Wednesday 20 September - Coolamon

Quiet night even though the park is busy.  The park only re-opened Monday after being closed for 6 months for a complete upgrade.  Lovely little park for $20.  Only problem was we had to get the heater out.  The forecast was for 2 degrees overnight and 18 degrees today.  Pulled the cardigan out of the cupboard but didn't resort to putting it on.  Walked around the town this morning with some lovely old buildings and the street lined with trees that are in blossom.  Very pretty.  Will just be relaxing this afternoon.  Tomorrow we head to our friends R&L for two nights to catch up before arriving back home on Saturday.  Unfortunately this is the last post for this trip.  Have loved outback Queensland or the parts we have managed to see.  Are already making plans for a trip back to visit the many towns we couldn't stop at this time.  So goodbye from us until the middle of next year when we hope to head off again visiting the Northern Territory and Western Australia (if all goes to plan!) but we can dream can't we.  

Tuesday 19 September - Coolamon

Up this morning and back to the camp kitchen for pancakes, supplied free by the park.  They had this nifty automatic pancake maker and you just helped yourself and had as many as you wanted.  Funnily enough I think everyone staying at the park was enjoying them.  Packed up the van and got in the car to find that the park owner had also washed the windscreen.  Small country town service.   Headed to Parkes where we stopped at the Parkes Dish for a look around.  Back in the car to Temora where we had intended to stay 2 nights but found you couldn't camp at the showgrounds because they were setting up the show (last time we were here it was the circus).  Headed to the airfield to find it all booked out as they have jet boats in town on the weekend.  With nowhere to stay we parked the van at the aviation museum to see the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition, our reason for coming this way.  It is an international touring exhibition with 60 machines and inventions inspired by Leonardo's drawings.  What a clever man.  Amazing the things he came up with 500 years ago.  Well worth the visit, even if the town didn't want us for the night.  Grabbed a very late lunch and headed to Coolamon.  Set up and relaxed after a long day in the car for us.

 
 

Monday 18 September - Dubbo Zoo - Peak Hill

Up again early this morning and drove to Dubbo arriving at the Dubbo Zoo at opening time.  We unhitched the van and used our car to drive around.  There was quite enough walking to do without walking the 6km road loop as well.  It is set up quite well.  You can hire a golf cart to drive around in or either hire push bikes or ride your own.  A very good zoo but has the same problem as all zoos, if the animals are sleeping there is nothing to look at.  We spent 4 1/2 hours there before returning to the car park to collect the van.  Drove a further hour down the road to Peak Hill and set up.  Put the feet up until happy hour but when Ian went over there was no one there.  About 30 minutes later Ian spotted a guy sitting by himself at the camp kitchen and feeling sorry for him went over and chatted for an hour or so.
   
 

Sunday 17 September - Tooraweenah

Quiet night with nobody trying to get in the van. But we both woke early so set off around 7.30.   Uneventful drive.  Arrived at the park and set up.  Went to go to the amenities and there was a snake on the path to the ladies.  It slid into the garden bed in front of the door to the ladies. Went back to the van and grabbed my phone and called the caravan park to let them know.  The didn't even come outside to look.  I stood around watching the snake waiting for them.  Eventually I gave up and took my phone back to the van.  When I returned the snake was nowhere to be seen.  Had happy hour around the fire before returning to the van for the night.

