Yep, we'll be going away for another weekend camp in a few weeks. Yes, we are going somewhere new, so keep checking back for my post after we get back.
UPDATE:
I have to report with great regret that we will not be getting away before Christmas for a weekend camp. I'm sure you can appreciate when I say "There just isn't enough weekends between now and Christmas, we are running out of time". Anyways, stay tuned we will get away soon....
Monday, 4 November 2013
Proston Dam - October 2013
Friday 18th October, 2013
We were supposed to be going out to Moffatdale with a few friends to a vineyard music festival this weekend, but found out dogs weren't allowed. Now since we all had planned to go away, we decided we'd just change venue for the weekend.
I know you might say "again", but everyone was keen to go out to Proston Dam (Lake Boondooma). We're all heading out today at different times and our mate Simmo and his partner Leigh put their hands up to go out early and pick an appropriate sized site for us all. Hmmm, this should be interesting - Simmo picking a camping site for a tent & pergola, camper trailer, our Travelander and a Winnebago.......
The plan was again for Craig to shut up shop at 12pm, we'd load the food, clothes etc into the camper when he got home and we'd be on the road by 1pm - sounds good right. And you guessed it, he didn't get home until 1.15pm, throw in filling up the 120lt water tank in the camper and we finally hit the road about 2pm.
Headed straight up the highway to Gympie and west onto the Wide Bay Highway - same as last time. This time though we changed to parameters in the GPS for the trip out to Proston and didn't end up going through all the back roads.
Arrived at 5pm thereabouts, checked into the Kiosk and spyed our tent & pergola (Simmo borrows our old tent & pergola so it's pretty easy for us to find him) straight down in front (we told Simmo to try and get the area we camped last time on the right of the boat ramp, it was taken but he grabbed the flat area to the left of the boat ramp for everyone).
After re-arranging the camp at bit as he'd spread out to secure the area, we parked and opened up the camper. Won't worry about the awning this weekend, since Simmo has the pergola there. Craig announced that one of mates Gazza & Tracey weren't going to make it this weekend as Tracey was ill (lucky really, because there was no way all 4 camps were going to fit into the area Simmo had picked!). Our other friends Kurt & Chris arrived earlier and setup over the way a bit due to space and the fact we weren't there yet. We'll sort out where they can fit tomorrow.
We had a bit of a laugh at Simmo when he was telling us about his exhausting afternoon. Our old tent is one of those Touring tents with the extra bit at the back and it's really easy to setup, we've even marked the poles. Apparently the tent erection was proving more then a little challenging for Simmo and the neighbour in the camper trailer had to come over and help/show him how to put the tent up. We were just about rolling around on the ground laughing, so Craig asked Simmo if he worked out how to put the pergola up by himself - Simmo might have given him the evil eye at this point and said something like "I'm not stupid, the pergola was simple to put up". Time for a few afternoon drinks with everyone (including Kurt & Chris) and then Craig & Simmo had a chat/drinks with the neighbours.
Probably should get the campfire going boys, bbq and salad tonight for dinner.
Finally dinner was ready to eat - poor dogs are starving waiting for us to have dinner. Everyone was eventually fed and due to the quantity of drinks consumed and how late it was now, it was time for bed.
Saturday 19th October, 2013
Wasn't too late this morning when most of us got up considering. Coffee while sitting next to the lake and watching the boats coming & going, followed by Bacon & Egg rolls for breakfast. The neighbours are leaving today, so Kurt & Chris can bring their Winnebago over to join us.
A bit of kayaking was the order for today. First off Leigh took to the water with the assistance of Kurt (such a gentleman). A few water skiers out on the lake this morning. Must say it is a gorgeous day though, couldn't ask for a better day really.
We've got to go home today, but first thing is coffee by the lake again then breakfast. Simmo decided we needed to pack up and get going for some reason - the man doesn't know the meaning of relaxing weekend! Craig ended up helping Simmo pack up the tent (so it was done properly), then we rolled up the self inflating mattress for him (again, so it was done properly), yes it does look like he's got us well trained doesn't it. Eventually we closed up the camper, had a chat with Chris & Kurt, who were either going to stay another night at the Dam with their grandson or stop at a free camp for the night on the way back to the coast.
