The longest shortcut-the Red Centre (2)

The drive of 2900 km from Toowoomba to Alice Springs took 4 days. A fairly mind-numbing trip consisting of long and straight (but good) roads, distant horizons and western outback towns including Longreach, Mt Isa and Tennant Creek. We stopped at the Queensland, Northern Territory border to renew old memories of our 1970s road trips when we lived in Katherine and used to drive the 3000 km to meet up with family in Southern Qld. Time was spent around Tennant Creek checking out the mining history of the region and exploring and savouring the beauty of Karlu Karlu (The Devils Marbles) south of the town. Magical landscapes. Tennant Creek is a town of around 3000 people, 1700 of whom are indigenous.

The Queensland/ Northern Territory border west of Cammoweal. The Barkly Tableland and the Barkly Highway, 450 km of flat and fertile grazing country stretching from Cammoweal in Queensland to the Three Ways in the Northern Territory.

Our first road train, stopped at the Qld/NT border. This one was associated with mining activities near the border and was reasonably self sufficient. The first dog contained stores for the work, the second, the ablution block and the third, air conditioned sleeping quarters. Three or 4 dog road trains were seen regulrly during our travels. Passing the 52 m monsters was always fraught with some trepidation, with one thankful for the long straight roads.

Tennant Creek hills

The Church of Christ the King Catholic Church Tennant Creek The church was relocated from the historic mining town of Pine Creek 760 km north on the Stuart Highway. With parts of the church spread between the two towns during the move, it was once known as the "longest church in Australia" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ_the_King,_Tennant_Creek)