tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53607476692112660202024-03-18T21:44:16.923-07:00Marg & Russ' TravelsMarg and Russ' travels around AustraliaMarg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-37480344169066321182007-09-06T22:41:00.000-07:002007-09-06T22:51:59.119-07:00TRILBY TO HILLSTON TO DENILIQUIN<span style="font-family:Verdana;">We left Trilby and travelled nearly 400kms, in red bulldust again, until we arrived at a very small town, having a much welcome caravan park.<span style=""> </span>The temperatures are cooler still and we have jumpers on for the first time since leaving central NSW on the way up.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhiF9d06xEW3mvM7uJJQLKFx8dP9L-jQPp7-g5X20iKrASqiJDJBudCt_4METgAegqw_HO71AQRLUqCgJBc1P_ZgFjLua9R9BzoLWpD4QL1XI1WoO7TNXLOY4NRTK56TbKv5gKoKtEkxJ/s1600-h/Very+close+roadtrain.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhiF9d06xEW3mvM7uJJQLKFx8dP9L-jQPp7-g5X20iKrASqiJDJBudCt_4METgAegqw_HO71AQRLUqCgJBc1P_ZgFjLua9R9BzoLWpD4QL1XI1WoO7TNXLOY4NRTK56TbKv5gKoKtEkxJ/s200/Very+close+roadtrain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107335058689097010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">On the road again the next day, finding the distances between towns much smaller than in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Queensland</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.<span style=""> </span>Another 100kms on red dust, where I photographed an oncoming road train, although the photo doesn’t really represent the foreboding giant approaching and the overpowering dust that follows.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvo_LOC2DLe5Y-YhmfipZG2OlLE9W5RNqx0-ZLkIjUVTubFYjwJdAEnY_9B2vgmjhkyicXuzqJ0EHeFbs9erVwMkltDJ_McY2cAPpr3W5AC6W90uApNFA4Kx9H-bWn8zkGlBnbLnghlLT/s1600-h/Stop+-+wait+for+dust+to+settle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvo_LOC2DLe5Y-YhmfipZG2OlLE9W5RNqx0-ZLkIjUVTubFYjwJdAEnY_9B2vgmjhkyicXuzqJ0EHeFbs9erVwMkltDJ_McY2cAPpr3W5AC6W90uApNFA4Kx9H-bWn8zkGlBnbLnghlLT/s200/Stop+-+wait+for+dust+to+settle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107335062984064322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Happily, the next 350kms or so were on bitumen – I think we are both thoroughly over red dust roads.<span style=""> </span>Our supposedly “dust proof” caravan is covered in red dust internally and we are leaving every skerrick there to show the dealer, who will have his work cut out to make sure the caravan lives up to its guarantee of being dustproof!<span style=""> </span>We take it back next Monday, on our way home.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Our destination today was Echuca, but we saw a sign to Four Post Camp, just south of Deniliquin.<span style=""> </span>Advertised as being on the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Edward</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">River</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, we thought it was worth a look.<span style=""> </span>It turned out to be a great diversion, although the river is a shadow of its former self.<span style=""> </span>We found out that the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Edward</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">River</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> is an anabranch of the mighty </span><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Murray River</span></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, and when it’s in flood, it actually carries more water than the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Murray</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;">!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsZrqcWi7qwioftVLucbEUM65vOQfBOaIsWDwNmN5VKdFof_14A1pxp-ctZFncurHuC3LpeN2FHK9-Jzwgtgel-ZzEwnZ7XaDJGTRUPGNk50yzUA-x77mhhYhRLbcr62C0P_Ua4c8jTkm/s1600-h/Time+to+rid+car+of+red+dust.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsZrqcWi7qwioftVLucbEUM65vOQfBOaIsWDwNmN5VKdFof_14A1pxp-ctZFncurHuC3LpeN2FHK9-Jzwgtgel-ZzEwnZ7XaDJGTRUPGNk50yzUA-x77mhhYhRLbcr62C0P_Ua4c8jTkm/s200/Time+to+rid+car+of+red+dust.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107335075868966242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fires are allowed here and we had the caretakers and two other campers as company.<span style=""> </span>The caretakers are volunteers here, and the whole camp was originally set up as a recreational site for children.<span style=""> </span>Schools, aboriginal groups, children with special needs are a few of the beneficiaries, and the camp is open to groups for conferences, as well as people like us – just needing a powered site for a couple of nights.<span style=""> </span>It’s like a massive Mahaika (?), with a children’s activity area, a large hall, a new bunk house, with very good accommodation, BBQs, etc.<span style=""> </span>Funding has come from the Federal Government, as well as the local Lions and Apex Clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">DID YOU KNOW!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We have just clocked up 10,000kms, at a cost of $2,000 for fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Broken Hill has more trucks and sets of traffic lights underground on mining roads than it does on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Broken Hill is also further from its own state capital </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sydney</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, than </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Melbourne</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> or </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Adelaide</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hillston, Willandra and the surrounding region contain a system of Pleistocene lakes, formed over the last two million years.<span style=""> </span>Ancient fossils, burial and cremation sites have been discovered in </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Willandra</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Lakes</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, dating back 40,000 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Tibooburra is bordered by the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sturt</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family:Verdana;">National Park</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, named after explorer Charles Sturt, who passed through the area as he searched for an inland sea in 1884-85.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It is claimed the cash flow at Lightning Ridge’s Commonwealth Bank is the largest in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Australia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Wentworth’s prime position at the meeting place of the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Murray</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Darling</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Rivers</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> saw it short listed to become </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Australia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family:Verdana;">’s capital.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sturt described the point at which Wentworth now lays as the ‘confluence’ – the merging of two <b style="">streams</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Did you also know that this is our last blog (sob, sob), as tomorrow we go to Kyneton, meet up with Barry and Cas, have lunch on Sunday in Woodend and see Samantha’s new house, then the dealer on Monday and HOME.<span style=""> </span>Look forward to catching up with you all!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Thank you for reading – hope there haven’t been too many mistakes!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-20813495796363595492007-09-03T22:23:00.000-07:002007-09-03T22:30:35.230-07:00TRIBLY STATION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptwYq7FMpCl_wN9rTs8YsugjFC2iSlWD8Y4qpA5mWQk79DndRMARrK1ObbzjeN8vSN9qCqLFks69_FeqFYl1q4xQdbbMtWNIYfCSg9G7S_IByLl9uQp_dDOrNdawE5ca3hHQUqNW2G2on/s1600-h/Camp+at+Trilby+Station.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptwYq7FMpCl_wN9rTs8YsugjFC2iSlWD8Y4qpA5mWQk79DndRMARrK1ObbzjeN8vSN9qCqLFks69_FeqFYl1q4xQdbbMtWNIYfCSg9G7S_IByLl9uQp_dDOrNdawE5ca3hHQUqNW2G2on/s200/Camp+at+Trilby+Station.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106216640615283970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">For the next two nights, we are staying on a 200,000 acre sheep station (with a recent additional purchase of land), 132kms out of Bourke, on the </span><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Darling River</span></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.<span style=""> </span>Our campsite is on the river bank, but we can’t see the trickle of the Darling, unless we stand on the edge of at least a 30 metre high bank.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We were greeted by a large flock of red-tailed cockatoos and some beautiful parrots (yet to find out what they are).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The owners, Gary & Liz Murray, are fifth generation “</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Murrays</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;">”.<span style=""> </span>The first generation settled here in 1860. <span style=""> </span>Initially, Trilby was part of Dunlop Station, which was the first station to introduce mechanical shearing and despite a shearer’s strike and protest, ended up shearing 276,300 sheep in 1894, 235,000 in 1895, and from 1900-1910 there was never more than 100,000 shorn, because of drought (90,000 died in 1896).<span style=""> </span>In the early 1950s, Dunlop was divided 5 different ways – all to the </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Murray</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> children, except one – a woman, who was married!<span style=""> </span>Today, on Trilby, they only manage to run 6,000 sheep, all hand fed at the moment!<span style=""> </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Gary</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> has to regularly check the entire property, making sure all troughs have water, which takes 11 hours by vehicle, but if he flies (they have two planes and a helicopter!), it’s only one and a half hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">There is a schoolhouse on the property, which their ten year old son attends with his governess, using School of the Air, now with satellite coverage, meaning Wil can <b style="">see</b> his teacher. <span style=""> </span>On arrival we were loaned two bound books, one with a complete history of their family, the property, lifestyle etc. and the other contained mud maps of trips over their property.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In the afternoon of Day one we did Mud Map 1, taking us to the Old Dunlop Farm, where the remains of their first steam engine (which was used to drive a thrashing machine or chaff cutter), and many demolished buildings – deliberately dismantled so the material could be used to build the shearer’s shed, garage and old shearer’s huts at Trilby.