TOD Tour 2.0 Day 21 - Hughenden to Richmond

Long range touring is so much easier
than it once was

Hughenden to Richmond, Flinders Highway 120km (2745km)

West along the Flinders Highway today to Richmond.

The last act in Hughenden was an expensive one. With unleaded 95 octane unavailable, it was 98 at $1.79/L instead. Ouch!

For most of the 120km, the pavement gave us a rough ride. As the straightest connection between Mt Isa and the coast - at Townsville - the Flinders or A6, gets a hiding from trucks. We were buffeted by several big rigs with two equally big trailers attached and the road surface reflected in. Highlight of the trip was Sue waving to passing trains and having the driver toot his klaxon and the variety of greetings Peter gave oncoming drivers as he experiments with different forms of wave in order to settle on a signature style.

Because of the short distance, we arrived mid morning and headed to the highest rated cafe. It was a different experience. Located in someone's house, you entered through a side door to a room which held only three tables. Excess seating, which it was hardly surprising that we were, was back out the door, around the side of the house to the front and up the front steps to the narrow verandah which held another two tables. Despite this, the pies and cakes and slices, all home made on the premises, look delicious. We had very cheap tea - when was the last time you paid $2.50 for a big mug of tea?

The caravan park is a real treat. We are on a grassed site so level I don't have to unhitch the car, as we are just a walk into town. The amenities are first rate and the park borders on Fred Tritton Lake, a pleasant man-made expanse of water with sandy shores, a walking track which circumnavigates it and several bbq stations. It was built in 2004 and is named after a former long serving mayor.

We walked into town and followed the very informative signage which told us about the sites of historic buildings. I say sites, because apart from the Federal Palace Hotel which was rebuilt in 1924, everything else of any note or anything listed on the many signage spot, has been burnt down. The other pub, The Mud Hut Hotel, is one of many of them to burn repeatedly. One of its razings happened after a confrontation between men playing two up in the bag room while the local reverend led prayers and hymn singing in the front. The Federal itself was a rebuild after the original, built in 1904, was gutted by fire. It would seem the most in demand occupations in Richmond for more than 130 years have been fireman and builder. Of special note are the newer signs which are back lit at night, each one powered by its own solar cell.

Click for today's photos

As usual in these country towns, right across Australia, the most expansive and expensive building in town is the Council Chambers.

Sundowners were taken down by Fred Tritton Lake. We suffer on.