Mt Isa or Bust....

February 2021 - April 2024

An open-ended adventure by Lets Get Lost Together Read more

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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Feb 24, 2021
- ⛅ 34 °C
- Altitude: 181 m
- Australia Queensland Central Highlands Emerald -23.52729, 148.1645723°31’38” S 148°9’52” E
Day 1
Leaving Home...
February 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
Sad to say good bye, its not goodbye, but see you later! Overwhelmed by friends well wishes and presents as we left, we are so grateful for our friends and family. Why? Why did we choose a lifestyle change, to set off in the trailer and travel around Australia? Answer....we had a quote on the fridge that was inspiring us to make a change, adventure was calling, and so we just did it!
"You're never going to be 100% ready and its never going to be just the right time, but that's the point. It means that every moment is the right moment. If you want it, you just have to do it." (Via ka-tri)

Departure didn't go smoothly, battery shit itself, brake lights weren't working and air brakes were locking up...some quick fixes and we were on the road.

Our first destination is Longreach, but of course as these things go, we didn't make Longreach the first night. Shaun kept saying "it's all part of the adventure", I kept nodding, but not sure I agreed LOL. The cruiser starts missing under power, could be a coil? But on we go "its all part of the adventure". We hit Mirriamvale and the cruiser and trailer lurched sideways, yep it was a whoa moment! Turns out we blew a rear airbag...note the brand new heavyduty airbag, but an energy drink later and on we went...."its all part of the adventure!"

We come into Blackwater and the front is making a hell of a noise...yikes...Shaun thinks the cv boots are rooted...but on we went "its all part of the adventure". After some discussion we decide to have the cruiser looked at in Emerald...turns out to be a good one....both cv joints have blown...something about torsion bars wound too high?? So Emerald is our first night stop while the cruiser gets new cv joints...no more on we went today..."its all part of the adventure"....hmmmm not sure it is....but on the positive side (and I am still feeling positive..just lol) we got a day to explore Emerald...to be continued...

On a side note...poor old Annie airfryer took a tumble...but she's all good...yummy local pork ribs and roast taties.Read more
Hope that's "all" the repairs out of the way. [sharyn]
2/26/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Feb 25, 2021
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 181 m
- Australia Queensland Central Highlands Emerald -23.52729, 148.1645723°31’38” S 148°9’52” E
1
Day 2
Emerald...
February 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Nope...no wonderful wizard of Oz...but still pretty cool!
As we waited for the Cruiser to be fixed we explored Emerald on foot...and yep it was pretty hot to be walking! We stopped in at a local pub and had a drink...(it was before lunch, but its all part of the adventure lol)...the lovely bar maid filled us in on all things Emerald, love that local knowledge. I couldn't resist the art gallery which had an installation called "The Little Bird Project", people from all over the world have sent postcard sized artworks of birds, I added my own to the collection. Next onto the giant Van Gough Sunflower painting...yes, yes this is a thing, kind of odd...but we saw it. There was also some cool mosaics celebrating 100years in the region and a lizard made from recycled materials. If we had a car we would have gone fossicking, but not this time. We also visited an Irish pub for lunch which was so ugly at the front, but amazing inside, looks like a bit of a happening joint in Emerald, and would be great on a Friday or Saturday night.

Yay...the cruiser is ready and off we go, next destination Longreach to catch up with Jayden and Bridie. It's a four hour drive from Emerald and the scenery changed quite a bit, from a range to flat open spaces. As we got closer to Longreach the sun was starting to set and there was a huge storm brewing, amazing to see over the flat outback plains. I have been waiting to see some live animals apart from cows, and we spotted kangaroos (live ones), emus and goats. We were very relieved to get into Longreach and set up..tomorrow is a day in Longreach...to be continued...Read more
Traveler "A peacock who rests on his feathers, is just another Turkey." Dolly Parton
2/25/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Feb 26, 2021
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Altitude: 179 m
- Australia Queensland Longreach Longreach Airport -23.44031, 144.2506223°26’25” S 144°15’2” E
Day 3
These Boots are Made for Walking...
February 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
A rest day in Longreach, glad to not have to get in the car today :-) We definitely made the most of the day, and of course there was some more cruiser maintenance to do, replacing a split coil! (It never ends!)
Caught up with Jayden (Shauns son) and his girlfriend Bridie, who are living out here for his apprenticeship. We got to meet his boss and workmates, what a great bunch of guys. In your life you may only have one or two mentors, Jayden's boss is one of those people for him, we are so so proud of him!

Now some of you might know how I was desperate for a pair of western boots for my outback adventure, cue Shaun leaving me in town with my credit card alone....the result was the coolest pair of Ariat Western stock man boots you ever did see! My journey is complete lol....I have my eye on a rough rider akubra hat too...hmmmm, but have to save money now!

Jayden took us around town, we visited "The Station Store" and saw an old cobb and co carriage, and old skool theatre. They do tours and have a paddle steamer that does a dinner tour, definitely worth a visit. https://store.kinnonandco.com.au

We had an amazing pie from the local bakery, served with amazing country hospitality, everyone is so friendly. If you stop in at Longreach try the "Merino Bakery"https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Bakery/Me…

We also visited the "Stockmans Hall of Fame" (which is closed until April) and the "Qantas Museum". Both are big ticket places to visit, so not really our cup of tea.

