Near Clonagh to Karumba

Early today we cross the Expedition track at the Tom Ticehurst crossing of the Corella Creek, which the Expedition followed out of the Selwyns. They must have been relieved to find it increasing in size and flowing more or less northward, so that they knew that if they kept following they would reach the sea. It is even wider when we meet it again on the Wills Development Road. We follow it for a few kilometres down a side road to its junction with the Cloncurry, where we stop for lunch. There is water in a waterhole here, but not much. However you can see from the flood debris high in trees that the river must be full and powerful in the wet season.

Tom Ticehurst crossing, Corella Creek

On past the Burke and Wills Roadhouse, stopping only to change drivers, then another little detour down a side road. The Cloncurry flows into the Flinders, and we detour to the point where the side road crosses this river and the track. Then it’s a rather boring run on a good sealed road up to Normanton. We deliver another 10 books to the very pleasant and helpful man in the Information Centre, then press on to Karumba, arriving just in time to stand, beer in hand, watching the sunset over the Gulf. Then it’s excellent fish and chips for tea, and a very welcome shower after 7 nights bush camping. The motel is spacious and pleasant, has a washing machine so we have clean clothes as well as clean bodies. Only drawback is the cane toad on the doormat.