Reply
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Traveler The Long Road Home
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- Jul 13, 2021, 8:55pm
- 🌙 17 °C
- Altitude: 351 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Pioneer -20.720886, 139.51657120°43’15” S 139°30’60” E
Day 17
Last days at Mt Isa
July 13, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
The last few days here have allowed us to have a break from dust and driving. The caravan is clean again but I am sure we will find more pockets of dust as we travel. The camp was quieter today which was nice as the last couple of days here has been really busy with vans lined up from 10.30 both mornings trying to get a site.

The bikes got a clean and a 20km ride around town and outskirts. The town is definitely built for mine workers. A lot of prefab housing built for purpose only. It sort of feels that the city was thriving in the 80’s but has struggled to maintain the progress since then.

We did find the local lake later in the day. Lake Moondarra was created in the late 1950’s by the Mt Isa mine to supply water to the town. It continues to be used for recreation and town water. There are a lot of shoreline picnic areas and warnings about duck lice and mosquitoes but it’s a picturesque place nonetheless .

The warning about freshwater crocodiles was high on my decision to avoid going near the water. But in saying that we were told at the Bash that “freshies” won’t eat you. Well I’m not keen on proving that fact. Also not ready on getting media attention where some stupid tourist went for a swim and got attacked!

Tomorrow we head across the border into Northern Territory. Covid declaration done and will be staying at a roadhouse about 450km along the highway. Then back to civilisation with another 200km on Thursday to reach Tennant Creek.Read more
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Traveler Follow The Grey Nomads 2
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- Jun 4, 2018, 4:39pm
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 351 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Pioneer -20.7217, 139.5166320°43’18” S 139°30’60” E
Day 34
Mount Isa
June 4, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Staying in Mount Isa till we decide what happens next
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Traveler Bert’s Loop
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- Jun 23, 2021, 1:30pm
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 361 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Pioneer -20.724052, 139.50889620°43’27” S 139°30’32” E
Day 67
Mount Isa
June 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Restock.
It has been some weeks since we had a choice of produce in a supermarket. Most of us live in a very luck country. There are however some significant discrepancies. Not just getting access to mounds of cheap, fresh fruit & veg, but also reasonably priced fuel. $1.80 per L. (I know / it will get worse as our travels continue) is a bit steep. There are cattle farms here that store millions of litres. The vehicles used in mining have 3,000 litre tanks. It’s not like the supply lines are inadequate. Then there is the non existent internet connectivity - governments and telco corporates need to have a hard look at themselves. Cultural stimulation comes in many different flavours out here as well.

I’ve been surprised by first impressions. I was expecting an affluent: prosperous town. I am sure there are obscene amounts of money being made here, but it is not widely/evenly distributed. We have seen a number of boarded up businesses, and there are the ugly scars left by mining that come right into town. There are also some scared individuals , and I fear the indigenous folk are over represented in that count.

We will pamper the car while we are here, new tyres, service, fit a snorkel. Might go as far as a wash. Perhaps a hair cut or a spa visit for us as well. We will also get out on our bikes to explore the town and let Mount Isa delight us. Hopefully there will be some nice pics.

Geographically we are on the Leichhardt River. We camped on the falls of the same name to the north while we were still on the Savanna Way. Wow, that was about 800k’s ago. Unsurprisingly here in Mount Isa during the Dry the river is completely empty of water.

We will credit the next 3 posts to the Mount Isa experience. You will see that it was not a waste of time.Read more
Traveler Worth a run out to the dam for an evening sunset and meal. If your adventure gene kicks in, there is a bit of rugged track to the east. Not suitable for trailer though.
6/24/21Reply
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