1/8
Guthalungra to Bowen. Had a shower this morning –
after running the gas for 10 minutes to heat the water – and ran out of water
in the back tank. Woops – so I did empty it at Mt Surprise and did not fill it! Seemed to fill very
quickly there I thought!
Ah well – so headed off to Bowen top Tourist Park
where I stayed last time. At least I have the discount card for there now.
Spent ages filling BOTH tanks. I think the vents needed to be ‘blown out’ so
that the tank filled properly. At least I know what should happen now. Whew
– good thing I stopped I and tried it. Had planned on a second night there too.
Need to use the blue hose with the brass fittings I think to fill them and now
know that the reason my water tastes odd sometimes is because the green garden
hose gets warm and that is what taints the water. Will have to change which is
a pain as the blue hose is very stiff. Have put the plastic fitting on one end
for the van and the brass fitting for the tap – have wrecked the thread on the
plastic tap fitting!
Unhooked and went
into town. Pretty place – rolling hills, very wide streets with rear angle
parking and centre parking as well and lots of beaches.
Missed John from GN site – he was at Seaforth last
night and is going to Guthalungra today.
Chatting to a couple from Christchurch next to me. I had forgotten how scared of
Maoris the South Islanders are. Also some odd ideas about the natives here – must not
look at them as they will beat you up – but have heard that from rednecks here
as well – and the smell – hadn’t noticed that yet. They have been to Alice,
Adelaide etc. so maybe I have that to look forward to!
No free camps easy to get to between Bowen and
MacKay so have stopped at O’Connor River park – only $20, and beside a river.
Too hard dragging the van back to Seaforth for one night. Went for walk along
river, chatted to 2 couples who are from Melbourne – here for 6 weeks fishing
(river and sea)
3/8
In to MacKay – The
Park CP. Same site as last time. Dropped back down, washed floors, repacked the
back of the ute, sorted printers and stuff, 2 loads of washing (1 drier full) Got
bedding sorted. Restless night – noisy neighbours, vehicles etc. AND cold!
4/8
Out to get Grand-daughter around 9.30. shopping – groceries. Got sister from NZ at 5 – airport close to this park.
5/8
Shopping again – Candyland, then good guys. No
heaters! Out to Seaforthto drop grand-daughter off. I will miss that little girl! BCF and Repco then back to the
van for a whiskey! Brought my TV back – just need an aerial. Both really tired
tonight so off to bed really early inspite of all the noise.
On the road tomorrow.
Went to the Finch Hatton Gorge – well to the Arualen Falls. That took
1.5 hours there and back! Pretty walk through the forest though. Helicopter
overhead – someone been missing in the Eungella NP for 48 hours. Rangers all packed and walking in as
well. A few hardy types swimming below the waterfall. Quite a few fords and lovely
rocky streams. Houses hidden away in the bush.
Really
long drive today – 5 hours to do less than 200km but we stopped for ages at the
bottom of a hill for a wide load then crawled up the Blue Mountains in a huge
line of traffic. Road works everywhere also. Nice drive over this side though –
especially once I stopped to let all the traffic pass.
Noisy
night with big rigs but did sleep ok. Was also a ‘dry’ night – no dew this
morning. Went to Moranbah and decided to get brakes tightened etc. Managed to
get the last van park at the second park – all full of miners etc.!!!! Dropped
the van off and went to Nibbereena to see friend. About an hour, mostly sealed
but some pretty rough dirt and a ford. No way I would have taken the van in
there. Lovely house. At least I know what it is like
to drive to a station now.
Back to
town and called into garage on the off chance that I could get the brakes done today
– all good – done in 1.5 hours ( $154). One job sorted. Van U bolts and wheel
bearing to do on Friday morning. Went to the ‘musical park’ in town, amazing instruments made out of metal and
pipes with rubber hammers to play them with. Lovely tone as well.
Masses of development going on all down the
road around Peak Downs. Roads, dongas… Road very bumpy until passed the coal
mining then pleasant drive to Clermont. Strange hills, sorghum and other crops.