Red claw fishing was up next, within 5mins of the pot being in we already had one, this was the first time I really noticed the amount of flies!!! I made the rookie mistake of wearing a skirt...probably not a great idea! I asked "is there crocs in here?" I think I might be saying this a lot! Shaun and Jayden left me in the car with the apparently dead red claw, nope it wasn't, and I might have let it escape...oops...there is one in the freezer that is coming with us though.

Loved Longreach, but most of all, loved seeing Jayden and Bridie, tomorrow we set off for Mt Isa with a cruiser all good to go!Read more
Those boots though right 👌 😍interested to hear about the red claw fishing. Where did you do that and how's it done. May have to add that to our list. We will be in Longreach for two days :) [Shannon Boston]
3/1/21Reply
Traveler We used a little crab pot, just out of town there is a free camp called Avis Park (?) it had a river there, that's where we put the pot in Shannon
3/3/21Reply
Traveler Apex Park :-)...you can find it on wiki camps
3/3/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Feb 27, 2021
- ☀️ 33 °C
- Altitude: 348 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Mount Isa city centre -20.72557, 139.4927120°43’32” S 139°29’34” E
Day 4
There are no camels or desert!!
February 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Travel day, heading to Mt Isa through Winton, Kyuna, McKinley and Cloncurry. Not a huge amount to see on the road for most of the way, lots of flat farming land, which is pretty green at the moment, great news for the farmers. I spotted a buffalo, but it could have been a big cow lol. McKinley is the home of the "Walkabout Creek Hotel" from Crocodile Dundee, that is the only thing there, lots of nothingness and then a pub! Heaps of movie memorabilia, and a bloke there told us where to find the waterhole from the crocodile scene, apparently it was shot at "Fountain Springs", we can day trip it there from Mt Isa, so it's on the list! Lots of road trains, they can get up to 53m long, we overtook a triple...I don't think I took a breath lol. They all seem to carry cattle, Shaun got sprayed with cow piss as one passed us going the other way, probably not best to sit behind one then!

We stopped for fuel in Cloncurry and the fun began, the Cv on one side was split!! Yep the new one put in at Emerald!!! So after some advice we decided to push on to Mt Isa, we really didn't have a choice. I whispered "its all part of the adventure", not sure I had great timing with that one! Cloncurry to Mt Isa is 120km, we did it at 80km/hr....stopping to let the cv cool down at you guessed it "Fountain Springs", apparently there are camels here, didn't see any though. The road from Cloncurry is AMAZING, no desert, just lots of rocky outcrops and amazing green gullies at every turn, definitely the highlight of our trip so far! I wished I had my bike here, hopefully I will get to ride this road when we get the bikes with us. As we came around a bend we saw Mt Isa and its smoke stacks in the distance, so very strange to see the mine right in the middle of town and after such amazing bush scenery on the way.

We limped into what will be our home for a while "Moondarra Caravan Park". We have work here and the cruiser yet again needs repairs! Our first impressions were positive, the people are very casual and welcoming, we have a great river front site and we are invited to a day drinking party at the pool tomorrow...so off to a great start!! More tomorrow when we have settled in and got organised....
https://www.moondarraaccommodation.com.auRead more
Looks awsum [Tanya]
2/27/21Reply
Looking forward to this stretch. [Shannon Boston]
3/1/21Reply
Traveler It was an experience lol...Cloncurry to Mt Isa is the best bit :-)
3/3/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Mar 4, 2021, 4:07pm
- ⛅ 37 °C
- Altitude: 341 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Kalkadoon -20.68074, 139.4976120°40’51” S 139°29’51” E
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
Traveler 😂😂😂😂
3/4/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Mar 8, 2021, 3:42pm
- ☀️ 36 °C
- Altitude: 341 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Kalkadoon -20.68073, 139.4974920°40’51” S 139°29’51” E
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 ShaunRead more
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Mar 18, 2021, 7:12pm
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Altitude: 341 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Kalkadoon -20.68075, 139.4975420°40’51” S 139°29’51” E
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 AllyRead more
Awesome stuff guys. You got this 👍 [Vicki]
3/18/21Reply
Cool as [Kara]
3/18/21Reply
So glad it’s working out. You have had the courage to do what a lot of people would like to do, they talk about it but never do it 💕 [Moira Anthony]
3/19/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Mar 21, 2021
- ⛅ 31 °C
- Altitude: 341 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Kalkadoon -20.68078, 139.4975520°40’51” S 139°29’51” E
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 ShaunRead more
Looks amazing Ali. Keep the stories coming.🧡 [Sharyn]
3/23/21Reply
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Mar 23, 2021, 4:59pm
- ☁️ 33 °C
- Altitude: 341 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Kalkadoon -20.68073, 139.4975220°40’51” S 139°29’51” E
Day 28
Draft
March 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C
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Traveler Mt Isa or Bust....
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- Mar 24, 2021, 2:19pm
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 341 m
- Australia Queensland Mount Isa Kalkadoon -20.68074, 139.4975220°40’51” S 139°29’51” E
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
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