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Day 2<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Very cold this morning (10 degrees), so Russ lit a fire and we had jaffles. <span style=""> </span>(We are noticing the differences in temperature as we are heading south – from high thirties in Far North Queensland, to thirty in Windorah and Quilpie, to high twenties in Bourke and, after the sun gets over the trees, low twenties here!). <span style=""> </span>A nice warm shower as well, made lunch to take with us and set off on Mud Map 2, a much longer drive.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLoSGR3eNsJ7eAYw_cjmPdpLaJll0Lb0C9_Ig9Iul8aYD1BxkIAzsvzKfGD_8RlJOQxgtUnhIRZdOS5kSyqAgiWN5ohZl-pohO6D-_oiwqA44Y3OFaoMW9ABJaDhmbS-h10ojeFFq8tux/s1600-h/Trilby+Station+from+Iron+Range.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLoSGR3eNsJ7eAYw_cjmPdpLaJll0Lb0C9_Ig9Iul8aYD1BxkIAzsvzKfGD_8RlJOQxgtUnhIRZdOS5kSyqAgiWN5ohZl-pohO6D-_oiwqA44Y3OFaoMW9ABJaDhmbS-h10ojeFFq8tux/s200/Trilby+Station+from+Iron+Range.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106216657795153186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Just over 50kms in all, on 4WD tracks (mainly for clearance), we saw strong, steel holding yards, different fencing requirements – lighter fencing for the ewes, stronger for the rams (which only have six weeks with the ewes, the rest of the time they try to get out to be with them!<span style=""> </span>They also housed goats, which needed stronger and higher fencing still, but were worth rounding up, because of the export market, where they were trucked to the abattoir, blessed, slaughtered and then exported overseas to mainly </span><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">SE Asia</span></st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.<span style=""> </span>Goat is the most universally eaten meat.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Over the trip we were informed about the useful plants for cattle and sheep, the weeds and shrubs that only goats will eat, all the tanks, bores, dams and were given an extremely good insight into the hard work that farmers have to do, all done in such barren conditions.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We came across the old homestead, New Chum House, abandoned in 1965, with everything left “as was”, in case someone needed to shelter from flood, or whatever.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FO538neRfja3VxRPNlf-utb1q0neV4QRwKbf4yEff-7YNQu-L-7yTSimsNo1wB21yBFU0Rw6WWQ1aNEN2a2_LYoXgln6XWgTnBAjFNDCmyI1iHIEMS1fwKVBTEMEFbU3303DkJPHwAO1/s1600-h/Fencers+Bus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FO538neRfja3VxRPNlf-utb1q0neV4QRwKbf4yEff-7YNQu-L-7yTSimsNo1wB21yBFU0Rw6WWQ1aNEN2a2_LYoXgln6XWgTnBAjFNDCmyI1iHIEMS1fwKVBTEMEFbU3303DkJPHwAO1/s200/Fencers+Bus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106216649205218578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We saw the remains of two cars, once belonging to two fencers, who lived in an old bus, another relic.<span style=""> </span>The roof of the bus is wiped off, as the story goes, because “they loved a drink or two and didn’t judge the bridge”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">As we have passed through these properties from the north, we have often asked “why” and “how” they live where they do and now we know the hard slog people have out here.<span style=""> </span>If it’s not a flood, then its years of drought.<span style=""> </span>Speaking to Liz, who’s been here for more than 26 years, she absolutely loves her life and the property, despite being hemmed in for 3 months due to flood.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We have collected a ram’s scull, as well has some goat’s horns, for Rhys and Heath to take to school for “show and tell”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-59212123106871517532007-09-01T21:47:00.000-07:002007-09-01T22:02:24.155-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoneDPludkgUfl4nS6e5gd8laAtJzRwCkADfH1NYvXHOmy0h4yUU84yG3S6l_knOnaggss8uO_JOeDBMj-cIlLBpOiqYliFZC87Q0geGOFi8RSt7idcUSprg6AFZsNiznykUQQ0K_nKLmb/s1600-h/Marg+Watching+Quilpie+Street+Party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoneDPludkgUfl4nS6e5gd8laAtJzRwCkADfH1NYvXHOmy0h4yUU84yG3S6l_knOnaggss8uO_JOeDBMj-cIlLBpOiqYliFZC87Q0geGOFi8RSt7idcUSprg6AFZsNiznykUQQ0K_nKLmb/s200/Marg+Watching+Quilpie+Street+Party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105466876764355778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMja2riKccUnL8yKrcQi1FZupeVm0-rv56nehmx6pb-1ZuWfPPR5w8g_saDd9jEdpMkh9lwTFM_EDi5oNRyy-Csmy6cK1uEXoPp2efVDP0M3BuzO8aBkQSd08EMXLtudtJO4UlJ54kGXuZ/s1600-h/Moon+Eclipse+Quilpie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMja2riKccUnL8yKrcQi1FZupeVm0-rv56nehmx6pb-1ZuWfPPR5w8g_saDd9jEdpMkh9lwTFM_EDi5oNRyy-Csmy6cK1uEXoPp2efVDP0M3BuzO8aBkQSd08EMXLtudtJO4UlJ54kGXuZ/s200/Moon+Eclipse+Quilpie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105466893944224978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRxFh9GNL_5T8TKj7FQPgP7plbMGRwwUA5OCRh7Kq5jfafbzt76TM_PhLKGlbFzSU-AFXHM5Ce_G0cJoLIzjM2nyLuXg50xdbpx519LIZAIUe3rqmv7ioU2aXkdph3vQ3gnNhzu_3XqRi/s1600-h/Quilpie+Street+Party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRxFh9GNL_5T8TKj7FQPgP7plbMGRwwUA5OCRh7Kq5jfafbzt76TM_PhLKGlbFzSU-AFXHM5Ce_G0cJoLIzjM2nyLuXg50xdbpx519LIZAIUe3rqmv7ioU2aXkdph3vQ3gnNhzu_3XqRi/s200/Quilpie+Street+Party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105466915419061474" border="0" /></a><br />Begrudgingly left Currawinya, on what we thought would be a romp in to the next stop – only 290kms.<span style=""> </span>Started off at <st1:time hour="8" minute="10">8.10am</st1:time>, and traversed possibly the worst road to date!<span style=""> </span>Approximately 240kms of bulldust, corrugations etc. etc. – heard it all before?<span style=""> </span>The bush was interesting, quite a lot more vegetation, healthy looking trees and shrubs, but so much concentration on the road prevents enjoyment of the surroundings. <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">Our past memories of Bourke were not the best, as we chose a caravan park in the middle of Bourke, and we were kept awake by dogs, of which we think there must have been four to every one human.<span style=""> </span>This time we chose the <st1:place><st1:placename>Kidman</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Camp</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Caravan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>, in <st1:place>North Bourke</st1:place>, and it has <b style="">green </b>grass, is extremely well designed, with a pool, spa and attractive homestead-looking cabins.<span style=""> </span>Tonight there is a bush poet and a meal for $15 a head.<span style=""> </span>We have seen several bush poets on the way, all have been entertaining.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">Day 2</p> <p face="verdana" class="MsoNormal">Last night’s bush poet was excellent, definitely the best to date.<span style=""> </span>He was a real actor and although had not written any of the poetry himself, recited The Man From Ironbark and Mulga Bill splendidly.<span style=""> </span>In addition, he cooked sausages, vegetables, spuds, billy tea, then entertained us with more old yarns and poems.<span style=""> </span>He owns Digger, the draft horse, who pulls the wagon that takes people down to the paddle steamer, that tours up and down the beautiful <st1:place>Darling River</st1:place> twice a day.<span style=""> </span>The man driving the wagon in the photo is the poet.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGhxdHF8UZ2EmPhmY2na5h4fKDVJ96yeZ8IoRoSGH6wikVwNNXhAvIW_UVMVmEGtEYORd5ybj5p3BNn9h3E9VQ3I3EaeY7UEeNa4BVDTNvq-pLMSuJavIowCtGmyxWTGbPIkJTyNpUGQt/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%2310A+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGhxdHF8UZ2EmPhmY2na5h4fKDVJ96yeZ8IoRoSGH6wikVwNNXhAvIW_UVMVmEGtEYORd5ybj5p3BNn9h3E9VQ3I3EaeY7UEeNa4BVDTNvq-pLMSuJavIowCtGmyxWTGbPIkJTyNpUGQt/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%2310A+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105467611203763442" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bourke is proving to be a very interesting place, which we will make sure we come back to.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The locals have really thought about tourism and we have been given some very informative newsletters and brochures on what to do and camps to move on to. There are three Stations mentioned that provide camp stays, fishing, etc. so tomorrow we’ll head for one of those.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">The photos at the top are of the street party at Quilpie and the lunar eclipse, the same night.<br /><o:p></o:p></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-19834219166049963062007-08-31T22:45:00.000-07:002007-08-31T23:47:11.687-07:00CURRAWINYA NATIONAL PARK<span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">30 August<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p>We decided to stay another night in Quilpie, not knowing that there was a Street Party on in town that night.<span style=""> </span>Everyone arrived in the afternoon, as they did yesterday (on their trek to Birdsville, even though the race aren’t happening), to take part in the local celebrations. <span style=""> </span>The local kids must think it is like their version of the Melbourne Show.<span style=""> </span>A minute scale, admittedly, but after their purchases of ‘show bags’, and light sticks (a copy of the light sabres), mad hats and wheeley bin races, a great time was had by all.<span style=""> </span>There is a beautifully renovated pub in town, where we lunched the day before, got to know the owner, so we arrived in town at about 7pm, bought a glass of wine, collected a couple of chairs and took them outside and had a great view.<span style=""> </span>It was also the night of the lunar eclipse, which made the evening complete.<span style=""> </span>We both came away liking Quilpie very much. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">People follow activities similar to this, all the way to Birdsville, eg. Yabbie races at Windorah!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Time to leave, so, on the road again, visiting Eulo on the way to Currawinya N.P.<span style=""> </span>A General Store, Pub, a Curio shop, a school and that’s about it!<span style=""> </span>Bought sandwiches at the pub (taking 30 minutes to be made), and headed for our destination, about one and half hours away.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">My commentary must becoming boring with “another stunning place”, “this is spectacular”, but here I go again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJib6mKjoDYrbyZI-602Ddd0heSZgp-_4eVHfiI2Ih5ecXDpTHct6R3RJ3h_wsUON5LJqF5-fPiSQ2heS4ya0oHkGeQ7SxFWYwOYRSXgqAM9W6iH9a1eIMfvnsWxCh7VADg8t8qXihjYH/s1600-h/Camp+at+Currawinya+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJib6mKjoDYrbyZI-602Ddd0heSZgp-_4eVHfiI2Ih5ecXDpTHct6R3RJ3h_wsUON5LJqF5-fPiSQ2heS4ya0oHkGeQ7SxFWYwOYRSXgqAM9W6iH9a1eIMfvnsWxCh7VADg8t8qXihjYH/s200/Camp+at+Currawinya+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105118095355149410" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">The terrain was more interesting, the dirt road quite good, and decided to camp on the </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Paroo</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family:Verdana;">River</span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"> campground.