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I note our last part of our travels as relayed to the group ended at Wyllie Park, in Brisbane. This popular rest area,
which we recently learnt has been expanded, is on the Old Gympie Road at the northern side of Pine River and within walking
distance of the railway station.
From there we backtracked north to the Caboolture turn off, then through Caboolture, Wamuram, D'Aguilar town and
Woodford where we checked out the extremely large Woodford Recreation Reserve. However, we continued on to Anzac Park at the
edge of Kilcoy township. There are only 4 powered sites and the fee was $6 (think it has been increased), but nevertheless it
is convenient being within easy walking distance of the town. We like the fish 'n chips and the Chinese take away!
From there we continued on to Nanango where we had arranged for our first lot of mail to be picked up. From Nanango
we headed south east, passing Tarong power station in the distance, to Maidenwell. Here we stayed overnight near the hall. We
later learnt that it also possible to stay overnight behind the hotel. There is a privately owned astronomical observatory
where one may have day or night tours. We continued south to join the New England Highway just north of Cooyar.
From there further south via Crows Nest (where we always find the parking and shopping to be convenient) to the
junction of the road down to Esk. Taking that road we located the small rest area close to the road where we stayed the
night. This spot is 675m above sea level and we awoke to a foggy morning .. particuarly so, looking down into the valley
which had provided us with a great view the day before.
It was further down hill to Esk, where we had a look around the town then continued down the Brisbane Valley Highway
to the Laidley area where we travelled down to Centenary Park. It was here we met up with the local CMCA Chapter, the Darling Downs
Drifters, for their week end. This is a nice spot with limited free power .. if you get in early. After that weekend we moved
to Bill Gunn Dam, also known as Lake Dwer camping area .. another good spot giving two nights free at the four powered sites
.. each with four power points. We enjoyed shopping in Laidley as a lot of fresh vegies produced in the area are available
in the shops.
Up the hill, as the locals say, to Toowoomba and passed through to the west. We couldn't find the rest area in Oakey,
so continued on to Bowenville where we turned south to Bowenville Reserve. This is a very large wooded grassy area beside
a nice expanse of water. From there we travelled to Cecil Plains where, here again, we couldn't find the rest area. So into
Cecil Plains Rural Retreat shire operated caravan park. This, fairly new facility, appears to be well used by seasonal
workers in the cotton industry.
This facility offers a nice range of options from three nights free overnight parking for self contained vehicles
with dump point access. Optional ablution block/hot showers/laundry access is available for $5 per night. For $10 per night
one may have full hookup with power, water, grey and black water dump point .. with the 3rd night free. This provides a nice range
of options versus the dollar .. a lesson here, we think, for other establishments.
It was back to the Warrego Highway, pass through Dalby and about 8 km before Chinchilla we turned south and travelled
19 km off the highway to Archers Crossing/Chinchilla Fishing Club where we stayed overnight at that nice spot. It is on the
Condamine River and well "in the bush".
Back on the highway and heading westwards through Miles and, just entering Dulacca, we noticed a sign opposite the
pub "meals $5, free camping". So we turned into the parking area at the rear of the pub where there was a Coaster motorhome
parked. As it was lunch time we went inside and met up with Ken and Glenda from Oakey who were also travelling westwards. We
were pleasantly surprised with the $5 meal and learnt that the hosts Terry and Mary were CMCA members, had an elderly bus
parked in the shed, and were developing the area into a nice overnight camp spot. The golf course is opposite.
Next day, it was on to Wallumbilla where we stayed overnight in the showgrounds. Then on to Roma where we stayed
overnight, just out of town, at Cambell Park. We had stayed here previously, and despite the small "no camping" sign at the
entrance, the police always seem happy when they make their regular patrols.
We did shopping in Roma then on to our next overnight stop at Muckalilla Community Park. There is also free camping
at the small hotel/motel just down the road, good facilities but the area is small and has just 4 powered sites.
At Amby, again the pub is owned by a CMCA member who offers free overnight stops at the rear. We didn't stop but
continued onto Mitchell where the Major Mitchell Caravan Park offers normal powered sites $11 or ensuite sites $16. One pays
for first night, then 2 nights free. Friends repeated this and stayed 6 nights for $22! However, at the time we enquired, it
was full. Being just across the river from the Great Artesian Spa makes this spot very popular.
We went into town to sort out our mail which had inadvertently forwarded to Nanango. The Mitchell Post Office staff
were very helpful phoning Nanango and organising our mail to be forwarded to Mitchell. They said it would arrive in 2 days
which surprised us.
We went out to Neil Turner Weir to await our mail. It was in this period that Mitchell had 150 mm (six inches) of
rain, so we moved from the dirt parking spot to the sealed area near the toilet. We later learnt that that rain had extended
to the west, though at a somewhat reduced amount, as far as Charleville. However, listening to the ABC TV and radio, there
was no mention of any rain in that vast area .. still talk of the drought though! .. so one wonders?
Westwards, through Mungalla to Morvan where we stayed at a small rest area near the museum. It was then onto
Charleville and as no reasonable overnight parking, other than caravan parks seemed available, we travelled out on the
Quilpie Road to an overnight spot on the banks of the Ward River. The river was running well, we guess, still due to that
unreported rain we had at Mitchell and that stretched this far west.
Back on the highway, we were now travelling north, through Augathella, to Tambo. Apparently it is OK to overnight one
night only, despite the "no camping" sign, at the area near Tambo Lake and the roadhouse. However, there is signed "caravan
parking" for self contained vehicles at Stubby Bend, just out of town via the Tambo to Alpha/Springsure Road. Once again,
back on the highway and continuing north, we stayed overnight at rest areas 24 km north of Tambo and 36 km further north.
The latter is on the Barcoo River and was one of the many spots we caught up with Ken and Glen, who we had met initially at
Dulacca.
We met up with them again at Blackall where Ken had an introduction to a publican who was going to make the area at
the rear of his pub available to travellers for overnight stops. So we went and checked out the truth of this situation. The
publican gave the impression that he was doing this for the benefit of the town and said "the travellers will go and buy a
newspaper, go and buy bread and milk .. the owners of those two shops are my customers". A great attitude, Ken and I thought.
Onwards, staying overnight at Douglas Ponds Creek, to the next overnight spot at Lloyd Jones Weir. This popular place
can get crowded at times. Into Barcaldine where we stayed a number of nights at the Showgrounds. Part of the "master plan"
was that as a new motorhome chapter was being formed at Barcaldine, we were aware that a number of people from our Mackay
Sugarloafers Chapter were also attending. Things happened as planned and it was great to meet up with Reg and Marge, Vic and
Bill again. Friends John and Helen from W.A. were also visiting Barcaldine, so good to see them also.
The motorhome was due for "registration" which, in this state, for vehicles over four and a half tonnes, means an
inspection from a certified inspection station. We had picked this small western town thinking "things" would be easy. This
was not to be the case, as the man explained the Queensland Transport Department had recently been quite active in the area.
Thus things had to done, more of less, via the book. This meant our cracked windscreen had to be replaced. Fortunately, the
bulk of this cost is covered by our insurance .. but just once per year!
Eventually got away from Barcy and headed west, via Ilfracombe and its large display of antique machinery, to
Longreach. We had visited the Hall of Fame on a previous occasion, but had a good look in the Qantas museum, their original
hanger and the 747 now on display.
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