Day 7 – Hughenden to Charters Towers

The day dawned and then at 6:40 we got up. I had a shower and so did Lynn, then we had breakfast and Lynn made sandwiches for lunch. We packed and broke camp, leaving just after 8:30. After a brief shopping sojourn, we were waiting at the Flinders Discovery Centre (behind the VIC) and entered it at 9. WE had been told it was good and it lived up to expectations, so far being the best $5 investment for well over an hour’s entertainment and information. We left about 10 and headed out, only to be sidetracked by a pub at Prairie. Lynn was wanting stubby holders and there were some here, plus an interesting owner and an interesting inside. Lynn got the stubby holders and I got a lot of good pictures of memorabilia. We stopped at White Mountain National Park lookout, where there was a great view over a valley. Finally we got to Charters Towers just after 1 p.m. and parked to visit the Tourism Centre. We got brochures and information, but the skies were looking leaden so we decided to look for a room somewhere and found one at the Royal Hotel, an historic building with comfortable rooms cheaper than cabins at the caravan parks. We had lunch at a little café, then did the audio CD drive around points of interest – but it rained through most of it. Then an exploration of the main street was in order, culminating in a return to and unpacking at our lodgings for the night. Out on the balcony of the first floor we ate the lunch sandwiches and then I enquired an booked accommodation at Airlie Beach and Cains at the YHAs. Chatted to a couple from Emerald, then went back to our room. Lynn settled down while I wrote up my diary and finally finished around 9 and went to bed.