Cape Crawford - Mt Isa 825 km
Total 12231 km
Average 556 km

Traveled across the tablelands today. No buildings, no side roads, no sign of life except 5 Fords and 3 Holdens for 400 km. As far as the eye can see in any direction its just red dust and salt bush. Had to drop speed right back to conserve fuel and just as well as 2 large Roos jumped out at Mike. One just missing the front wheel with the other brushing the back of the bike. A change of pants were needed before setting off again. This is very isolated desert country. Not a good place to break down or run out of fuel or even worse run out of water. Relying heavily on camel backs now. Refuel stops are for water just as much as petrol.
Mt Isa is a mining industry support town and there are some pretty rough, tough Aussies living out here. Not that Henk and Mike were scared of course. They're Bikers!!, and they wanted to make an impression on these cheap swank rough neck Aussies. So they took their helmets off as they reached town and with the wind blowing through their hair (well Mikes hair anyway) they power slid the bikes up to the kerb outside the pub, kicked the door open and sauntered up to the bar. The barman asked "What'll it be mate". Mike replied " Two light beers please, we're driving"................. You could have heard a pin drop................... The games of darts and cards stopped, all eyes were on the bikers at the bar.................... The barman stubbed his cigarette out on Mikes hand before replying. "We don't serve light beer at Mt Isa". The mob of miners that were arm wrestling at the end of the bar stood up and started to move towards the bikers. The bikers flexed their muscles and glared at the miners. The miners glared back. The bikers stood up...................looked at each other.................. and made a run for the door jumped on the bikes roared out of town as fast as the Transalps would go. That night was spend sleeping on the dirt behind some gum trees well out of town. Henk and Mike said they didn't really like Mt Isa anyway.