MOUNT SURPRISE

We drove a short way today, about 120 klm along the Gulf Development Road, and found this friendly little caravan park at the next town, Mount Surprise. 

It’s a small town of about 306 people. It’s located in the Gulf Savannah, far North Queensland, 1722 klm north west of Brisbane. 

The town was founded by Ezra Firth, from Yorkshire, who settled with his family in 1864. The property struggled at first, relations with the indigenous of the country were hostile and the country wasn’t good for wool growing. The discovery of gold in 1880s and subsequent gold rush allowed Firth to sell his sheep to the miners, convert to cattle and become wealthy selling goods to the miners. 

It was tough going getting the railroad through. It was a great little display. Tough work!!

The local police station. 

Local pub!

So funny as it has a sign on the gate to say “Geese on guard” and by the look of them I wouldn’t have gone near them!

They were huge!

We have huge “road trains” out this way now. It gets pretty remote out this way so the trucks get bigger as they have to cart stuff so far away. 

The fuel gets dearer and so does the groceries!

The sunsets are just stunning. We are here for a couple of days as we have hooked up to power so it’s going to be cooking & freezing food before we head off..... and washing to do with my little washing machine. I’m giving Ed time off from hand washing! :)