Day 4. McKinlay shire. 30.6.26

 We were advised in Aramac yesterday not to take the road to Hughenden as it was chopped up. So the plan was to head to Winton via Morella. There was about 90 kms of dirt involved and we'd had rain overnight so decided to go with plan C and head towards Longreach on the sealed road. We popped out on the Landsborough Hwy just north of the township. 

We had a few small water crossing and a little light rain but still a very scenic drive from Muttaburra to Longreach. 

Emus are few and far between. Today we've seen horses, cows, sheep, goats, emus and a snake.

Only stopped in Winton for a quick lunch stop.

Last time we were in the area we climbed the above rock formation. 

For something different we have parked up on the Landsborough Hwy behind a wall of hay bales halfway between Kynuna and McKinley. 

Our dinner view.

 Today we travelled 458 kms, total of 1478 kms.  We  are both a bit weary today. From tomorrow we can slow down and start to enjoy the trip as we have almost caught up to our original plan.

The weather has been cloudy and drizzly and the temperature range was 16-28°

Day 3. Muttaburra 29.6.26

Woke early so packed up, went for a wander down to the river and then headed for Barcaldine. 

Millie made me a beautiful cushion which takes pride of place on the bed with gadget 🩷

There were lots of tiny birds enjoying the flowers of this tree.

Barcaldine ⬇️

We climbed the tower but the photos weren't blog worthy.

My new sun smart hat.

Then we moved on to Aramac. We had a quick visit here once before.

Yesterday we saw a couple of squished echidnas and a wild pig also belly up. Today we saw about a dozen emus and I managed to get a photo of a pair of brolga.

Aramac is a town with a lot of white bulls.

We visited the Harry Redford museum. 

Muttaburra is a small town in the centre of Queensland.  This is our first visit here, so a new line on our map. After being to Winton to see all the dinosaurs, I was a little disappointed but we still had a lovely wander around the town following some of the sculpture trail and finished with a celebratory drink at the Exchange Hotel.

The Exchange Hotel is the town’s last surviving historic pub out of seven that operated during the 1890s peak. Built in 1899 by Irish immigrant Timothy J. McCarthy, the two-story outback watering hole has withstood devastating fires and remains a vital community hub. 

The original building was tragically destroyed by fire shortly after on 8 September 1899, but was rebuilt and reopened by December 1900.

In 1934 the pub burned down a second time. McCarthy immediately erected a new building on the same spot, which continues to stand as the modern Exchange Hotel.

We are staying at the showgrounds as the caravan park is full. Both charge $25 per night with power and water and the same facilities. If you pay for 3 nights you can stay for 5 so no wonder the van park was packed. The showgrounds is almost full but is a little further out of town.

Today we travelled 206 kms, total of 1,020 kms. It's been very windy, drizzly and overcast. The temperature range was 15-29°.