West into the Night

An interesting business that we encountered on the way out of Mount Isa.

As the sun sank low in the west, the expedition stopped at an outback encampment of caravans and trailers.  A group of what would be called Snowbirds in North America had pulled up for the night and circled the wagons to protect against the unknowns of the night.

The lead expedition vehicle preparing for a night of roughing it in the bush.

The great beyond.

A road train rumbles by in the night.

The heavens unfolded above us in a way totally unknown to the majority of the world’s population.

With night fallen, the expedition built a cook and watch fire.  Or attempted to.  The meager fire-starting supplies purchased several days prior proved to be less-than-ideal for starting and maintaining a fire of sufficient heat to cook kangaroo meat in the dutch oven.

Only through the fearless bravery of my Akubra hat did I manage to keep the fire going with my breath until our dinner had cooked.  We estimated that it took us nearly four hours to prepare the meal in this manner.

Dawn over the campsite.

Mount Isa Rodeo

Having procured Akubra hats at Mansworld, the expedition proceeded to infiltrate the Mount Isa Rodeo for cultural observations.  We soon found the southern hemisphere’s best calf ropers, bull riders, and barrel racers.  The dark red earth of northern Queensland, Bob Katter’s own country, is in blood of these cowboys.

The local Rotary club and XXXX Gold Beer are both sponsors.

Someone got the wind knocked out of them.

Lord Bailey’s Brass Rat was the only clue that our party did not belong amongst the several thousand north Queensland rodeo fans.


The carnival.

Some proper bush vehicles.

No kangaroo stands a chance against this outback ute.

Mount Isa

The most prominent landmark of Mount Isa is the smelter smokestack that sits on the western side of town.  Mount Isa is a mining and cattle town.

The smelter complex.

Mansworld.  Later in the day, the expedition was outfitted with Akubra hats at this fine mercantile.

It is a long way to anywhere from Mount Isa.

At the panoramic overlook of town.

The rodeo grounds.

Mining is a dirty business.

A tourist “mine.”

The rodeo capital of Australia.

The Akubra hats were later instrumental in obscuring our presence amongst the locals.