We convinced Simmo & Leigh to follow us home by the road less followed. We let the Hema GPS determine our route home and we weren't disappointed. It took us a different way again then the last time. We were winding our way through some state forest tracks and came to an abrupt holt when we came across a huge tree fallen across the track and there was no way round it. At this point in time, Simmo decided to tell us he only had 80klms of fuel left in his tank - we'll you can imagine what was said to him considering we had told him we'd be going offroad on the way home. We had to turn around anyway and Craig was trying to work out if it was closer to back track to Goomeri or if there was somewhere else closer. As luck had it when we got back to the bitumen, we noticed a sign to Nanango 15Klms. We headed that way so Simmo could get fuel.
We tried to get lunch at the pub in Nanango, but unfortunately it's the chefs day off so no lunch is being served. On the road again toward Yarraman and no we didn't take the bitumen. We ended up on Old Yarraman Road, which eventually wound it's way through state forest, a nice little creek crossing, bit of slow crawling down some rough bits and eventually we popped into Yarraman. Now it's definitely time for lunch at the Yarraman Pub (they allowed the dogs out the back and we were just in time for lunch). Nice feed and friendly staff.
From here we headed toward Kilcoy on the bitumen, considering we left Lake Boondooma at 10.30am and it's now about 3pm we should probably get home. Pulled into the driveway about 4.30pm. Sadly that's our weekend over :(
We were supposed to be going out to Moffatdale with a few friends to a vineyard music festival this weekend, but found out dogs weren't allowed. Now since we all had planned to go away, we decided we'd just change venue for the weekend.
I know you might say "again", but everyone was keen to go out to Proston Dam (Lake Boondooma). We're all heading out today at different times and our mate Simmo and his partner Leigh put their hands up to go out early and pick an appropriate sized site for us all. Hmmm, this should be interesting - Simmo picking a camping site for a tent & pergola, camper trailer, our Travelander and a Winnebago.......
The plan was again for Craig to shut up shop at 12pm, we'd load the food, clothes etc into the camper when he got home and we'd be on the road by 1pm - sounds good right. And you guessed it, he didn't get home until 1.15pm, throw in filling up the 120lt water tank in the camper and we finally hit the road about 2pm.
Headed straight up the highway to Gympie and west onto the Wide Bay Highway - same as last time. This time though we changed to parameters in the GPS for the trip out to Proston and didn't end up going through all the back roads.
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| Welcome to Kilkivan |
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| Kilkivan Pub |
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| Goomeri |
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| Goomeri |
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| Welcome to Murgon |
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| Murgon Pub |
Arrived at 5pm thereabouts, checked into the Kiosk and spyed our tent & pergola (Simmo borrows our old tent & pergola so it's pretty easy for us to find him) straight down in front (we told Simmo to try and get the area we camped last time on the right of the boat ramp, it was taken but he grabbed the flat area to the left of the boat ramp for everyone).
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| Lake Boondooma |
After re-arranging the camp at bit as he'd spread out to secure the area, we parked and opened up the camper. Won't worry about the awning this weekend, since Simmo has the pergola there. Craig announced that one of mates Gazza & Tracey weren't going to make it this weekend as Tracey was ill (lucky really, because there was no way all 4 camps were going to fit into the area Simmo had picked!). Our other friends Kurt & Chris arrived earlier and setup over the way a bit due to space and the fact we weren't there yet. We'll sort out where they can fit tomorrow.
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| Setup and time to relax |
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| Sunset |
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| Afternoon Drinks |
We had a bit of a laugh at Simmo when he was telling us about his exhausting afternoon. Our old tent is one of those Touring tents with the extra bit at the back and it's really easy to setup, we've even marked the poles. Apparently the tent erection was proving more then a little challenging for Simmo and the neighbour in the camper trailer had to come over and help/show him how to put the tent up. We were just about rolling around on the ground laughing, so Craig asked Simmo if he worked out how to put the pergola up by himself - Simmo might have given him the evil eye at this point and said something like "I'm not stupid, the pergola was simple to put up". Time for a few afternoon drinks with everyone (including Kurt & Chris) and then Craig & Simmo had a chat/drinks with the neighbours.
