November update -Mackay to Cobar, Postie Dash, Lismore, NZ,

Been to Mackay and had the granddaughter for 2 weeks. Worked my way back down via Nebo, Duaringa, to Gingin to stay with my Kiwi friend who has shifted there from Darwin. Yay. Then down via Maryborough, Boonooroo, Tincan Bay, to Caboolture to stay with more kiwi friends. Samford showgrounds for a few days - getting over a cold, and catching up with Tas. friend. Back up via Dalby to get new springs on the ute at Chinchilla. Travelled with a couple of other nomads for a few weeks. St George, (finally got to the Nindagully pub to camp). Back to Cobar to the farm, then down to Condobolin. 3 days at Gum Bend camp, and a week at the CP - only $150 and it was rather cold so my friend in a campervan and I decided we wanted power for heaters etc. 

On to Wellington to a property to stay with friends I had not seen for 3 years. They were 'house sitting'. Went to Geurie Rodeo. Then on to Chaffey Dam south of Tamworth for 2 weeks. The dam is only 50% atm and the wall is being raised so all our lovely camping areas will be flooded.

Then down to Blandford to go on the Variety Postie Bike Dash with another friend as his support crew. Took his bike to Newcastle then back to get the van and off to Gundy for lunch and Tamworth for the night. Next day to Barraba for lunch and Narrabri for the night. Unfortunately his bike was stolen so we left the bash. Dropped him back at Blandford and headed for Cassilis for a couple of days. Nasty thunderstorms around so at a cp in Gulgong. Heading to Lithgow to store the rig while I head home for a couple of weeks.

Wallum, Boonooroo

Headed off to Wallum Reserve for a night - just to get back into 'camping mode, then down to the racecourse at Torbanlea for a couple of nights. 

 Drove to Maryborough for some more sealant for the shower. Have found that they didn't seal under the door so maybe that is where the water is getting and staining the bottom of the walls. It is seriously gunked up now!!!!! Had a look at Burrum Heads. Very tidy town. Passed a beautiful big Queenslander - for sale too. Then to Howard, and Childers for lunch and fuel. Another pretty town up on a hill. Wondering what the huge plantations are - not mangoes. maybe Avocado. More sugar cane.

Decided the Bruce Hway is far to busy so off to Hervey Bay. (pronounced HARVEY) What a big place that turned out to be. Drove all along the bay but couldnt get down to the beach with the van on, so back out again. Stopped at ARB for new canopy door struts then on to Maryborough. GPS takes you right through the town centre - bit tight! Passed a big old boat building yard beside the railway line - now all closed up. Am told they built frigates there and when launched they took up the width of the river.

Nice drive south through some old pine forest (Tuan). Tall but not big for their age. Called into Maroom  - another little village but decided not to stop there - on to Boonooroo which is another tiny place beside the sea looking across to Fraser island.  Has a Bowls Club, CP with a store of sorts and the Golf Club & Tavern. What a little treasure. Lovely couple running the place. An area cleared out behind the course for self contained campers. I couldnt get the gas working properly so the local plumber was sent to see if he could help. Happy hour at the tavern with a lovely bunch of locals. Had takeaway fish n chips for dinner - which was put on a plate, covered with foil and then I was driven back to the van on a golf cart. How is that for service. Delicious meal too - home-made fresh salad topped it off!

Had been pretty windy during the afternoon and there was a brief but heavy thunderstorm in the evening. This spot could be hard to get out of after heavy rain I think. One other van here overnight. Frogs singing a lullaby for hours!

Woke to a lovely day and didnt have to go get a new regulator for the gas as it is working fine. Must have had a block somewhere.

Nebo, Duaringa, Goovegin, Gingin

Taking a stroll south now. Couple of nights at Nebo showgrounds - it was damp so didnt feel like travelling. Then down the beef road - Fitzroy Development Road from Nebo to Dingo. Very good road all the way and not much traffic. Mostly mine utes and some big trucks. Was going to detour to Middlemount - next time maybe. Did stop at the Mackenzie river - except I didnt realise that was 'it'. Checked the camp under the bridge. Would be great for campervans but really no good places for a caravan. Luckily there is a small circular road so didnt have to back out. One good spot at the end of the road right beside the river but wouldnt like to be there if it rained! There is also a large truck stop with toilet north of the bridge.

