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May 2019
05 May 2019
A new month and a new direction.
Our work at the Braemar Power Station came to an end and having a few days still paid for in the caravan park we used the remaining days to clean up uniforms and to get back into our normal routine.
Leaving the caravan park this morning we made our way via the back roads to the small town of Nobby. Having camped here before we knew it would be a nice spot to see out a few days before we get the ute and the 5er serviced in Toowoomba.
Arriving at Nobby we were surprised to find the small donation camp almost full and a new one started across the road next to the Nobby Hall. We selected a spot down the end away from most of the others, and settled in.
Today's track can be found here or you can see it on Google Earth here (open in GE)
14 May 2019
Well its been a while since we last updated and so with no travel today it is a perfect time to do so. Since leaving Nobby we have made our way West towards Condamine and today finds us camped at Caliguel Lagoon just out of town. The track from Nobby to the Lagoon can be found here.
Leaving Nobby we made our way to Cecil Plains and stopped for the night at the free camp near town. A few others in but all in all it was a quiet night. Leaving the next morning we made our through the backroads, stopping in Tara for a look at the lagoon side camp and morning tea.
Arriving here at Caliguel Lagoon we found our spot already taken so resorted to a spot we have eyed off before but couldn't get because someone else had it. The Corella's are still here and have almost denuded the trees where they roost. Of course there are some spots down by the dwindling waters of the lagoon but we didn't fancy being the toilet target of the birds.
The clouds came in early yesterday but we have managed half a day of sunshine before they came back. Almost all of the other campers left this morning and many others come in, take a look at the low water level and then head back out again.
Our track from Cecil Plains is here (its the Orange Line).
15 May 2019
The clouds came in yesterday afternoon and were still there when we awoke this morning. Figuring there was little chance of a sunrise shot because of the clouds it was a lazy rise, but then we realised that the sun was in fact going to light the sky up!
The sky lit up and by the time we got dressed and out it was almost over, but still not bad.
So after the dash for a photo it was time to pack up and head off. Having enjoyed our two nights at the lagoon we moved on, taking some back roads through the bush and eventually stopping at the Wallumbilla Showgrounds, a spot we have camped at before on a number of occasions.
The track from Caliguel Lagoon to Wallumbilla is here.
20 May 2019
Having enjoyed a few days at Wallumbilla we made our way into Roma for some shopping and then headed a further 90km's West to the town of Mitchell on the banks of the Maranoa River. Our track can be found here.
A short drive out of town is the Neil Turner Weir and a large free camp where we have enjoyed a number camps before. Coming around the corner we could see quite a few people already in and set up. Our usual spot on the concrete slab was already taken so we moved to a spot we haven't camped on before.
The numbers have steadily built up over the past few days with 60 in the first night and then 80 last night. Everyone is spread out nicely and the only crowding is in spots where you can see the river such as around the toilet block. Quite a few buses and motorhome's have been in waiting for their chance to join the other 1,000 RV's in Barcaldine for the World Record attempt at the longest RV line. We don't think we will bother though so if the number only gets to 999 then they can blame us for not making the 1,000 they want.
With so many different rigs in it is like an RV caravan and camping show and almost every type and brand seems to be represented and the air is thick with smoke from small camp fires at night. The town courtesy bus is still running three times a day to take people in to the artesian spa, shops and for meals at the bowling club and pub, and it appears to be very well used. We intend to be here for a few nights to just chillax and to get some photography in.
The weir at sunset.
A remnants of a recent flow of water down the river can be seen around the weir with large logs and debris scattered around like toothpicks and the vegetation along the banks is a little battle damaged and dirty.
There is still a trickle of water over the weir.
It's a bit mucky but interesting to see the shapes, patterns and colours in the slime.
Mud cracks slowly being taken over by the grass up at the boat ramp.
A little further out of town is another camping spot right on the river and aptly called Fisherman's Rest. The camping spots are limited and mostly in shade but the view up and down the river is beautiful. Just nearby is another spot that, despite being a little uneven, would make a good camp and the view down the river is also very nice, and we might have to consider a few days there as well.
The view up the river towards the Fisherman's Rest Camping area as the last of the sun bathes the opposite bank.
22 May 2019
Having spent a few days at the Weir we decided to move out of town to Fisherman's Rest. A few minutes and 5.7km's later, we were there and setting up. The site has a main camping area right down on the river but it is fairly well covered with trees, which is not good for our solar system which powers our fridge, TV, Satellite Dish, Lights and which also charges out electrical gadgets. And on top of that, as beautiful as the spot is, it gets very, very crowded, and just when you thought you had some room, someone squeezes in and, like a caravan park, you hear every noise, which is not good if they snore more than you!
The main camp is in the middle of the shot, ours bottom left.
We instead chose a spot not far off the main track where the ground is fairly level, where it is a short walk to the main camping area and our favourite tree, and where we could still see the river.
Our campsite
Just when we thought the sunrise was going to be hidden by the clouds, this happened.
And a little later on as the sun got up and the clouds parted, the back light through our tree showed this.
The bottom campsite has had rigs coming and going and as I write the clouds have come in to reduce the warmth and the light. The only downside thus far has been the flies which have been rather thick and sticky.
25 May 2019
So after a few relaxing days out on the river at Fisherman's Rest we left our spot yesterday, and headed back into the camp at the Neil Turner Weir, but not before we had stopped at the fresh fruit and veggie truck that comes through town every couple of weeks, then the butcher and the baker. Having loaded up a sea contained with food the veggie truck parks at the local service station come repair shop in town, unloads the sea container,opens the doors and provides fresh fruit and veggies to the community.
