The last day of crossing Australia!

Last night’s camp was tucked awkwardly out of sight between the road and a barbed wire fence. Not much traffic but one ute was out spotlighting (night shooting with a high powered light) which I could have done without.

The morning was spent climbing and descending rolling hills mostly adjacent to the military training area. Pleasant enough but hills were an unwelcome surprise after 5000 km of virtually flat terrain.

Eventually the road rose up to the little village of Herveys Range (not much there folks, no shop, school, pub or campground). Almost at the top of the range was a turnoff for a half kilometre run to a tea house in a century old cabin made of hand hewn boards.

Of course I had to have tea and scones there along with the daytrippers from Townsville.

Out the back of the tea rooms was a short walking track with this admonition to beware of heatstroke, dehydration and not to touch snakes that might be on the path. Really, this is the nanny state gone beserk!

Then it was up the last few meters on the highway and down the long descent to the suburbs of Townsville.

Another hour to run through the seemingly endless Townsville suburbs and ‘bingo’ – the sea!

The crossing was complete.