Probably should get the campfire going boys, bbq and salad tonight for dinner.
Finally dinner was ready to eat - poor dogs are starving waiting for us to have dinner. Everyone was eventually fed and due to the quantity of drinks consumed and how late it was now, it was time for bed.
Saturday 19th October, 2013
Wasn't too late this morning when most of us got up considering. Coffee while sitting next to the lake and watching the boats coming & going, followed by Bacon & Egg rolls for breakfast. The neighbours are leaving today, so Kurt & Chris can bring their Winnebago over to join us.
A bit of kayaking was the order for today. First off Leigh took to the water with the assistance of Kurt (such a gentleman). A few water skiers out on the lake this morning. Must say it is a gorgeous day though, couldn't ask for a better day really.
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| Kurt helping |
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| Leigh going for a kayak |
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| Leigh's off |
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| Water skiers |
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| Leigh and Brodie |
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| Dogs watching the activities |
Simmo's decided he'll go out on the other one, starting out he's very shakey and then kaplonk - seems the kayak tipped him out!
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| Simmo's underway |
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| and he's off |
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| Craig taking Boris for a swim |
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| Still swimming |
It would seem everyone wants a go on the kayak, Craig's decided he'll use it to put some red claw traps out on the other side. Yes he did loose one trap overboard while paddling, but recovered it. Unfortunately though I can report there were no red claw harmed over the weekend by Craig or Simmo. Kurt managed to catch one red claw, but donated back to the Lake for next time. One day he'll catch some more....
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| Load him up |
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| Yep, you're right to go |
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| And Craig's off hunting |
Lunch was consumed after all this activity, then a bit of relaxing. Of course there's afternoon drinks & nibbles to be had. Then the boys need to get the campfire going, we're having my African Chicken Curry with Cous Cous tonight for dinner and we'll be cooking it over the fire on the tripod - I love cooking over the fire and dinner just tastes that much better don't you think.
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| Afternoon Drinks & nibbles |
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| Dinner cooking |
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| Love cooking over the fire |
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Sunday 20th October, 2013We've got to go home today, but first thing is coffee by the lake again then breakfast. Simmo decided we needed to pack up and get going for some reason - the man doesn't know the meaning of relaxing weekend! Craig ended up helping Simmo pack up the tent (so it was done properly), then we rolled up the self inflating mattress for him (again, so it was done properly), yes it does look like he's got us well trained doesn't it. Eventually we closed up the camper, had a chat with Chris & Kurt, who were either going to stay another night at the Dam with their grandson or stop at a free camp for the night on the way back to the coast.
We convinced Simmo & Leigh to follow us home by the road less followed. We let the Hema GPS determine our route home and we weren't disappointed. It took us a different way again then the last time. We were winding our way through some state forest tracks and came to an abrupt holt when we came across a huge tree fallen across the track and there was no way round it. At this point in time, Simmo decided to tell us he only had 80klms of fuel left in his tank - we'll you can imagine what was said to him considering we had told him we'd be going offroad on the way home. We had to turn around anyway and Craig was trying to work out if it was closer to back track to Goomeri or if there was somewhere else closer. As luck had it when we got back to the bitumen, we noticed a sign to Nanango 15Klms. We headed that way so Simmo could get fuel.
We tried to get lunch at the pub in Nanango, but unfortunately it's the chefs day off so no lunch is being served. On the road again toward Yarraman and no we didn't take the bitumen. We ended up on Old Yarraman Road, which eventually wound it's way through state forest, a nice little creek crossing, bit of slow crawling down some rough bits and eventually we popped into Yarraman. Now it's definitely time for lunch at the Yarraman Pub (they allowed the dogs out the back and we were just in time for lunch). Nice feed and friendly staff.