On to Dingo CP. OK but no radio, TV, internet or phone!!!! Very noisy trains until after midnight. They do long toots before the mainroad crossing!

Decided to got to Blackwater showgrounds the next day as I have not been that way. Found a supermarket so stocked up, checked out the showgrounds and decided I didn't want to pay $10 to use a toilet. Asked a local about the road to Rolleston - dirt and not great so decided to go back the 54 km to Dingo and on to Duaringa!  What a great camp that is. Very big, toilets, showers and a dump. Very popular. Nice ladies in the Info centre. Found a laundry at the BP. Spent 3 days there. Met friends from a year ago also - more uke playing.

Had to get right off the road when I left - huge load on a truck. Just the bucket froma dump truck - massive things.  Lucky I had room to shift over!

On down to Goovegin showgrounds with TV & internet! $10 for power. They are developing the camping area and have put in 6 pads - but very close together and too far forward so there is very little room to park unless you come in the 'wrong' way and park facing the footpath and power boxes. Most people drive over the footpath and between the trees and power boxes. Then someone has fenced off the grounds for the ponyclub - which no longer exists! This has limited the maneuvering greatly. Power points but only 1 tap. Lot more money being spent here we are told including taps. Reasonable meals at the pub, and a little shop. Good company here and met a bloke with a guitar so plenty of music. Stayed 5 night in the end.
On down towards Eidsvold. Decided to go in to Wuruma Dam. Such a lovely place BUT FULL. Did manage to get down near the lake eventually after peering down all these steep tracks and wondering if...... Parked on a bit of a road and had a chat to the neighbours. Then the Sunwater man came and explained that I was on the road - even though there was another road on the lower side of the picnic table as well. But said I could stay as it was only for the night.
Down to Kerwee Road  - the Monto road in from Langley is closed. Lovely drive across to GinGin and to a friends property out in the country where I will stay for a week - at least until after the Rugby this weekend! And that was a let down! Ah well - have to let the Aussies win sometimes!

Home Hill, Airlie Beach, Seaforth

Spent a week at Ravenswood - pay 5 and get 2 days free. Lovely break from travelling.

On to Home Hill showgrounds - $15 powered or $12 unpowered. Kiwi couple running it and met another kiwi couple there as well. The free camp behind the Comfort stop is VERY popular. Was full by 2pm. The rest area at the southern end of town is also used as an overnighter it seems.

Stopped at a roadside fruit truck and tried a dragon fruit - deep red and delicious. I hear on the radio that they grow like a weed and climb trees so that even if you kill the base they can still live off their aerial roots!

Stopped at Lake Proserpine Kanga Camp for one night. More of a kids school camp with cabins but OK. No view of the lake - it is further down the road. Had an interesting drive in. Stupid GPS! Took me along Up River Rd then wanted me to ford a river. Seal ran out and a good dirt road took me through cane fields then through a paddock to a Water treatment plant. Luckily there was a man there who said I take the rocky ford over the river and go through the gate back to the right road. Had a look and decided that it was simply not sensible with a caravan. Steep dirt track up to the gate etc, so went back to Spruce Road and over the river to the Crystal Brook road.  The camp gets many phone calls from lost campers - maybe a sign on Spruce Road would help!

Stopped at a CP in Airlie Beach for 3 days. So many backpackers in town. Much bigger than I expected and plenty of shopping. Big apartment blocks hanging on the hillsides. Treated myself to a Hot Rock seafood lunch one day. Stayed an extra day as there was heavy rain! Was thinking about doing something here with my granddaughter but all so expensive and geared for young adventurers, diving, sailing or flying. Even to go see crocodiles will be $200!
Spent a few days at Boulder Creek with friends. Have traded my soprano Uke for a tenor one - much easier to play so lots of music here with 2 other players.
Had 2 weeks gramping with my granddaughter. A week at Lake Elphinstone (new toilet block) and several nomad friends who adopted her. Weather was a bit temperamental for a few days but managed a campfire and cooking. Then a lovely quiet drive on up via Collinsville and back into madness from Bowen down to Glen Erin Farmstay CP 10 km south. Lovely spot. Communal campfire, and damper every evening for Happy Hour. Spent 4 days there. A few hours in Bowen - haircuts etc. and found a graphic place - finally got 'branded' with La Vida!

