We began our trip in Karumba which is situated on the mouth of the Norman River and is known to be the prawning capital of The Savannah Gulf.

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There is also a thriving Barramundi industry up here.

It is the elusive barra that lures many an angler from far and wide.

Well we didn’t see too many barra, while we were there, but it didn’t seem to matter too much.

Next port of call is about a six and a half hour drive south.

The largest and most impressive township in western Queensland would have to be Mt Isa, a unique and progressive city.

With many hardships for the early pioneers to the area, lack of water, summer heat, remoteness and lack of essentials made life difficult.

But Mt Isa stands today, as testament to those who went before.

An exciting tourist destination and known as the rodeo capital of the world, with the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere taking place in August.

Built around the its vast mineral resources, Mt Isa has grown into an industrial and commercial centre.

John Campbell Miles, on a gold prospecting trip, camped on the banks of the Leichardt River in 1923.

Sampling the area for gold deposits he had, accidentally uncovered one of the richest, copper, silver, lead and zinc ore bodies.

Nearly one hundred years on the Mt Isa Mine is still one of Australia’s largest producers of copper ore.

The Hard Times Mine, is a unique underground mining experience.

This is a lifetime opportunity to experience the workings of an underground mine.

We got the opportunity to handle a drill and like all things it looks easier than it is.

However not to be deterred, we powered on with not so great results.

Guess our enthusiasm got the better of us and well, we ended up breaking a drill! Oops!

This is one job best left to the pros!

The Isa Experience Gallery is fantastic.

With interactive displays, cultural, indigenous, pioneering and mining heritage.

A look around the exhibits and you realise just how hard it must have been in the early days.

Outback Park is an extensive and creative landscape.

A great place to chill out and contemplate, about well, anything.

With a lagoon and lush native plantings and a stunning waterfall.

Why not take a picnic lunch and sit by the waterfall, spend a little quality time enjoying nature.

Well Discover Downunder is always on the move and so it was that were off and running again.

This time Richmond bound, on the banks of the Flinders River approximately a four and a half hour drive east.

This lovely spot is often referred to as an oasis in the outback.

And it is not hard to see why.

Recognised as one of the most attractive outback towns.

This is a place so diverse and so vast, you feel like you have it all to yourself.

Now we attempt to look for different and interesting places to visit on Discover Downunder and we discovered Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond.

There are many fossilised remains here including a full skeleton 18 metres in length, and another measuring 4.35 metres.

In 1989 a skeleton of a 100, million year old Pliosaur was discovered near the town, bringing with it the attention of the whole of Australia.

Rich in fossils this area was part of a vast inland sea.

The famous Kronosaurus queenslandicus, was discovered at

Army Downs north of Richmond in 1929.

With over 400 catalogued specimens dating back 98 to 114 million years ago.

This is a fantastic place to learn about our ancient past and to see first hand evidence of that past.

It really was amazing.

And if you want to try some fossicking of your own, there’s loads of great fossicking sites around this area, so why not try your luck, you may make your own great discovery.

Many finds, have included shark’s teeth, fish bones, and various shells. Get out there and have a go.

Now we also learnt some fabulous advice about the roads up these ways and the trucks that ply them.

The road trains up here are massive.

We were lucky enough to take ride in one of these monster rigs and our driver filled us in on some rules and regs. up this way!

Basically common courtesy is must wherever you are driving, but here it is even more important.

To come upon a road train doing 90km and coming towards you is quite a sight!

The best thing is to know where they are, and that means good rear view mirrors to see what’s coming from behind.

The other is your 2 way radio.

Channel 40 is the channel these truckers use, so tune in and listen out for their locations while on the road.

Well it was a great experience and we learnt an awful lot along the way.

Next week we continue in sunny Queensland.

So be watching Discover Downunder every Saturday on Channel 9 at four pm.

PRODUCTS AND CONTACTS

1. RV SHOWCASE : JAYCO EXPANDA
   
   1 Jayco Drive,
   Dandenong South 3175
   Victoria
   
   Ph: (03) 8792 2000
   Fax: (03) 8792 2192
   
   www.jayco.com.au
   
   
2. SUNSET CARAVAN PARK
   
   Ph: (07) 4745 9277
   Fax: (07) 4745 9480
   
   Email: info@sunsetcp.com.au
   
   
3. ARGYLLA CARAVAN VILLAGE
   
   Cloncurry Road,
   Mount Isa,
   Queensland 4825
   
   Ph: (07) 4743 4733
   
   
4. THETFORD
   
   (03) 9358 0700
   
   www.thetford.com.au
   
   
5. OUTBACK AT ISA
   
   1300 659 660
   
   
6. KRONOSAURUS KORNER
   
   www.kronosauruskorner.com.au