Time to Head for Home

I was in raptures in Cunnamulla, after visiting the Information Centre and the 

'Cunnamulla Fella', we headed for the local supermarket and blow mw down I found some dairy free ice creams - oh yum!

The following morning it was time to hit the road again and continue to head east towards home, however we still have a long drive ahead of us.

The drive along the Moonie Highway was uneventful as we headed to St George. Here we saw the amazing bridge over the Bollon River.

Not completely sure what these concrete  pylons are for, possibly an opening of the bridge when needed during flood times - sorry, just not sure.

From here it was onto Dalby, however whilst on the road towards the little township of Bollon, we heard that the highway was closed due to a bushfire south of Dalby.

By the time we stopped off at Bollon for morning tea, we had heard that the highway was again open and we could get through. Thanks to the truckies for this information. Here is one of the road trains we saw along the way - some 53m long. The bushfire had been downgraded from 'Watch & Act' to 'Alert'.

Keeping a cautious eye out and ears to the two-way radio, we got through to Moonie for our lunch stop.

From here we could see the fire as we headed towards Dalby. 

 

You could smell the smoke and even when we finally booked into the caravan park in Dalby, you could still smell the smoke - even the following morning the smell of smoke was still hanging around.

After stopping off at Toowoomba for a break, we started our run down the Toowoomba Range By-pass to an interesting site about half the way down.

 One lane of the roadway was closed off - we soon found out why.

It would appear that some of the support work for the side of the mountain has given way, and considering it was only opened less than two years ago, it beggers belief to the quality of the workmanship on the job.

Once down to the bottom of the range it was a relatively easy drive home.

The caravan is now parked up, the washing is all done and we consider, or even if there will be one, what will be our next adventure.

So for now we bid farewell to the Outback .....

'Til next time,

June

Outback Queensland

In my last post, I mentioned that whilst Peter took a soak in the spa pool at Quilpie, I went for a walk up the town. Well, I actually booked us into a night show at the Information Centre of the history of Quilpie. It featured a film after we were greeted and given a 'happy hour' snack box and a drink of wine, beer or punch AND you got to keep either your wine glass or stubby cooler.

The boxes included dip, cracker biscuits, carrot sticks, dried fruit, nuts and fresh strawberries and a couple of grapes as well. They ladies at the Information Centre certainly catered for each person - for me it was a gluten free, dairy free box - I didn't get any chocolate.

The film that we saw on the history of the Quilpie area was extremely interesting, the pioneer families that came out to this region, the bushfires over the years along with the droughts and floods that are always threatening the area. And yes, it was an outdoor showing - bless there socks, the ladies provided blankets if you needed them as it was quite cool once the sun set and nightfall set in.

 

A very worth while presentation.

The following morning saw us hit the road again and really heading into the Outback by travelling out to Eromanga - not the longest day of travelling, but an interesting one.

Several times on the way out we came across cattle on the road that we had to slow down for and make sure that none of them decided to 'take us on'. Mind you they all looked in great condition considering it seems to be quite dry out this way. (Please excuse the aerial in the middle of the photo - sometimes you just can't take photos around the aerial)

Now for our welcome to Eromanga:

Eromanaga is the furthest town from the sea in any direction, which also makes it the furthest fuel supply and the furthest pub from the sea in any direction too.

We spent the afternoon exploring about their claim to fame about dinasaurs in this area in years - OK millions of years ago - so this saw us visiting the Centre for Dinasaurs just outside of Eromanga.

There is also a display of baby dinasaurs set out in the grounds.

Unfortunately we missed out on doing a tour of the facility.

After a good nights rest, saw us heading off towards Thargoindah. On the way though we pulled off for a real 'outback' morning tea. We boiled the kettle on our little folding table in the middle of nowhere where it was so eerily quiet.

Then with taking off again, we decided to do a little detour to check out the old historical pub at Noccundra which is on the way to Cameron's Corner which is the corner that Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia meet.

There were quite a number of campers out there on the banks of the Noccundra Waterhole fishing.

More cattle greeted us on the road as we travelled into Thargomindah.

Thargomindah is a tiny town with not real lot going for it, and this was due to the only supermarket being burnt down approx. 10 months ago. However we did manage to get a few things that we needed.

It is now that we see that we have turned east and on the road heading for home - but there is still a lot to see along the way.

The drive to Cunnamulla was again fairly long single lane roads, but we had a stop off at an even smaller town and oh, I was in my element - there was a tiny patchwork and leather work shop. Yes!!!

Onto Cunnamulla where we again fueled up and visited the Information Centre where there is a statue of the 'Cunnamulla Fella' that was immortalised in a song by the great country singer Slim Dusty.

Peter is a long time fan of Slim Dusty, so was quite taken to get a photo with this guy. He then suggested I have a photo too, with me holding the 'Cunnamulla Fella's' hand.

Time now to put the feet up, and have a break and an ice cream as a treat ( and yes, a dairy free one for me).

For now, catch you next time,

June 

Back on the Road

 Decided to take a mini break around South West Queensland, and left home last Sunday. It was so great to have the wheels turning beneath us.

Had to have a smile and a bit of a giggle though on our way down the highway, we ran into some rain, and guess what was playing on the radio? 'Listen to the Falling Rain' - ah brings back memories.

Up over the Gateway Motorway, before heading along the Logan Motorway looking towards the west.

We had a great trip where we took the (new) Toowoomba Bypass - oh it makes the trip so much easier. This is a photo of one of the viaducts that was constructed.

From here, we headed out through the Darling Downs and on to Dalby for our first nights stay. This is a view from the caravan park which is on the banks of the Myall Creek,

Day 2 saw us continuing to head west and onto Mitchell, but not before stopping off at a wonderful little place called Wallumbilla where we investigated the Calico Cottage Heritage Centre. The actual Calico cottage was filled with lots and lots of beautifully hand made items that I assume have been made by local folk.

From there we kept the wheels rolling on our way to Mitchell where we decided to stay for the night - must be a 'thing' for us, we again are at a caravan park on the banks of a river. This time it was the mighty Maronoa River. 

It bought a smile to our faces when we saw quite a few metal sculptures placed around the caravan park, This one is made from an old gas bottle.

This next one is of an emu, and yes it is made of metal.

Day 3 saw our longest day and it was a trip from Mitchell to Quilpie - now we know we are in the Outback.

Stopped for a break at the Fox Trap Roadhouse at Cooladdi. A hotel out in the middle of nowhere.

And here is their mascot:

 

The roads out this way are beginning to become floodplains, and really other than waving at another traveller, there is not that much to see.

To add a bit of a treat for a long days drive, Peter decided to have a spa at the caravan park, whilst I went for a bit of a walk up the main street of Quilpie.

For now, whilst we settle into our caravan site for the night, I shall finish off for now.

'Til next time,

June