Saturday 16 September - Moree

Firstly, apologies for those that noticed I reverted back to August for the last week or so, maybe I just want to keep travelling!  Thank you to R who let us know.  In case you are wondering why I have just used letters instead of our friends names, simple, not everyone wants their names plastered over the internet.  Left the park at 7.30 this morning.  Pretty eager to leave behind the traffic although it was a pretty easy run to Warwick.  Fair bit of traffic but all ran along quite smoothly.  We were heading for Goondiwindi Showgrounds for the night but arrived to find the Caravan Club of Queensland State Rally was on.  Decided we didn't want to join the group so went into the township and had lunch.  Back in the car and off to Moree.  On the way there we had a truck overtake us but there was not enough time.  We had to slam the anchors on to try and give him enough room to get back on the correct side of the road before he hit the car head on coming the other way.  Bl---y idiot, but the worse thing was the car he was playing chicken with was a police car who did nothing.  Next truck started to overtake and the same thing happened, except the car he was playing chicken with was a P plater.  The third truck in the group passed fine because the truck now in front of us was signalling that it was clear.  Was a bit scary, especially the first one who is trying to swing back in our lane with 2 trailers past us and one still coming.  The stupid part was 3 minutes down the road we turned left and the three trucks were sitting at the intersection with a red light.  Arrived and set up at our caravan park and then headed to the artesian hot pool for a dip and chat with fellow travellers.  Back to the van to settle down for the night.  The park has a sign next to the door of the amenities telling you to make sure you lock up your van and all your valuables.  Fair enough, but when I went in to have a shower the sign said to lock your van even while you are in it.  Hope it is a quiet night and no one tries to get in!

Friday 15 September - Brisbane

Actually slept fairly well last night and didn't wake until 7.15.  T rang us at 7.30 to say there had been an accident on the M1 and that we would have to go to Underwood before taking the on ramp to head to the Gold Coast to visit Ian's aunt and uncle.  Set off to travel the 70km to their place.  1 1/2 hours later we arrive at Pacific Fair.  Had a bit of a look around and then drove to S&W's place.  W was at work so we spent time with S until W arrived home and we had lunch.  A couple of hours later it was time to get back in the car for the 70km back to Brisbane.  This time the trip took us 1 hour 10 minutes.   Thank you to S&W it was great to catch up.  Last night in Brisbane.  Hooray.  It is the start of the school holidays and the park has filled with kids while we were away today.  Unfortunately our site is opposite the pool so a tad noisy at the moment.

Thursday 14 September - Brisbane

Up early again, not by choice.  People outside talking! A cool wind today and we actually had some light rain on and off for about an hour.  Headed off to the satellite dish shop so Ian could get his new toy (although he will tell you it is for watching the 3 shows that I watch on commercial tv!).  Funnily enough when we could get tv channels it was the abc we couldn't get.  We then went back to the shopping centre to grab a few groceries before returning to the van for lunch.  T&R came over for the afternoon for our final catch up with then.  We then headed off for our final catch up with W&J.  Said goodbye to J who had a previous commitment and went out for tea with W.   Had a lovely meal before returning to W's place then J returned home so spent another hour or so with them before heading back to the van.  Big thank you to T&R, W&J for their hospitality during our stay.

Wednesday 13 September - Bribie Island

Shock to the system.  Had to be out the front of the caravan park by 7am.  T&R, the friends that live in the park opposite were picking us up to drive out to Bribie Island.  They have a block there and their house is having the slab poured next week.   Well I shouldn't have worried about the early start as we were awake anyway.  First thing was the car alarm going off a 4.30am, although Ian had already been awoken by the emergency vehicle siren as there is both fire and ambulance stations nearby.  Then the birds started at 5am and once disturbed by them you could hear the traffic noise. Anyway we were out the front waiting when T&R pulled up.  We drove out to Bribie stopping for coffee on the way.  Once on Bribie we drove to their block where the plumber was setting up the pipes.  Had a sticky for awhile then drove to the marina for a look and a walk.  Glorious day of 29 degrees with a cool breeze blowing off the water.  Drove to the golf club and a then a full lap of the Island.  We went for a couple of walks around the town ending up with a walk along the beach front.  We sat in the shade and watched the water and were lucky enough to be entertained by two dolphins playing in the water.   Back in the car and back across the bridge to the mainland and lunch at a tavern before returning to Brisbane.  A wonderful way to spend the day with friends, although I am exhausted, anyone would think we walked to Bribie and back!