Then a night at Airlie Beach CP and another at Boulder Creek. Heavy rain that night and the creek is a bit cold for swimming! Has been fun having someone to play cards with.
Back at Seaforth for a few days catching up with washing and getting the caravan 'back to normal' ready for wandering south again.

Ravenswood

Came to Ravenswood for a few days and stayed - a whole week! Council run showground, power water, lovely hot showers. Drove to Burdekin Dam - 80km one day - nothing but a Caravan Park down there. Interesting to drive across the base of the dam - only possible when it is not spilling. what a shame there is no camping around the dam - 2 areas with toilets, covered picnic tables and plenty of room.

Dam is used for irrigation. Gravel road past there to Mt Coolan.

Lovely drive to the dam through stations. Very good sealed road, with the edges mown - or grazed maybe. Saw lots of mobs of cattle. I think it may be weaning time. Very little feed but the cattle looked content, and there is water in dams.

Interesting museum shop in town - along with 2 pubs, PO/General store, school. Chatting to a lady who is Painting tiles to cover the park's concrete tables. Hundreds of old bottles, some lovely pottery for sale, and the strange little hairless cat - forgotten what sort it is, but very playful. Reminded me of Golem (Lord of the Rings)

Got fuel at the PO. Old-fashioned pump - had to turn a knob then push a lever to get it to work.

About 30 members of a CMCA group here. Had happy hours with them and joined them for dinner at the pub one night. Also a sausage sizzle at the pub to support a group walking 100km for cancer - Ravenswood to Ayr.

Then Sundays entertainment - pig weigh-in! Fund raiser for the school. What a lovely family day that was. Station families brought their kids to town. Several stalls (homemade cakes!) and a well supported auction and a big Lions Club kitchen & bar of course.

 Lots of pigs. Not edible they say - too full of disease, so they are all buried after the competition. Not caught for eating either - thousands of wild ones but living on carrion too much.

A few of the hunters entered their dogs in the high jump. Got to 2.2m. Also the 'Fastest Eater' - a scoop of dognuts in a bowl and hope the dog is REALLY hungry - or a gobbler.

The highlight event for me was the kids trying to catch a rooster. They looked like bantam ones and were very fast. The first ran under the stall, the next ran into the adult spectators, and the third just flew straight up into a tree!

Winton, Hughenden, Charters Towers

 From Longreach I travelled to Winton through  very dry flat plains. Third year of drought.

Parked behind the North Gregory pub for 2 nights - $10 per night and shower and toilet available. Very hospitable people at the pub, although we were rather 'cosy' in the tight camping area. Had a BBQ dinner and the free wine. Interesting town. Definitely an 'Arkwright' (Searles) shop over the road - needed some time to see everything. Bakery, lovely dress shop with all the right gear for the recent races, 3 pubs, great cafe with internet access and of course - 

ARNO's Wall. What a great use for all that junk one can collect. I presume it is open sometimes to see the rest inside. 

Found a girl who does massage so that was a bonus. Got an extra 15 minutes in exchange for helping her kids on the guitar. Joined another couple one evening playing their uke and guitar.

 Turned north at Winton and headed towards Hughenden. Once again very long straight roads through dry flood plains, but a bit more feed up this way. The cattle seem to be coping, and saw a few sheep as well. Stopped at Corfield camp for 2 nights and spent very pleasant evenings chatting to Liz at the Community owned pub set up in the local hall across the road. Only 4 people in town! Very good prices for drinks, and had her home-made lasagne for dinner one night. 

The camp is not big, but very clean toilets, and the area is well fenced although a calf did wander through one day to eat the bit of green lawn.

Was interested to see power lines all along the roads here. Quite unusual in the country I find.

Chatted to a lovely solo lady who stopped for coffee - will catch up again somewhere.

On to Hughenden. Didnt stop - got fuel then another 40 km to Prairie Hotel camp. Found a spot under the only tree and beside the 'free ' shower they have set up in a tent with a hose, tap and shower head hanging in the tree. The camp was full the first night and most of us went to the pub for drinks and dinner. Lovely old furniture, and  lots to look at.

Met a couple who used to live in my home town - knew so many people in the district so had a great catch-up with them.

