Saturday - 6th April, 2013
Sadly this morning we are heading home :( Craig feels since the fuel alarm light is on, he'd rather be closer to home if something bad happens, so breakfast then pack up and go. We were going to another destination with Darren & Julia to camp tonight, you know just to stretch the holiday out as far as possible and Darren sat down for the morning meeting with the map, asking Craig where he thought would be good to go tonight... boy had to disappoint him, with the news we were heading straight back home today - I think Darren might have been just a little sad we weren't spending another night with them (especially because the call was for their roast and boys lamb shanks on the fire tonight), think I saw a little tear in both their eyes - just kidding.
Anyways, we were on the road about 9.30am from memory, ended up heading for Goondiwindi, then north to Moonie and north east into Dalby and onwards to home. We got home about 4.30pm this arvo. Uneventful day, not much to talk about really.
So, that's it we're home and I won't say we're happy about it - it was all too short! Back to normal life and work now, until our next adventure.
I will say one thing about this trip, there seemed to be a reoccurring theme that appeared - pubs, we went to a lot of pubs this trip. Almost like an outback pub crawl really - not that there's anything wrong with that!! If you think about it, visiting those small towns and going to the pub, general store, fuel helps with their economy, the more you talk about them and people go there, then those wonderful little towns will be there for everyone to enjoy in the future.
Trip Info/Stats if you're interested:
Fuel:
Sunshine Coast to Charleville - 788Klms - 90Lts - 11.43lts/100klms
Charleville to Birdsville - 1060Klms - 131Lts - 12.38lts/100klms (this includes playing on Big Red)
Birdsville to Innamincka - 416Klms - 61Lts - 14.74Lts/100klms
Innamincka to Tibooburra - 450Klms - 75Lts - 15.11Lts/100Klms
Tibooburra to Bourke - 426Klms - 54Lts - 12.72Lts/100Klms
Bourke to Moonie - 768Klms - 96Lts - 12.54Lts/100Klms
Total Fuel Cost: $1,034.63
Total Klms: 4271Klms approx
Meat/Drinks : $345.97
Camping Fees: $140.50
Plus pub meals, drinks, souvenirs, etc.
Fuel comparison on the Birdsville to Innamincka section:
Single Cab Hilux used 61Lts
Dual Cab Hilux used 63Lts
Dual Cab BT50 used 59Lts
Troopy with Chevy used 85Lts
So that was our little adventure out to Birdsville for the 4WD Action 200th Anniversary Bash. Great trip all in all, the 4WD Action Bash was well organised and great fun - well done!
Hope you enjoyed reading about our trip and stay tuned, you never know when we'll be on the road again.
Friday, 26 April 2013
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Birdsville 2013 - Day 10
Friday - 5th April, 2013
Good Morning, had a wonderful sleep last night full of energy this morning! Pancakes, we had pancakes for once for breakfast with honey - Craig likes pancakes, nearly as much as spaghetti.
A leisurely pack up this morning, the boys put the yabby pots out last night and Jayden had a fish this morning - caught some Carp, which went onto the fire being they are a noxious fish and can't be thrown back into the river.
We've got about 190klms to travel today (I know that's a huge day right) to reach Nindigully. Yep, prime reason for heading there is the Nindigully Pub and camping on the Moonie River. We got going about 10am heading north east toward Dirranbandi, then swung a right onto a dirt road taking us slightly south east to Thallon, then hung a left north to Nindigully. Everything was going smoothly until Craig may have turned a little early onto the dirt road to Thallon. A couple of klms in Darren came over the radio saying he thought we were a little early and heading to south. Once again, pull over amongst the roadworks going on, have a look at the map (I mentioned we were supposed to go a little bit more out of Dirranbandi before hanging the left), turn around back to the main road, go a couple of klms north and then hang a right to Thallon. Lots of cotton ball trucks on the roads, even this dirt road that cuts across to Thallon.
