July 28 Winton

After we left Longreach and the Thompson River overflows behind we settled in to travel across about 150 km of flat, dry countryside. Even the trees don’t like living out here as they were very stunted and could really only be found along water-courses. Whenever we topped a small rise you could see for kilometres in all directions with nothing much to break up the view to the horizon. As we got closer to Winton a small range and some jump-ups came into view. One thing which surprises me is that this country is still largely sheep grazing – I would have thought by now we’d be well and truly back into cattle country.

Winton is only small (about 1900 people) with three pubs, a handful of motels and not a lot else. As far as size goes it’s on a par with Barcaldine but give me Barcy any day. We wandered into a couple of general stores to check on prices (no supermarkets here) and quickly walked out again. Fruit and vegie prices were astronomical – bananas $7, apples $5-6 etc. I can only guess that anyone living here would have to travel to Longreach on a fortnightly or monthly basis to stock up.

The caravan park has nothing to recommend it. We’re not too fussy but it would be by far the worst we’ve stopped at. I just hope the wind doesn’t blow too much as it will be quite dusty. You can get wet in the showers but need to be a contortionist to get undressed, dry and dressed. Three nights? Hmmmm! There’s supposed to be a frost in the morning for the next couple of days – the way the cold wind is blowing from the south I’m not prepared to argue.

Winton is the home of Waltzing Matilda as it was here that Banjo Patterson wrote the words to accompany a tune played by a friend. After lunch we visited the Waltzing Matilda Centre and found it quite good although I’m all museumed out – I’d better not say anything like that to the people at the Illawarra Historical Museum!

My strategy of not filling up with petrol until here backfired – the petrol price is a bit like the fruit – 169.9 cpl, the highest we’ve paid since leaving Wollongong. I could have bought it in Longreach for 162.9! All up it cost $197.98 for 700 km of travel. Oh well, it’s only money!

I rang NRMA today and it appears my NRMA premium membership may cover me for up to $3000 while the car is being fixed. When we get to Mt Isa I have to ring RACQ and get a serviceman to indicate that the car will be off the road for more than 24 hours. I should then be covered for accommodation and car hire. That will help quite a bit! Perhaps we should leave the van in the caravan park and book into a motel.