Next stop was Pentlands Caravan Park - only $15 single. Good chance to catch up on computer with power and good internet. Have come over the Great Divide again but missed the Lookout I stopped at 3 years ago. Was wondering why a car was backing down the road on the other side - and realised too late where he was heading! There has been a fire through the area.

Outback QLD

From Blandford on up via Werris Creek to Barraba. Chatting to a local stockman who wrote a poem about the Apex Lions camp that he likes the nomads to read.

Lovely country again. Plenty of feed but not a lot of stock – lack of water maybe. Wide valleys with gentle hills. Called in to Gravesend rodeo ground – not attractive at all. Long grass etc so on to Moree showgrounds for a couple of nights. Lots of cotton fluff along the roads now – harvest finished maybe?

 Stopped for lunch at Mungindi and a lotto ticket – NSW border just over the bridge – bugger! Dined at the pub/café with a couple in their 80’s and who are heading to Mackay in the next couple of days. Always in Caravan Park’s though. Nindigully pub  - finally decided where to park at  then decided not to stay  as there is a ute muster and already there are drunk girls using the loos so could be a very messy night. Loud music, yapping dog. On to St George Caravan Park for the night! Has been useful rain between Moree and here. Lots of green feed, water lying beside the road. Road kill, emus in paddocks and SO flat everywhere – not a hill in sight! Very easy driving thoughJ Roads a bit rough on the edges in places.  Spent ages planning a trip via Thargomindah, Eromanga, Quilpie, Windorah, Longreach. Sealed all the way – about 900 km. 
111 km to Bollon. Road is surprisingly rough and narrow in places. Don’t remember that from last year. Down to 60km often. Lots of feed still. Had lunch beside the very full river. Thought I had a quiet camp but then a heap of utes etc turned up. Old country singers I suspect – a trailer with ‘Ulan cowboy – CD’s for sale’. Mmm – there goes a quiet night. I must be getting grumpy – don’t want to camp with dozens of others for some reason! Especially ones with damn yappy dogs! So off to Nebine truck stop – another 60km. Just a toilet here but a very big area. Car with small trailer parked down near the river so popped down to say hello and suggested that I park nearby. Strange woman told me she didn’t want anyone anywhere near her. WELL!!! Fine! So back up to near the truck parking area for the night. I think there could be problems here in rain – red dirt, and there are lots of washed out places, but heaps of room if fine. Very peaceful night inspite of being fairly close to the road. Several places along the road with water lying in ponds, but little feed anywhere now – just scrub & red dirt.

Decided to go to Charlotte Plains farmstay and camp at the bore. Took the 15km dirt road and realised there were a few wet places – people had driven around them and so did I until for some reason I drove straight into a long one!!!! Bogged! Tried the UHF but no response so got out. Good thing I had crocs on but they promptly got totally stuck so squelched bare foot to the dry and had a think! Decided to take the van off and see if I could get the ute out -  put a ramp under the jockey and was trying to get the thing to take the weight without moving in the mud when a bloke in a cattle truck turned up. A neighbour from 50 km away! Had chains and towed me out with ease – whew. All of 30 minutes of drama! Chucked the crocs in a bag and drove barefoot the rest of the way! Causeway to the house looked very narrow also – high pond beside it that had overflowed and scoured it out. Met Robyn Russell (and Mike the hand). 70,000 acres she runs. Charges $28.50 to camp at the bore – with just a long drop! REALLY! Or $30 if I wanted power at the woolshed. Had to go another 8km back towards the main road. She would come the next day and get the money and show me the shortcut -3km- to the main road.

3 dreadfully skinny cows with calves on the track. Should be put down and the calves hand reared. Not a good look for tourist I feel! A few sheep, and a camel, quite a few roos. Very narrow grids also out to the bore. Had to take VERY careful aim to get the caravan through. The bore water runs through open drains all over the farm. Had an inch of rain so a little growth but has been in drought for some time I gather.  Only Jack - a Yank – at the bore and he is fasting for a week and didn’t seem to want company. Had a soak in the bore canal – divine. Cleaned mud off crocs, car mat etc. Awning out for a while but wind came up. Bit noisy being close to the bore – sounded like rain all night but slept well.