<span style=""> </span>Majestic Pelicans and ducks gracefully glide up and down the river like small battleships and galahs use the overhanging branches of riverside trees, to get a drink. <span style=""> </span>Gnarly old Coolabahs, Acacias, a river, approximately 25 metres wide and I’ve got a craypot in and a line in also, trying to get a Yellow Belly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Day 2<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Caught a small catfish in the craypot, along with 2 shrimp, so before breakfast, I had a line in with the catfish as bait and almost immediately I was snagged AGAIN!<span style=""> </span>Patience is required and a cup of tea!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Set the line again, and the craypot, both of us had breaky and a shower, made lunch and set off to see the rest of the park. <span style=""> </span>Firstly we saw the Ruins of the old Caiwarro Homesead, then travelled to the Caiwarro Waterhole.<span style=""> </span>Then quite a long </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKRSdNYvlYcoUGj2sQ3CLP7FpuqmN9uqNKZVF6_ZlO2qO6OVuqvNGu-2qSV47QbSfOiWfDLCO4t2WMzly8VkjeslzyUpaAuuoUH_2I3-em4SnsNvWR342sUj9Q6diOhjGXW_oyDj61Wf8/s1600-h/Currawinya+Woolshed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKRSdNYvlYcoUGj2sQ3CLP7FpuqmN9uqNKZVF6_ZlO2qO6OVuqvNGu-2qSV47QbSfOiWfDLCO4t2WMzly8VkjeslzyUpaAuuoUH_2I3-em4SnsNvWR342sUj9Q6diOhjGXW_oyDj61Wf8/s200/Currawinya+Woolshed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105118099650116722" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">drive, down a wide red dirt roadway, until the turnoff to Currawinya Woolshed.<span style=""> </span>A very large, solid building, still intact.<span style=""> </span>This and three other shearing sheds were assembled from materials taken from a one hundred and ten stand shearing shed (shearing positions).</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHakNaRULnKrfivQeHoiPu2nApumu5wzpN-_IBojuMtdm8Frxl7UlvGa-ba8wMr_2wBkKzHTxC4olonkrDkYWactqd8c7I2KZ3rrV7XSx5nQL6_CJqjyw9Z_Cu_3-sWX8EXn2LAgu04_tH/s1600-h/Currawinya+Kangaroo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHakNaRULnKrfivQeHoiPu2nApumu5wzpN-_IBojuMtdm8Frxl7UlvGa-ba8wMr_2wBkKzHTxC4olonkrDkYWactqd8c7I2KZ3rrV7XSx5nQL6_CJqjyw9Z_Cu_3-sWX8EXn2LAgu04_tH/s200/Currawinya+Kangaroo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105121149076896930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">[Talking of shearing sheds, in Quilpie we met the World Champion <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">female</span> shearer, who is now running the Offshears Bakery.<span style=""> </span>We looked through an album, photographing her achievements, one where she met the Queen in </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Geelong</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">.<span style=""> </span>She is quite an amazing young woman.<span style=""> </span>She remains the World Champion to date!]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">We lunched nearby at the Ourimperee Waterhole, where camping is allowed.<span style=""> </span>This area had more shade, smaller trees and would be a lovely campsite in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">On the drive in we saw flocks of budgerigars and a pair of blue-winged parrots.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Later in the afternoon, after repairing and setting many fishing lines from snags, I asked Russ to pull in the line.<span style=""> </span>To our surprise, there was a great sized Silver Perch on the end.<span style=""> </span>How’s that for justice – I do all the work and Russ reels it in!!<span style=""> </span>Cooked it in foil, with a sprinkling of onion, salt, pepper, lemon juice and tomato.<span style=""> </span>Delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHb6qX3JbitCsW5pUSe81rpLbD_BqyNrL0_F_xoy4O7nMUe5n1cWfnw6iMafDD1NZX1vAagGclOWdlHia3kKgaWH_xlJMNQKaY9GnqVM5CojJ4iXy8TJdyTOQWp7UEjsNp9bAbppqeMCM/s1600-h/Marg+fishing+at+Currawinya.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHb6qX3JbitCsW5pUSe81rpLbD_BqyNrL0_F_xoy4O7nMUe5n1cWfnw6iMafDD1NZX1vAagGclOWdlHia3kKgaWH_xlJMNQKaY9GnqVM5CojJ4iXy8TJdyTOQWp7UEjsNp9bAbppqeMCM/s200/Marg+fishing+at+Currawinya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105118112535018626" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Day 3<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">On rising, down to the craypot, collect the seven shrimps I’ll use for bait today and set the line, then breakfast.<span style=""> </span>Within thirty minutes, a large silver perch was on the line and I was enthusiastic to continue.<span style=""> </span>Every time I put a live shrimp on the line I had a result!<span style=""> </span>We ended up with 2 good sized fish, put three little ones back and also put a shrimp back.<span style=""> </span>Loads of excitement, exercise and a great tea ahead.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxpMuyygKGhP0keGTd_IEhPA_a0Pl-jKSsNKmxTDNfbuWkBBXWUbcvpFQd-kVutMQ1skVsCPwkTXgB0Vxfqr4XhyEme2vFYCAV3CSSWigxqArdw0cxqgw5ISbYgnbphyBFELymWdM_fE2/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%2310+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxpMuyygKGhP0keGTd_IEhPA_a0Pl-jKSsNKmxTDNfbuWkBBXWUbcvpFQd-kVutMQ1skVsCPwkTXgB0Vxfqr4XhyEme2vFYCAV3CSSWigxqArdw0cxqgw5ISbYgnbphyBFELymWdM_fE2/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%2310+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105121161961798834" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Late morning, we walked to the ruins of Caiwarro Homestead – probably 4kms, but as the crow flies – through bush.<span style=""> </span>We found it to be rather hot, but very interesting.<span style=""> </span>Part of the area we traversed is a protected aboriginals site and we could see signs of the past camps and many, fairly modern, artefacts. We thought that they may have been employed by the Station, and we were walking through their camp site.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">To finish off a great day was a classic comment from Russ while sitting around the fire – “we haven’t seen a block of fudgerigars today”!!!<span style=""> </span>We nearly fell off our chairs!!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_CTJmTOvM-r1IAmvA1hO6bkpqEeuvx_C7chkbiBJG2GVLxzBZUCztxPNtYV4r5sZxkeAPAfXwxnlZSOoOijHPg-kLGBE9LdgMw1GzN2r4BvLicOgm3GKqKybwHqHzisj34uu7xSXEj6B/s1600-h/Pardelote+Nesting+holes+in+old+Chimney.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_CTJmTOvM-r1IAmvA1hO6bkpqEeuvx_C7chkbiBJG2GVLxzBZUCztxPNtYV4r5sZxkeAPAfXwxnlZSOoOijHPg-kLGBE9LdgMw1GzN2r4BvLicOgm3GKqKybwHqHzisj34uu7xSXEj6B/s200/Pardelote+Nesting+holes+in+old+Chimney.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105118121124953234" border="0" /></a>On leaving, we went back to the ruins, to photograph a Straited Pardelote, which had built its nest in the clay structure of the homestead fireplace. Unfortunately, the bird wasn't there today, but the holes in the clay are the burrows to his nest, which, yesterday he protected fiercely.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-70623066725736013632007-08-26T21:42:00.000-07:002007-08-26T21:52:23.338-07:00WINDORAH TO WELFORD NATIONAL PARK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhWnXIbCu_jkc9Hta_h3BqBFdydgAdGoF6Vih6JLrXIVWX5X2qVuOyklRR9RMwBrhNB2kTy_cJRsbdRvKJyORs0saHD-CIaHaZY-oZqbsMcyVG4L_y-pffRB3KZsEGnGggXUKCss_iw3H/s1600-h/Camp+at+Welford+on+Barcoo+River.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhWnXIbCu_jkc9Hta_h3BqBFdydgAdGoF6Vih6JLrXIVWX5X2qVuOyklRR9RMwBrhNB2kTy_cJRsbdRvKJyORs0saHD-CIaHaZY-oZqbsMcyVG4L_y-pffRB3KZsEGnGggXUKCss_iw3H/s200/Camp+at+Welford+on+Barcoo+River.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103238355673414738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Only a short distance to travel today, about 90kms, across the mighty Coopers Creek. What an amazing waterway! Down a one-lane bitumen road, with wide sides to access if road trains come the other way, but all we encountered were lots of cars, caravans etc. heading to Birdsville for the races next week.<br />Welford was a barren, desolate park, with poor signage, but eventually got to the Little Boomerang Camping Ground, on the Barcoo River. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_LUOd3UYADN1eMw-tdJBZlKFbCQazrPxFcdhZPs_Nv1acRmRK3Fr8eO_y8il_uLVHiP1VebECandXQaTjmZyJyPh1C0aduw0P_L2Mk6cGhutI35LV0LjgUYQZ5wY6e95bVK3KrDc37c8/s1600-h/Coopers+Creek+Windorah.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_LUOd3UYADN1eMw-tdJBZlKFbCQazrPxFcdhZPs_Nv1acRmRK3Fr8eO_y8il_uLVHiP1VebECandXQaTjmZyJyPh1C0aduw0P_L2Mk6cGhutI35LV0LjgUYQZ5wY6e95bVK3KrDc37c8/s200/Coopers+Creek+Windorah.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103238347083480130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">We set up next to the river, near a River Red Gum on red earth, with a track leading to a real outback dunny. Not the greatest camp, but home for a night, nevertheless.<br />Onto Quilpie tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The previous two publications were out of order - sorry about that!</span><br /></span>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-30465509385340374842007-08-26T21:21:00.000-07:002007-08-26T21:37:07.502-07:00MT ISA TO GUMHOLE CAMPGROUND, DIAMANTINA NATIONAL PARK<span style="font-size:100%;">The country around Mt Isa was really lovely, with red, rocky hills, covered in white, multi-trunked eucalypts (like Mallees), a wide assortment of bushes and grasses and dips where creeks would flow in the wet season.<span style=""> </span>The road was one lane wide bitumen to Boulia, where we had lunch in a park.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">There is a mystery light, called the Min Min, which has been seen by many people in this area.<span style=""> </span>The phenomena is said to appear as a luminous oval, like a florescent football, and has been reported to have been seen ahead of vehicles as well as behind.<span style=""> </span>No-one has ever been able to catch up with it, and some say that the only way to do so is to imbibe in a recipe involving barley, malt and sugar!<span style=""> </span>But enough sightings by sane, sober and intelligent persons have occurred to discount that recipe!<span style=""> </span>To date, we haven’t seen the light.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Not far out of Boulia, was <st1:street><st1:address>Springvale Road</st1:address></st1:street></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> – our road to take to get to Gumhole Campground in the <st1:place><st1:placename>Diamantina</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span style="font-size:100%;">.<span style=""> </span>What an incredible contrast in the country on this road.<span style=""> </span>We travelled approximately 160kms on a dirt road, with sections of bulldust, gibber plains and where, for more than half way, the country looked like a moonscape.<span style=""> </span>There was not one feature at all – no grass, no hills, nothing.<span style=""> </span>It was a really surreal feeling and we both commented that we could be heading to the end of the earth!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">At last, there was a sand dune in the distance, plus a row of tress to break the monotony.