Stayed two nights in Tambo at The Mill motel & van park which was nice with big spacious sites. A friendly town although a very small place. We used it to rest after all the driving. So glad we stopped in to Tambo Teddies as the kids had a ball helping the ladies and we even let them have a teddy each, they weren't cheap but so well made they will have them forever.
Very cool wall that has everything from the kitchen sink to a motorcycle cemented into it. This photo is the gate.
Matilda Country Tourist park was a very enjoyable experience for our kids as it had the animal enclosure there. They had a llama (called Banjo), chickens (of varied breeds), a lamb and baby goats which my daughter's were thrilled to give a bottle of milk to each night. There was a giant dinosaur onsite which provides the photo opportunity for the town famous for its dinosaur history. The thing that was disappointing was that the meal & shows had ceased and the camp fire that I had been looking forward to was no longer due to insurance premiums. The park was a little let go and needed a bit of love but it was still the best one for having young kids, they loved it.
We loved the town of Winton. First evening we played the Musical fence just on the outskirts of the town which is made up of old drums, engines and pieces of metal for the kitchen kids to make noise in, it's quite cool. Although a couple of young locals advised us not to we ventured into the very cool looking North Gregory Hotel, so glad we used our own gut feeling as hubby had a great beef burger for $12, it was a massive patty with swiss cheese, garlic aioli, salad on sourdough, so cheap for what it was. The kids played for ages on the climbing frame out the back of pub. You can even park your caravan out the back for $10 a night which has an open pit fire. Legend has it that Banjo Patterson first performed Waltzing Matilda at this pub. It is decorated beautifully. We chose to avoid the dinosaur museum instead to soak up the town. There is some great photo opportunities with the giant dinosaur feet around, Arno's Wall, Banjo Patterson memorial, pelican lake in the main street plus the museum on the main street was pretty cool.
We only stayed one night here. We stayed at the Discovery on Little West street which was a small park but nice enough. We had an en suite site for $39 plus its an extra $10 for the kids. The Discovery Aguthella just out of town was more expensive unless you are a Big4 member then its the same price after the 10% off. The latter may of had miners staying there by the look of things, I could be wrong. Mt Isa is an interesting little town with all the trappings of the city with the varied shops etc however it has the mine overshadowing the town.
We stayed one night here after being warned not to stay here. I would of rather given my money to Three Ways Roadhouse. Don't get me wrong Barkly homestead is meticulously maintained especially for the middle of nowhere but if you need to ask them anything then you get attitude. Only interested in your open wallet. Such a shame as it has everything else going for it.
How could I resist visiting the Historic Daly Waters pub. What character this place has, originally a spot for drovers to stop it went on to become Australia's first international airport where they fuelled up planes flying to London in World War II. Today tourists from all over the world stop in for a Barra burger (the most awesome burger ever) and a beer. You will see remnants of previous visitors from drivers licenses, thongs to bras & undies. You can also stay on site in the camp grounds but we chose just to have lunch this time. Would of loved to of seen it at night when they have nightly entertainment.
