Sat, 24th June, 2023 Bush camp by Georgina River, west of Boulia to ‘Hotel Hilton’ campground at Middleton Hotel, west of Winton, Qld (exploring Boulia)

11.5 degrees at 7am so put the heater on and didn’t get up till 8am as the sun is not up yet. Not a lot of bird song this morning, just the whistling kite.

Puffy clouds dotting the sky as we headed back out to the Donohue Highway. We spotted an Outback Way sign in the grass and realised the ‘camping area’ was on the other side but it is now covered in grass. We drove in over a rough track and found the info sign, an old brick BBQ.

Spotted three Brolgas wandering through the grass as we then continued eastward on the bitumen. Nice over over the low trees etc from the top of a crest.

Pulled off to read the information board about Kev Kerr who was instrumental in sealing these outback roads. Interesting to note in 2016 it cost $250,000 to do a kilometre - wonder what the cost would be now.

Continued on back through open grasslands bordered by low trees and shrubs. A few more caravanners heading west. Pulled off to check on a chap parked in the middle of the road with his bonnet up and door open. A ‘local’ who said he was ok, had friends coming out with more fuel! He is only 15km out of Boulia! We offered to move him off the road but he said he was ok! Hope no big trucks come his way.

A bit further along we turned right onto the Diamantina Development Road, 8km to Boulia.

At the dump point there was a wash down area so Steve gave the truck and camper a nice wash. I stayed in the truck and gave Terry a call and let Jon and Dan know where we were. Jon rang back for a chat as he is heading back to Adelaide for work.

Drove across the road to check out an old Waddi tree.

Lovely mural on the Aquatic Centre though why didn’t they make the stockman smaller so they didn’t have to chop of his head!

Around the block to the first 3D pedestrian crossing at the school.

Into town - lovely green grass and nice and tidy. Big wide streets from the old stage coach days.

Went for a wander around as we haven’t been here before. Lots of history boards to read.

Love the launderette’s sign.

Great truck - looks like they have been some places according to the itinerary on the back.

More information at the Town Hall.

The Min Min Encounter was closed for lunch so might do that another time when we come back for the Boulia Camel Races which is in a couple of weeks. There is also a museum to check out. A cute pony keeping the grass down on the footpath outside the old Australian Hotel.

On the centre island is the Red Stump, a petrified tree stump.

Steve was impressed with this trailer.

This shop has absolutely everything in it - even a few motorbikes, clothes, camping, old relics etc.

Behind that and along the street is the animal rescue place. They all look very contented.

Continued back up this side of the street checking out the history signs. Nice murals on the rubbish bins.

Back to the truck then down the road to top up with diesel ($2.379/L).

Across the Burke River on a one lane bridge for park up for lunch.

We can read the words on the steps again now Steve washed off all the dust.

The caravan park is on the other side of the road where a few more info boards and plaques are.

Continued on the Kennedy Development Road on one lane bitumen now towards Winton (360km away). Passed three camels in a yard - wondering if they will be in the camel races.

Sky clear ahead. Pulled off to check out an old Cobb & Co Coach sign but the information plaque has gone. It must have been a staging post. There is a big cut out sign now about the Min Min lights.

More caravanners heading west. Mount Datsun appears in the distance like a mirage.

The flat grass plains continue. Stopped for a cuppa at Hamilton Hotel historical site and rest area. Bit of info in the shelter shed about the artesian basin. Steve tasted the water - good.

Only the fireplace remains of the old hotel which was another Cobb & Co staging post. The hotel burnt down in the early 1900s. Noticed the petrified wood too.

Continued on over the Hamilton River Channels - bit bouncy road.

The grass plains continued with a range of hills in the distance.

We always get the oncoming vehicle on the narrow section - not the wider overtaking sections!!

Missed a photo of two roos jumping along just off the road side - nice to see some live ones.

Across Min Min Creek to the site of the Min Min Hotel. No remains of the hotel or the cemetery now. The photo on Wikicamps shows a grave below the big sign. Will have to have an overnight here to try and see a Min Min light one day.

Continued on heading to some hills.

Through the hills and then more hills and green tree tops appear as we cross into Winton Shire. Single road with a tar edge now.

Through the Cawnpore Hills.

We passed the Cawnpore Lookout that was on top of a hill. There was a dirt track up this side so we continued thinking there was a better track on the other but there wasn’t. Wasn’t anywhere to turn around so we continued on. Will mark it for a visit next time as the view from up there over the eroded landscape is good apparently. 

Passed the turn off for an alternative gravel route down to Lark Quarry - another place to visit one day to see all the dinosaur footprints.

Back through grass plains heading to the next cluster of hills. Hema shows another site of a hotel called MacKunda Hotel.

Veered away from the hills onto open flat plains again. Heading towards another range of hills with a line of green trees first which would be the numerous channels of Saville Creek.

Pulled into a rest area called ‘Hotel Hilton’ opposite the Middleton Hotel which is still functioning. Much warmer today. A few other travellers are parked up so we chose a spot on the dry cracked black soil.

A plaque for McKinlay and crew in 1862 - Middleton was a member so McKinlay named this area after him.

Looking at the hotel then west then east.

This is the only operational hotel from the Cobb & Co days from Winton to Boulia. Lovely old carriage and sulky outside. What a difference in transport from then till now. If we all had to go back to those days, who would cope!

Not sure what this is.

Went into the hotel to drop some coins in the RFDS donation box for our camp spot. Ordered some drinks and chatted with the bar attendant. She said the hotel is owned by a helicopter pilot and his wife. He has had a few close calls in the chopper and there is a couple of painted chopped bits on the walls after a crash.

They just mustered the cattle the other days so the travellers got a treat as the cattle herd made their way through the camp area to the yards behind the pub. I bet they would have just loved all the dust in their vans!

Nice mural on the saw above more information. Lots of interesting bits to read on the pub walls about the history etc.

There is a shack down the road that was used in this movie.

This is great. If you have an annoying traveller just tell them to read the board.

We joined the other travellers on the verandah as it is very hot out in the sun so this is the place be. Chatted with a couple from Sydney heading to the Big Red Bash.

Back to the camper as the sun set behind the trees.

No need for the heater as the camper has stayed warm because I hadn’t opened it up when we pulled up.