Tuesday 12 September - Brisbane

Well we are here safely.  One thing I know I hate capital cities.  The traffic in really wasn't that bad and it was very easy to find our caravan park.  The sites are quite large (and so they should be at $57) although we are next to a cabin and you can hear their airconditioner, hope they turn it off during the night.  Another thing we are not used to is the traffic noise and sirens constantly going.  Probably won't notice them by our 4th night.  We set up, put the washing on while having lunch and then rang our friends T&R, who live in the park across the road.  They came and picked us up and we went to the shopping centre, grabbed a couple of things then had coffee.  T&R dropped us back to the van and after a shower we headed out to another friends W&J's house for a bbq.  It was great to catch up with them.  

Monday 11 September - Toowoomba

Packed up in no time as the car was still attached and we had no power or water connections to worry about.  Knew when we were getting close to Toowoomba as the traffic increased and increased.  Felt like we saw as many cars today as we have seen in the last month!  We are spending the night at the showgrounds $25 with power and water, although we have no tap where we are.  We filled the tank up with a tap at a site that didn't have power and set up on a site with power.   After lunch we drove to picnic point which is the lookout for views over Toowoomba and district.  We had stopped here in 2009 so felt no need to look for tourist attractions and there was just too much traffic for my liking.  Not sure what I will do in Brisbane as I am sure that there will be more there than here.  Spent the afternoon getting the blog up to date then relaxing.  

 

Sunday 10 September - Kogan

Boy was it cold last night.  We were told it was -1 in our neighbours van so I suppose it was the same in ours, although the day turned out to be in the mid 20's so one again short sleeves.  Packed up, hooked the car up and were ready to go.  Went over to the Bendigo man to say goodbye. Got chatting and then the owners of the farm came out to say goodbye, 1 hour later we were pulling out.  Pulled up at Miles for a toilet stop and got chatting to a couple who had pulled up to have morning tea.  30 minutes later we headed off again.  Arrived at Chinchilla Showgrounds but decided not to stop there and headed to a free camp at the Chinchilla Weir.  Looked a bit busy so we took off again and headed to Kogan and a $10 camp site.  There were 2 other vans there but one remained empty overnight.   Went inside to find what appeared to be a water mark across the floor from the seat to the corner of the oven.  Looking at it trying to figure out where the liquid came from.  Finally it dawned on us the coke cans were stored under the seat.  Sure enough a leaking coke can.  Cleaned up the mess and had to move the cans to under the bed as the box we transport them in had fallen apart.  Will have to look for a plastic container that will fit under the seat.  Fairly quiet night with a few trucks passing by.

Saturday 9 September - Roma

Woke this morning and there was something wrong.  I had to put a cardigan on this morning.  What is going on?  Apart from at the observatory at night have only been in short or no sleeves since crossing into Queensland.  It was low 20's today with a cool breeze blowing.  Back to short sleeves by 11.  We started this morning at St Paul's in Roma.  It has over 39 stained glass windows and 11  leadlight windows.  I knew I couldn't go inside as tours are only on Tuesday and Thursday but thought I would be able to see some from outside, but couldn't so we walked down to the three dimensional mural.  This is 18m2 and made from clay giving an overview of the history of Roma.  There is an audio and light moving presentation.  We walked back to the car reading some of the plaques in the Avenue of Heroes.  140 bottle trees have been planted with plaque attached for the soldiers from the Roma district who lost their lives in the First World War.  Back in the car and the next stop was the largest bottle tree.  It doesn't actually say if it is the largest tree in Roma, Queensland, Australia or the world, just says largest, so I will go for in Roma.  It has a girth of 9.51m and is 6m high and has a crown of 20m.  The tree was transplanted in town from a local property in 1927 and they think it may have originated in the 19th century.  Last on the list was the saleyards.  Once again tours are on Tuesday or Thursday so we missed out.  We just drove out and had a look.  It is Australia's largest cattle selling centre with up to 12,000 cattle yarded per sale.  I think to get the full effect you need to be there on sale day.  Back to the van to relax the afternoon away.
 

