Route 66 Highway, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: May 5th, 2003
Most people have heard about America's famous stretch of road called Route 66, but few are aware that Australia has its very own version. Starting from the coast in Queensland and heading due west, Australia's Route 66 offers everything that makes a great road trip - stunning scenery, fascinating people and quirky tourist traps.
The adventure starts in Rockhampton, beef capital of Australia. Don't forget to have a look at Rockhampton's famous cow statue before you hit the road.
First stop on the itinerary is Dingo, a two hour drive up the road. Dingo was, not surprisingly, named after dingos, but the locals are far from fond of the feral animal. In fact, not only did the locals try to have the name changed to something more respectable, but the town is also home to the annual Dingo trap throwing championships every July. Dingo also has a truck stop that is considered to be the most popular truck stop along the entire 600 kilometres of Route 66.
Next stop is Emerald, a mining town in cotton country. Strangely enough, you'll come across a big easel here in this quiet, unassuming town. The Van Gough Sunflower painting is part of a plan to put his artwork in various places around the country. Around these parts you'll also find Rubyvale, or the Gemfields, where miners are hard at work trying to cash in on the region's natural gems. Pete, a local miners, conducts 3 hour tours of the mines for $30.
Roll west some more and you'll come across the best nightlife of the entire route - the Jericho drive-in. Complete with a 'pash-pit' up the back, this drive-in operates once a month on a Saturday night as a fund raiser, and screens the latest Hollywood blockbusters.
A little further up the road you'll reach the last town on Route 66 - Barcaldine. You can't get much more outback than this. There's nothing but trees and funny farms around - literally! All the streets in town are named after types of trees and one particular street is home to Mad Mick's Funny Farm. Mad Mick collects antique stuff and keeps a pet kangaroos. Entry fee into Mick's farm costs $10.
No true outback adventure would be complete without a visit to a good old fashioned outback pub. The Wellshot Pub is located in Ilfracombe, an hour up the road from Barcaldine. The Wellshot offers cold beers and cheap accommodation to tired and thirsty drivers. If you get there during winter, you'll also be lucky enough to catch their annual working dog show.
The facts:
Pub rooms at The Wellshot start from $20 per night.
The Wellshot Hotel
Tel: 07 4658 2106
Alpha Motel
Tel: 07 4985 1311
Capricorn Tourism
Tel: 07 4927 2055
Gracemere Saleyards
Tel: 07 4933 1222
Dingo Roadhouse
Tel: 07 4935 9178
Rubyvale Gem Gallery
Tel: 07 4985 4388
Jericho Drive-in
Tel: 07 4985 1166
Mad Mick's Funny Farm
Tel: 07 4651 1172
