Essential Travel

Essential travel, outback Qld.

While hooking up van we had to re-locate 8 little green frogs who had made their home in the plastic levelling ramps whilst staying at Leon and Sandy's property.  Hopefully we do not have any more 'hitchhikers' on board.  We decided to make our way to our house in Palmerston, NT and set up home there while the Coronavirus Pandemic was with us. This meant travelling through Qld to the NT as essential travellers. We had submitted our Application for Exemption to Quarantine to NT Health and hoped that it would have been reviewed  by the time we reached the Qld/NT border crossing.

Packed and on our way.

We decided to take the shortest route so headed to Boonah then turned onto New England Highway to Toowoomba where we grabbed McDonalds for lunch - had to eat in car as no 'dining in' available.There are quite a few trucks on the road, no other caravans and were relieved that we had no abuse about being on the road with a caravan.  Had heard other reports that people had received quite nasty responses from outback towns and some truck drivers.  Booked into Miles Cross Roads Caravan Park which was a nice spot - the amenities are great, dongas with lounge area plus ensuite.

First night on the road at Miles on a concrete slab.

Left at 8am next day and travelled to Roma where we re-fuelled.  Experienced heaps of cattle trucks travelling in the opposite direction, some full and some empty.  Stopped at a little truck stop at Morven and devoured a good old country hamburger fulled to the brim and making it very hard to open your mouth wide enough to eat!!  Booked into Tambo Caravan Park which was OK for a night stay.  We woke early for Anzac Day and walked out onto the road for the dawn service.  Unfortunately we could not find the Radio Station for a service but people across the road played a recorded last post.  A very different Anzac Day for Australia however many people joined into 'light up the dawn', gathering at the end of their driveway with a light and observing the 1 minute silence.  Sorry that veterans could not join in services and marches but so good to see many Australians participate despite COVID-19 interfering with our lives at the moment.

ANZAC dawn at Tambo - Light up the Dawn

ANZAC memorial placed out on the footpath at Tambo opposite where we stood

From Tambo we drove to Blackall which was all closed, then onto Barcaldine where we found a Bakery open for coffee, it was the only shop open and the town was really quiet. Continued onto Ilfracome where we stayed the night in the Caravan Park.  Only 2 other vans here which had been there for a month or so. Being Saturday night we treated ourselves to a Pub meal. Ordered take away from the Wellshot Hotel as no dining in allowed.  About 6 am the next day we were visited by an Ambulance seeing if we needed help, I directed them to the other 2 vans where one was occupied by an older man. Don't know what happened but they attended one of the vans for a while and then left.

Barcaldine main street, only one other vehicle.

Ilfracome caravan park, plenty of spots to choose from.

Ilfracome, Wellshot Hotel.

Sunset at Ilfracome, lonely trucker.

On the street in Ilfracome these containers had been decorated for Anzac Day and had a candle inside.

Leaving Ilfracome caravan park.

Another very quiet day on the road and passed through a very different looking Longreach from what we have experienced previously, only a hand full of local cars and people - definitely no tourists!  Pulled up about 2km from Winton when the Caravan had a wobble - not sure if we ran over something or the new road repair was uneven. Checked out the brakes and wheels but all OK (seems as though when we're near Winton our vehicle tends to breakdown!!)  Drove by the Blue Heeler Pub at Kynuna then onto Cloncurry Oasis Caravan Park where we stayed the night.  On arriving we had to stop at the entrance and not get out the vehicle but call the caretaker, who then came out and booked us in while we stayed in the car.  They directed us to drive thru site where we had to be self contained as amenities shut. There were a few other vans in the park which looked very settled.

Driving into the clouds, no rain though!

Every parking bay and free camp was empty.

Entering several country towns these signs warned about COVID-19

Another empty roadside stop.

Even the Crows are feeling the effects of Coronavirus with no travellers there is no rubbish!

A deserted house at Mckinlay

The toilet block was closed at Cloncurry Caravan Park.