From here we headed toward Kilcoy on the bitumen, considering we left Lake Boondooma at 10.30am and it's now about 3pm we should probably get home. Pulled into the driveway about 4.30pm. Sadly that's our weekend over :(
Friday, 25 October 2013
Another Weekend Camp
Okay so we got away for another longish weekend camp last weekend. Standby on the report, I'll have it up soon :) See Proston Dam October.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Proston Dam (Lake Boondooma) - September 2013
Well we finally organised a bit of a long weekend camping. We left about 1/2 hour late, the plan of course was mucked up by Craig's work. On the road at 2.30pm heading for Proston Dam (Lake Boondooma) for 2 nights - WooHoo! The idea was to try and sneak in a winter camp before it starts getting hot - ha it's been summer temperatures already up here! At least it's supposed to be around 8 degrees at night this weekend, perfect for a campfire and the days should be around 30 degrees & fine - brilliant!
For a Friday afternoon the traffic north on the Bruce Highway to Gympie was very good. Just north of Gympie we hung a left onto the Wide Bay Highway heading west to Kilkivan, Goomeri and Murgon. Now, this is where it got interesting, the Hema GPS took us on some very interesting back roads through Silverleaf, Mondure & Kawl Kawl (some roads were closed and we had re-route, some didn't exist and we had to re-route), roads varied from double lane bitumen, single lane bitumen to dirt roads. Finally we turned right onto Wondai Proston Road which took us through Hivesville and into Proston. Lake Boondooma is about 20klms north west of Proston and there's a sign in Proston directing you to Lake Boondooma, but somehow due to some miscommunication between Craig, myself & the Hema GPS we managed to miss the turnoff to the Dam (yes I know, even with a sign right there saying turn that way). A bit of a u turn down the road, then a left turn onto the correct road and we're back on track toward the dam.
Arrived about 5.30pm, checked into the Kiosk - we've gone with a lakeside campsite, so no booking is needed. Campground info: Lakeside campsites are unpowered, pets are welcome on a leash, 4 amenities blocks servicing the lakeside campsites, camp kitchen, campfires allowed. The lakeside campsite is $22.00 per night for 2 people and we picked up a 20kg bag of firewood for $12.50 at the kiosk. We headed west from the kiosk first to have a look for a spot, but it was quite busy at that end, so came back and found a spot down in front of the kiosk, next to the boat ramp and on the lake. A little bit of manoeuvring to get the car fairly level, opened up the camper, down went the shade cloth as it was mostly dirt. By this time we were experiencing passing showers, so we decided to whack up the awning then, so we could stay dry while cooking dinner. We're getting quicker at putting up the awning now, takes us about 10mins.
One thing we did forget to do on our way in was fill up the water tank in the camper. So a few trips with the bucket up to the camp kitchen and at least we had enough water for the night. Now for a relaxing drink and get dinner on the go - leftover Beef & Mushroom stew with some nice crusty garlic Ciabatta bread. Considering the time and the passing showers we decided to heat dinner up on the stove top tonight. The showers stopped, but then the wind moved in and didn't go away. Made it a bit cool too.
9pm and we're off to bed, it's a bit unpleasant sitting in the wind which is blowing straight in and it's been a long day for Craig. Probably would be one of our earliest nights while camping and only a one rum night for boy.
Saturday 14/9/13
So 6.30am no sleep in this morning. Upon emerging from the camper our neighbour Greg wondered over for a chat, so I got coffee organised while boy talked - Mr Have-A-Chat himself! Sat with our coffee for a while watching the activity on the lake, very relaxing really. 8am it's time for breakfast, how time flies when you're doing nothing. Cleaned up after our Bacon & Egg burgers, Boris went for a dip and then we just sat reading and watching for a bit. Soooo relaxing, chatting away to each other, boy in his element watching the boats being launched at the ramp next to us. He had plenty of tinnies to watch and keep him amused, of course telling me his opinion on each of them as to whether they would work for us. We awoke this morning to an overcast sky, which eventually cleared to a nice blue sky and the wind gradually increased to a gale during the day, blowing from the west, so at least the galley/awning area was protected.
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| View from our camp - lakeside campsites |
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| View from our camp - lakeside campsites |
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| View from our camp - lakeside campsites |
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| Lakeside Camping |
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| Lakeside Camping |
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| Lakeside Camping |
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| Lakeside Camping |
There is also another unpowered camp area "the lookout", which is set back from the lake and then the tiered powered sites also set back from the lake.
