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May 2018
03 May 2018
Leaving Bowenville we made our way into Dalby where we did some shopping and then replaced the second spare 5th wheeler tyre, the one that had picked up some glass in the sidewall when we turned off the bitumen and onto the dirt on the Old Eyre Highway. Then it was off to a small town by the name of Kogan.
Turning off to explore the location of the Braemar Power Station we spent a little time checking the place out and then made our way to Kogan where we will be living when we work at the Power Station for the Shutdown in June. In the meantime we are going to explore a little more.
Pulling into the small area behind the Memorial Hall and threading ourselves through some trees, we managed to park up. Ringing the lady who runs things to make sure we could stay and to secure power we were eventually met by Margaret, a local who has looked after the hall for over 17 years.
Town is quite small and apart from the hall, toilets and small Anzac Park, has a pub, store/Post Office, school and about 14 houses.
These locals do nothing but sit here 24 hours a day doing nothing but playing cards, and we are glad they don't drink!
Putting the drone up for a look this morning was a good way to look around, and to try taking an airborne panorama, but just as the photo's were taken it two rather large whistling kites came floating around, each taking time for some investigative passes, and so it was time to land before their passive investigation became more that just inquisitive.
04 May 2018
Leaving Kogan this morning we made our way back to the Caliguel Lagoon just out of Condamine, but on arrival we found the best spots taken and so, with a long weekend here in Qld upon us, we decided to move on.
Heading towards Wondoan we stopped for morning tea and a look at Chinaman's Lagoon on the outskirts of Miles. With plenty of lillies in the water it was the perfect spot to try flying over water for at low level for the first time.
Drone photo of the lillies in the lagoon.
The video below can also be viewed here on youtube, or below.
Morning tea and flight over we topped up our water supplies and fuel before heading off, eventually pulling into the small town of Wondoan. Locating the free camp at the environment park, next to the sports ground, we grabbed a spot and settled in. Free hot showers and toilets not far from our camp were a bonus. Of course the drone went back up for a panorama of the place and a scoot along the dam, then as the clouds built up looking like a great sunset photography session it was time for the other camera to come out.
Our campsite at Wondoan taken from the maximum legal drone height of 400ft.
07 May 2018
Despite the local football (Rugby) games going on and many of the teams, supporters and onlookers camping in town and around the ground, and despite their fires and alcohol fuelled singing, we enjoyed a peaceful night.
Waking to see some bleary eyes around the place and people sat around smoldering fires like stunned mullets we got in with the free hot showers before the hordes and then packed up and made our way North to Taroom.
Stopping in the Lions Park we set up camp, disconnected and after letting the local Policeman know what we had done, took a drive North and around a tourist loop, all 200km's of it!
Stopping for a look at the Chain of Ponds Camping area not far out of Taroom, we figured it would be a nice spot, but not if it was wet. Further North, after almost missing the turnoff, we stopped for a look at Isla Gorge (which was nice, but...). A short walk from the carpark and small camping area along the sandstone track to the lookout revealed nice views of the sandstone peaks and out to the farming country beyond.
We made our way North again until we were 10km's short of the town of Theodore as it sits on the Dawson River. Turning off along the Glenmoral-Roundstone Road we made our way along the narrow bitumen road, stopping to take a photo of a pleasant creek scene.
The pleasant looking creek.
Turning off the bitumen we made our way along the Glenbar and Flagstaff Roads, climbing up through a gap in the range. Following the guidebook directions we crossed a grid,took a hard right and crossing another grid made our way along the 1.3km bush track to the Flagstone Road.
Looking back up the hill from about halfway down.
Hand built in 1860 this part of the Roma to Rockhampton road allowed the bullock teams to negotiate the steep grade of the Dawson Range. The bush has almost taken this back now, but you can still walk on (down and then back up) the 500m of hand hewn stones.
Back on the road we made our way through a couple of cattle stations and State Forests.
The lone bottle tree standing along the roadside.
We stopped to take a photo of the cattle, grass and a lone bottle tree and that was enough for the cattle to think they were getting something to eat. The stampede was on and they came running down the hill from all directions, pulling up just near us and then trying to figure out what they were doing there, and why. It was so comical.
