Mt Isa stopover.

After leaving Banka Banka Station it is about 80km tothe junction of the Stuart & Barkly highways, known as Three Ways. It was here that we refuelled (@ $2.20 litre) in preparation for the long haul east to Mt Isa - a distance of approx 650km and only one fuel outlet, Barkly Homestead where the diesel is priced at $2.35 litre, a point to be by-passed. Our overnight stop was at a nice rest area midway between Barkly Homestead and Mt Isa. Curiously there is a Police Station located adjacent to this rest area known as Avon Downs. Heaven only knows why it is located here, but the constable was on duty outside his "house" with his radar and breathalyser. Maybe there are enough speedsters exceeding the 130 km/h speed limit to justify his presence.

Via the highway grapevine we heard that the annual Rodeo was coming up in Mt Isa next week, so we decided it would be wise to make an advance booking there as there are a few things we need to sort out and do. Three nights seemed ideal to carry us through to Monday when all the shops, garages etc would be open.
All caravan parks were almost fully booked out as the Rodeo is the major event on their calendar of events and this being the 50th anniversary made it even bigger. However we were able to get in, an unpowered site initially then move to a powered site later if we wanted to. After some deliberation it was decided that we would stay on for the week for the rodeo and celebrations etc.
Anyway one week in Mt Isa where there is lots to see and do appealed to us anyway. Visits to the extensive visitors info centre, then a visit to the undeground hospital took up part of Monday. Service of the Landcruiser on Tuesday, then a very rough bush expedition on Wednesday to search for "Maltese Crosses". There are only two places in the world apparently where these can be found, one being about 55km from Mt Isa and as we were to discover, 17km in from the highway on an extremely rough track into the hills. However we managed to safely negotiate the route following a very rough mud map from the info centre.
After a pleasant picnic lunch we started digging and sieving in the search forthe rare Maltese Cross. Luck was with us as we unearthed a very good example. (see photo)

The 50th Anniversary Mt Isa rodeo got under way on Wednesday night with heats of the bull riding and bareback riding. We went along and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a very big event for Mt Isa and attracts competitors and visitors from all over Australia. Kevin went again on Thursday afternoon then again on Saturday. Friday night there was a Mardi Gras parade with dozens of floats etc. All very good and warm enough to line the parade route on these balmy "winter" nights. Once again we are lucky enough to be close enough to walk to the various events.
Kevin and Gail.
View a small sample of our trip photos at:
www.picasaweb.google.com/kevinh055