Everything was going along nicely again, on the right road heading in the right direction, then......
the fuel warning light came on in the Gaylux. Craig radioed Darren told him the problem and that we were pulling over - generally it means there's some gump in the secondary filter maybe water, which just needs to drained out (we have 2 filters on the fuel system, after we got a bad lot of fuel at home with water in it and it cost a little bit of money to fix). Bonnet up, boys heads under there, no water to drain, don't know what else they did under there (stuff...), disconnected the battery to see if that would reset the alarm light (no). Decided to keep going to Nindigully with the light still on (at least we were with Darren & Julia if something did happen). We've never had any problems with the Hilux on any our of trips, it's always performed above and beyond our expectations, so for us this was unusual.
Smooth sailing into Nindigully from there, arrived about 12.30pm. Lovely looking old Qld pub. We found a park under the shade of the trees for Boris (sign said no dogs at all) and left the windows right down for him and his water bowl. It's quite busy in the pub with lots of newspaper articles, stories & photo's hanging on the wall to occupy you for quite a while. We had a couple of drinks while we had a look around and chatted to the lady behind the bar.
So it's getting to nearly 2pm now, maybe we should order lunch - hungry now! Yep we decided to do it, there's 6 of us (including the 2 teenage boys, who from what I understand can eat a horse) - ordered the Road Train Burger between us all. Now if you don't know it's a 1.5Kg Beef Burger with salads on the roll, including onion rings, chips & a variety of sauces. This should be good!!
Boris was allowed to come onto the verandah with us and when our lunch arrived, it might have drawn a bit of interest from the other punters.
We cut that burger into 8th's, we had one piece leftover so that was Boris' dinner tonight. Nice burger, great chips & onion rings. It's the pubs claim to fame "Australia's biggest burgers", so you have to try one when you're there (it's the smallest of the burgers....). Lunch is done, we ran into some of the people we camped next to in Charleville on our first night and also the people that were at Hebel Pub when we first arrived there yesterday. Decided we should go find somewhere to camp earlier today.
Across the road is the Moonie River and a huge free camping area where you can have campfires & dogs (you can use the showers/toilets at the pub). Great spot to camp, we found a spot down near the weir, which is where the bar lady said is the better place to fish. The guys we met at Hebel last night, decided to come and join our camp (we didn't actually get their names, bad I know - there was mum, dad & 2 daughters, plus an old terrier type dog). Our new neighbours went up to the pub for dinner, we were all a little full still from lunch.... so a some point in the night Julia went over to the pub to try and order one of their huge nachos to bring back to camp, unfortunately that is on the lunch menu so she ordered a big pizza. The kids put the yabby pots out this afternoon on both sides of the river and tried their hand at fishing. Darren & his boys, Boris & the chainsaw went looking for some firewood and we had ourselves a nice evening campfire going. Just a lot of chatting and some drinks around the campfire tonight, then off to bed.
That's it for today folks, a good fun day in general.
Good Morning, had a wonderful sleep last night full of energy this morning! Pancakes, we had pancakes for once for breakfast with honey - Craig likes pancakes, nearly as much as spaghetti.
A leisurely pack up this morning, the boys put the yabby pots out last night and Jayden had a fish this morning - caught some Carp, which went onto the fire being they are a noxious fish and can't be thrown back into the river.
We've got about 190klms to travel today (I know that's a huge day right) to reach Nindigully. Yep, prime reason for heading there is the Nindigully Pub and camping on the Moonie River. We got going about 10am heading north east toward Dirranbandi, then swung a right onto a dirt road taking us slightly south east to Thallon, then hung a left north to Nindigully. Everything was going smoothly until Craig may have turned a little early onto the dirt road to Thallon. A couple of klms in Darren came over the radio saying he thought we were a little early and heading to south. Once again, pull over amongst the roadworks going on, have a look at the map (I mentioned we were supposed to go a little bit more out of Dirranbandi before hanging the left), turn around back to the main road, go a couple of klms north and then hang a right to Thallon. Lots of cotton ball trucks on the roads, even this dirt road that cuts across to Thallon.
