Kynuna is just a couple of clicks down the road. Afterwards walk across the stone-pitched overshot weir, built by Chinese labourers, more than a century ago. This deep, semi-permanent billabong is believed to be the site that inspired the writing of Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Paterson in 1895. On the road to Mount Isa, pull over and have morning tea beneath huge red river gums and coolibah trees on Combo Waterhole, 145 kilometres out of Winton. Spend the day exploring quirky Winton with its outback country pubs, the open-air Royal Theatre, Arno’s Wall and the Music fence. Hear the ghost of the swagman by the billabong and lots more at the fabulous Waltzing Matilda Centre. The next stop, Winton, is best known as the place where Banjo Paterson penned and first performed Australia’s adopted anthem, ‘Waltzing Matilda’. To greet you is a mammoth life-size dinosaur replica, locally referred to as ‘Hughie’. Next, it’s off to Hughenden, which lies on the banks of Queensland’s longest river. Then have your finds identified by the resident fossil curator. Almost every stone overturned contains some form of fossilised material and impressive bones are still commonly found.
ANCIENT CLOUDWING AS A MOUNT FREE
If fossil fever takes hold, grab a map and head to one of the free fossicking sites close to town.
Study the remains of Australia’s best-preserved dinosaur skeleton, Minmi, which takes pride of place alongside the Richmond Pliosaur, which is Australia’s best vertebrate fossil and one of the world’s finest Pliosaur skeletons.
Journey back 100 million years, when this whole area was below the water-line of a great inland sea. Upon reaching Richmond, a visit to Kronosaurus Korner should be high on your list. To find out more on arrival, pull into the award winning Visitor Information Centre or give them a call ahead of time. There are weekly bush camp dinners from April to September and a guided historical walk around town. The highlights of this town include a great caravan park on the water’s edge, artesian baths, dunnart showings and mustering virtual reality movies. On the way to Richmond, you will pass Julia Creek. Learn about the history of the outback’s greatest saviour, the Reverend John Flynn, who launched the Royal Fling Doctor Service in the late 1920s. View some of the oldest art on earth at Sunrock and then head on to Cloncurry.īuilt on the copper and beef industries Cloncurry is home to the huge open mine pit of the Ernest Henry Mine, named after the bloke who first discovered copper in the area. Sprinkled with spinifex, they take on a different appearance every hour of the day as the sun arcs through the sky bathing them in changing light. As you travel east, the rugged Selwyn Ranges emerge from the horizon. The best place to start is The Outback at Isa visitor centre, where you can tour a replica mine built and operated by actual miners and head to the underground hospital for a dose of WW2 history.ĭon’t forget to visit the newly revitalised Riversleigh Fossil Centre and explore some of the intriging mega fauna which roamed the lands of Mount Isa and beyond. Whatever vehicle you're travelling in, be sure to check the road conditions before you head off on this adventure of a lifetime.Īfter arriving in Mount Isa, spend the afternoon exploring Australia’s outback mining capital. While this drive can be conquered in a two-wheel-drive vehicle, some of the detours and side trips may be better suited to a four-wheel-drive. They'll greet you with a warm g'day and send you on the trail of dinosaurs where you can fossick for your very own valuable fossils. You'll hear the bush legends of yesteryear and meet the colourful characters that live and work here today.
Fully sealed roads lead you from the largest inland city and mining heart of Australia, Mount Isa, on a round circuit through unique towns such as Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden and Winton. Route: Mount Isa - Julia Creek - Richmond - Winton - Mount Isa (loop)įollow in the footsteps of dinosaurs across and ancient inland seabed and experience the rugged beauty of some of the most dramatically changing landscape in Australia when you embark on this fascinating drive through Queensland's north west outback.
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