Day 17 Fullarton River North to Normanton

450km today to arrive in the Gulf Country at Normanton, via Cloncurry, Quamby and the Burke and Wills Junction (BWJ).  We had a changing vista all day from dry treeless plains in the morning to tree-filled plains in the afternoon.  Around Cloncurry there were very interesting rock structures.  We stopped at Chinaman's Ck Dam Recreation Area  five minutes from Cloncurry.  It was beautiful.  After BWJ we experienced some rain which made the sides of the road muddy and yes, we met cars going in the opposite direction at places where the road was one lane wide.  The result, a muddy caravan.  Diane had our first communication on the two way radio.  A truckie was warning us to stay on the road as a couple of caravans were bogged on the verge when moving over to pass. "Roger that, over and out".

230414 Confusing - which highway is it?

230414 Rock structure near Cloncurry

230414 Chinaman's Creek Dam outside Cloncurry

230414 Touring the Top End by bike. Note the bear hanging on for grim death at the back

230414 Burke and Wills Junction Roadhouse

230414 Road train - some are even bigger

230414 A bustard on the roadside near Normanton