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| Cotton Ball truck |
Everything was going along nicely again, on the right road heading in the right direction, then......
the fuel warning light came on in the Gaylux. Craig radioed Darren told him the problem and that we were pulling over - generally it means there's some gump in the secondary filter maybe water, which just needs to drained out (we have 2 filters on the fuel system, after we got a bad lot of fuel at home with water in it and it cost a little bit of money to fix). Bonnet up, boys heads under there, no water to drain, don't know what else they did under there (stuff...), disconnected the battery to see if that would reset the alarm light (no). Decided to keep going to Nindigully with the light still on (at least we were with Darren & Julia if something did happen). We've never had any problems with the Hilux on any our of trips, it's always performed above and beyond our expectations, so for us this was unusual.
Smooth sailing into Nindigully from there, arrived about 12.30pm. Lovely looking old Qld pub. We found a park under the shade of the trees for Boris (sign said no dogs at all) and left the windows right down for him and his water bowl. It's quite busy in the pub with lots of newspaper articles, stories & photo's hanging on the wall to occupy you for quite a while. We had a couple of drinks while we had a look around and chatted to the lady behind the bar.
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| Nindigully Pub |
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| Beer Garden |
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| More of the beer garden |
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| A bit of the inside of the pub |
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| This amused us. |
Boris was allowed to come onto the verandah with us and when our lunch arrived, it might have drawn a bit of interest from the other punters.
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| The Road Train Burger! |
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| Our crowd |
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| Boy with our lunch |
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| A schooner next to the burger |
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| Darren hoeing in (check out the sign behind him) |
We cut that burger into 8th's, we had one piece leftover so that was Boris' dinner tonight. Nice burger, great chips & onion rings. It's the pubs claim to fame "Australia's biggest burgers", so you have to try one when you're there (it's the smallest of the burgers....). Lunch is done, we ran into some of the people we camped next to in Charleville on our first night and also the people that were at Hebel Pub when we first arrived there yesterday. Decided we should go find somewhere to camp earlier today.
Across the road is the Moonie River and a huge free camping area where you can have campfires & dogs (you can use the showers/toilets at the pub). Great spot to camp, we found a spot down near the weir, which is where the bar lady said is the better place to fish. The guys we met at Hebel last night, decided to come and join our camp (we didn't actually get their names, bad I know - there was mum, dad & 2 daughters, plus an old terrier type dog). Our new neighbours went up to the pub for dinner, we were all a little full still from lunch.... so a some point in the night Julia went over to the pub to try and order one of their huge nachos to bring back to camp, unfortunately that is on the lunch menu so she ordered a big pizza. The kids put the yabby pots out this afternoon on both sides of the river and tried their hand at fishing. Darren & his boys, Boris & the chainsaw went looking for some firewood and we had ourselves a nice evening campfire going. Just a lot of chatting and some drinks around the campfire tonight, then off to bed.
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| Our camp |
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| Jayden organising the campfire |
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| Pizza consumed. |
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| Sitting around the campfire |
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| The light in the distance is Darren & his boys going off to check the yabby traps |
That's it for today folks, a good fun day in general.
Friday, 19 April 2013
Birdsville 2013 - Day 9
Thursday 4th April, 2013
Up fairly early this morning, taking advantage of the showers etc. Craig having to carry Boris out to the road and go for a walk.