The terrain was like this for some way and disappointing the cattle, cresting the hill and crossing yet another grid, we stopped to put the drone up. The idea was to have it circle around us as we drove, filming not only us but the area we were driving in. It was a great idea because there was no tree's for it to navigate past and it would allow another, as yet un-tried option. It was a great idea until we found we had left the cord that connects the tablet to the controller behind and that makes it a little hard to put the necessary settings in and to see what is happening. Oh well, next time!
Making our way back to town we arrived to find we had a couple of neighbours and our house just as we left it. We settled in for the rest of the day, enjoyed a $2 hot shower in the amenities before night fell and after watching some tv, settled in for the night.
Rain overnight and we awoke to a cloudy day with more rain forecast, so that means we will just stay put today and think about what to do tomorrow.
08 May 2018
Yesterday was a cool, wet one with 14ml in the rain gauge this morning. The sign saying Boggy when Wet near where we were parked made us cast thoughts to staying yet another day to let things dry out a bit, but other campers leaving minimal tracks on the grass gave us some hope. So, with another wet day day possible we packed up, engaged 4wd and idled out onto the roadway.
It was our intention to head further North and to follow another dirt road loop, but figuring it would be wet and mucky we decided to do it another day and so headed back to Wondoan for fuel and to turn South.
Following the 80 km road South we enjoyed the scenery, lack of traffic and fun negotiating the steep, sharp, deep and dry dips where the creeks came through.
Heading West on the Warrego Highway we made our way to Wallumbilla where after passing hundreds of mining donga's all stacked up in the paddock, we pulled into the showgrounds and set up camp on the old cricket pitch. Once a $15 a night camp it is now free with a donation requested at the Calico Cottage Information Centre, and you still get the power and water!
Wallumbilla from the air. Looking towards town from over the showgrounds.
11 May 2018
Having enjoyed a few days at Wallumbilla it was time to move on,so we made our way onto Roma where we stopped to pick up some of the cheapest fuel at $1.35 c/L that we have seen in a long time. Jaycar and the Hardware store for a few bits and bobs and then we were back out into the long yellow grass country and heading towards Mitchell.
Pulling into the camping area at the Neil Turner Weir we took up residence on the concrete pad that once housed some buildings, and settled in. Most others were camped in the shade along the banks of the Maranoa River, and looking at them during the day they remain in the shade, no good for solar and with the cool wind and lower temperatures that have arrived, they would not be warm during the day unless they have a heater.
The concrete pad was the perfect spot to be able to get under the house to work on putting a power cord through to the tv and satellite box from the auxiliary battery in the rear.
Going outside after dark revealed the Milky Way was starting to become visible and so out came the camera for a session of astrophotography as the town of Mitchell and the campers around us settled in for the night.
Old Man Emu is visible in the MIlky Way tonight.
(Google it and you will understand how it is seen).
The temperature overnight was a tad cool and the sun in the morning was absolutely glorious, so with no wind it was the perfect time to get the drone up in the air for a look around. Flying from the weir up to the bend just a metre off the water was nice view, but left no room for mistakes. Then it was time to ascend to the maximum legal height (120m) to grab a panorama and the shot below.
The Neil Turner Weir camping area along the Maranoa River (we are on the bottom right of the concrete slab).
Joanne's morning walk revealed that there was 40 campers in, all squashed in like a caravan park under the trees along the water and up towards the toilet block. More have come in during the day and some have left, including some near us.
14 May 2018
With such a nice spot to enjoy we decided to stay and linger a little longer. The cool nights and mornings have been bearable and sitting in the morning sun for breakfast and reading the emails, a total delight. The wind has abated somewhat and that means that the drone can get up in the air for some more training and photo's
The Maranoa River as seen near sunset from above the weir.
We have also managed to catch up with some nice people, Jenny and Colin Cooper. Like us, they live on the road full time, but they are in an imported American Puma 5th Wheeler. We have had some chats and then this morning spent some time together over a couple of cuppa's, sitting in the sun, admiring the river and chatting about 5th wheelers, life on the road, solar, batteries, places to stop, favourite sites and things in general.
Around lunch we took a drive into town to the showgrounds to see what was happening with the local show, and to use the dump point. Then it was some shopping and back home for another lazy afternoon watching more campers come in, and some leave. With around 30 odd campers in each night there is still plenty of room for more, and the place is quiet and relaxing.