Another early start onto Mt Isa for re-fueling a quick shop at Woolies and take away coffee from the Coffee Club before continuing on the Barkly Highway.  From Mt Isa we only encountered 8 Slashers working on the side of the road.  Continued onto Camooweal where we intended to have some lunch at the Camooweal Billabong, however road was closed to stop campers from what is usually a very popular camping area. Booked into Camooweal Roadhouse for a night and put air con on as Caravan temperature was 38 degrees. After unhooking the van we drove out to the Qld/NT Border to check what happens when we cross over and was advised by NT Police that if our Exemption to Quarantine is not granted, we have to quarantine in Tennant Creek for 14 days.  When we arrived at the border check point we were greeted by what looked like a man from outer space but was only the police officer wearing a fly net to cope with the zillions of flies! After being briefed on the procedure to cross into NT we went back to Camooweal where we decided to stay for two nights, giving us a rest day from driving and also to follow up our application for exception to quarantine.

I managed to get through to NT Health after about an half hour on hold and spoke to a representative that could only tell me that if I had emailed the application then they would have received it!!  Not a lot of joy from that call!!   I emailed an enquiry in anticipation that they would get back with a little more information. We relaxed for the rest of the day having a enjoyable lamb shank dinner in preparation for the border crossing early next morning not knowing without the exemption we would  be sent to Tennant Creek to quarantine.

Camooweal street only had the police and a couple of locals collecting mail.

Camooweal Caravan Park

Morning walk to Camooweal billabong - road closed, no camping.

Sunrise over the billabong

Lillies on the billabong.

NT/Qld border control point.

Our self isolation

Early morning rainbow over Kooralbyn Valley.

Left Kirra Beach and drove to Kooralbyn only seeing one van on the way.  Very quiet on the roads as many people staying and working from home.  Set up and have a lovely view of the NSW Border Ranges and so quiet and peaceful. No-one else is here so have full use of amenities and Rec room.  Leon and Sandy are still working so see very little of them and they are very conscious of keeping their distance from us.

Kooralbyn Valley and Border ranges of NSW

All this space to ourselves.

Our site

Drinks on the deck

A Butcher Bird would join us on the deck as the sunset.

Over the three weeks we stayed at Sandy and Leon's I was able to watch many sunrises and sunsets from the deck at the rec-room while having afternoon drinks.  Also plenty of photo opportunities!!
The weather was warm which we naturally enjoyed while the nights cooled and made for good sleeping weather. Once a week we would travel to Beaudesert for our essential shopping which become our main excitement for the week, as is for many other people. Helen read 14 books during our stay, apparently to reduce the load for when we travel, while I spent the time doing some small repairs to the caravan and the occasional walk around the property.  I also spent a few hours on the computer completing forms and researching what we needed to do to travel back to the Northern Territory.

Each night a different sunset

Sunset transition over time.

Another sunset over the ranges

Free as a bird - Eastern Osprey flying past during the day.

Whiptail

These butterflies and bees where attracted to this particular tree.

Our stay also coincided with Easter which we had planned to have with friends but due to the travel restrictions we spent it by our self and of course still had an Easter egg and hot cross bun or two. Organised a group Messenger "face-time" for coffee with the kids which was good and will be the 'norm' in these unusual times.

The Easter bunny resting up in a farm art dunny. 

Helen enjoying her Easter egg/rabbit dark chocolate.

From the 3rd April 2020 the NT border was closed and people who cross will be escorted to a motel for quarantine for 14 days.  Getting a bit concerned about how we will get back to Darwin as the tenants move out at the end of April and we are hoping that we could return to bunker down until the coronavirus pandemic passes or restrictions are lifted to allow some sort of normality back.  I applied for exemption to quarantine 2 weeks before we estimated we would cross the border into NT, hoping  we can drive straight to our house in Darwin and maybe self isolate for 14 days there instead of forced quarantine in motel accommodation, which is at your own cost.

Coronavirus impacts our travels

We left Wayne and Susan's and as planned headed to the Sunshine coast to visit friends we hadn't seen for a while. There was a lot of talk about Coronavirus (COVD-19) which had originated in China and now starting to spread to other countries around the world.  The virus was spreading quickly and warnings were being issued on avoiding contact with other people and in particular the elderly.