It's with a bit of sadness again this morning that we pack up camp, to head off north easterly today. Adrian, Tania & Jamie are leaving us this morning, they've got to make tracks toward Melbourne now :(
You know really our ragtag bunch that came together to make up our travelling circus for the run home, worked extremely well. Combinations of people only met for the first time in Birdsville: We have know Darren & Julia now for well probably about 6 or 7 years, Darren & Julia obviously know Jess & Haydn being their Vic agent for Travelander, hats off to Adrian & Tania who we camped next to at Birdsville, they didn't know any of us but at least they got to spend a couple of days with us (not sure if you'd say they were lucky to spend a couple of days with us or not!), before we all headed off into the wilderness. You kinda figure out within a few hours really of meeting someone and talking with them, whether or not you're going to get along and like them. Luckily we all did get along rather well actually, each had stories to tell, interesting lives to talk about, had travelling/4wd experience and generally we are all fun people - I have to say couldn't have asked for a better group of people to come together and travel with. All we needed was to throw Jim & Ev that we met up the Cape in there, for more laughs.
Our few days spent socialising and travelling home with these guys, has made our Birdsville trip even more memorable and built some new friendships. Funny how that happens when you go travelling.
Righto, Adrian & Tania are off south and our 2 cars are off north east to a little place called Hebel. Darren & Julia had called in there a few years ago, but the pub was closed and they said it was a really beaut looking little pub. We've haven't been there, so lets go!!
Firstly east to Bourke 190klms, then Brewarrrina 100klms, then north east and into Queensland to Hebel 200klms. Better get cracking then! I have to admit something here, my trip journal suffered immensely on this trip, I'll put it down to the activities in Birdsville and socialising, then the chatting, distractions, fun and the fact we had company on the way home instead of travelling solo. I really didn't do my normal regimented daily entries or downloading of daily photos/videos - very slack on my behalf I know. So I am winging it from here on and have been on a few days already in the blog. I'm sure our travelling circus cohorts will let me know when they read this, if I've missed anything!!
Right back to the trip - again.....
I don't think much happened on the road to Bourke, we arrived about 12pm and pulled into the "Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre", they had shade sails over the car park and it was lunchtime - perfect. Now somewhere on the road today not too far from Bourke, boy reads a sign to me as we went barrelling past "Back O'Bourke Tree" look at that or something similar to that, it all happened so fast. Ensuing conversation in the truck went something like this: "why didn't you tell me earlier, so I could get the camera out", "I didn't know it was coming up", "well why didn't you slow down for goodness sacks (that's pretty it nicely)", "I didn't know" - I'm still wondering if Darren knew it was coming up and didn't say anything...... Men!
Lunch and then I stayed with Boris, while boy, Darren, Julia, Jayden & Damen went for a look in the Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre" quickly. Time to move on now, hooooo move em out!
We're back on bitumen for a bit to Brewarrina, but we did have some interesting traffic on the road -
While I remember there was a discussion yesterday I think, about what is a group of Emu's called: Craig voted for a gaggle I think, Adrian & Darren went with Herd from memory and I said to boy I think it's something different, kinda funny. Then we moved onto Crows and Craig enthralled us all with his knowledge of useless information with "they're called a Parliament of Crows I think", which of course caused numerous funny remarks in relations to the Australian Parliament etc. We did find out when Darren's boys googled it on the way out of Bourke it's called a "Mob" of emus and Crows are a "Murder of Crows", which still enabled the boys to make reference to the Australian Parliament - kept them amused I suppose.
Okay, so nothing much to talk about in this leg - dirt road, lots of emus and I think Craig started rating the cattle grids we went over from 1 to 10 - 1 being very poor and 10 obviously being un-noticeable. No 10's, generally somewhere between a 4 and I think we gave out a few 9's. Yeah, you got it, there's nothing much to talk about on the road today, so amusing ones self is paramount for the boys...
Last few klms into Hebel was bitumen again. Hebel is a little bit bigger then what Darren & Julia remember, but they didn't see all the town last time they were here (just the pub....). It's a real cute little town, some houses, caravan park, general store, pub & cabin accommodation, big rest area & free camping on the Balonne River.
Now, the pub is an absolute cracka. Quirky pictures painted around the walls, antiques sitting in a corner, very friendly Publican.
