Day 240. Karumba to Georgetown

By george... We're Eastbound!

This morning we finally said goodbye to Karumba. We came here for 2 x nights; but ended up staying for 3, as it was just so beautiful and relaxing. Karumba Point Sunset Van Park was probably one of the friendliest parks we have visited so far, and they couldn't do enough for us. They even let me borrow a grease gun to do the grease nipples on the van. Now that's service! But before I move on from Karumba, I can't forget to mention the fantastic seafood! the price is unbeatable - and its so tasty, coming straight off the boats!

Normanton Station

The Gulflander

We ended up on the road at around 9am, and headed straight for Normanton to check out the 'Gulflander' - an iconic train that calls Normanton Station home. The train does a run every Wednesday from Normanton to Croydon; and returns the following day. Unfortunately we arrived on a Tuesday so it wasn't running, but we took the opportunity to check out the train station which is also the local museum, as well as a quick look at the train itself parked in a side shed.



Bec and Scarlett; "Umm.. I think we missed the train dad!"

We were soon on the road again, but this time we headed east towards Croydon and Georgetown. Croydon is about 150km from Normanton, so by the time we arrived it was lunchtime and Scarlett wanted to play in the park. We pulled over, and Bec made some great roast beef and salad sandwiches with leftovers she found in the fridge. Afterwards, Scarlett and I played in the park until Bec was ready to head off again.

Cattle walking down the main street of Georgetown

Shane and Scarlett checking out the 'rock' collection at TerrEstrial

Georgetown was another 140km east, so by the time we arrived we were all over another day on the road; as we completed almost 400kms today. We found the Tourist Information Centre, and grabbed a number of pamphlets while Scarlett played in the library. This place is also home to the 'TerrEstrial' - the Ted Elliot Mineral Collection. This collection has more than 4,500 minerals, gemstones and fossils, and we all found this private display very awe inspiring. Scarlett loved the 'dark room' the most, as the 'rocks and minerals in here glowed under UV lights. You wouldn't believe the dazzling display some of these minerals put on under UV! Amazing!

A Tawny Frogmouth on its nest

We found a great little caravan park in town called 'Goldfields'. We were very lucky as we got the last powered site, which just happens to be right under a Tawny Frogmouth's nest. Scarlett loved it, as she got to see a little head poke out as the eggs hatched only a couple of days ago. Bec and Scarlett soon disappeared over to the pool, while I got talking to a guy who I later found out is the President of the Vietnam Veterans Association. He's on the road travelling too, so we swapped some stories and enjoyed a drink together.

It was a long day on the road, but finding the 'Goldfields Caravan park' has certainly made it worth it. Tomorrow we continue on to Mount Surprise and into 'O'Briens Creek Fossicking Area', where we plan on spending a day or two exploring and fossicking for Topaz, smoky quartz, and aquamarine.

Wish us luck!