We stayed with John and Heather at Bribie Island the first night and had a great catch up.  John had arranged for us to go to dinner at the local RSL club.  The Courtesy bus picked us up and took us to the club.  The numbers dining that night was down considerably, already the virus was having an impact and people were starting to stay home.  The bar staff had hand sanitiser which they regularly used plus patrons encouraged to use also.   The next morning after a great cooked breakfast plus a bag with a few rolls of toilet paper (thanks John and Heather) we travelled to Landsborough to catch up with Harley and Faye.  They had had a lot of rain in the previous few days so decided to stay in the Beerwah Caravan Park to avoid any damage to Harley's lawn. Driving into the park we encountered a sign saying 'Closed due to function'.  Apparently the Harvey Bay Caravan Club had booked park out.  Drove onto Landsborough Pines Holiday Park where we booked in for 2 nights (had to stay two nights so that we could go to the pub for the 2 for 1 meal deal on the Wednesday!!). Went to the shops in the morning to see what was left after panic buying - managed to get what we needed however toilet paper, paper towels, pasta, rice, flour shelves were empty - thank goodness for our toilet paper gift from Heather and John as that will come to good use until we find a shop with toilet paper supplies! Went to the Pub for tea and had a great meal however the number of people dining was down dramatically, probably only 5% of the normal number. As always we had a great catch up with Harley and Faye.

As COVID-19 was starting to spread in Australia and there was a lot of talk about what Australians had to do to protect the population, we decided not to continue our visits up the Sunshine Coast. One of our friends, who we had planned to visit, recently had an operation and we wanted to avoid passing on the risk of infection.

Sunset at Murwillumbah Showgrounds.

So it was back to Murwillumbah Show grounds where we booked in for 6 days.  Some people were not adhering to self isolation as a group still had their Happy Hour gatherings. Had a day with Todd helping pour concrete for his new shed.  Briony popped in to help Helen babysit Dudley!!  She has now lost her two casual jobs and the Uni will shut down so students will have to access their lectures on line.  Very upsetting for her as she is such a social butterfly.  Good news is that after 3 days of searching I was able to buy a packet of toilet paper although felt very guilty walking out the shop as people were staring at me! Was waiting for a gang tackle to steal my precious purchase!

Morning walk along Brunswick Head beach.

Was suffering cabin fever so I went to Brunswick Heads for a beach walk and swim. Latest news is that AFL will only play round 1 with no spectators then will not play again until COVID-19 is over. NT has closed it's Borders followed by WA, Tasmania & SA.  No more football to watch whatever will we do!!  Helen and I drove to Brunswick Heads for a lovely walk along the beach and swim then stocked up at IGA Murwillumbah - Sanitiser and paper towel supplied to wipe down trolley handles.

Email advising who can stay in the caravan parks, essential travellers only.

More shut downs as Stage 2 Restrictions are in place.  Only essential services are now operating - pubs, cafe's restaurants etc are all shut with thousands of people lining up at Centrelink to register for financial assistance.  Qld border to shut tomorrow at 12 midnight which has upset Briony even more as she will not be able to see Todd and Tenelle or her friends in Qld as she lives in NSW.

Northern Territory imposes travel restrictions

We left Murwillumbah and settled into Kirra Beach Tourist Park before the Queensland border closure.  Briony came around to see us which was good as she could chat about what is happening around us.  Understandably she is feeling very alone and isolated.  The car had been booked in for service in NSW so was not sure if I would get back into Qld with border closed.  Invoice received from Service Centre stated that it was essential travel so could show at check point if stopped. Had breakfast with Briony at her home (no seating at cafe as take away only), then crossed back into Qld.  Barriers at Coolangatta had been taken down as too difficult to police the twin towns (NSW/Qld border) area at the moment.

Finally finished erecting the new shed.

Spent a long day at Todd's helping him put up his new shed but was worth the effort as Tenelle made a great pastie for lunch.  Kirra Beach Park will only accept 'essential travellers' from 1/4/2020 so vans are leaving each day and only a handfull of essential travellers remained around the park and people are keeping their distance from one another.  The people next to us are from Tasmania and intend to sit it out here until the all clear to travel.  My dentist called to say my appointment is cancelled as they are only doing emergency work.  We decided to leave on the 1st April and head to Whiptail a friends property near Beaudesert away from the multitude of people on the coast.  Walked along Kirra Beach, called into say goodbye to Todd and Tenelle (with no hugs much to Helens disappointment).

Tenelle, Todd and Dudley.