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| The Lookout Campground |
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| Powered Tiered Campsites |
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| Kiosk/Office |
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| Our camp |
Now you won't believe this, while eating lunch we were watching this Kimberly Caravan driving around looking for a spot. I hear you say "so what", well firstly we hadn't seen one of these types of Kimberley's before, it's not the camper trailer or the compact caravan, this was pretty much a full size looking caravan. Secondly, we felt sorry for the poor buggers doing laps trying to find somewhere to fit in while towing this big thing. We had commented to each other, the could fit in the spot next to us if they were good at manoeuvring the caravan - we didn't care, we're going home tomorrow anyway.
On their 3rd lap they stopped in front of our camp and the fellow was coming over to ask if we minded them camping next us. As he drew closer to our camp Craig says to me "isn't that the guy who camped behind us at Birdsville with his wife in the roof top tent?". Well, low and behold it certainly was. He said hello and Craig gave him a very friendly hello and said "how ya going, it's been a while". Poor fellow looked at us rather confused, until we said "You camped behind us at Birdsville at Easter" - you could actually see the light bulb come on in his head. I say again, you just wouldn't believe it would you.
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| Arvo nibbles |
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| Saturday's sunset |
Eventually the wind did die down, but it was too late to worry about making a campfire then. Cleanup after dinner, showers and then hit the hay about 10pm.
Sunday 15/9/13
A fair amount of early fisherman going out this morning, but we managed to sleep in until 7am. We awoke to a beautiful fine morning, with just a light breeze blowing. Very pleasant in contrast to yesterday morning. We finally used our stove top coffee percolator this morning, it's had more use at home since we bought it. Makes a very nice coffee too! Pretty relaxing morning, watching the boats coming in and out, Craig checked his yabby pots again - the red claw levels in the Lake haven't been effected... 9am, time for breakfast - bacon, scrambled eggs & toast, yummy.
Tried our new TV antenna this morning, it hooks up to my computer which has a built in digital tuner. Sadly we couldn't pick up any TV stations down by the lake, which the lady from the kiosk said would probably be the case.
Started packing up around 10am, but someone got distracted chatting to people at the boat ramp for over 1/2 an hour! The Hilux must have wanted to stay a little longer, as it wouldn't start - somewhat annoying as it was just serviced on Thursday. It did start eventually thankfully (back to the mechanics next week I think). Ready to head home about 11.15am, bid farewell to Vantha & Borey and hit the road. We went for look at another section of the lakeside camping on our way out - a bit too sloppy for us, then we took a left onto the main road to see where that went - to another powered campground but it's up on the hill overlooking the dam and the main campground.
11.45am and we're heading in the direction of home now. Might stop in for lunch at a little country pub on the way home, we'll see....
We're not one for travelling the same route twice, so a couple of k's west of Goomeri we headed south on a minor road to Kilcoy, passing Kinbombi Falls, then joining onto Kilcoy Murgon Road (which is a dirt road), passing through Gallangowan State Forest, Yabba State Forest, Jimna State Forest, and Conondale State Forest. Beautiful drive, although no country pubs to stop at for lunch. We did have a short stop to fill up water bottles and for Craig to consume one of the Vanilla Slices we had in the fridge. Eventually we got back onto bitumen and drove into Kilcoy from the north - haven't come into Kilcoy from the north before, interesting to see that side of the town. Then we headed east on the D'Aguilar Highway, turned north east onto Kilcoy Beerwah Road heading to Peachester and then through to home. Arrived home about 3.30pm.
Total Klms: 460klms approx.
Camping cost: $44.00 for 2 nights + $12.50 for 20kg bag of firewood.
Comments on campground: Very nice, park managers were friendly & helpful, clean amenities.
Will we go again: Hell yes!
www.lakeboondooma.com.au
Note on car problem: Mechanics found that the young fellow who changed the fuel filters over hadn't put the new filter in properly. Meaning from my understanding that the car was being starved of fuel. Problem fixed.
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