Such a great topic for a show entry.
Having applied for an Exempted Aviation Registration Number (ARN) it was also nice to have received an approval and an actual ARN from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in the emails this morning. That now means I have some more latitude with flying the drone, and, it means I can do things that I can earn money from, such as selling photo's, getting paid for jobs people want done etc, while using the drone on a private or commercial basis. The next step however, is an intensive and expensive one, but that may not be required or useful for what I want to do with the drone.
18 May 2018
The last few days have seen us still enjoying the Neil Turner Weir Camp, and the warm sunny days. Having also met some Full Time Nomad's from the Facebook Group of the same name, we have enjoyed visiting with them and enjoying a chat around the fire at night.
Of course the drone has seen some flight time and it is interesting to be in the air when the Whistling Kites come around to see what this invader of their turf is up to.
Trying a different angle for the sunset over the water was interesting.
A different perspective of the weir with our camp spot right at the other end.
Joanne has been taking her usual morning walk along the river and has come back with some very nice shots.
Shots like this.
And this.
We have had all manner of campers in during our time here and each day some leave and some new ones take their place. Jenny and Colin Cooper moved on with their 5th wheeler but not before Kerry and Peter Cooper (no relation) came in and we enjoyed a fire with them all, and their neighbour Rod.
For the past two nights we have had Sheng Lee, a very pleasant, older Chinese man camped near us in his business van come traveling home. Sheng has a mobile tv, satellite, electrical and LED light business which he works as he travels. He also has a drone which he uses for fun, and to take shots of camp grounds for the Camps Australia book. So we spent some time together comparing drone controller settings and trying different flight modes, flying and general chatting.
This morning was a busy one with a run into town for a dump point run, then stopping on the way back to fill up some water containers from the taps not far from us, then Peter and Kerry Cooper left, followed not far behind by Rod left, and then the steady parade of new campers started to come in.
We have decided to remain here until Monday and will decide on what we are going to do after that. It's just such a nice place and we are very comfortable here for the moment, so we figure why move?
Here's a video of the weir and the Maranoa River - https://youtu.be/AZG3ARdEoXQ
21 May 2018
We finally decided to leave Mitchell this morning after a pleasant 11 day visit where we just plonked, got some jobs done, caught up with things and generally chilled, watching campers come and go. Saying farewell to Blair and Stephanie who were camped near us and who we enjoyed some happy hour and a fire with, we made our way North.
Taking the back way to Injune we turned off for a look at a camp spot of Lt Col, Sir Thomas Mitchell who explored these parts back in 1846 on his 4th expedition. Following the dirt road in we passed through a gate and found a small open area with a small monument, blaze tree, toilet and BBQ and information boards under a small roof.
Back on the road we were passing through open grass country on a narrow bitumen road. Crossing grids along the way as we passed through beef cattle stations. Stopping for a look at the Maranoa River at Forestvale we found it dry with only a few large puddles for the cattle to drink from. The cable across the river in the photo below is the wire used to get across to the other side when the river is in flood.
The very dry Maranoa River taken from the road that crosses it.
Moving on from the river it suddenly dawned on us that we should have flown the drone up the dry riverbed, but we were too far away to go back. Heading on through the station we eventually came to an intersection where we found the Womblebank Station homestead, buildings and cattle yards perched on the top of a small escarpment and overlooking brown grasslands and the Great Dividing Range on the horizon.
Heading towards the hills we made the small climb up this part of the Great Dividing Range, peaking out at 637m. Dropping down the other side we arrived in the small town of Injune. Filling the tank at $1.50 a litre we then inspected the free camp right near the service stations, but with roadwork's nearby using the area for a gravel dump it really didn't take our fancy, so we moved on to Possum Park at the Racecourse.
Arriving to find the place empty we settled into the best spot nearest the toilets and showers, and it was not long before all of the other spots were taken.
23 May 2018
A cool morning to awaken to this morning, but that didn't stop everyone getting on the road early. First in we were almost last out. Heading out of town we made our way North on the highway for a bit and then turned off along the Acacia Ridge Road. A fairly good road with some twists and turns we stopped opposite the 500m track in to the lookout and parked up. Joanne took the short walk in and found a nice view of the road ahead as it made it's way through the valley.