<span style=""> </span>The trees were the place of our campground which is on Gum Creek, a large brown waterhole, with Coolibah and Bauhinia trees.<span style=""> </span>We’ve got a site with a fireplace, 5 metres from the creek, where I put my cray pot in, but the only things I’ve attracted each day has been these strange little water beetles, except this morning there was a fish in there!<span style=""> </span>I let him go to grow up a bit for next time<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXqqwoni2N4hVvkb42-4IC6Pn2YE2GpAMdtpenmBW4YYiFTKnapcuK4eKdq9SlkM_75cwwHqgg-qxHxN_z62jYLhfU5iCHU_yW4BWe-XcYfmBiuGHdoBV1jhrub8VQYvbhpzC1xvR0E87/s1600-h/Sand+dune+Daimantina+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXqqwoni2N4hVvkb42-4IC6Pn2YE2GpAMdtpenmBW4YYiFTKnapcuK4eKdq9SlkM_75cwwHqgg-qxHxN_z62jYLhfU5iCHU_yW4BWe-XcYfmBiuGHdoBV1jhrub8VQYvbhpzC1xvR0E87/s200/Sand+dune+Daimantina+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103233502360370226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">The second day we drove to Hunters Gorge, 11kms further into the park. <span style=""> </span>Camping is allowed there also, but it is more open and windier apparently.<span style=""> </span>The Mundewerra Waterhole there is much bigger and deeper than Gum Creek, and good fishing and water activities can be done there.<span style=""> </span>There are also large rocky hills to walk up. <span style=""> </span>We also drove to the park headquarters and on the way there was a sign saying “Diamantina Channels”, where we travelled over many rivers, all lined with spectacular Coolibah trees (my favourite tree to date!), river red gums, acacias, hakeas and grevilleas (although we haven’t spotted the grevillea yet).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yesterday we did the 100km Warracoota self-guided circuit drive, which took us over kilometres of claypans, then large sections of gibber plains, passed Mitchell grasslands, saw cattle yards, Lake Constance, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A3EUgdAFuxnzIlImpncIzdmHp7DHPQrDVneh-cGyfCEXSg13nLkrc7Vckd0Z_y_Dp9sj0Iqgb6wrzKriRLx8N4CMlcYawlm3Sm2-xH59IpWRwCrlLNz6IAL9l3Bb8_FTea7PtBbcOGEr/s1600-h/Lake+Constance+Diamantina+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A3EUgdAFuxnzIlImpncIzdmHp7DHPQrDVneh-cGyfCEXSg13nLkrc7Vckd0Z_y_Dp9sj0Iqgb6wrzKriRLx8N4CMlcYawlm3Sm2-xH59IpWRwCrlLNz6IAL9l3Bb8_FTea7PtBbcOGEr/s200/Lake+Constance+Diamantina+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103233489475468322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">which is one of the natural lakes, once used by past station managers for water sports such as water skiing.<span style=""> </span>Nowadays, it is a refuge for water birds and on the banks, budgerigars, corellas, galahs and honeyeaters can be seen.<span style=""> </span>On the way we wound our way passed many red sand dunes which were just like the ones in the <st1:place>Simpson Desert</st1:place></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> with shrubs, small trees and Spinifex growing in red sand.<span style=""> </span>These dunes are now stationary (and have been for the last 8,000 to 12,000 years) and are parallel just like the Simpson dunes.<span style=""> </span>The dunes were formed millions of years from sediment from the <st1:place><st1:placename>Diamantina</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>River</st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and the red colour comes from high iron content.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p face="verdana" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjfit4csI3tOmIjvcfemVA2NjJaNxH_tTas7jEEfRAyVtDZ3P805MUf4NdOuWTHQ87xUMo5XpTjV7cbXrIVCgB4JVRVQeZ5Oo-2KRFWVga2LGRQKi2ITOvHdvHZEwQ1hcattUQUtYoPk2/s1600-h/Coolibah+Trees+Warracoota+Waterhole+Diamantina+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjfit4csI3tOmIjvcfemVA2NjJaNxH_tTas7jEEfRAyVtDZ3P805MUf4NdOuWTHQ87xUMo5XpTjV7cbXrIVCgB4JVRVQeZ5Oo-2KRFWVga2LGRQKi2ITOvHdvHZEwQ1hcattUQUtYoPk2/s200/Coolibah+Trees+Warracoota+Waterhole+Diamantina+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103233485180501010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">We had lunch at the Warracoota Waterhole, which has never been known to run dry, and it is much deeper and narrower than other waterholes in the park.<span style=""> </span>We had a great day and learnt that every feature of the park had its own special use, in the past, for the indigenous Maiawali people, claypans for example, were used as drawing boards, sketching sand drawings to educate their young, gibber stones used for knapping (chipping flakes for stone tools) and the waterholes for fishing of course.<span style=""> </span>Grasslands were used for hunting and the Mitchell grass seed was collected and ground for flour and dampers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p face="verdana" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn5WeQLxDYJ8z4ZwB11ba2qAgtPIQhQt8FQUn_osgoPC3Dby5qstkI-TVx7-dlwb9uH6p2oH9OAtIB96g8ptyuF7tQuTRTLXnQtPETbyTo4QqbMg7fyoyWXQ_uvkoXHPrc2hl9zGn1yar/s1600-h/Bread+cooking+Diamantina+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn5WeQLxDYJ8z4ZwB11ba2qAgtPIQhQt8FQUn_osgoPC3Dby5qstkI-TVx7-dlwb9uH6p2oH9OAtIB96g8ptyuF7tQuTRTLXnQtPETbyTo4QqbMg7fyoyWXQ_uvkoXHPrc2hl9zGn1yar/s200/Bread+cooking+Diamantina+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103233459410697202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Talking of bread, I made a loaf after we got back from the drive and baked it in the camp oven with coals under the oven and on the lid.<span style=""> </span>The result was a perfect loaf and we had some with cheese after dinner (lamb chops and spuds).<span style=""> </span>We are looking forward to having this bread for lunch today.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVgTmiJkjXlnvTiydqHufYFfl-sgkclPchF9o7QRys0zF694ajRMBEAH06OlMnhRgczef-cwXBzbsGUivGU6iaV0TAZHaz5fpyEA3DMnjnnFekquN6o0K8sjR0m5l2K2nn97eJWDz-5OR/s1600-h/Bread+in+Camp+Oven+Diamantina+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVgTmiJkjXlnvTiydqHufYFfl-sgkclPchF9o7QRys0zF694ajRMBEAH06OlMnhRgczef-cwXBzbsGUivGU6iaV0TAZHaz5fpyEA3DMnjnnFekquN6o0K8sjR0m5l2K2nn97eJWDz-5OR/s200/Bread+in+Camp+Oven+Diamantina+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103233472295599106" border="0" /></a></p> <p face="verdana" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We’ll leave tomorrow, Saturday 25<sup>th</sup> August, and head to Welford NP, north of Quilpie.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">We’ll probably have to go to a town and get some water and supplies fairly soon.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-54884422588320105552007-08-26T21:16:00.000-07:002007-08-26T21:21:05.651-07:00GUMHOLE CREEK, DIAMANTINA NATIONAL PARK TO WINDORAH<o:p></o:p>A long and arduous journey of 375kms (5 hours), at least two thirds of which was through bulldust, sometimes deep.<span style=""> </span>It feels like you are driving though water or mud, and have little control over direction.<span style=""> </span>Not my favourite surface!<span style=""> </span>These lovely places we find to camp are often spoiled by the long and difficult trek in and out.<span style=""> </span>Russ has to concentrate every minute on the dirt roads.<span style=""> </span>The car and van have been handling every surface, but we find it a little tiring.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zyfa7uh3OPTEpudqS7ZQ3O0fFoqwyjEw4PHlRjUQgrOo8MvXs3FzbZiW2k3lU9xaudX0zmhym5eB_U4Y89lF2z0jGt_IyShjW0pZKZkib_5O8f7EgL_-dJM0el9eIsZNnY-6rjv06S9Y/s1600-h/Major+Mitchell+Cockatoos.JPG"></a><span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal">Again, as we did in Burke Town, we thought Windorah would be quite a large place, where we could pick up supplies at a supermarket, but no such luck – just an overpriced general store, with frozen bread and frozen meat.<span style=""> </span>It was a bonus to find there was a caravan park, as there wasn’t a listing for one in any of our books.<span style=""> </span>Park where you like, and pay in the morning!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Once we were on the bitumen, the terrain improved as well as the road.<span style=""> </span>Beautiful red sand dunes, Mulgas, Sheoaks, the same lovely white-trucked eucalypts characteristic of central <st1:country-region><st1:place>Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>Wherever there is sand, it seems the vegetation is lush and interesting, with kangaroos keeping up with us at 60kms an hour.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Arrived at after <st1:time minute="0" hour="13">1pm</st1:time>, set up, went to the pub for a counter lunch, filled up with petrol at a service station, where the owner was blind.<span style=""> </span>“How much?” he asked. <span style=""> </span>He completely trusted us with our reply, and entered EFTPOS by touch.<span style=""> </span>I patted his cat, something I haven’t been able to do for a while (the cat loved it too!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zyfa7uh3OPTEpudqS7ZQ3O0fFoqwyjEw4PHlRjUQgrOo8MvXs3FzbZiW2k3lU9xaudX0zmhym5eB_U4Y89lF2z0jGt_IyShjW0pZKZkib_5O8f7EgL_-dJM0el9eIsZNnY-6rjv06S9Y/s1600-h/Major+Mitchell+Cockatoos.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zyfa7uh3OPTEpudqS7ZQ3O0fFoqwyjEw4PHlRjUQgrOo8MvXs3FzbZiW2k3lU9xaudX0zmhym5eB_U4Y89lF2z0jGt_IyShjW0pZKZkib_5O8f7EgL_-dJM0el9eIsZNnY-6rjv06S9Y/s200/Major+Mitchell+Cockatoos.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103230281134898146" border="0" /></a>Later in the afternoon two Major Mitchell cockatoos flew into a tree next to the camping ground and both proceeded to eat a small apple, apparently a pair of these Major Mitchell cockatoos are worth $10,000!<span style=""> </span>It was great to see their pink crests and under wing colours.</p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-17028935474079079922007-08-19T21:09:00.000-07:002007-08-19T21:35:47.860-07:00Burketown to Mt Isa<span style="font-family:verdana;">We arrived in Mt Isa (or The Isa to the locals), one day early, only to find that the only site left in the park is meant for overnight stops and is right on top of two other vans, but after being in the car for 7 hours, with Gregory Downs being the only place with fuel and food, we don't mind what the site's like!<br /><br />The road had dried out a lot in the 24 hours, so no slipping and sliding through mud, although Russ had to concentrate 100% of the time, due to the roughness and different surfaces on the way.<br /><br />We stopped at the Gregory Downs Pub at 10am and bought a couple of toasted ham sandwiches and some sandwiches to take with us for lunch, which we ate at a beautiful waterhole named Top Harris, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZnRDTLkGOKXMQ8cU1KaaQtbXMHmi3JMZyRHE0q3d46pNiT-1TYdmwGow3XgrIP8X1lzOrDdzjjFO81NuuyBbwTr9eRX5d50WYFbVqtwSxFS3CVOHHGnnp1oiG4xi95on7vzqjbfAeoZD/s1600-h/Top+Harris+Waterr+Hole.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZnRDTLkGOKXMQ8cU1KaaQtbXMHmi3JMZyRHE0q3d46pNiT-1TYdmwGow3XgrIP8X1lzOrDdzjjFO81NuuyBbwTr9eRX5d50WYFbVqtwSxFS3CVOHHGnnp1oiG4xi95on7vzqjbfAeoZD/s200/Top+Harris+Waterr+Hole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100634871052630946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">down a little 4WD track. We are really appreciating the ability to get to these lovely places, otherwise you have to just pull over to the side of the road. There are no wayside stops at all.