The Hebel Hotel originally opened in 1894 as a Cobb and Co. changing station and later operated as a hotel. According to locals the building has not changed its name since then. The hotel still features the original hitching rail and displays some quirky artwork. Legend has it members of the Kelly gang drank at this very watering hole - So take the opportunity to soak up both the hotel's hospitality and colourful history. The Hebel Store was once the old dance hall, built in the 1890's and full of character (information from www.balonne.qld.gov.au)
I was talking to some folks who were camping at the Caravan Park across the road, when we first arrived - nice people. While chatting to the Publican, we asked him where the best spot to camp for the night was, his suggestion was the free camping on the river (he pointed about 200m or so down the road - you could see the rest area from the bar). We got Boris out of the car and sat out on the front verandah for afternoon drinks. Some grey nomads came strolling down the road from the rest area and joined us on the verandah for drinks & laughter - very friendly & funny people. Well, we might have been there a little too long, considering sunset happened while we were there!
The Publican so nicely stuck his head out and said to us that there was some really good sunset photos for the taking in the backyard, including jets flying past leaving there trial behind. Yep, he was right!! I think nearly everyone in the pub was standing on the grass watching.
Righto, it's time to go make camp considering it's 6.15pm. Down to the river was the decision and found a nice looking spot right on the river, there's a toilet at the rest area within walking distance. Darren & his boys went off to find some firewood, then comes the call "I've found a good spot over here", so Craig, Julia, myself & Boris squeezed into the front of our single cab and bounced over to where Darren said to go - directions, I don't think are Darren's strong point today! Got out surveyed the ground and distance to the loo, yeah we girls aren't happy - collect some firewood and back to the first spot - Yah! Pretty sure it was more or less dark now, we setup the cars/campers facing the river and a campfire was started. The young fellows are having our leftover Thai chicken cakes with rice for dinner and I'm cooking the big people Ragu with Penne Pasta. Might have taken longer then usual to cook dinner, something to do with Julia & I chatting madly and some wine - I think! Eventually we fed the boys, had a sit around the campfire and then headed off to bed. Me thinks it might have been quite late, yet again.
All in all, another fun day driving and meeting some more great people. See ya in the morning.
Up fairly early this morning, taking advantage of the showers etc. Craig having to carry Boris out to the road and go for a walk.
It's with a bit of sadness again this morning that we pack up camp, to head off north easterly today. Adrian, Tania & Jamie are leaving us this morning, they've got to make tracks toward Melbourne now :(
You know really our ragtag bunch that came together to make up our travelling circus for the run home, worked extremely well. Combinations of people only met for the first time in Birdsville: We have know Darren & Julia now for well probably about 6 or 7 years, Darren & Julia obviously know Jess & Haydn being their Vic agent for Travelander, hats off to Adrian & Tania who we camped next to at Birdsville, they didn't know any of us but at least they got to spend a couple of days with us (not sure if you'd say they were lucky to spend a couple of days with us or not!), before we all headed off into the wilderness. You kinda figure out within a few hours really of meeting someone and talking with them, whether or not you're going to get along and like them. Luckily we all did get along rather well actually, each had stories to tell, interesting lives to talk about, had travelling/4wd experience and generally we are all fun people - I have to say couldn't have asked for a better group of people to come together and travel with. All we needed was to throw Jim & Ev that we met up the Cape in there, for more laughs.
Our few days spent socialising and travelling home with these guys, has made our Birdsville trip even more memorable and built some new friendships. Funny how that happens when you go travelling.
Righto, Adrian & Tania are off south and our 2 cars are off north east to a little place called Hebel. Darren & Julia had called in there a few years ago, but the pub was closed and they said it was a really beaut looking little pub. We've haven't been there, so lets go!!
