38. Tennant Creek and Cammoonweal

THE TABLELAND DRIFTERS Just out of Tennant Creek we pulled up at a place known as Mary Anne Dam for the night. Whilst there we caught up with a bloke called Adrian & his daughter. Adrian was the manager for a local indigenous rock band, The Tableland Drifters. We were invited to drop in & watch the guys rehearse before they set off on tour. These guys were absolute gentlemen & really rocked hard. It was a rare privilege to enjoy hangin out with these guys

TENNNANT CREEK MINING This bloke was an ex miner & had a true passion for the underground life. Here we experienced a tour that showed just what life used to be like to harvest the precious yellow metal. All the machinery was in full working order & the stories of yesteryear were informative & interesting. After the tour we foraged for some gold. We all managed to find a few bits proving that there is still; ‘gold in them there hills’.

CAMMOOWEAL After travelling east along the central tablelands we crossed the border into north western Queeensland. Cammoweal was in full swing as the annual Drovers Camp was on. We dropped into the local refreshment venue that was cranking. Drovers of old as well as the young folk had converged on the town, some travelling thousands of clicks to enjoy the camaraderie & banter. Once again the friendliness of the outback was massed upon us. Before setting camp besides the local waterhole the boys enjoyed a few games of pool with the locals.