October 7, 2012
Uluru to the Atherton Tablelands
The Long Drive Westward
It's 1,700 miles from Uluru to Atherton via Karumba. The road crosses very empty country, as void of civilization as any we've passed through so far. Roads are sealed, but in some places they have just a one lane paved strip down the middle. You move onto the gravel to pass cars coming at you from the other direction.
We routed ourselves up to Karumba because ther birding is pretty good up there.
Queensland Border
One Paved Lane
Termite Mounds Along The Side of the Road
Queensland Rest Area Campsite
Rainbow Bee-eater at Rest Stop
Also Pale-headed Rosella
Karumba
We routed ourselves up to Karumba because the birding is pretty good up there. It's located on Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria, the only town in Australia that is.
For a good look at the birds here it's necessary to get out on the water. We booked a tour with Ferryman Tours to do this. An added bonus, these folks had a pet Frogmouth sitting in their living room.
More about Karumba.
Kangaroo Just Outside Karumba
Tawny Frogmouth
Tour Boat Ready to Go
Saltwater Crocodile on the Beach
Broad-billed Flycatcher
Most Visitors Come to Karumba For the Fishing
Atherton Tablelands
At the end of the week we finally almost reached the Atherton Tablelands above Cairns. This is one of the prime birdwatching areas in Australia. If you don't like birds, skip next week's blog!
Rig of the Week
Bus conversion towing a car at a rest area in western Queensland. Note that the car is on a trailer, we've not seen any cars being flat-towed over here.