Firstly east to Bourke 190klms, then Brewarrrina 100klms, then north east and into Queensland to Hebel 200klms. Better get cracking then! I have to admit something here, my trip journal suffered immensely on this trip, I'll put it down to the activities in Birdsville and socialising, then the chatting, distractions, fun and the fact we had company on the way home instead of travelling solo. I really didn't do my normal regimented daily entries or downloading of daily photos/videos - very slack on my behalf I know. So I am winging it from here on and have been on a few days already in the blog. I'm sure our travelling circus cohorts will let me know when they read this, if I've missed anything!!
Right back to the trip - again.....
I don't think much happened on the road to Bourke, we arrived about 12pm and pulled into the "Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre", they had shade sails over the car park and it was lunchtime - perfect. Now somewhere on the road today not too far from Bourke, boy reads a sign to me as we went barrelling past "Back O'Bourke Tree" look at that or something similar to that, it all happened so fast. Ensuing conversation in the truck went something like this: "why didn't you tell me earlier, so I could get the camera out", "I didn't know it was coming up", "well why didn't you slow down for goodness sacks (that's pretty it nicely)", "I didn't know" - I'm still wondering if Darren knew it was coming up and didn't say anything...... Men!
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| Lunchtime at Bourke |
We're back on bitumen for a bit to Brewarrina, but we did have some interesting traffic on the road -
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| Yep, a Mob of Emus running along the road with us - yes we slowed down we didn't want to hit any of them. |
Okay, so nothing much to talk about in this leg - dirt road, lots of emus and I think Craig started rating the cattle grids we went over from 1 to 10 - 1 being very poor and 10 obviously being un-noticeable. No 10's, generally somewhere between a 4 and I think we gave out a few 9's. Yeah, you got it, there's nothing much to talk about on the road today, so amusing ones self is paramount for the boys...
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| Yep, finally got a shot of a Mob of Emus |
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| there's our dirt road - again! |
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| Yep, more dirt road with Darren in front what can I say, it was a slow news day! |
Last few klms into Hebel was bitumen again. Hebel is a little bit bigger then what Darren & Julia remember, but they didn't see all the town last time they were here (just the pub....). It's a real cute little town, some houses, caravan park, general store, pub & cabin accommodation, big rest area & free camping on the Balonne River.
Now, the pub is an absolute cracka. Quirky pictures painted around the walls, antiques sitting in a corner, very friendly Publican.
The Hebel Hotel originally opened in 1894 as a Cobb and Co. changing station and later operated as a hotel. According to locals the building has not changed its name since then. The hotel still features the original hitching rail and displays some quirky artwork. Legend has it members of the Kelly gang drank at this very watering hole - So take the opportunity to soak up both the hotel's hospitality and colourful history. The Hebel Store was once the old dance hall, built in the 1890's and full of character (information from www.balonne.qld.gov.au)
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| Self explanatory |
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| Hebel Pub |
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| Need to make a phone call.... |
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| Antiques in the corner |
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| Other end of the pub |
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| Lookin at the pub |
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| Which loo would you use? This one or |
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| This one?? |
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| Front of the pub, again |
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| On the front verandah |
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| Still on the verandah |
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| Happy Hour! |
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| Darren chatting to a local bloke |
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| Mr Hoger up close... |
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| One of the locals enjoying a beer |
The Publican so nicely stuck his head out and said to us that there was some really good sunset photos for the taking in the backyard, including jets flying past leaving there trial behind. Yep, he was right!! I think nearly everyone in the pub was standing on the grass watching.
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| Check out the colours & the jet stream |
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| Look at the old truck. |
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| Sitting around the campfire |
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| Jayden fishing |
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| Our camp on the Balonne River |
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| nice spot |
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Birdsville 2013 - Day 8
Wednesday 3rd April, 2013
After a good nights sleep, up around 7am, breakfasts being organised, kids & dog running around like pork chops. The morning meeting of the great minds & the map was underway, working out todays route to take. Pack up, then photos at the corner post.