Lots of cotton also – been harvested and large container sized bales in the
paddocks with a tarp over the top. Fluff all down the road. Head wind most of
the way also – hard work driving! Traffic eased off heaps and didn’t catch up
to the house being shifted. Pulled off for photos and chatting to other instead. Had lunch a BP then on to Capella show
grounds to see camp draft. Novice stuff today but tonight and tomorrow should
be really good. Huge covered arena. Found a power point but no water – that’s
ok. Showers and toilets handy. Cold wind all day. Sat in covered arena and
watched for 2 hours after dinner -
cold! Put sleeping bag over me during the night as well!
Had camp
dinner then watched first round of finals but dusty so bed early.
Another
pleasant drive to Roma. Big town. Stopped at the Big Rig for lunch then went to
the sale yards. 5000 head – mostly weaners. 2 sales a week.
6/8
A lot of moisture on the tent covers – good thing
we had them up. At least we haven’t been so cold at night now. Went to the
caravan shop and got an aerial = $183. (Hadn’t realised my little TV is also
capable of 12v until we set it up!) Got a few groceries then packed up and
drove to Finch Hatton . More sugar cane but up a valley into the hills. Set up
at the show grounds - $20 per night. Nice flat grassy area with only about 10 vans here.
Emailed friend re going to Nibbereena in the next few days – when we find out where it actually is.
Went to the Finch Hatton Gorge – well to the Arualen Falls. That took
1.5 hours there and back! Pretty walk through the forest though. Helicopter
overhead – someone been missing in the Eungella NP for 48 hours. Rangers all packed and walking in as
well. A few hardy types swimming below the waterfall. Quite a few fords and lovely
rocky streams. Houses hidden away in the bush.
7/8
Masses of dew on the covers this morning –
have to dry everything before we pack up.
At the
turn off to Moranbah tonight – on the grass beside a roadhouse. Lots of
truckies go and have a shower and feed then head off again. Couldn’t find
a free park that had toilets other than at a pub at lunch time. One near here
where we were going to free camp says no camping! This roadhouse is not an
official caravan stop but trucks use it and the girl said we are welcome to use
the showers and loo so will have a feed there tonight as well.
Apparently
the caravan park at Moranbah is full of miner.
Really
long drive today – 5 hours to do less than 200km but we stopped for ages at the
bottom of a hill for a wide load then crawled up the Blue Mountains in a huge
line of traffic. Road works everywhere also. Nice drive over this side though –
especially once I stopped to let all the traffic pass.
VERY FEW
caravans on this road – wonder why? Have seen 2 in the half hour while I lay
down when we got here! Probably not a popular route for nomads I suspect! More
a mining place. I guess they go Rockingham to Longreach rather than from Mackay
down to Clermont.
Had dinner
at the diner. Guys coming in there by the dozens – what a little gold mine!
8/8
Noisy
night with big rigs but did sleep ok. Was also a ‘dry’ night – no dew this
morning. Went to Moranbah and decided to get brakes tightened etc. Managed to
get the last van park at the second park – all full of miners etc.!!!! Dropped
the van off and went to Nibbereena to see friend. About an hour, mostly sealed
but some pretty rough dirt and a ford. No way I would have taken the van in
there. Lovely house. At least I know what it is like
to drive to a station now.
Seriously large puff balls growing THROUGH the tarseal along the road –
very odd!
Back to
town and called into garage on the off chance that I could get the brakes done today
– all good – done in 1.5 hours ( $154). One job sorted. Van U bolts and wheel
bearing to do on Friday morning. Went to the ‘musical park’ in town, amazing instruments made out of metal and
pipes with rubber hammers to play them with. Lovely tone as well. 
Weird internet at night –
have full coverage but very slow.
Haven’t put the covers up but will
see how we get on. Hopefully another dry night.
No TV here
for some reason but at least I know the computer 12v plug also runs the TV! Something
else I don’t need to buyJ
9/8
Quiet day.
Did the washing, aired the bedding, emptied the loo, filled petrol can and ute,
swapped one gas bottle. Washed the van.. Found a camping shop over the road so
bought a toast rack and a yabbie net and string.
Tents only a slightly damp. Corn beef for dinner. Quiet party going on
next door and I think a lot of FIFO back last night. We both had a restless
night.