Following the valley with a range on either side we were treated to nice view of a saw tooth range on the left and a tall escarpment range on the right. With names for points along the way such as Battleship and Fort, the range on the right looked as formidable as the names we were seeing on the Hema Navigator.
Turning onto off of Acacia Valley Road we turned into Arcadia Rage Road. Passing large farms and cattle stations that would have been right at home in Montana or Wyoming USA, we eventually hit the dirt. A good road but not one to be on in the wet, we were still in the valley of the ranges. Expedition Range seemed like a strange name but obviously it was named during one.
We arrived at the turnoff to Nuga Nuga Lake NP where we had booked ourselves a site for the night. The track in took us through a property and cattle before we entered the National Park via a grid. The narrow road wound its way down towards the lake and kept us entertained with water erosion humps which had to be negotiated slowly because of the angles.
Arriving at the lake we spied a spot that wouldn't be too bad but decided to keep going. Arriving at a notice board we decided not to follow the track over to the island, but chose to see if we could find a spot further down as shown on the map. Traversing more erosion humps that required us to inch over then all the while watching the top of the ute tub missing the bottom of the 5er by mere millimetres was interesting, and then, when we couldn't get past some trees, we turned around and negotiated the humps once more.
Back at the track to the island we turned off and headed over the small land bridge that was usable with the lake at low level. Turning left at the T-junction we found ourselves amongst the trees and tight spaces again, eventually turning around at the end of the track and making our way back to a large spot we had spied on the way in.
Joanne went for a walk as I set up camp and before I had done so, she returned with a better spot to go to. After a quick pack up we made our way back to the T-junction and took what was the right hand turn as you come in. Following the wheel tracks through the tall grass we passes kangaroo's and some Australian Bustard's, disturbing them all as we went.
We eventually arrived at the end of the track, turned around, dug some holes for the house wheels on the high side, lifted the front of the ute with our ramps and settled in with a pleasant view of the lake and large hills nearby.
Our campsite on the shore of Nuga Nuga Lake.
Parked up and enjoying the place we were dive bombed by hundreds of little martins, many of which used us for a perch to rest on before they took off on yet another bombing raid. Ducks, water fowl, whistling kites, pelican's and cormorants were everywhere, making for a twitchers paradise.
Of course our own bird was launched for an aerial exploration and some photo's of the area, but all with an eye out for the birds of prey.
Nuga Nuga Lake NP from near a large hill. Our island clearly visible and or camp on the bottom right hand side.
WIth no facilities whatsoever paying for the camp was a little jarring, but, we were the only people there and so had it all to ourselves. Sunset came and the bugs could be heard as clear as standing at the end of Sydney Airport. We settled in for the night and around midnight the alarm sounded for a check of the milky way, and it didn't disappoint.
The Milky Way over the lake with the emu upside down.
Milky Way shot captured it was time to head back to a warm bed. The morning came around quite quick but the view out the window was beautiful. With the sun rising on the other side of the island the morning sky was a beautiful orange/pink, the colour casting down onto the water and making the place look very nice, and it was very tempting to put the drone up again.
Leaving our camp we made our way back up the hill and over the humps to join the main road again. The dirt eventually ran out and we were back on the blacktop. Hitting the highway East of Rollestone we made our way to Bauhinia where there is not much other than a service station come shop come cheap campground, a school, sports complex and a few houses.
We did consider camping behind the store as shown in wikicamps, but, one look at it and we kept going. Turning left we made our way towards Duaringa where we camped on the trikes some 16 years ago. The narrow bitumen road was reasonable at 80 km/h but not over that and then ran out after 20 km's. Hitting the dirt again until we were opposite the Aboriginal land of Woorabinda. From there is was an easy bitumen road into town.
Taking up a spot down the back it was time to settle in and catch up with photo's, videos and the web page, for Joanne to take a walk around town and for us to watch plenty more pull in and find a spot.
28 May 2018
After reliving our cycling time here, our time at Duaringa ended we moved on. Taking a back road South we thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and lack of traffic as we descended the jump up and came out into flat country surrounded by hills. Pulling into the small town of Baralaba where we investigated stopping at the showgrounds, but a bike come car race and plenty of people around turned us off.
