Sunday 20 August 2023
Time to Head for Home
Saturday 12 August 2023
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.
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
Thursday 10 August 2023
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.
'Til next time,
June