We grabbed another good spot out at the weir and settled in. Later on Warren and Andrea from Gympie came in with their WInjana Kalbarri 690, setting up not far from us. So later on we joined them for a chat all things Winjana and the like.
Today has been a slow day just catching up on a few things and enjoying the warm sun before the forecast weather change in the next two days, and no doubt there will be a beer and a chat with Warren and Andrea.
Track is here.
30 May 2019
We finally left the weir at Mitchell and headed off towards Morven where, after 91km's we pulled into the sports ground. The powered section (4 power poles and taps) at $10 a night was pretty full and crowded so rather than squashing in worse than a caravan park we opted for the unpowered section ($5 a night), out in the sun and on our own. Our to Morven track is here.
The free hot showers were still going and a short stroll across the footy oval from where we had set up camp. Of course we could have used our own, but use it or lose it, so we used it to ensure the service was kept in service.
The sports oval sits alongside the Sadleir Lagoon and is a photography rich environment, so of course, after a walk right around the lagoon to scout out potential compositions it was just a matter of going back at the appropriate moment.
Beautiful reflections as the sun begins to dip.
A golden light over the end of the lagoon during the golden hour.
On the first night we had 23 other campers in, and 30 the second night.
Looking down the lagoon.
Having decided to put together some photography vlog's (video blog) you can view that part of our stay here on my Youtube channel.
Leaving Morven we drove to Charleville where we stopped for a fuel and food top up before heading out of town to the Ward River where we have camped before, though this time we opted for a different spot. Turning off the road and over a grid onto the Lass O'Gowry Road andthen a tight right turn we followed the fenceline down a tight dirt track until we came to the river. Being the only ones there we took a nice spot just a few metres from the water and set up camp.
Our campsite on the Ward River.
Our camp was under water not long ago, evidenced by the debris in the tree's about the same height as our rig, but it was a beautiful spot and we had it all to ourselves. Track is here.
Little to no phone reception except up by the large tree behind us was no issue and with the place so nice, the drone and the camera got a bit of a work out here.
The flies had been a bit of a nuisance until the sun went down and their mates the mozzies didn't turn up to the party, but ut sure got cold once the sun went down, and there was a hope for some mist on the water in the morning as we went to bed.
A view out of the window at 4.30am showed a star filed sky with the milky way overhead, but it was not enough of an attraction to make me want to brave the cool of the night, as a nice warm bed and some more sleep was more inviting.
30 May 2019
Waking to a cool morning we eventually got underway and headed back out of the tight track to the bitumen and on towards Quilpie. Passing the green of the land courtesy of the recent rain it was a totally different scene to the usual dust bowl, and a pleasant one at that.
Not finding a camp spot along the way that looked inviting we were about 35km's out of Quilpie when we spotted an area near a bridge and between the disused railway and the roadway. Turning around and heading in we decided that the spot had potential, and then we heard the birdlife and that sealed it.
The creek is just a series of puddles.
With very little traffic coming through it was noticeable when a ute slowed down and pulled in next to us. The occupants, two men, walked straight past us and down to the waterhole in the creek, returning with their yabby nets and some young "bait" before stopping for a chat on their way back to their ute.
A nice scene just up the creek a little
The rest of the day was quiet and we enjoyed the warmth of the sun, but not the flies!
Our track to here can be found here.
31 May 2019
Our camp between the disused railway and the road was a cracker, and so, so quiet. No trains and little to no traffic overnight was a bonus. We awoke to birdsong and the sun illuminating the tree out of our window,
Such a nice view to wake up to.
It's amazing what you find, and where, out here.
Packing up and leaving our camp we quickly covered the 30 kilometres into Quilpie pretty quickly. Stopping in town for fuel, then the dump point and then a nice long, hot, artesian water shower at the travellers rest. With fuel at $1.559 per litre we topped the ute up and then used the rest of the $100 in the card machine to fill a jerry can. Little did we know that that jerry can would be come important later on.
HEading out of town we were heading for the Thylungra Rest Area some 100 kilometres out of town. Passing through country that was a dust bowl the last time we saw it but now a vibrant green thanks to the rain, and about 70 kilometres out we came upon two caravans who appeared to be having a chat in the middle of the narrow road. What's going on here we wondered?
Turns out the couple heading towards Quilpie had miscalculated their fuel and, courtesy of a headwind, were not going to make it to town and so was asking everyone he met along the way for fuel. "Don't have any diesel I can buy do you?" were the words he uttered when we got to him. So, that jerry can we managed to get 21 litres into back in Quilpie all of a sudden became quite valuable.
Telling the man we did have some fuel he could have we pulled over and got the jerry can out. While emptying the fuel into his tank we were discussing the prices of fuel and they said they were shocked at $2.17 a litre at Kings Canyon. Anyway, after emptying the jerry can into his tank he gives me $50! Totally thankful and insisting that I take the full $50 rather than the $30 I was suggesting would have been enough. So now he can say he paid $2.38 a litre on his travels.
Good dead done and wishing them luck we were on our way, arriving not long after at the Thylungra Rest Area which sits on a waterhole named by Patrick Durack of the Durack cattle dynasty, just outside the gate of the Thylungra Station. Two other campers and an abandoned campertrailer were there when we pulled in.
With the nicest water view spot already taken we chose another spot nearby, and out in the sun, warding off the cool wind. The birdlife here is amazing and the noise deafening as the thousands of budgies and other outback brids chitter and chatter in every tree and bush around.
A brief chat with the other campers around their fire pot just before the sun went down was pleasant, and then it was time to get inside out of the cold. We also found out from the campertrailer owners, who had gone back to Quilpie for a suspension bolt, that the fuel man had actually made it to town.
Our track for the day can be found here.
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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