Lovely soak before breakfast. Lots of tiny fish in the canal this morning. The long drop is too dangerous I decided. Termites have eaten the floor so didn’t risk it! Decided not to stay and then waited for Robyn until 11. Finally put money in envelop and gave to Jack. He offered to show me the shortcut out. Past the yards, through the gate and more bog!!! Decided not to risk it so all the way back to the house – said goodbye to Robyn and back out to the main road. At $15 p/n I would have stayed 3 nights – will email and tell her.

 Two nights at the Eulo camp then to Thargomindah. CP full so went to the old one - great little place. A night beside the river at Noccundra then on to Eromanga CP. Only one there!

More single lane sealed roads. Was going to Quilpie but decided after 2km that I couldn’t be bothered doing 40 km there and back on single lane sealed roads so turned around and on up towards Windorah. Stopped at Thylungra Station rest beside water. Then looked at the sky and figured it was going to rain so moved to a gravel area instead. 3 others stopped also. Rained for about 4 hours but no leaks it seems – yippee.!!!!

Lots of water around and a few patches on the road on floodways but nothing to worry about. Glad it didn’t rain any more or I may have been stuck as Windorah is in the Channel country – flood area! Big solar dishes there. Still single lane roads! Stopped for fuel but no internet so had lunch at a café and on to Jundah. Much better roads – all 2 lane but no white line. Was going to camp beside the Thompson River but couldn’t decide where  on to Stonehenge. Drop down off a plateau about 30km south of SH. Stayed a coupleof nights - had dinner at the pub with the school teacher I met a couple of years ago.


On to Longreach - back at the Stockmans' Hall of Fame for a week or so volunteering at the Gallery.

New Home & 3 year travel map

Big decision - after almost exactly 3 years on the road have traded the old Jayco for a 2011 Ranger with single beds, solar panels on roof, 2 batteries, wind up TV aerial & TV, plus a radio with remote control so I can flick it on in the morning without getting up, LED lights, ensuite, diesel heater, inside and outside 12v plugs, drop down table outside. Is 19' compared to the 18' Jayco but certainly doesn't feel any bigger, and is definitely a bit lighter - or is that because I had to get rid of so much stuff as I don't have as much storage now!!!!! Nice to have a van that sits higher off the ground also. Maybe wont scrape so much getting out of some petrol stations! 

A few teething problems. Had to reseal around a window that was leaking on to the bed. Hasn't rained since so still don't know if that sorted the problem.

Toilet leaking but hoping a new cassette seal has fixed that. 

TV aerial wouldn't wind down one day so had to wander the streets of Burrumbuttock until I found a lady with a ladder. At least I know what the cause is now!

Couldn't open the water tank to fill it - found a bloke who sorted it..... Ah the joys of a new home. Heading towards Scone now then up to MacKay.

Am enjoying a fridge that has the bars on the shelves so things don't fly out to meet me.  Getting used to seeing myself everywhere - didn't have mirrors in the old van! Don't have to squeeze into the bathroom now. Can sit at a table to eat - was sleeping on it in the Jayco so that I didn't have to keep dropping out the bed ends:)

I wasn't going to keep the blog going but since there have been lots of 'views' lately maybe I will..... and start a new map for the next 3 years I think!

Such a change being back on the mainland. Driving today north of Wodonga to Narrandera took me through flat farmland - not a 'hill' in sight compared to Tasmania. Lots of very young lambs around. The land looks pretty dry still although there must have been some rain recently as there is a lot of water sitting around in the paddocks and along the road gutters.

Nice to be warm again too. Has been surprisingly cold everywhere until today.
Camped at Carcoar dam under trees. Cool and then a nasty thunderstorm with hail. Thought I had escaped leaks but arrived at Greens Point, Sofala to find my bed and couch both very wet. Rain coming in a cupboard! Bloke offered to seal around solar panels but that didnt work I found out later.
Interesting finding two other guitarists at this camp. Ian (Kiwi) plays at folk festivals. Fun having people to play with. Woke to a heavy frost one morning.
On to Cassilis camp for a night. Big area and clean loos. Then to Blandford to stay with a friend. He took the solar panels off and has done a very thorough reseal job so lets hope that works!  Getting sorted for the Postie Bike Variety Dash from Newcastle in November. Also sorted a trip home for sister's 70th.
Called in to The King of the Ranges on Sunday for a few hours.