Day 10 - 05 August 2024 - Mount Isa to Renner Springs - 797 km. As the sun rose over Mount Isa, Dave and Neil were filled with anticipation for the day's journey. The road was calling, and they were ready to answer.

After a very comfortable night at Peter and Jenny's, Peter, accompanied by his two dogs, escorted Dave and Neil out of Mount Isa.

They rode on to Camooweal for a fuel top-up and admired some of the local artwork.

Not long after leaving Camooweal, they crossed into the Northern Territory. Throughout their journey, Dave and Neil had been listening to audiobooks using the shared music function on their headsets. For today's ride, they listened to "The Cattle King," the story of Sidney Kidman. They selected this book because Kidman owned multiple cattle stations in a country similar to the terrain they were passing through. The local artwork they admired in Camooweal depicted scenes from the Outback, adding a touch of local culture to their journey.

Once in the Northern Territory, where the speed limit increases to 130 km/h, Dave and Neil open the throttles but soon realize that the increased speed leads to higher fuel consumption. They quickly calculate that Neil wouldn't make it the 240 km to Barkly Homestead at this pace, so they reduce their speed to just over 110 km/h, allowing them to cover the distance comfortably.

After a satisfying lunch at Barkly Homestead and a quick fuel stop at Three Ways, they finally arrived at Renner Springs and checked into the roadhouse motel. The accommodation was decent, but the food and beer were exceptional. Here, they had the pleasure of meeting Wendy and Bill, fellow motorcycle enthusiasts who were also on a journey around Australia, albeit at a more relaxed pace. This journey was their dream and a joint birthday present to themselves, a fact that instantly bonded them with Dave and Neil.

Wendy and Bill had packed their camping gear and sent it back to their home on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland via Australia Post. Dave and Neil, on the other hand, were still carrying their camping gear but were hoping they wouldn't need to use it.

The road between Camooweal and Barkly Homestead, and again between the Homestead and Three Ways, presented several stretches of roadworks. These shared experiences of navigating through the roadworks, the dust, and the occasional detours, further strengthened the bond between Dave, Neil, Wendy, and Bill, as they all understood the challenges and the thrill of the journey.


Support Their Cause
Neil and Dave are riding to raise awareness and funds for Legacy. Donations can be made via their Facebook donation page or directly to Legacy, noting 'Lap for Legacy' in the comments.


Follow the adventure of Day 11.
See the previous day's track notes.