<br />177kms out of Mt Isa, we were pleased to come across bitumen - neither of us commented, just in case it ended over the next hill, or around the next bend, but it went all the way to town - bonus!!<br />Yesterday was catch-up time for washing, shopping etc., though all the shops are closed in Queensland on Sunday.<br /><br />Today, the car is in for its 75,000km service, I've been to the Chiropractor and I've also had my hair cut.<br /><br />Mt Isa is a large city, with the mines working 7 days, but there's not a lot happening this weekend - I think everyone is recovering from last week's famous rodeo.<br /><br />Tomorrow we will start the trip south - possibly going to Diamantina Gate NP - we are trying to find out information about roads, camping etc., but are not having much luck to date.<br /><br /></span>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-55447724607151654572007-08-18T21:52:00.000-07:002007-08-18T22:40:01.104-07:00KINGFISHER<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ0udC_xm7e5khWvUr0WNwN214WxwnhoV_xt0oe1g6nGDjWR5td36u7skdJfw5NM3w5szbNEzFJa7v4oJBNv5IfelDxpsPVcuVu3YqTws1nxXJzVPBrpOKN7YpiXs_pmBCSfWIElELaOc/s1600-h/Blue+Wing+With+Small+Fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ0udC_xm7e5khWvUr0WNwN214WxwnhoV_xt0oe1g6nGDjWR5td36u7skdJfw5NM3w5szbNEzFJa7v4oJBNv5IfelDxpsPVcuVu3YqTws1nxXJzVPBrpOKN7YpiXs_pmBCSfWIElELaOc/s200/Blue+Wing+With+Small+Fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100273556928854898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">On the recommendation of our neighbours at Lawn Hill, we took the “easy” road to Kingfisher. After opening 11 gates and taking three and a half hours to do 140kms, we arrived without punctures and everything intact. The camping area is treed with redgums, and has GREEN grass, with the river about 40 metres away. Lots of fresh water crocodiles, but the owners think it is safe to swim as they “haven’t seen a salty yet”.</span> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Made some pita bread, as supplies of bread are getting low.<span style=""> </span>Russ is very happy with the way the solar panels are charging the van.<span style=""> </span>I still have frozen meat, with a half-full frig of vegies, cheese, ham, salami, bacon and eggs.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" face="verdana" class="MsoNormal">Day 2</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">We bought a cray (or red claw) pot, so we’ll try our luck at catching some for dinner tomorrow.<span style=""> </span>Tonight we are having Roast Lamb, as fires are allowed here.<span style=""> </span>We found out today that Toni, the owner, will bake bread, so we put an order in for a loaf and four hours later, it was delivered to our<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqYDCUTHhaBdOwrXmnJ1dnmGgINYcHGGHdmzj2kGqgskIqBjphiZB4IUnOc3HVRaLJ8Z393h2Itx79yd7yIeUtP_DHJDXn9pOA-SGLK9-nXZkFgEAjRy3tQnjP0Hole-3AyP62S-oYo2H/s1600-h/5+Mile+Billabong+at+Kingfisher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqYDCUTHhaBdOwrXmnJ1dnmGgINYcHGGHdmzj2kGqgskIqBjphiZB4IUnOc3HVRaLJ8Z393h2Itx79yd7yIeUtP_DHJDXn9pOA-SGLK9-nXZkFgEAjRy3tQnjP0Hole-3AyP62S-oYo2H/s200/5+Mile+Billabong+at+Kingfisher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100273552633887586" border="0" /></a> camp, sliced and all!<span style=""><br /></span></p><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIBaX1n8Pg_j3wuJOoQbLg5Uyp4Q25QZLx6sl6hlVxu0hBiU3FC8LaJDIm8AWBVsqmjvhP3b_khrWFGarMC_BVZuH-Up0NxrvbD96fUi88_d8i2QWlhHsfnK4YtX5p0BtuPd9JSGADk-M/s1600-h/Margs+Cherebin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIBaX1n8Pg_j3wuJOoQbLg5Uyp4Q25QZLx6sl6hlVxu0hBiU3FC8LaJDIm8AWBVsqmjvhP3b_khrWFGarMC_BVZuH-Up0NxrvbD96fUi88_d8i2QWlhHsfnK4YtX5p0BtuPd9JSGADk-M/s200/Margs+Cherebin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100281562747894674" border="0" /></a><span style=""> I </span>checked the cray pot to find that I had caught a Cheriban, which is like a huge prawn, or small fresh water cray.<span style=""> </span>It was 30cm long and 4.5cm wide – hope that’s legal, because it was in a pan of boiling salted water and 6 minutes later, waiting for us to eat it.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Day 3.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">It rained all night, much to the surprise of the locals and our road out has been closed, so we have to head north to Burketown (185kms). It was a better road than the Lawn Hill-Kingfisher road, except for a long stretch of muddy roadworks, when our tyres filled with mud and we slid over the first third of a causeway! Slightly unnerving to say the least!! 3 hours later, with everything covered in red mud, many inches thick. While travelling, we both had the great idea to have the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU-7Gc1PcCeyyXCRdHvS8yFoWTff-nbFkmTJ47JnIGzIsQgT01_6qJ9QtqLEAwokTovLNVlbEXW0YXX45AgWvalXai5cDoy6_fGt7XZH0lPRqXsQ2Bem4XWjugr_VX9M907KZYy367VhT/s1600-h/Albert+River+Burketown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU-7Gc1PcCeyyXCRdHvS8yFoWTff-nbFkmTJ47JnIGzIsQgT01_6qJ9QtqLEAwokTovLNVlbEXW0YXX45AgWvalXai5cDoy6_fGt7XZH0lPRqXsQ2Bem4XWjugr_VX9M907KZYy367VhT/s200/Albert+River+Burketown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100277641442753410" border="0" /></a> car serviced there and my back seen to by a chiropractor (instead of Mt.Isa), only to find one service station, a post office/general store and a pub and caravan park!! The population is 235, height above sea level, 15m, (hope there are no tsunamis), Situated 1988km NW of Rockhampton, 1732km NW Brisbane, via Longreach.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">We'll spend one night here, then have a long day tomorrow travelling to Mt Isa, via Gregory Downs.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-68436525612361967212007-08-18T21:34:00.000-07:002007-08-18T21:52:31.795-07:00LAWN HILLPut the car in 4WD and headed up the hill from the creek bed from Gregory River, with me behind, taking photos!<span style=""> </span>It looked easier driving up the hill than it did yesterday, driving down. <p class="MsoNormal">100kms of gravel road, first 45kms used by heavy vehicles, going to and from a copper mine, causing deep grooves in the gravel.<span style=""> </span>Hard to get out of them and we encounted one road train; we had to pull over to the side and stop for several minutes afterwards, to allow the dust to settle.<span style=""> </span>The next 55kms weren’t as bad, except for some sections with bad corrugations.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Arrived at Boodjamulla, (<st1:place><st1:placename>Lawn</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Hill</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>National Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>) after 2 hours.<span style=""> </span>Strangely, we both felt a little bit let down as the camping area was not as good as last night.<span style=""> </span>We had difficulty finding a suitable spot, with fence posts preventing access to the designated camping areas, so had to set up on the road, facing into the treed area.<span style=""> </span>No fires allowed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Ranger’s office is situated on the path to Lawn Creek, a stunning oasis, in a red/orange sandstone gorge, pandanus palms, and blue/green water, caused by the calcium content.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ_IK34CE_d9VB5mWdZc-rxdRUCyFrwdEKmqih5Z824lX_yb2zrlyxsHaC_KLItWg98vmym1ardHucUO7Rj3NdObmeEYAaSJFLJ_mUQ_p5uEj8beWpW0QAhtuq4i8Ld72BffCIwJNUuVX/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+091.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZ_IK34CE_d9VB5mWdZc-rxdRUCyFrwdEKmqih5Z824lX_yb2zrlyxsHaC_KLItWg98vmym1ardHucUO7Rj3NdObmeEYAaSJFLJ_mUQ_p5uEj8beWpW0QAhtuq4i8Ld72BffCIwJNUuVX/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100268007831108354" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span>Checked out the canoe rides, which we’ll do one day.<span style=""> </span>There are several paths leading down to the very deep creek for swimming, but with my sore back and having to go in alone, I’m a little reluctant to go in.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We both had cold showers in the afternoon, which were refreshing on such a hot day.<span style=""> </span>Temperature approximately 30 degrees.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Made friends with 2 couples, Ron, Ruth, John and Jill, who all came over for drinks (and to see the van, of course!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Day 2</p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Set off early to The Cascades, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4E-qZJme1aQZNPDGPnMarcX-qC4NaNcNgxVx2gmCYr_T4dKxY8q9Q1KlLCVXlkJy82UgVhVpQ5OOe0RG9UMW7MSeLIztcPJC6XdOMJaryuDs_7NO00KEBoXFBkvwQSQPXwymBSGB7FZC/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4E-qZJme1aQZNPDGPnMarcX-qC4NaNcNgxVx2gmCYr_T4dKxY8q9Q1KlLCVXlkJy82UgVhVpQ5OOe0RG9UMW7MSeLIztcPJC6XdOMJaryuDs_7NO00KEBoXFBkvwQSQPXwymBSGB7FZC/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100267994946206450" border="0" /></a>Wild Dog Dreaming and Lower Gorge.<span style=""> </span>All spectacular, with the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5swEpUSUEbsXuLuivQk0LUcrD6elKIahv95b6HFz0nFakQru5jDdkRkdy9zoaV6FVRMJPQrgbZpUtQt8i8FIxVrIuWB7AD7fbvbgL_GEYzIxl-_b-vwGGGyhaZmCFHCPyxM39W969UBr/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5swEpUSUEbsXuLuivQk0LUcrD6elKIahv95b6HFz0nFakQru5jDdkRkdy9zoaV6FVRMJPQrgbZpUtQt8i8FIxVrIuWB7AD7fbvbgL_GEYzIxl-_b-vwGGGyhaZmCFHCPyxM39W969UBr/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100268016421042962" border="0" /></a> sandstone cliffs towering along side, and brilliant white-trunked eucalypts, scattered amongst wattles and melaleucas. Visitors again tonight. </p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Next day we relaxed, did cryptic crosswords etc. trying to get my back to improve.</p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Day 4</p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Walked up to <st1:place><st1:placename>Indarra</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place>, quite a hike, but worth every step, which formed the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlo5rnG21wp2WMSgq8gD8nWuCJ3NOTAenRZQZRJGB350XaQupeB8HXhXQyZ3gZsQCv-Y2Cx4SBf3-wWNtyJqoFzLW_OFyYd5ZIWN88yXhZEA0C0rdmQI-RFliAaKrpknSyEjklHGOjc5h/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlo5rnG21wp2WMSgq8gD8nWuCJ3NOTAenRZQZRJGB350XaQupeB8HXhXQyZ3gZsQCv-Y2Cx4SBf3-wWNtyJqoFzLW_OFyYd5ZIWN88yXhZEA0C0rdmQI-RFliAaKrpknSyEjklHGOjc5h/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100269493889792802" border="0" /></a> barrier between the upper gorge and the middle gorge (where we are camped).<span style=""> </span>The falls are formed by Calcium Carbonate, that deposits in coral-like, rock hard formations called Tufa.<span style=""> </span>Had a great swim there, then walked up to the look out, where we could see both the upper and the middle gorge.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwDNILC6_Olqmv-DAlftyUqjSSApaxetgVCv6DBfD1bg77OxX5R1xNjDui8BTzwICPV7oUoPFgVdv1Qg9VetttquYZGtWpa0xOM15rziS1PrXv5Y_Qh55RTaNIYwyr2UkOPxmHL-Q1M4q/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+135.