When we arrived, our booked spot by the river was shared with a couple who were visiting their son who was working as apprentice stock hand. So a bit cramped, including some strange squeaking in the middle of night (😳), but they headed off in the morning, having now relocated to Mackay for work. So the place was ours with the bonus of a local fire pit.
The staff who run the station are great and very friendly. The community fire which starts at 5pm brings everyone, staff and other campers together. Met some lovely campers from all ages, stages and heading both up north with us or on their way home.
First order of business in town was to diagnose the winch issue as it would be a good safety blanket to have as we head into more remote parts. ARB store was fully booked ( 😁 ) so we wandered down to TGM to see if they could have a look. They were able to but not till the arvo, it was better than nothing. So off we went to the info centre to book for the tourist mine tour. A bit steep but it was certainly worth it. We would need to wait till 9am tomorrow for that one.
We now had time to checkout lookout points, shops. It was amazing how close the mine is to town, just across the railway tracks and it dominates the skyline from where ever you are. Not being allowed on site for obvious reasons it was a bit hard for the boys to get what was happening but Dad was certainly impressed but the shear size of the operation. The pick of the day was the playground and water fun park to let the boys run off some energy, well worth it as they were an excited lot having developed playground withdrawal symptoms over the last few days. Meant we could catch up on blogs as well 😀
Turns out the winch motor was the issue with the solenoid still operating. We have booked into ARB in Darwin to have a more solid look at it and recondition if needed. So no winch this trip I feel.
We also got ready for the 13 or so days food supply that we need as we head for Adel's grove. We were told not to rely on the stores having any more than basic bread and uht milk if that. 13 days meals for 4 was a challenge to ensure we had variety together whilst ensuring we used minimal fridge space given we only have 45 litres for everything, but Katie's superior organisation and planning skills had us tee up a menu in no time.
The next morning we had an early 9am tour. We were in town on time which was new for us. The boys had a ball dressing up in overalls, hard hats and boots with their light and tags given made it a very authentic experience. The mine history was run through by Alan our tour guide before the dress up and decent into the tourist mine began. It was interesting that all the silver and copper refined products were trucked out to Townsville, no rail. Different approach to other west Australia and hunter based mines. They take the 99.7% pure silver and refine it to 99.9% at Townsville. That 0.2% impurities of arsenic and gold generates enough income to make it worthwhile. Fascinating process.
We were able to see equipment in action including drills, little muckers (or diggers) as well as massive machines that they use today. No pictures allowed in the mine but a few sample of the dress ups below.
We then picked up the last vac packed bits and pieces and headed back out to the station to chill, pack the new stock and get ready for tomorrow.
When we arrived we heard that there were other kids swimming in the dam. We darted off to dip a toe or two, dam water was by no means warm but very refreshing. Only the boys went in and they had a ball with the kids who were mucking about with a canoe and kayaks. At the end the boys had a go themselves Another first for them.
The next morning was pack up day and we headed off for the first of our dirt road sections aiming for Adel's grove. A stock on fuel in all the jerry cans in Mount Isa and we were off!
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