10/8
Had van
into Mine Assist by 8am. Roger – kiwi manager – very helpful. Sorted fuel
additive and oil to take with me. All wheel bearings on van were dry so
installed bearing buddies for me! Can fill myself with grease gun. $385.
Masses of development going on all down the
road around Peak Downs. Roads, dongas… Road very bumpy until passed the coal
mining then pleasant drive to Clermont. Strange hills, sorghum and other crops.
Lots of cotton also – been harvested and large container sized bales in the
paddocks with a tarp over the top. Fluff all down the road. Head wind most of
the way also – hard work driving! Traffic eased off heaps and didn’t catch up
to the house being shifted. Pulled off for photos and chatting to other instead. Had lunch a BP then on to Capella show
grounds to see camp draft. Novice stuff today but tonight and tomorrow should
be really good. Huge covered arena. Found a power point but no water – that’s
ok. Showers and toilets handy. Cold wind all day. Sat in covered arena and
watched for 2 hours after dinner -
cold! Put sleeping bag over me during the night as well!
11/8
Nice day in the sun but cold wind. Watched
the outdoor camp drafting most of the day. 130 competitors all doing the same
arena work – cutting and then around 3 pegs in the outdoor arena. Different
scoring for 2 different events but still doing the same stuff – bit monotonous.
Too windy for my cover this morning so took it off – will try without it
tonight..
Had camp
dinner then watched first round of finals but dusty so bed early.
12/8
Pack up. Took
photos of amazing steel statues at Capella.
Drove to
Emerald, refuelled and carried on to free park #428 Virgin Rocks. About 8 there overnight. Toilets only. The
rocks are flood-lit at night to show the ‘virgin and baby’. Couldn’t take photos
unfortunately. Bit tricky getting in to park – deep drain but OK.
13/8
Drove to Injune. A road works camp ground –
very tidy and TV aerials available on each site – all for $25! Doing the
washing etc.
Lovely
drive – climbing up on to high plateau then through hills and down again. Lots
of changes of scenery, bright yellow acacias and some crops. Road a bit narrow
and rough in places and quite a few trucks but OK. Plenty of road kill –
haven’t seen much until today. Lots of wet areas beside the road and I suspect
a lot of flood damage making the road bumpy. Didn’t go into Rolleston.
14/8
Filled up
at the Injune depot – cheapest fuel yet @ $1.37. Locals worried that the CP won’t
be available to the public soon – was a lovely open spaced park but now full of
dongas etc. owned by FMG? Info centre sending people to the show grounds –
putting pressure on their facilities as well.
Another
pleasant drive to Roma. Big town. Stopped at the Big Rig for lunch then went to
the sale yards. 5000 head – mostly weaners. 2 sales a week.
Thought we
would stay behind the pub at Dulacca but not available now. Had to go behind
town hall – bit small. Then on to another free camp – way to small so kept
going to Miles. Very dusty spot beside loos – lots of trucks etc., but a lovely
grassy spot over the road with a few buses etc. Talking to couple in
blue Hino bus. Masses of trucks all
night it seemed – such a busy road. Also a rooster here but slept ok!
15/8
Fuel at
Miles, also tyre pressure done. Bit uneven. Another lovely drive although the roads
until Dalby were very bumpy! Before Dalby we drove on the wrong side of the
road for about 15 minutes. No idea what they were going to do but all the other
traffic had been diverted to another road going west. Pretty rolling hills from
Dalby to Kingaroy. Lots of crops and contouring on all the hills. Much nicer
road also! Such a change to see houses near the road, and Bell is a pretty town
built on the side of a hill. Very smoky in the distance but we did see someone burning off stubble. Big grain silos
in Kingaroy. Nice big free park not far from here beside a stream but decided
we would have power and a shower tonight.
Overnight
at the show grounds in Kingaroy
16/8
Off
to Caboolture via Kincoy. Another lovely drive through rolling hills and
wonderful Bunya pine forest. Amazing road works on east of Blackbutt range –
damage after the flood being repaired with massive spray-on concrete or mesh
walls to hold the hills.
Spent a lovely 16 days at Caboolture with friends. 60th birthday, lots from NZ to catch up with, did the Outback show, golf, dinners out. Met up with Loki again for lunch. Had a few jobs done on the van. Sister back to NZ - lovely having her company for 3 weeks.
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