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwDNILC6_Olqmv-DAlftyUqjSSApaxetgVCv6DBfD1bg77OxX5R1xNjDui8BTzwICPV7oUoPFgVdv1Qg9VetttquYZGtWpa0xOM15rziS1PrXv5Y_Qh55RTaNIYwyr2UkOPxmHL-Q1M4q/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100269506774694722" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Next Day we went to Adels Grove for lunch, and to get the number of a chiropractor in Mt Isa, so I can make a booking on the 20<sup>th</sup> August, when Russ is getting the Prado serviced.<span style=""> </span>We found out that there was a remedial masseur on site, so had my back pummelled after a good lunch.<span style=""> </span>Adels Gorge is 10kms from Lawn Hill and has a beautifully grassed camping ground, supplies, fuel, restaurant and allows fires.<span style=""> </span>The creek wasn’t as wide as at Lawn Hill, but still lovely.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS9q4W0vTyK2mfFJ6z1vh8lUXTgHlwZJRh363WOlKPBOXvPpUp70X-sglpSI8R92De6_4H9cFq99Gt_k3urFdDHp5bFyINmxfq-zLRenzM44O6pAvQxrxTVtKBA3DcM0zRfEI4vsRpfDW/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+130.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS9q4W0vTyK2mfFJ6z1vh8lUXTgHlwZJRh363WOlKPBOXvPpUp70X-sglpSI8R92De6_4H9cFq99Gt_k3urFdDHp5bFyINmxfq-zLRenzM44O6pAvQxrxTVtKBA3DcM0zRfEI4vsRpfDW/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100269502479727410" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Day 5</p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Went for our canoe ride today only to find that all were taken, with hours to wait.<span style=""> </span>Every other day there have been plenty to spare!<span style=""> </span>We’ll try again tomorrow morning, before we leave.<span style=""> </span>Decided to drive to check out a camp site we’re book into next, at Miyumba; another section of Lawn Hill.<span style=""> </span>This was a very small area, not on the creek, quite dry and dusty, so have decided to move up 140kms north to Kingfisher Camp, on the Nicholson River, South West of Burketown. </p> <p class="MsoListBullet">Headed out, without the canoe ride.<span style=""> </span>Maybe next time.</p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-32264834235313688552007-08-18T21:14:00.000-07:002007-08-18T21:33:58.140-07:00Carisbrooke Station, Cloncurry, Gregory River, Lawn Hill, Kingfisher Camping Ground.<st1:date month="8" day="14" year="2007">14<sup>th</sup> August, 2007</st1:date> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Over the last ten days we have travelled to Carisbrooke Station, Cloncurry, <st1:place><st1:placename>Gregory</st1:placename> <st1:placename>River</st1:placename></st1:place>, Lawn Hill and we have arrived at Kingfisher Camping Ground.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The road from Emerald was boring, but from Long Reach to Carisbrooke Station parts of the terrain improved.<span style=""> </span>Brigaloe? Bush, Grevilleas, Wattles, Eucalypts, Banksias and Mitchell Grass made the trip interesting, although dry, flat plains and there wasvbulldust for long sections of the road.<span style=""> </span>Daily we have been travelling between 350-450kms.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We saw a funny sign out of Emerald, saying “Drowsy Take A Rest”.<span style=""> </span>Dopey – Just Keep Smiling!”<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI6FypS01Qpze6Wy3URsjzirnF9Quw-cAm4j4vHqAlJ785loXSL9TGtTkcuqTWgcTfSeakk7cap0cK1Bmp6NJj_iHDEdrQ-KFjdK1BJOsXClA-F01UUxG3aBCE1b6ghLUdkG3KjtFvSeF/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI6FypS01Qpze6Wy3URsjzirnF9Quw-cAm4j4vHqAlJ785loXSL9TGtTkcuqTWgcTfSeakk7cap0cK1Bmp6NJj_iHDEdrQ-KFjdK1BJOsXClA-F01UUxG3aBCE1b6ghLUdkG3KjtFvSeF/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100263309136886450" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Carisbrooke Station was once a sheep station and we camped at the shearing sheds.<span style=""> </span>Nowadays, all they run are 1200 head of cattle.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>A day trip from there was to Lark’s Quarry, only to find we had missed the last tour, but after another couple arrived, the Ranger took pity on us all and went ahead with the tour of the fossils some 3000 Dinosaur tracks, now completely enclosed by an eco-architecturally designed building <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2PwosuhlvPSK6Z50JaIzmNymiRi2Kz8WaCVfYgQxvP8jh6GC2yk2-lHShZZNV_3JB_v2hWWkpIxyQryfKQPeHJBRmQFIh3djYGC_M4ACbqrGZeaVIJt67VA-TK5Tz-paySREtYwxi-48/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2PwosuhlvPSK6Z50JaIzmNymiRi2Kz8WaCVfYgQxvP8jh6GC2yk2-lHShZZNV_3JB_v2hWWkpIxyQryfKQPeHJBRmQFIh3djYGC_M4ACbqrGZeaVIJt67VA-TK5Tz-paySREtYwxi-48/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100263313431853762" border="0" /></a>to keep the fossils at 16 degrees. <span style=""> </span>The fossils showed the smaller Coelurosaurs and Ornithipods were drinking at the waterhole (95 million years ago), when a huge Theropod came down to drink also.<span style=""> </span>Relialising his luck, the footprints show him making chase. <span style=""> </span>Run-off from heavy rains caused the lake to rise, and a fresh layer of silt covered the mudflat where the stampede occurred, preserving the footprints for aeons to come.<span style=""> </span>The footprints were in clay and filled with silt, and over many years iron oxide filtered through and made a deposit between the iron and the silt.<span style=""> </span>Larks Quarry Conservation Park is 110kms SW from Winton.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsANzZxFPZPi6sMg2yBYUXU8fj5T8tAT8KPzMp-NhsIl78ThZ9KTRoryE4Pm8LVHp8HLGQu_DYlIST1CqTbGc8HqqtR2gURBs3Z7VsSNo4h1X5_EE69hKU78ne0It2sZ_WHe7nXnS3BxzR/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsANzZxFPZPi6sMg2yBYUXU8fj5T8tAT8KPzMp-NhsIl78ThZ9KTRoryE4Pm8LVHp8HLGQu_DYlIST1CqTbGc8HqqtR2gURBs3Z7VsSNo4h1X5_EE69hKU78ne0It2sZ_WHe7nXnS3BxzR/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100263304841919138" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Travelling to Cloncurry, we were covering the same boring plains, until we came across Combo Waterhole on the <st1:place>Diamantina</st1:place>, the site that inspired Banjo Paterson to write Waltzing Matilda – beautiful place, with Coolibah trees, but unfortunately it had been taken over by one family camping there, although no camping was allowed.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGcC7-GS1CJ1tsBGoz2tOOKMPVPKDYdJkxnia0SyE8Ow19pHXMYDAcRf8Ka2vvGogLvXSs0W7GT4gqiTTo17559cLAK3P8XpU0FpYVRhEn4clialWi9mf8SpYfmXuuJM8rBuEwn_XzsMX/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGcC7-GS1CJ1tsBGoz2tOOKMPVPKDYdJkxnia0SyE8Ow19pHXMYDAcRf8Ka2vvGogLvXSs0W7GT4gqiTTo17559cLAK3P8XpU0FpYVRhEn4clialWi9mf8SpYfmXuuJM8rBuEwn_XzsMX/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100263300546951826" border="0" /></a>The terrain improved approximately 50 kms from Cloncurry, with green tufts of grass, a large variety of small trees and the presence of many more water courses (although mostly dry), crossing the highway.<span style=""> </span>We had a good stop at Cloncurry and have clocked up 5000 kms.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><br />Gregory Downs <st1:date month="8" day="7" year="2007">7/8/07</st1:date></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><br />Arrived at Gregory Downs at <st1:time hour="12" minute="0">12pm</st1:time> and went to the one of two buildings in town – the Pub, where we had lunch.<span style=""> </span>On route, the owner of the Burke and Wills roadhouse told us about a camping spot on the <st1:place><st1:placename>Gregory</st1:placename> <st1:placename>River</st1:placename></st1:place>, which we found and it was breathtaking.<span style=""> </span>Most people camp under the bridge at G.D., but this campsite was down a little 4WD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h7vInqwl3dOSeYM9YOFHF3xyI8ypiq8fIHOaevyChyphenhyphenYgO8jFqvhmfzn5r9pMcjWnQuJZeqgjN_KCLBNmKgAYKvdqmZ8FNve0xpQYglOkmYiAh2IH3dE4kXFX18sAtbDVvgpr0ctOG2xD/s1600-h/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h7vInqwl3dOSeYM9YOFHF3xyI8ypiq8fIHOaevyChyphenhyphenYgO8jFqvhmfzn5r9pMcjWnQuJZeqgjN_KCLBNmKgAYKvdqmZ8FNve0xpQYglOkmYiAh2IH3dE4kXFX18sAtbDVvgpr0ctOG2xD/s200/Qld+Trip+2007+%234+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100264640576748242" border="0" /></a> track.<span style=""> </span>The caravan handled it perfectly and we were right on the river, amongst Mask Finches, Cicada Birds, Swamp Harriets, Petite Willy Wagtails and Crimson Finches. It reminded us of the waterholes at Kakadu, although a much smaller scale.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-53656072802265867612007-08-03T23:02:00.000-07:002007-08-03T23:27:37.651-07:00Longreach<st1:date year="2007" day="4" month="8">4<sup>th</sup> August, 2007</st1:date> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>We have again got internet access so we can update our journal.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>From Cania Gorge we travelled to Emerald in the central <st1:state><st1:place>Queensland</st1:place></st1:state> gemfields, a journey through undulating country with interesting changes in vegetation.<span style=""> </span>Much better than the drive to the coast which was flat and very dry with not many trees.<span style=""> </span>Along the way we had to contend with 53m long road trains that hold the centre of the road, or so it seems, making them look even bigger.<span style=""> </span>The roads were quite good but in some places they reverted to outback Qld standards with narrow bitumen and very irregular surfaces.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>At Emerald we found a camp ground about 17 Km outside the town at <st1:place><st1:placetype>lake</st1:placetype></st1:place><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wKqPQIXUHLReImHVltj6GsSPa4LWm1IIQI7gdHBIefgj9qZyop4fWUBe7dhsrBys9bDdknrZk4IVqZbjIHvbT8qpIiUIgVMf1-z5WEA3w5xatwvCZRE8x8jV2zbYgqsl2Tid0C7vOHUN/s1600-h/Keeping+in+touch+at+Lake+Maraboon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wKqPQIXUHLReImHVltj6GsSPa4LWm1IIQI7gdHBIefgj9qZyop4fWUBe7dhsrBys9bDdknrZk4IVqZbjIHvbT8qpIiUIgVMf1-z5WEA3w5xatwvCZRE8x8jV2zbYgqsl2Tid0C7vOHUN/s200/Keeping+in+touch+at+Lake+Maraboon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094727367506670754" border="0" /></a><st1:place><st1:placetype></st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Maraboon</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>A delightful place with plenty of trees on the <st1:place><st1:placetype>shore</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Fairbairn Dam</st1:placename></st1:place> (not sure of the spelling).<span style=""> </span>Heaps of birds including many Rainbow Lorikeets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj4osCiNjpxsYIB0WPPDn_9ZFGq1O-rR68aEoo4iqu-lb54oQ9NuATReLHkhMcLehZUn2k_tI6qlfna1pg1o8ukv9v-6BrK2DtLTKHyZe3ERmTDTMOZb1fc0AGVTPEk5LqOyIJkt5mrUf/s1600-h/Lorikeets+at+Lake+Maraboon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj4osCiNjpxsYIB0WPPDn_9ZFGq1O-rR68aEoo4iqu-lb54oQ9NuATReLHkhMcLehZUn2k_tI6qlfna1pg1o8ukv9v-6BrK2DtLTKHyZe3ERmTDTMOZb1fc0AGVTPEk5LqOyIJkt5mrUf/s200/Lorikeets+at+Lake+Maraboon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094728063291372722" border="0" /></a> that would eat out of your hand.<span style=""> </span>We had to use our satellite phone to let our family know we were still travelling OK as we had had no mobile or Internet coverage for a number of days.