Kennedy Development Road - Winton to Boulia

Leaving Winton, and travelling 6k out of town we arrived at the Kennedy Development Road (or Hwy 62). We had hoped to see the sign depicting "Australia's Longest Shortcut", but apparently it is back in Winton! We were not going to travel far as we had already had a long drive to Winton, and we were surprised how good the road was. We expected dirt or gravel roads for this leg of the trip and were pleased to see that the road was mostly single lane bitumen all the way to Boulia and mostly double bitumen road beyond to Birdsville.

The Kennedy Developmental Road starts north of Cairns as the Kennedy Highway, and runs 936km, through Hughenden to the Kennedy Developmental Road heading south to Boulia. It is also known as Hwy 62.

Approximately 26k along the road we came to the first free camp site - site of the original Trans Continental Railway. Not a lot remains now other than a few information boards. The camp itself is a large flat area, with a number of prickles. We decided to continue to the next camp.

A further 36k along the road we came to the Diamentina Causeway Information Sign.

All along the road are information boards and brown signs indicating something is coming up. We also had WikiCamps to help us.

About a kilometre along was the Diamantina Yabby Camp, not a big area. We kept going, about 20k and stayed at Poddy Creek rest area. The area had toilets and picnic tables.

We didn't see a creek, but it was a great site to spend a few nights. We were the only ones there, and it was so quiet overnight.

There is another about 6kms away - Pad 87 - but Poddy Creek was much better. Heading to Middleton, 75km away, we stopped about 10km out to visit a movie set. One can see it from the road and there is a dirt track leading up to the old shack.

Parts of the movie Goldstone (sequel to Mystery Road) was filmed here. I'm not sure if this is an original historic building or just part of a movie set, but it was very interesting.

Our next overnight was across from the Middleton Hotel. Hilton Hotel is a big open space, maybe doubles as a sports field? There are no facilities, but the pub across the road has great meals, cold drinks and toilets and showers.

We were now well and truly in Channel Country.

The first European exploration was in 1862, when explorer John McKinlay and his expedition were in search of the missing Burke and Wills expedition. McKinlay named the nearby creek Middleton Creek after his second in charge, Thomas Middleton. A cairn stands next to the camp.

The town of Middleton was once a busy town and was founded in 1876 and the hotel was built soon after next to the creek. I must admit, again we didn't see any creek, but maybe in wet season there is. The hotel served as a horse changing station and an overnight rest station for travellers. A mail receiving office was established in 1889 and in 1916 a post office was opened. The Post Office closed in 1968. The school was opened in 1908 and closed in 1913, another school was opened in 1937 and closed in 1943.

In 1892 Cobb and Co. won the mail contract from Winton to Boulia, and offered a weekly service. The 9 Pillars of Cobb and Co. are nine markers that depict where the horse changing stations once were. Middleton Hotel is the only remaining one, and was stop 4. This was a lunch stop for Cobb and Co. The Middleton Hotel is all that remains in the town now.

The hotel itself is a living museum, with relics, fossils and bones.

One interesting relic was an original Cobb and Co Coach. 

The pub is small with a bar, dining room, and covered verandah. 

We had dinner there and the food was delicious. There was a choice of chicken schnitzel, rissoles or crumbed steak - all priced at $25.

 

There were a number of campers who arrived after us, and the pub was busy at night.

We had a quiet night and the next morning got our coffee and hot chocolate for the road. I think we should have stayed another night or two. Although it is a free camp we gave a donation to the Royal Flying Doctors in the pub.

Approximately 50km from Middleton is the Cawnpore Lookout, 

... with spectacular views across the landscape.

Next stop was the site of the Min Min Hotel, about 34 km further along and where the first recorded European siting of the lights. We were about half way from Middleton to Boulia.

This area has strange magnetic properties, believed to be the result of an asteroid hit. More about Min Min Lights in Boulia Blog. This is also a free camp, but so much cow poo ..... I wouldn't stay here - but it would be good to look for the lights. We looked for the ruins of the old Min Min Hotel, but couldn't find any.

Another 31 km is the site of Hamilton Hotel and Cobb and Co. pillar 7.

This was an overnight stop for the coaches. The hotel was built in 1897 All that is left is the old fireplace. The hotel burnt down in 1918.

The council has set up a free rest area camp on the site with flushing toilets, cold showers and picnic tables. The water is pumped up from the Artesian Basin.

A further 78 km is Boulia.