25 November 2016 - Hughenden to Charters Towers

The hot weather remained today.  Our hope that the temperature would fall as we drove nearer to the coast was never realised and it was 40 degrees by the time we reached Charters Towers, 254 km from Hughenden.

We managed a few photographs of Hughenden before we left.

251116 Life sized Muttaburrasaurus  at Hughenden

251116 More of the Muttaburrasaurus  at Hughenden

251116 Flinders River downstream from the Ernest Henry Bridge

251116 Flinders River upstream from the Ernest Henry Bridge

Not surprisingly, the number of towns on the highway increased as we approached the coast although each was quite small.  Included were Prairie (population 50), Torrens Creek (population 20 and 2 sulphur crested cockatoos in the mango trees in the main street), Pentland (population 250) and Balfes Creek (population 20).

251116 Plains just out of Hughenden and west of Prairie

251116 Trees were becoming taller as we  progressed
eastward towards Torrens Creek

251116 Approaching Prairie

251116 Torrens Creek railway station 

251116 The story of Torrens Creek

251116 A cockatoo in a mango tree in Torrens Creek

251116 Welcome to Pentland

251116 Even in the heat at Pentland

251116 Welcome to Balfes Creek

The plain lands continued until just after Torrens Creek where the road became elevated as we crossed the Burra Range.  It seemed we were about to enter granite country and in the distance higher mountain ranges were evident, probably the western elements of the Great Dividing Range.  There was an excellent view from the Burra Range Lookout.

251116 Higher section of the road with mountains
appearing towards the east

251116 A view from Burra Range Lookout

251116 Another view from Burra Range Lookout

After the Burra Range the countryside was more undulating and the trees were alot taller.  It was still very dry.

251116 Taller trees as we came east

Charters Towers still demonstrates its gold mining history and there was evidence of this as we approached the town.  That did not change the fact it was still very hot.  It was not long after we arrived that the air conditioner went on.

251116 Looks like mining country.  Yes it's Charters Towers

The Flinders Highway we travelled today is designated as portion of the Overlander's Way, the road between Townsville and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

More of Charters Towers tomorrow.  We hear the unhappy boat is still here and is still awaiting an owner.

We noticed some interesting and obvious bushes along the roadside in places.  We were disappointed that the blossoms were dead. 

251116 Unusual tree

251116 The flowers were dead (we think) but still interesting