We make it to Normanton – the end is in sight – 70km to go!
The ride to Normanton was hot but fairly easy paced as we only had 65km to go before reaching the small town for brekkie. We had time to set up some shots and relax a little before the sun got too hot.
Riding to Normanton
We spent the morning chatting away with one of the Aboriginal locals, Michael who told us all about working on the roads as a younger man from 7am to 4pm – right through the middle of the day!
Then we bumped in to a couple of chaps we met in Birdsville outside the famous purple pub!
Thanks for the weather report fellas,you saved us about 3 days
These guys had forewarned us of the rain coming from the gulf a week or so back so we owed them, they were on their way back from the Gulf and were heading home to country Victoria in their 4WD which they proudly boasted was the filthiest 4WD they had seen on the road :o)
Sunrise approaching Normanton
There's pretty for you
The scenery is breathtaking up the top end of the Gulf and made a pleasant change to the starkness of the deserts we had become familiar with. Flowers were all around us, Wedge Tailed Eagles soared above our heads and giant monitors roamed on the track side.
After a not too energetic ride in, we headed to the pub and booked in to a camp site for the afternoon, our first camp site of the trip.
We enjoyed the pool and cooked steak burgers on the BBQ, washed down with quality XXXX Gold! The end is in sight, just one day’s riding through croc country to go now!!!
Normanton is home of the largest crocodile ever caught at 28ft and also home to a ridiculous number of cain toads. Everywhere you look in Normanton you’ll find flattened toads on the roads and pavements. Going to the loo at night is like dodging land mines – exploding toads under foot!
Well done Dave & Tim!