Day 46: Tue 07 Jul 26 - Jericho to Longreach

July 07, 2026

Tue 07 Jul 26 - Jericho to Longreach (194km)

11 (feeling like 7) degrees at Jericho, reaching 26 and clear at Longreach.

A strong easterly tailwind from Jericho pushed us along nicely today, helping us achieve an overall 14.9l/100k fuel economy for almost 430km towing from Fairbairn Dam - very happy.

I had very little sleep last night, having to take Olli outside with an upset tummy five times from when I turned the lights out to sunrise, and Noel coughing incessantly in between. Despite my lack of sleep, I still managed to get out for a nice long walk before we packed up and left Jericho. First stop was Barcaldine for a leg stretch down the main street. We were going to sit down at a cafe for coffee, but decided we weren't that interested when told we had to wait 30 minutes, so we continued towards Longreach. Next stop along a new road for us from Barcaldine to Longreach, was at Ilfracombe, a small rural town about 25k from Longreach. Here we had a coffee in the iconic Wellshot Hotel in the beer garden, then continued to our stay at the Longreach Tourist Park. We arrived and parked just in time for Noel's Telehealth call with her GP, and shortly after she headed into the pharmacy to collect some medication, while I stayed behind and finished setting up. We were only planning to stay 2 nights, but decided to make it 3 to give Noel an extra day to recover before we hit the road again. After a short rest, I forced myself out for a 19km bike ride to the Waterhole and back past the QANTAS Founders Museum and Stockman's Hall of Fame.

Today we were astounded at the number of caravans and motorhomes on the move - we have never seen so many on the road. For that reason, we expected the caravan park where we are staying to be full, but not so. We stayed here a few years ago, and it was hard to find any empty site. I suspect the cost of caravan parks is forcing many to free camp because last night there were about 30 vans at Jericho, and today both sides of Apex Park 5k out of town on the Longreach Waterhole were chock full - I reckon there would have been more than 200 vans parked there tonight. Across the river, the Muddy Duck Caravan Park was also very busy, but not full.

Hoping we all have a sound night sleep wake much more refreshed tomorrow.

Morning walk at Jericho - Redbank Park and Walking Trail

Morning walk at Jericho - Redbank Park and Walking Trail. Cute looking calfs inside the fence

Morning walk at Jericho - Redbank Park and Walking Trail. Almost felt sorry for the little fellows when i I read the name on the gate.

Barcaldine - Tree of Knowledge. Location for the first Australian shearers strike and birthplace of the Australian Labour Party

Barcaldine - Striking Shearer monument near the Tree of Knowledge

Barcaldine - Main Street

Ilfracombe - Iconic Wellshot Hotel

Ilfracombe - Wellshot Hotel

Ilfracombe - Machinery Mile

Apostlebirds watching over us while we had coffee at Ilfracombe

I had to disturb this little fellow to connect our power

Afternoon ride out to the the Longreach Waterhole and Apex Riverside Park. I don't recall seeing this much water here a few years ago (and certainly not as many caravans/motorhomes - at least 200+ on both sides of Apex Park)