65 - Moura to Charters Towers

We woke the next morning reasonably early and hit the road again. We met a few people at the camp site on the Dawson River, who were heading for Clermont as their next destination heading north. Sounds like a good idea to me.

So we set sail to destination Clermont. Now Clermont is a town that never changes. I used to sell into the area back in my days of living in Mackay. Even back then it was always dusty and dry. Nothing happens in Clermont. The only thing that kept it going was the, then new German Creek mine. Now that was in the '80's.

Our drive to Clermont was long and hard, and was glad to see the kilometer signs to Clermont, rapidly diminishing. Arrived in Clermont and guess what.....nothing has changed. In 20 years....nothing.

We drove up to the caravan park, which was about 2pm on the Saturday afternoon. After ringing the door bell at the reception we were greeted with avoice from the up stairs balcony......"We are shut and what do you want". "Welcome to Clermont" I said to the bride. Even the dog was aggressive, mongrel looking thing. I also advised happy Jack that at least three other vans we not that far behind us. Not a mumble.........mmmm, I thought.

Most of the signage around the place was aggressive, and $25 for a deposit for a gate key was a bit over the top.

We got into the park and found a spot, and met some nice people. However were cramped in like sardines. Most of the folk were just traveling around, and
most had an interest in gold fossicking. Clermont is the place to do that apparantly.

I won't go into the drama about getting our $25 back for the gate key on our departute....but it was like going through WW3.

This is where you get the permit to go gold prospecting.

The local birds at Clermont

Stay tooooooooooned for the next leg