The Barkley



Day Twenty-six – Attack Creek Camping Area
Karumba
Free camping ground
Fuel - $270.25 - three fuel stops
863km

We head off about 7.30am so that Brooke and co can head to work and school. Now we have a massive three or four days coming up with a trip across the Barkley highway to Cloncurry Qld, then the Matilda Way to Normanton before crossing the Gulf Development road to Cairns

This trip will be 2735.9km = 30 hours of driving in a ute, towing a caravan, three kids with iPads.

The first day we manage to get as far as ‘Attack Creek Camping Area’ at 9.30pm. This little overnight stop off was full but we managed to get a spot that was right on the highway, we are all buggered and don’t need much rocking tonight.
On the way, we did have three fuel stops, two coffee breaks, Grocery shop, lunch stop, Mataranka swim for an hour, afternoon tea stop, a dinner stop. So, this was a really well broken day with travelling, Kids were so good!


Day Twenty-seven – The Gravel Pit     
Free Camping
Fuel - $91.91
761km

We are only 47km away from the three ways, we refuel and coffee for the driver then head. Most of these fuel stations here after 6pm require your driver's licence at the pay station before they start the pumps. Well when we got to our next fuel stop I went to get my licence out and I didn’t collect it from the three ways, so I jump straight on the phone and organise them to post it to Tash’s house in Bundaberg. This was going to be the next house we stop at. Thank goodness I’m the Co-Pilot (and a good one at that!)

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse for breakfast and to get the kids dressed etc
Camoomeal for lunch and it was the next dump point for the loo.
Mount Isa for a chocolate!

Then we land in a Gravel pit for the night, I make dinner and then the four kids watch a movie and relax while I have time to catch up on my Blog.

No rush in the morning to get away early cause we are only going as far as Normanton.

Day Twenty-eight – Normanton, QLD
Tourist Park - $35 per night, we stayed 2 nights - Kids stayed free! 
411km

 Today was nice, the kids hung about. Went swimming in their 25-meter swimming pool (it was freezing) Had showers etc.

 Day Twenty-nine - Day trip to Karumba
Fuel - $117.17 - we were on empty
Lunch $72.00
Ice blocks - $ 17.00
Beer - $10.00
Experience - priceless
70km each way

 Adam hadn't been to Karumba before so this was a first for us. Its a really nice little town that is quite spread out. When you get to the coastline there is nothing but Ocean to see (my favourite) I sit and play with the sand while the kids collect seashells. Adam is gone, walking up the coastline. I reckon there would have been about 30 people fishing off the bank. 

 We indulge in some fresh fish and chips at Ash's, Barra n Chips, then head to the Barramundi Centre.. $37 for a family pass for 5 people. We get the rundown about these fish and then we get to feed some of the big females... This was really cool, Marnie loved it! Matilda was a little apprehensive and Emmett wouldn't have a bar of it... But it was pretty cool.

 I spent the afternoon washing sheets etc before we head off tomorrow morning early. We hope to get to Atherton Tablelands tomorrow for a few days.
Accommodation = $70 for 5 days
Fuel = $479.33
2175km

TB  💋







Location: Australia

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