<span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">From Emerald we travelled to Longreach, again through interesting countryside.<span style=""> </span>On this trip we had to overtake our first road trains but the drivers were very cooperative, keeping to the left to allow as much room as possible and acknowledged our “toots” of thanks with a headlight flash.<span style=""> </span>We camped at <st1:place><st1:placename>Gunnerdoo</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Caravan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> as in “gunna do that one day” which is a very well run park with good facilities and as many trees as the dry region will support.<span style=""> </span>They also have three spa pools which we enjoyed yesterday, in a warm sunny 29 degrees.<span style=""> </span>(This was after rejecting “<st1:place><st1:placename>Nogoa</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Caravan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>”, which was exactly as the name suggests!!</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi975XGmqhNrS4bzbZra7I8ESG9UstZNzBs8soqfUCcGj-902k8twwyE7Rmc5t9SqOCvFC-Q_t0vvSGqC0vTTrvnT9dyUxL6jyNXfraJW_x9P5Z8I3HaunBCHGWRRQf-N-x836umKUzlFlK/s1600-h/QANTAS+original+1922+Hanger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi975XGmqhNrS4bzbZra7I8ESG9UstZNzBs8soqfUCcGj-902k8twwyE7Rmc5t9SqOCvFC-Q_t0vvSGqC0vTTrvnT9dyUxL6jyNXfraJW_x9P5Z8I3HaunBCHGWRRQf-N-x836umKUzlFlK/s200/QANTAS+original+1922+Hanger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094725069699167346" border="0" /></a>Today we went to the Qantas museum which was excellent and well worth a visit.<span style=""> </span>Our visit started with a film on the origins of Qantas which was very informative and well narrated by Michael Catin, whose mother was one of the original Longreach employees (as a junior typist).<span style=""> </span>After that we walked through the displays that had many audio-visual presentations by ex-employees on their experiences.<span style=""> </span>There was also a film on the restoration of the first Qantas 707 and displays of early planes and equipment.<span style=""> </span>It was especially interesting to learn about the two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzC5D1Aj4ARNxx3UfJXgGC1oHV6NMsiRSpQU6PyZ0JAJLaV7jnItnb5dFPAB1xYblkaAZwauWRdrWVas6RKc-7w534LAp-Fd4ggRgQSOtzinrXP0befyVilzTnPF6hAlYtYs4SF5HO3z9-/s1600-h/And+you+want+to+Fly%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzC5D1Aj4ARNxx3UfJXgGC1oHV6NMsiRSpQU6PyZ0JAJLaV7jnItnb5dFPAB1xYblkaAZwauWRdrWVas6RKc-7w534LAp-Fd4ggRgQSOtzinrXP0befyVilzTnPF6hAlYtYs4SF5HO3z9-/s200/And+you+want+to+Fly%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094725073994134658" border="0" /></a> founders of Qantas and how they got together.<span style=""> </span>Apparently one of them was a pilot in the 1<sup>st</sup> world war and the other chose to fly with them because “his plane had the least bullet holes”. <span style=""> </span>The first business they had together was to find airstrips between Darwin and Brisbane for the planes in the first air race from <st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city> to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>They did this in a T model Ford over tracks that were just one horse pad wide!<span style=""> </span>An incredible effort, but on the way they met a minister who had travelled in a similar vehicle from <st1:city><st1:place>Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city> to set up a mission in the NT! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjBdDSS286RgFDs8rUXs3izINYuOwnu9oyJLVOmxjR40LgRQ7QCkJLmJzofbjxHsGGcGPlweH-5RmqLdw6EmjBQXQ2nOrFj5k5GhMkmaXi2GW2ripOPCsV_gXkUu1RlieGap-ofZ64xt-/s1600-h/QANTAS+Avro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjBdDSS286RgFDs8rUXs3izINYuOwnu9oyJLVOmxjR40LgRQ7QCkJLmJzofbjxHsGGcGPlweH-5RmqLdw6EmjBQXQ2nOrFj5k5GhMkmaXi2GW2ripOPCsV_gXkUu1RlieGap-ofZ64xt-/s200/QANTAS+Avro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094725056814265442" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-family:verdana;">After this we visited the Stockman’s Hall of Fame which was also a very enjoyable experience. A very well put together exhibition in a way that celebrates our early pioneers and the hardships they endured and their resourcefulness, all housed in an interesting and well designed building. The displays acknowledged the role and culture of the aboriginal population, explained the early European exploration and then detailed all aspects of the development of outback </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: verdana;"><st1:place>Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Again many audio-visual displays highlighted and explained aspects of life in early </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: verdana;"><st1:place>Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family:verdana;">. There were also many short stories on unsung heroes of this period that amplified our understanding of the hardships and battles the pioneers went through. We spent hours here with our tired feet and backs being the only reason that we curtailed our visit.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Tomorrow we go to Carisbrook Station and visit the site of the only fossil record of a dinosaur stampede which should be an experience. After that we go to Lawn Hill via Cloncurry and Gregory Downs so you may not hear from use for a couple of weeks as we will be out of Internet access in the real outback.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0Ihy8piGnwRvwMCOB-qOCveMeeHGl56iVwFOxlOFzmWZgRm6xSfbe5TMm2pivc9HLZ0lSA9sImvnysJeMgHt8DDWsecQro-qpWIeuw7Jf4eNHWZCJIkR8xRPAsi7LKpmWcCVb0G7-AIJ/s1600-h/T+model+Ford+used+by+QANTAS+Founders.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0Ihy8piGnwRvwMCOB-qOCveMeeHGl56iVwFOxlOFzmWZgRm6xSfbe5TMm2pivc9HLZ0lSA9sImvnysJeMgHt8DDWsecQro-qpWIeuw7Jf4eNHWZCJIkR8xRPAsi7LKpmWcCVb0G7-AIJ/s200/T+model+Ford+used+by+QANTAS+Founders.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094725052519298130" border="0" /></a>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-18397745971607760602007-08-03T22:49:00.000-07:002007-08-03T23:02:29.588-07:00Cania Gorge NP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiir74JV-hOIFxTWwu1WZVDlxCWQ0TyguyPWMtKO3IQ4SJ3JvKxMpT761sQkbmcew_OXPoINL4TH5XCzFYDl4q_kQZJEEAOFBP09g5F5VOEema8FYbwMcyIqHJlrpb9hgJJbktGK7Lq01fP/s1600-h/Sunset+at+Eurimbula+%231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiir74JV-hOIFxTWwu1WZVDlxCWQ0TyguyPWMtKO3IQ4SJ3JvKxMpT761sQkbmcew_OXPoINL4TH5XCzFYDl4q_kQZJEEAOFBP09g5F5VOEema8FYbwMcyIqHJlrpb9hgJJbktGK7Lq01fP/s200/Sunset+at+Eurimbula+%231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094720950825530338" border="0" /></a><st1:date month="7" day="31" year="2007">3</st1:date><st1:date month="7" day="31" year="2007">1<sup>st</sup> July, 2007</st1:date> <o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">We have finally arrived at Cania Gorge right next to the National Park, after leaving the beautiful sunsets of<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-t3wWklyTntTuhtdEAIbe7EFuIWr_mzBA_uRrvEUeMLLq5EwXFZ6WkTuOt96QUJGMe8TSsQHkIZwugSJfW7stZ26O8TTseIMzIzC_NCiQj8w91RNeLHrkNnAJEqEq3bFNnCUd5fyN4Jq/s1600-h/Walk++into+Russell+Gorge+Cania+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-t3wWklyTntTuhtdEAIbe7EFuIWr_mzBA_uRrvEUeMLLq5EwXFZ6WkTuOt96QUJGMe8TSsQHkIZwugSJfW7stZ26O8TTseIMzIzC_NCiQj8w91RNeLHrkNnAJEqEq3bFNnCUd5fyN4Jq/s200/Walk++into+Russell+Gorge+Cania+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094720955120497650" border="0" /></a> Eurimbula NP.<span style=""> </span>The ‘finally’ refers to our ‘short cut’, which took us over the steepest mountain we’ve every travelled, only to come across at sign 50kms down the track to say “road not suitable for caravans or trailers”).<span style=""> </span>We had to retrace our steps and do an extra 200kms.<span style=""> </span>To add insult to injury, we are covered in sand fly bites, which are almost unbearable.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">This morning we went to Monto to get some prescriptions and supplies, but have to return tomorrow, as one of my prescriptions has been taken off the register, so I’ll have to get another script.<span style=""> </span>Looks like we might have lunch in Monto tomorrow.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFSuiehAjYLtWOiHGBi1V_yO_Om3gFRBSC_eQDpmF0QINhANoNeaabJeMtatInA3jS97us4zlyf7V2l7KDno5H8Th_M_RKmzGGApQIkgwnk3TyPaLu5ondTTr0ipAom1uwjhX4nr40f3o/s1600-h/Overhang+at+Cania+Gorge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFSuiehAjYLtWOiHGBi1V_yO_Om3gFRBSC_eQDpmF0QINhANoNeaabJeMtatInA3jS97us4zlyf7V2l7KDno5H8Th_M_RKmzGGApQIkgwnk3TyPaLu5ondTTr0ipAom1uwjhX4nr40f3o/s200/Overhang+at+Cania+Gorge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094720993775203346" border="0" /></a></p> <p face="verdana" class="MsoNormal">We have just returned from a four kilometre walk (half of which was steps), to Dripping Rock and The Overhang, through cool rainforest and the towering sandstone cliffs and caves.<span style=""> </span>The ferns were delicate and varied, with elk horns growing off overhead rocks, tree ferns alongside grasstrees, with vines amongst the few long-standing cedars. During the entire walk, the sound of the Lewin’s Honeyeater, could be heard.<span style=""> </span>A truly spectacular place!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4XniwQOz_AnlYJqiV4YVp-eJK9ovyxVRcmMgPCShrFs9ZZUWS9B94RirbVGK15iPL1bZ490-pkDLfIheMDUT94q4RAWUAo6_TfPUExGyzw09JEkhGs2j1JP8BlAYSPs28HPtWmnnmGX2/s1600-h/Ferns+in+Cania+Gorge+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4XniwQOz_AnlYJqiV4YVp-eJK9ovyxVRcmMgPCShrFs9ZZUWS9B94RirbVGK15iPL1bZ490-pkDLfIheMDUT94q4RAWUAo6_TfPUExGyzw09JEkhGs2j1JP8BlAYSPs28HPtWmnnmGX2/s200/Ferns+in+Cania+Gorge+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094720968005399554" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">In the caravan park, there is bird feeding time at 4.pm, so the sound of lorikeets, butcherbirds and currawongs fill the air.<span style=""> </span>The owners of the park have five chickens, that freely roam the park and the forest – really free range – and they return at the same time every night.<span style=""> </span>As I’m typing this, the sun has dropped, along with the temperature.<span style=""> </span>On go the jeans, jumpers and shoes and it might be time to pack things away.