Friday 8 September - Roma

Set off this morning heading for Roma with our first port of call at Morven and the Kerosene Tin Hut built during the great depression of 1930.  As the name suggests it is made out of kerosene tins and was the only accommodation available to people.  Unfortunately they must of had sprinklers running all night because there was a mud pool around it and we couldn't get to the information board.   We next stopped at the Rabbit Board Gate.  A rabbit proof fence was built in 1886 covering 47,403km and gates were constructed across the roads so when travelling you had to get out and open, drive through, then close these gates.  Back in the car heading to our next camping spot about 12 kms out of Roma.  Once again we are staying on a farm.  As we were driving down the road into the property two emus come running directly for us on the left hand side of the car.  We had slowed right down not knowing what the were going to do.  One stopped just short of us but the other decided to cross the road right in front of us.  He slipped on the loose dirt on the side of the road and rolled over a few times before getting back on his feet and taking off.  It was very funny but I guess you had to be there to get the full effect.  When we were paying for our site the owner asked where we were from.  When we told her she said I have someone else here from Bendigo and said his name.  Although we had not personally met him previously we knew the name because his son went through secondary school with our kids.  After we set up we went over and introduced ourselves.  He remembered the twins.  What a small world.  Finished chatting to him and drove into town.  Got some lunch and did a walk around the town before hitting the information centre for some things to do tomorrow.  Back at the van for the evening.  Was about mid 20's again today, although the wind is getting quite strong.

Thursday 7 September - Charleville

First up this morning was the weather balloon release by the bureau of meteorology.   The balloon is launched automatically each morning at 9.15 to collect data, such as, temperature, wind direction and speed in the local area.  This information is then used to forecast the weather.  Next stop The Royal Flying Doctor Information Centre where we watched a short film about the modern RFDS and then looked at the information boards about RFDS in the past.  Back in the car and 27km down the road to Angellala Bridge Explosion Site.  At 9.50pm on 5 September 2014 a truck carrying 53 tonnes of ammonium nitrate caught fire, crashed and exploded on the bridge at Angellala Creek.  The blast radius was huge and the impact was felt in Charleville, who thought it was an earthquake.  The explosion destroyed both road and railway bridges and injured 8 people.  The explosion also damaged fire trucks and police vehicles on the way to help.   Unbelievably no-one was killed.  The road bridge has been rebuilt but the rail bridge has been left and a monument erected nearby.  Returned to the van for a well earned afternoon off.
 
 
 

Wednesday 6 September - Charleville - evening

We had again booked our meal at the park.  Tonight was country style chicken with rice and dessert.  We had been assured that they would be able to feed us in time for us to leave for our final tour of the day and we did just make it although we had to take our sticky date pudding back to the van for after our observatory visit.  Back to the Cosmos Observatory for a study of the night sky.   The guide pointed out different constellations with a laser pointer and we also looked through the telescope at Alpha Centauri - binary star, Albireo - double star and Jewel Box - a cluster of 150 - 200 stars.  Next was the planet Saturn and its rings made of ice and rock.  We finished the night taking a closeup look at the full moon.  You could see the surface craters caused by meteorite impacts.  Ian asked our guide if he could line the telescope up to look at the Sea of Tranquillity where man landed on the moon, which he did.  So our group were the only ones that got this added bonus.  Well worth the visit.  Back to the van after a full on day.

