Living the Dream in Oz: Julia Creek, Mt Isa and Boulia

Hello all
I headed to Cloncurry, after leaving Julia Creek, I seem to be unknowingly following the Rodeo circuit. With the Rodeo the next day I hightailed it out of town.

While in Cloncurry, I stopped for a look at the rail ambulance.

For twenty years, Cloncurry had no rail ambulance, until in 1954 a 1938 Ford V8 road ambulance was converted to rails at Townsville workshops. The rear axle was shortened and fitted with 21 inches (533mm) diameter wheels, while the front was mounted on a four wheel bogie from a QR 45hp AEC rail motor. A jacking point was placed at the centre of balance, to place the car on the rails or turn it at its destination, a hydraulic jack raised and turned as desired, and lowered again. This took about 15 mins, and could be performed by one man, although it was desirable to have two to maintain balance.

In 1962, the speed limit for this car on straight track was raised to 30mph (48kmph) and in 1964, the shed housing it was moved to reduce preparation time. The car recieved regular use during the sixties. In 1963, three trips were made in one weekend, and in 1969, a birth occurred in it between Malbon and Cloncurry. It was last used in 1971. In 1979 tenders were called for its purchase, but it remained in Cloncurry, and is now in an historical park there.

Cloncurry Rail Ambulance

After Cloncurry, I headed to the old Mary Kathleen Townsite for a look. it was odd to find bitumen streets, round abouts and shopping centre parking bays, but no buildings.

Mary Kathleen

In 1954, a significant uranium deposit was discovered at the site Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd. built a mine, with 4,080 tonnes of uranium oxide being extracted between 1958 and 1963. The mine then lay idle until 1974, when it was reopened. The second phase of production began in 1976 and the mine was finally closed down in 1982 after a further production of 4,802 tonnes of uranium oxide. A total of 31 million tonnes of ore were extracted from the mine until it was exhausted. Processing occurred on-site.
Next stop was Mt Isa, to all the freezing Victorians..........days are 29-31c and night are getting down to a chilly 14-16c.

Mt Isa

Mt Isa, being my first time here, reminded me a little of Broken Hill.
The World War II-era Mount Isa Underground Hospital is an historical building that has been registered on the Register of the National Estate. An air-raid shelter which could function as a hospital was a precautionary measure taken after Darwin was bombed in 1942.Local miners excavated the site which remains today as the only underground health facility in Queensland which was built during World War II.