Lara Wetlands

Lara Wetlands at sunrise with caravans parked around the edge.

Had a leisurely 60km drive to Lara Wetlands from Douglas Ponds free camp and was great to see Lynn & Janice (caretakers) again. Friends Terry & Joan arrived not long after we set up and was great to catch up. Helen & I soaked in the artesian hot pool and enjoyed a combined BBQ, entertainment and camp fire evening which is held most Friday nights - the weather was quite mild which was different to what we had been experiencing. I had another soak in the pool before going to bed - very relaxing.

Rissoles and onions for the burgers tonight!

Lynn is a bit of a pyro when it comes to lighting the campfire.

A few sitting around the fire 

Lynns a bit of a "hot devil"

The girls had a turn at karaoke 

Early morning to watch the sunrise from the hot pool

Terry & I drove into Barcaldine the next morning for 'secret birthday business' as both Janice and Joan were celebrating birthdays the next day. Enjoyed an afternoon tea supplied by Janice then settled around their fire after tea for plenty of stories and laughs.

On the day of the birthdays (Janice 70th/Joan 77) we packed up in the morning and drove into Barcaldine checking into Roses 'n' Things Caravan Park.  We all met for lunch at the cafe also run by the owners of the park, and had quite a celebration for the ladies including a birthday cake organised by Terry. Said our farewells before they drove back to Lara Wetlands and we returned to our van.  Very nice park - only 10 sites so better to book ahead.

Joan and Janice cutting the cake Terry organised.

The gang!

Charleville

Drove to Charleville and stayed at the Bailey Bar Caravan Park where Helen got all the washing done and I got under the van and wrapped 10mm thick polyurethane around the water pipes hoping to protect them from the stones we may encounter on way to Birdsville.

The next day we went on a bus tour of the town which was enjoyable. The driver was very informative telling stories about the history and in particular about the devastating 1990 floods. After the tour we stocked up with food and then enjoyed a nice roast dinner plus dessert provided by the Caravan Park and traded stories with some of the other campers.

Ian our Tour guide
Charleville Heritage, Flood and Fire tour

These galahs flew in while Ian was talking.

Hotel Corones, an iconic hotel in the outback.

The Post Office with the original bank building in the background

Rain and thunder started around 2am -  just a steady soaking rain for a couple of hours. I had to help a guy travelling by himself when his jack gave away and drawbar hit the ground with a huge thud.  Headed north turning onto Landsborough Highway stopping at Augathella for coffee then onto Tambo and camped at free camp - Stubby Bend by the Barcoo River. Cooked fish in the oven tonight so van was nice and warm!

Travelled to Blackall and stopped for coffee where we met a young girl (Cloe) selling her artwork to raise money for her to go to Calgary in Canada. She was very talented - sketched horses and Brahma cattle.  Drove to Douglas Ponds free camp (approx 15kms N Blackall) where we set up camp. Had a great fire which I cooked steak for tea and sat around the fire watching the full moon rise.

Our camp at Tambo, with the full moon

Our first campfire for a long time.

A little Robin came near our camp at Douglas Ponds

The rising sun on this bird

Heading out to western Qld

After leaving Banora Point we started to make our way pretty much due west to Warwick then Goondiwindi which was our first stop. En-route we came across a 7 metre wide load just before Yelarbon, so had a slower drive into Goondiwindi although they let us pass about 30kms before town. We decided to stay at the Goondiwindi Top Tourist Park which we have on other occasions. To our surprise the park was nearly full, we had forgotten that at this time of the year a lot of "southerners" are making their way north for winter. Having a powered site was used to our advantage - we were quick to put the heater on as the night was very cold. I'd found the remote so could turn it on in the early morning before getting out of bed!!.

The next day kept on heading west stopping at the Nindigully pub for morning coffee and then lunch at St George by the banks of the Balonne River. After St George we encountered another wide load (only 4 metres this time), however we were only behind for a short time before they turned into a parking bay.  Arrived at Bollon mid afternoon and stayed at Wallam Creek free camp, where we had stayed on a previous occasion.   From Wallam Creek free camp it is only a short walk into town for a free hot showers.

Wallam Creek free camp, Bollon

The next morning we were a little slower to get going as without power we didn't have any heating and the mornings have been as low as 4 degrees C. I started telling Helen that we should have been further north and next year we'll be in Darwin, none of these freezing mornings - I was sternly told to toughen up!

Travelled along the Balonne Highway and stopped in Cunnamulla where I was able to have a chat with the Cunnamulla Fella!!