Wednesday 6 September - Charleville - afternoon

After lunch we went to the Cosmos Centre for the solar presentation.   The guide gave us a brief introduction and facts about the sun.  It is 150 million kms from Earth.  To rotate once the sun spins at different speeds, 25 days at the equator and 35 days at the poles.  We then were handed glasses to allow us to look directly at the sun before we all had turns of looking through a specific telescope made for looking at the sun.  We were able to see the surface of the sun which looks similar to orange peel and to see some solar flares coming out the sides of it.  The guide then attached something to the telescope to allow photos to be taken on our phones.  There were 8 people, including us.  Back in the car we headed for Vortex Rainmaking Gun.  Designed and used to downscale hailstorms over vineyards in Italy, a meteorologist thought these guns could also be used to create rain.  Charleville was in the grip of drought so an experiment was carried out in 1902.  Six, 18ft conical candle snuffer shaped guns were placed at various locations around the town.  The guns were filled with gunpowder and blasted into the sky to hopefully change the atmospheric pressure and trick the sky into raining.  Of course this didn't happen.  Next port of call  the Bilby Experience.  The Greater Bilby is an endangered species with as few as 400 to 600 remaining in the wild.  We had a PowerPoint presentation on the Bilby and how the save the Bilby foundation was established before we went in to watch 3 Bilbys in a replica of their natural environment.  The guide tipped out some live bugs and the Bilbys ran around the enclosure sniffing out the bugs to eat.  They were larger than I expected.  I expected them to be rat size but they were more rabbit size.

 
 

Wednesday 6 September - Charleville - morning

Breaker, breaker, ten four big buddy we've got ourselves a convoy.  First tour this morning was the WWII Convoy Tour.  We meet at the information centre, the guide, us, another couple and a man by himself.  We all went around in our own cars, following the guide, stopping at the points of interest.  The American soldiers arrived in 1942 and commandeered the airport and set up a top secret base.  Covering an area of 25 sq km they constructed 101 buildings and stationed up to 3500 USAAF personnel at the base.   There were also 160 aircraft camouflaged by the Mulga tree scrub.  Australian citizens employed to work on the base had to sign oaths pledging never to reveal it's existence.  The base still has the classification of top secret and Charleville cannot obtain any information or photos about it from the Americans.  Most of the structures were dismantled soon after the servicemen left in 1942.  A hanger remains which is used by the flying doctor.  There are some concrete slabs left of a mess hut.  A couple of bitumen wholes which were filled with water that the servicemen had to go through weekly to delouse themselves.  A concrete bunker still remains which housed the Norden Bomb Sight.  This was the first mechanical device for accurate bombing.  It was placed in the aircraft for each flight and when the plane returned it was removed and stored back in the concrete bunker which was guarded all the time.  The serviceman operating it had to make sure it was destroyed if the plane was hit and going to crash.  The other crew on the plane knew nothing about it.  This piece of equipment is why the base received the top secret classification and Charleville were eventually able to purchase one to display off ebay!  
 

Tuesday 5 September - Charleville

After a peaceful night we are off again.  About 100 km later we are setting up at our farm stay caravan park.  A little bit dearer than last night at $33 and a bit closer to your neighbour.  After lunch we drove the 10km into Charleville and visited the information centre and booked some tours for tomorrow.  Headed back to the town centre and had a meander around the town itself.  Much larger than we have been in since Mount Isa (the amount of shops not necessarily population wise).  Grabbed a few items at the supermarket and back to the park.  They have their own bar here and as a consequence happy hour goes for 2 hours and they supply damper.  We didn't go to happy hour but went over for the roast pork rolls with sweet potato mash and dessert.  There was a country and western singer to entertain us during the meal.  Although it had been mid 20's throughout the day the evening had cooled right down and I had to wear a cardigan.  Also had to resort to the winter pj's!  A real shock to the system.