</p>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-63315412519329382092007-07-28T22:25:00.000-07:002007-07-28T22:48:10.125-07:00Last Day at Eurimbula NP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDJrO8wPIlnrgKG_07QWBQe0EmeI2LWsGXWJWoW6M1J2eXc7EiZYDWTcnZcm9_a55C27iYf4ZjCwtSCP_nkCRcdQWA4tpXLuqvZF2Yhn6D_3TX7Id-UODwmM-RMwb17__wVTUvJE8GYWe/s1600-h/Waiting+for+Dinner+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDJrO8wPIlnrgKG_07QWBQe0EmeI2LWsGXWJWoW6M1J2eXc7EiZYDWTcnZcm9_a55C27iYf4ZjCwtSCP_nkCRcdQWA4tpXLuqvZF2Yhn6D_3TX7Id-UODwmM-RMwb17__wVTUvJE8GYWe/s200/Waiting+for+Dinner+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092490161991857106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMEafr3IOoEU6zh5ILmvBhPPtH2cfnMeLl5lB7O-oZuU6N4V3_0MPSihnf-PW8oMGqOd8XKu-WhGATRNVNThLukOdlgrbR6AI_BZzLx6dAvzMlCak6V_M-WC-ZJHDsZRouwi9XZ4sC7S3/s1600-h/Beach+at+Eurimbila+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMEafr3IOoEU6zh5ILmvBhPPtH2cfnMeLl5lB7O-oZuU6N4V3_0MPSihnf-PW8oMGqOd8XKu-WhGATRNVNThLukOdlgrbR6AI_BZzLx6dAvzMlCak6V_M-WC-ZJHDsZRouwi9XZ4sC7S3/s200/Beach+at+Eurimbila+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092487864184353682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCb8d9Z8P8eSdw6uKsxJMQaldfr9FFEL5-YWKRtm7XdT_vZsHfpfXcUs3wZNzdag-ZTq_zT7Sz-VN93yV9QLBT6Ij84fcKmi677A4QjAxg0TugTTPy2ZQ5ceOIdNavo5f6pIyn6VeKI-h/s1600-h/Ex+Army+Lark+Heading+into+Bustard+Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCb8d9Z8P8eSdw6uKsxJMQaldfr9FFEL5-YWKRtm7XdT_vZsHfpfXcUs3wZNzdag-ZTq_zT7Sz-VN93yV9QLBT6Ij84fcKmi677A4QjAxg0TugTTPy2ZQ5ceOIdNavo5f6pIyn6VeKI-h/s200/Ex+Army+Lark+Heading+into+Bustard+Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092488860616766370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRxwTYSyyxDH9K8mjnaFiFj8aAifL69Z2RcDfwbVv6Mi9RvVesyoS1E8V-t4hSI-Fm85TRxrSy0A05z7tpE3-9QVNsCPFQak4s3WHfyLu_imAg_gzMy8RVs5S7CNtYcXFdHjiONz1jQez/s1600-h/Lark+heads+into+Water+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRxwTYSyyxDH9K8mjnaFiFj8aAifL69Z2RcDfwbVv6Mi9RvVesyoS1E8V-t4hSI-Fm85TRxrSy0A05z7tpE3-9QVNsCPFQak4s3WHfyLu_imAg_gzMy8RVs5S7CNtYcXFdHjiONz1jQez/s200/Lark+heads+into+Water+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092488903566439362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KAHUytSBqyiJYLa2sypmSdCuB1kURZTwLNz0py50Fhj_FX9kolYbNPVMxOs8LZjnIyj8bam6k_-78tG54Y7CbJGba7-IKjVdHO6DMD5xwF-_-2eZSWpCuHJGN4zDFePEtcQJLyGYLQay/s1600-h/Lark+fully+afloat+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KAHUytSBqyiJYLa2sypmSdCuB1kURZTwLNz0py50Fhj_FX9kolYbNPVMxOs8LZjnIyj8bam6k_-78tG54Y7CbJGba7-IKjVdHO6DMD5xwF-_-2eZSWpCuHJGN4zDFePEtcQJLyGYLQay/s200/Lark+fully+afloat+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092488886386570162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last nights roast lamb was delicious and carefully attended to by Russ.<br /><br />We work to some clouds and did not have any specific plans, but what a day it was! Nearby anglers gave us some yabbies for bait, so out came the rods and the whole catastrophe, and down to the beach, with some welcome cloud to give our skin a break. Within ten minutes (or so!) I had caught a beautiful whiting, followed by a decent sized bream. Russ was now throwing a line in and caught four very tiny flathead, which had to go back for next time. An hour and a half later, and two more bream, we were very happy with our morning's work, and had used up all the bait.<br /><br />Everyday there is an old army Lark that takes tourists from Agnes Water across the sands and water, to Eurimbula NP, and the photos here show its passage through the waters near us.<br /><br />It will be a full moon tonight and the effect on the tides has been amazing. We have never seen the water in an inlet move as fast at low and high tides as this one does. It would be dangerous to swim at those times.<br /><br />We are tidying up this afternoon and moving off early morning (so hopefully, we don't meet anyone coming in). We are going to Cania Camping Resort to fill up with water and get some washing done.<br /><br /><br /></span>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-3211488374451152122007-07-27T18:23:00.000-07:002007-07-27T18:23:17.984-07:00Bustard Beach, Eurimbula NP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqlGPyOVZFXduzOS72AnAZkh0VWZScDSIQC6vdDjyQP8nBX0ZT-3f0a144K6-K-L7_3j-cblkm5jkITmvlOYCgs-chlRULjfeg8mlo01h-QpL_kyuiWyFwAfRtEnB2-dYK8HXz1TOgkm-/s1600-h/Sunset+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqlGPyOVZFXduzOS72AnAZkh0VWZScDSIQC6vdDjyQP8nBX0ZT-3f0a144K6-K-L7_3j-cblkm5jkITmvlOYCgs-chlRULjfeg8mlo01h-QpL_kyuiWyFwAfRtEnB2-dYK8HXz1TOgkm-/s200/Sunset+at+Bustard+Beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092051035945579394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7Z10cTIpSbY8PJ6PJN_B-E8lLwws0klFYc6qCoalMEffZ7wg34vovQB23fwsWcAGf1RLf0tQoJpbyhTLvPFZo3fZLXanybarPvXmxV1tZ6ynny_mIwgkOBTfZu1t7VsSl6HOiXQSA8Dz/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7Z10cTIpSbY8PJ6PJN_B-E8lLwws0klFYc6qCoalMEffZ7wg34vovQB23fwsWcAGf1RLf0tQoJpbyhTLvPFZo3fZLXanybarPvXmxV1tZ6ynny_mIwgkOBTfZu1t7VsSl6HOiXQSA8Dz/s200/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092050322981008242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp1qVU8bv9mjNWIhL0utnvM34VX5j7ESTLgX1a64oBda3FZ6KxuikKfWBU5nwGg_P-6xelERd7t3tcncoDEw2inRnMBcSKgnB5ICIyjB2wSvUy_CWeeSmm0pRbq-Udz3yV8Fv7Ra6PHaB/s1600-h/Camp+at+Bustard+Beach+Eurimbula+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp1qVU8bv9mjNWIhL0utnvM34VX5j7ESTLgX1a64oBda3FZ6KxuikKfWBU5nwGg_P-6xelERd7t3tcncoDEw2inRnMBcSKgnB5ICIyjB2wSvUy_CWeeSmm0pRbq-Udz3yV8Fv7Ra6PHaB/s200/Camp+at+Bustard+Beach+Eurimbula+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092048763907879778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-lCTygkLOZ10hudwXyh-7HASl-i279LAU2P63QyaLr1YqQXfVQftCPh8Z_JKhs95fwQQutlm7nSUUvq3qaaTshTpu4xYi1xyPXC4Dmy44s-PpKba08d7qb69p13wjQN5qqStA6t4vRM0/s1600-h/Road+to+Eurimbula+NP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-lCTygkLOZ10hudwXyh-7HASl-i279LAU2P63QyaLr1YqQXfVQftCPh8Z_JKhs95fwQQutlm7nSUUvq3qaaTshTpu4xYi1xyPXC4Dmy44s-PpKba08d7qb69p13wjQN5qqStA6t4vRM0/s200/Road+to+Eurimbula+NP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092046779632989010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">After discovering Middle Creek and Bustard Beach Eurimbula NP(pronounced the same as Merimbula, without the M), we packed up and moved to Bustard Beach. The narrow, sandy road reminded us of Frazer Island and our camp site is in view of the ocean and a large creek. The water flows incredibly fast out to sea with the change of tide, and comes in equally fast on its return.<br /><br />We swam in the creek at low tide yesterday. It was very cold, but invigorating. Even Russ came in! Later that night we were advised not to swim there, because of sharks that get trapped in there at low tide as well as large stingrays! We were looking out for Stone Fish, but did not even consider that there might be anything else to worry about.<br /><br />The caravan is working well without power, with our diesel hot water service and our solar panels, we are very well set up.<br /><br />This afternoon, at the change of tide, we'll try our luck fishing. Other campers have boats and one lot came back with forty whiting yesterday! If we don't catch anything, we'ss be having roast lamb tonight, cooked in the coals, in our camp oven.<br /><br />The birds are many and varied, with a pair of golden whistlers close to our site and a very striking honey eater we've yet to identify. The weather is perfect with approximately 24 degrees, a slight breeze and a beautiful blue sky, after a fairly cold night.<br /><br />This may be the last posting for a while.<br /><br /><br /></span>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-25238288765174256262007-07-25T23:05:00.000-07:002007-07-25T23:26:36.505-07:00Three Relaxing Days at 1770<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRZL7Of-5IR6f0A69J51KbWu-VdCmkBFEyXax7GJA3PVleAk2Uhp4sZuT9aS7sUQNATVgR_tm1_QSAdDJMtnY1vmujSxr3hf-AXpv-9SSx0tcvMpHqEvzk3Ck17cf8WaDHz6-B4qN-pc5/s1600-h/Camp+at+1770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRZL7Of-5IR6f0A69J51KbWu-VdCmkBFEyXax7GJA3PVleAk2Uhp4sZuT9aS7sUQNATVgR_tm1_QSAdDJMtnY1vmujSxr3hf-AXpv-9SSx0tcvMpHqEvzk3Ck17cf8WaDHz6-B4qN-pc5/s320/Camp+at+1770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091388086268605234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZWNry8ineIYA4wO2GbltUHOtoAJyCkgoGhoWNOosvFdUUo37-dwA5kmYJeqD0xQq9QVlsxI8ZAekmV4a1bOJ6LYHhyaRxTeLifd_jXcQogPj_aqU53jTqGebT7wZT_zxbmTzkvsxTr8B/s1600-h/1770+Sunset+from+van.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZWNry8ineIYA4wO2GbltUHOtoAJyCkgoGhoWNOosvFdUUo37-dwA5kmYJeqD0xQq9QVlsxI8ZAekmV4a1bOJ6LYHhyaRxTeLifd_jXcQogPj_aqU53jTqGebT7wZT_zxbmTzkvsxTr8B/s200/1770+Sunset+from+van.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091387742671221538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4mzC3exrXD_CnXvLYS0cBUMn7URQ5ND24o-RzqXm4kYn-ijJjJ9Ygzo3cGPNYCSDsXtWPfC3vUheQw8RDSnXASgbnvMB8IMFlGhAyX6SvAm07-YUcPSQ12tWJMoMiaVnzjrbNu6J0emG/s1600-h/1770+Inlet.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4mzC3exrXD_CnXvLYS0cBUMn7URQ5ND24o-RzqXm4kYn-ijJjJ9Ygzo3cGPNYCSDsXtWPfC3vUheQw8RDSnXASgbnvMB8IMFlGhAyX6SvAm07-YUcPSQ12tWJMoMiaVnzjrbNu6J0emG/s320/1770+Inlet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091387411958739730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thursday 26 July 2007<br /><br />We have enjoyed this idyllic spot and we are really feeling in 'holiday mode' now. The weather is mild, often with a cool onshore breeze and I have been looking forward to a swim, but the best I could manage was a long wade through the water yesterday, which was cold to say the least, but invigorating nevertheless. Stone Fish are present, so appropriate footwear must be worn.<br /><br />We collected oysters off the rocks at nearby Eurmobula National Park today, which I have opened and in a couple of hours will be devoured. We are moving to Bustard Beach in the NP tomorrow for 3 days at least.<br /></span>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-86539008788881921152007-07-24T20:07:00.000-07:002007-07-24T20:28:19.291-07:00The Town of 177024/07/07<br /><br />We haven't gone back in time, but have arrived at 'The Town of 1770'. We were greeted by rain, yet again, but 21 degrees, so who's compaining? Travelled 395 kms from Maroochydore through Maryborough, Childers (where we lunched), Bundaberg, Agnes Water, then 1770.<br /><br />Where ever we go, people are interested in our new Kimberley Karavan. We'd like a dollar for everyone who's had a tour! Even at our lunch stop outside Childers, we were showing another couple the van. The van is everything we had imagined and more. We use our diesel powered ceramic hotplate every morning, and prior to Maroochydore, used the diesel powered heater/ hotwater. We had trouble getting the solar panels working, due to a regulator fitted to the van, so Russ had to make up a new lead with an Anderson Plug.<br /><br />We use the inbuilt shower everyday, toilet at night and it feels like a luxury to have hot water to wash the dishes, straight from the tap!<br /><br />We spoke to our family tonight and caught up with the news from Rhys and Heath. Rhys is looking forward to a school excursion tomorrow to Chesterfield Farm, where he can wear his gum boots!! Heath is wearing his Batman costume to bed, with a beannie!! That's Melbourne's weather at the moment.Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360747669211266020.post-57688814282748125852007-07-22T20:34:00.000-07:002007-07-22T20:41:38.875-07:00Maroochydore Merry Making<span style="font-family: verdana;">We have had a fantastic time here, hosted by Trish and Dave, to celebrate Trish's birthday. What a birthday. Dinner Friday night, party Saturday, indoor picnic Sunday and breakfast Monday! Accompanied by Trish and Dave's friends from NZ, the family and Aussie friends, including Barry, Rhon from Melbourne. Thanks everyone for a great extended weekend.<br /><br />We are heading off tomorrow to 1770, for three nights. We had better get some exercise to burn off some of our indulgences, weather permitting. It has been cold for Queensland standards, with rain washing out yesterday's picnic, continuing overnight and this morning. It's still warmer than Melbourne, so we're not complaining.<br /></span>Marg & Russ' Travelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08749951926509816615noreply@blogger.com0