Leaving Undara we continued West along the Savannah Way feeling like pioneers, what with all the cows and bush and people not waving at us... Really it was a fairly subdued drive as we had planned to free camp just west of Georgetown before the big push up to Karumba, and with no gorges or caves to thrill us along the way, the road seemed long to say the least.
Yet again though, this sunburnt country had some surprises in for us.
We sighed into Georgetown, ready to restock the camper with essentials like nappies, bread and meat (what can I say, when you look at cows and dry wood all day, the Afrikanerrrr in you gets to thinking of nothing but braai braai braai). So its a pretty small town in the middle of nowhere, hence they have every right to charge you exorbitant prices for everything, except for the best public pool I've seen in a long while. Having bought the absolute essentials, and hoping for more for less in Normanton the next day, we made our way over to the gorgeous little public park, its free gas BBQs and lovely pool. The park was our first indication that we had crossed that invisible line into the tropics, being all blooming hibiscus and staghorns under the enormous shady trees. And it was bloody hot.
After barbecued sausages (with a side of chillies for Caesar who had found a bush of the little red hot ones in the park. Ouch!), we all lounged about in the sparkling pool and commented on how this tiny little town in the middle of Queensland was an oasis in all the dust and bush. (Alright "oasis" is probably a bit rich, but it was an awesome spot after a hot and long day's drive.)
We drove a further 20 kms on to 'The Chimney', a spot recommended to us by a number of
Nomads and endorsed by Georgetown locals alike as lovely. And it did look that way, though disconcertingly it was devoid of any other people camping there, whilst a pretty big 'Construction Site. No camping' sign was. But, it was kind of turned the other way and had sort of fallen over, so ignoring it and common sense, we found a spot to set up for the night.
It really is a nice spot, with a beautiful billabong and big shady trees. We fed the kids, put them to bed and settled down for some fireside star gazing... Or rather some settling down, peering into the dark and jumping at the slightest sound. We are such pack animals- it's nice to have a bit of space between you and your fellow man, but when faced with being completely alone, we crave some company. So said the true townie.
Anyway, we awoke the next day having made it through the night, unmolested by bunyips and packed up for Fiela's Gulf of Carpentaria Mecca... Ay Karumba!
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