Monday 4 September - Augathella

Uneventful drive to Augathella where we set up at the free camp costing $5 per night with an honesty box system.  There are toilets but no showers, water or power.  Walked up and down the main street stopping at the butchers, then supermarket for bread and we then passed the hairdresser who comes from Charleville on Mondays and Tuesdays and Ian was able to be squeezed in for a cut.  There are 2 murals to be seen painted on different buildings, wrought iron sculptures of a horse, dancing brolga's and the giant meat ant which is over a million times the size of an actual ant.   The local footy team is known as the mighty Augathella meat ants and the town is nicknamed meat ant country.  The Q150 shed is used as the community function and entertainment centre.  The shed is able to seat 300 and is built with 35 tonnes of steel.  It was originally built as a mobile shed that toured many country towns providing free entertainment for the 150th anniversary, in 2009, of the separation of the colony of Queensland from the colony of New South Wales before it became a state in 1901.  It was transported around the State by two semi trailers and took two days to erect.  There is also a gallery and cinema where you can watch a 20 minute documentary on the characters and history of the region.  You can also look at paintings and 150 heritage photos.  That about covers Augathella.  As we are only staying the one night we have elected to park in the shade of a tree to try and keep the van cooler.  As I am typing this it is 2pm and 27.5 degrees inside the van.  Hopefully our battery will last the day and night with no power going back in via the solar panels due to the shade.  Oh well we have torches if left in the dark!
 
 

Saturday 2 September - Sunday 3 September - Tambo

Once again made the mistake of moving on the weekend.  Luckily we stopped and grabbed some bread at Blackall on our way through as once we arrived at Tambo everything was closed.  Caught up on the washing again.  Makes it easy when you can wash and dry the sheets and have the bed remade by morning tea.  Ian washed the car and van as water is no problem.  On the Sunday we had some white whispy things up in the sky.  Haven't seen them for quite awhile.  Chatted or just lazed around, although the view nowhere near as good as Lara Wetlands and Lake Dunn.  Still warm to hot.  Go to bed with only the sheet but have to pull the doona up during the night.

Thursday 31 August - Friday 1 September - Lara Wetlands

Apart from Ian getting up Thursday morning to sit in the hot springs to watch the sunrise we lazed around and enjoyed chatting to the people coming and going or sitting in the hot springs.  There was a bbq around the camp kitchen on the Friday night.  A fellow traveller played the guitar and sang.  She wasn't bad.  She had entered the Tamworth new talent competition in 2006, 2007 or 2009 (we can't remember which one) and got in the final 10.    There was also a guy that did balancing tricks and a few people got up and told jokes.   Not a bad evening.
 

Wednesday 30 August - Lara Wetlands

An early start this morning as we had to be at the caretakers van by 9.15.   Jumped in the back of a truck and sat on hay bales for the drive up to the homestead.  The homestead is built in the Queenslander style.  I don't have much information about it as there was no information given about it for you to keep.  The present owner wanted to restore the homestead, set up the wetlands camping area and run cattle on the property.  Unfortunately her husband died in a helicopter accident and her debt makes it impossible for her to stay on so the property is up for sale.  We had a look around the old homestead and was given lots of verbal history of the place.  Probably too much information all at once to absorb.  Morning tea was also supplied.  It was a very enjoyable tour and worth the $10 fee each.  The homestead was lovely but would need more than a million spent on it to restore it.    Ian walked back to the campground while I returned on the back of the truck.  We chatted to a couple who had just arrived that day and then it was back to the van for a late lunch.  Once again did nothing until it was time to poach ourselves in the hot pool.

 
 
 
 

Tuesday 29 August - Lara Wetlands

Went for a walk around the Lake passing the amenities which are about 400 - 500 metres away from us and then continued on to the caretakers office.  We put our names down for the homestead tour tomorrow.  Continued on for a few metres to where another Kokoda was parked and had a chat to them.  After discussing the ins and outs of their van they decided to walk with us to our van.  The couple they are traveling with also joined us.  We continued around the Lake to our van to discuss the ins and outs of our van.  What should have taken us 30 minutes turned in to 2 enjoyable hours and filled in the morning nicely.  After lunch we read until it was time to hit the hot springs.  Chatted to a few other couples while we poached ourselves in the pool before returning to the van to shower and settle in for the night.