Dropping down to the river we also investigated the Neville Hewitt Weir where there is a small camping/picnic area nestled under the trees and not far from the river. Plenty of campers in the area but little sunlight due to the trees, one of the few times we wished we had a gas powered fridge. Back up in town we stopped for a look at the main street before heading out of town to a bush butcher to buy some pork steaks and ham that everyone said we to die for.
Heading out of town we made our way to Banana and then onto Moura. Pulling into the Rotary Club Park we had the choice of sites. The small campsite is relatively new but has toilets, water and a small herb garden. A $5 per night fee payable at the nearby hardware, or another shop in town certainly made it a cheap camp on the outskirts of town.
Our $5 a night campsite at Moura.
The newly painted water tower near the campsite.
With a 72hr stay possible we decided to stay for two nights and whilst we had the first night to ourselves, the second night saw eight of us camped up.
Before we left town we took the short 10km drive down to the Dawson River where there is a small camping area and with plenty of campers in and camped right up to the road. Back in town we stopped at the Banana Shire Depot and filled our water tanks from the dedicated caravan fill point and then, after heading back through town, made our way towards Theodore.
Turning off before we made Theodore we followed a back road called Defence Road. The road must have some World War 2 History and apart from nice, savannah countryside has a number of old road bridges built by POW's from a mobile internment camp.
One of five bridges along the road built by WWII POW's
Part way along we turned into Camboon Station where we investigated the old hall and campdraft area in what is supposedly the oldest country racecourse in Qld. Back on the road we hit the dirt and for the next 30 odd kilometres made our way though the bush on what really was just a dirt track.
Back on the bitumen it was not long before we came to the small, old mining, historic town of Cracow. Coming through the main street we found nothing but old, abandoned, derelict shops and businesses, and a pub that is still in use.
The old Bank of NSW.
These shops haven't seen any trade for a long, long time.
Heading up to the Heritage Centre we arrived to find we were the only ones there and so took up the best of the three concrete slab camping spots and plugged in. Power, toilet/shower, water and a BBQ for a donation is a good deal for a 48 hour stop which will also allow us some time to check the place out.
Once the town's Courthouse and now the Heritage Centre, and Campground.
The town of Cracow from above our campsite.
Despite the other two campsites next to us being taken up we enjoyed a peaceful night. After the others had left we had the place to ourselves and enjoyed the day once the fog and cloud lifted.
So other than gold being found and still being mined around the town, the only other thing of note here is that the pub, when it is open, is owned by Fred Brophey of Brophey's Boxing Tent fame and has been through three generations of the family. Fred is not here at the moment and so the pub is being run by his son. Now that is one pub you wouldn't want to get into a fight in!
29 May 2018
Being the only ones in camp last night we enjoyed another quiet night in Cracow. Adding to the donation tin we left camp after our allowed 48 hours and moved on, climbing a hill and passing the gold mine.
Back down on the flat we took the Delusion Road and almost immediately noticed tall palm trees everywhere. Stopping for a look down a track we found plenty of palm trees but no water, until that it, we came to around a corner and descended into a clearing where the track crossed the Dawson River as it sits surrounded by palm trees. Going over the bridge we decided to turn around and go back for another look.
The Dawson River crossing.
Pulling into a small clearing that would have been a great campsite, we parked up and went to investigate the river, the palms and the view.
Reversed up into the start of the small camping area. Not much sunshine but a really nice feeling to the place with the palms around us.
Heading off once again we eventually came to the Leichhardt Highway. Turning left we were heading towards Taroom but turned off to take the 26km side trip to the Glebe Weir. Passing through open cattle farming land we crossed grid after grid after grid and eventually came down the hill and into the camping area. We thought that toilets, water, cold showers, power and a view for $7 a night is a pretty good deal so thought we might linger a little longer and enjoy the place.
Plenty of other campers were in already, all clustered together around the power points and under the trees. We investigated a couple of spot before eventually settling on one spot slightly away from everyone else, the tree's and with a small water view.
Taking a walk around the area we visited the weir itself and enjoyed the sound of the water flowing over it. Then, with a small waterway leading off opposite the boat ramp it was time to get the bird in the sky for a look and some photo's.
One advantage of using the drone to take photo's is being able to get up and over where you normally couldn't get to.
The pelicans were happy to pose for the drone's camera.
Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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