We had planned to stay in Georgetown, a bit of miscommunication about the river there. Hutchy had been told by someone at Mount Molloy that there was a great place to camp by the river and they were catching Redclaw and Barramundi there. When we stopped at Mt Surprise for fuel the fella at the petrol station told us if there was water in the Georgetown river he would run bare assed down Burke Street. He was right, the river was dry and there was no free camping to be seen, we decided to keep going to Croydon which was the next town 100kms away and a bit closer to Normanton. We were also told Karumba would be booked out and to ring ahead, difficult with no phone range. I called from a pay phone and managed to get an unpowered site at Sunset Caravan Park (we were told it was the best place to stay) for the next two nights.
Croydon is a lovely little heritage town, it was the fourth largest city in Queensland during the gold rush. There is only one pub remaining of the thirty-two that were in operation at that time.
And.... you wouldn't believe it, this caravan park had FREE washing machines after I had done all my sheets and all at Undara because they were only $2.
We went up to the pub for dinner, what an experience! The two barmaids were two very cute, very young German backpackers who had got the job through an agency in Brisbane, they had been there four weeks and were leaving in nine days to travel (they were pretty excited about that!). What a smart move by the publican! but then it is the only pub in town so I guess he doesn't really have to be a marketing guru to get customers in.
Hutchy made friends with the chef and after we had settled Jesse into bed he ventured back up there for a few games of pool. Well he came home pretty drunk and pretty happy with himself as he held the table all night beating everyone including the chef and publican. We reckon they will be talking about him for weeks to come.
A fellow traveller on the highway...
The pub at Croydon where Hutchy is pool king.
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