Stopped for a chat with the "Cunnamulla FELLA"

From Cunnamulla we did a slight detour to Eulo where we called into the Pardoo Patch Shop (Helen was looking for a leather bag). Unfortunately (or fortunately for the bank balance), they did not have what she was looking for, so travelled back to Cunnamulla. Drove on the Mitchell Highway towards Charleville and stopped the night at Wyandra free camp (donations appreciated) which is a great spot with showers, toilets, camp kitchen and fire pit.

The General Store PO, Caravan Park

Pub

What was the service station, no fuel here!

One of the old houses

Now just standing

Sunset

Kangaroos are now the biggest occupants of town!

Helen's note - bit of a hic-cup this morning as diesel was very low the warning light was on and may not have made it to Charleville with the caravan in tow (no fuel in Wyandra). Geoff unhooked the van and drove very conservatively into town. When he pulled into the service station the guage was showing below the empty line!!!  The tank took 124 litres and holds 138 litres, not much to spare!! Geoff was going to omit this from the blog but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Decided to stay another day after the little incident and enjoyed happy hour around the fire - approx 16 vans camped tonight. Also extended for another night as Caravan Park was showing the 2nd State of Origin game at their open air cinema, however the evening was very cold so decided to stay home.

Banora Point

From Kirra Beach we travelled to Gulmarrad where we pulled into Mike and Chris' home and spent a couple of days.  Checked out his new shed with his 'toys' inside - look forward to the day when I have my own!!  From Gulmarrad drove to Evans Head then onto Mullumbimby, where we set up in the Showgrounds - nice spot with new ammenities.  Had a couple of nights there then drove to Todd's home for a coffee and collected our mail before heading up to Wayne and Susan's home at Mausland where we will store our van while we housesit at Banora Point (no room for the van at the house). Susan cooked a lovely roast dinner then sat up in the spa area and watched the Royal Wedding (Harry and Meghan)!!!

Packed up the car with our gear and settled into our housesit at Banora Point - beautiful view from the upstairs balcony (think I know where we will spend a lot of our time!!)  During the 3 week housesit we were able to watch a big screen TV (exciting when you live in a Caravan!), caught up on a couple of doctor visits, caught up with our kids, shopping, car servicing,washing etc. Had quite a few cold days and nights - surprisingly it does get cold here in winter. Great to stay put in a house for a while however at the end of 3 weeks we were itching to get on the road again!

Our first morning sunrise from the balcony

View from our balcony

Balcony view at night

Just having a chat on the back fence!

Great view - this is where Helen spent a majority of her time reading books!

Our house sit is in the middle of this photo - certainly know we are in suburbia!

We are at the end of the house sit and now looking forward to heading bush. It's been nearly seven months since we arrived in South East Queensland so really keen to get away from the coast and the cold nights. Although we will be experiencing cold nights the days should be warmer. We will be heading out west, then north to some more outback towns so hopefully some great photos.

Wintersun 2.0 - Murwillumbah

Whilst staying at Banora Point decided to take a short drive to Murwillumbah for the Wintersun 2.0 at the showgrounds.  This is the 2nd year of the event and was a really nice day out. The name lived up to expectations "wintersun" (even though it is winter the sun was out), with apparently more than 400 entrants. Not only was there a lot of classic vehicles, the stalls were selected to have the vintage rock and roll theme as well. Quite a few people were dressed in the retro fashion which added to the atmosphere. There were also live bands and many couples dancing the rock n roll.

After you've been to an event like this you come away thinking, "if I'd only kept ........" you can only dream.

The following weekend was the Cooly Rock festival at Coolangatta, very similar but many more cars and rock and roll music over 3 days.

57 Chev

The event was at the showground oval, more than 400 entrants 

Now that's a family hobby, his and her hot rods!

Miss Adelaide, the caravan was originally from Adelaide, all decked out in the vintage theme.

Just like you're stepping back in time, love the metal esky!!

Don't think this was an original FJ Holden colour but it's my favourite colour

One of the retro market stalls, many others sold pre-80's costumes.

Gotta love the Torana

So many to look at - think I may have got carried away!

How low can you go, the purple pickup was in the top 10 and was its first outing since the restoration was completed.

Rock and Roll fashion parade

Family fashion parade

Original police vehicle from the USA, also selected in the top 10 best presented vehicles.

Another Top 10 winner, excellent 2 door Caddy.

A top 10 winner, well presented EJ & caravan

This FB Holden was not what it seemed!!

Now thats not original, but nice 327 chev motor.