We would like to thank Dave Phoenix for mapping the entire Burke & Wills route and writing his book "Following Burke & Wills Across Australia" with incredible accuracy. This gave us the opportunity to plan & travel our Burke & Wills Trek from Melbourne to Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This year we travelled by 4WD, next year 2018 Phil will walk the route and Susan will be 4WD backup. Susan and I stayed with Dave, president of the Burke & Wills Historical Society and his

The title of this post is the aptly named Motel for our destination next year in Karumba. We've done the TALK (30 day recce) now the WALK (100 day TREK). Now starting early MAY 2018 and finishing in AUG.

A welcome stop at Gregory Downs and the beautiful fast flowing Gregory River. Billy Hangers produced 2 mugs of hot cocoa for us and homemade muffins on the front verandah with lots of laughs with other Grey Nomads!

Stunning azure green water beneath the massive ochre coloured gorge lined with palm trees and freshwater crocodiles with wedge tailed eagles showing their beauty while the bats just hang around as we walk, canoe and even swim. Camp 119 The last recorded camp of Burke & Wills.

We received a great response at The Burke & Wills Roadhouse where the explorers walked just past the back door. Thanks Owen, Mark & Jay, look forward to seeing you next year.

The Thirsty Camel on Dukes Street in the tiny town called Duchess! (Called after an Aboriginal Lady called Duchess, what a fabulous name) met the publican Rhoda who with husband Bill have been there 17 years. Information Centre at Cloncurry & their museum very interesting with lots of history about Buke & Wills including an old leather water bottle of Burke's and great paintings of them. The info centre is a real credit to Gail the manager here. Also another great plaque of D

Still on the road heading north, so much to see and do. Late 1800s Birdsville Pub, sunset, old ruin of Homestead at Carorry. Piglets & Camels racing, what a sight to behold! Woodchopping both men & women & many other things. A sunny day a damper making competition making it in the Bedourie Camp Oven with hot coals from the wood fire originating way back in Bedourie. Bedourie Camp oven have a flat top and are therefore very easy to pack for on the track.

Sitting by our campfire stars and moon are out. Moon is nearly full maybe 2 more nights. Tibooburra Pub was once owned by Clifton Pugh, now adorned with daring murals of his art. The Dig Tree where B&W returned to find food, but no men is beside beautiful Cooper Creek with the tragic history of B&W grave sites. Birdsville is alive with 7000 revellers (population is usually 115) coming back into town after the 3 day Big Red Bash Music Festival including Missy Higgins, held 35

A couple of days in Tibooburra - we managed to dodge the wild wet and thousands of kangaroos and emu, but couldn't dodge road closures. Went to Cameron's Corner - the pub serving 3 states SA, NSW and QLD. We played 9 holds of golf - 3 in each state. Susan won and so did Phil - 66 each. Very rough course like the roads. It was good fun. we came across this great scene of Burke & Wills Next we head north to Inaminka and the Dig Tree...