The inside of the pub is covered with Muriels & paintings on all the walls - you are most welcome to take photos, but need to make a donation to the RFD, which is well worth it).
Time to move more easterly and find our camp for tonight. 2pm thereabouts and we're off, everyone said their goodbyes to Jess & Haydn and our little convoy was now down to 3 cars - it's kinda sad when you loose one of your little group you've created to travel in.
So next town we're heading for is Wanaaring, it's about 230klms and we're still on dirt roads and we got a bit of traffic today!
The landscape today again was amazing! The boulders outside of Tibooburra, some hills, yet still flat grasslands, lots of emus and green - how beautifully green it has been out here. The roads varied in condition and colour from red to white (almost like someone got sick of looking at red roads, so they threw some white dirt over it for something different, haha). Everyone has been amazed at the number of emus everywhere we go out here - must of been a really good breeding season for them. On the down side though, it's the most emu's we've unfortunately seen dead on the side of the road.
So, we've been looking along the road this afternoon for a campsite - yeah, not looking good. It's getting onto later in the afternoon now, so here's hoping there's something/somewhere in Wanaaring.... On approach to town we saw a Shell sign advertising fuel, showers, toilets & camp ground. Pulled up in front of Coopers Camp Ground & Caravan Park, looked okay - grass, toilets, showers, campfires, quite quaint really. Darren headed off down the road to make sure there wasn't something better, he did find a nice spot on the river but general consensus was "showers", so Coopers Camp Ground won. The young fellow who runs it wondered out while we were chatting, we asked how much to camp and can Boris stay - $15 unpowered, $20 powered and yes for Boris but keep him away from the house fence line, as their dogs are there to keep dogs out (we're guessing wild dogs/dingoes he's means)..... Gate opened and in we went to setup. We passed a couple of cars about an hour or so out of town, one with a trailer and both travelling very slowly. Checked with them on the radio they were okay (nope, trailer had broken the u-bolts), but they were okay to make it into town. Just as dusk fell those 2 cars pulled up and then another 2 cars arrived about 1/2 hour or so later. It's getting pretty popular this camp ground!!
There are no pictures of this little camp ground tonight, unfortunately my camera refused to take any photo's and I didn't have the patience to work it out tonight - plus boy was already doing his normal line "what's for dinner, are you making it yet" - it's really not a wonder that Jim & Ev from our Cape Trip gave him that T-Shirt he was wearing!
We had a little problem when setting up tonight, there were those woody prickles everywhere on the ground - you know the ones that burn when you pull them out... Boris was obviously excited to get out and run around, probably have a wee and we hadn't actually noticed all those prickles at this point..... can you see what's about to happen! Yep, Boris jumped out of the truck and straight into one of those prickle patches, he didn't know how to walk or where to walk at this point. Threw him into the front of the truck, pulled out all the prickles which were in all 4 paws and double checked we had them all out. Well that was it for Boris, he wasn't moving out of the truck after that. We got the shade cloth out and put it down at the back of the camper, sort of in the middle of everyone, carried Boris from the truck and plonked him down on that. Poor little fellow didn't move, he wasn't game to! Craig carried him out onto the road and walked along that to see if he wanted to go to the toilet. I think all of us felt sorry for Boris - not a fun dog camp tonight.
We're cooking for dinner for Adrian & Tania tonight, since they shared their chicken with us last night. Well it was really a joint dinner, with Tania doing the bacon & onions, boy cooking the rissoles I made & eggs - yes we had gourmet style Hamburgers, yummy!
After feeding time, the boys sat around talking for a bit - I think I saw the map come out. Night All :)
After a good nights sleep, up around 7am, breakfasts being organised, kids & dog running around like pork chops. The morning meeting of the great minds & the map was underway, working out todays route to take. Pack up, then photos at the corner post.
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| Our camp in the daylight at Camerons Corner |
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| Morning chatting |
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| Tania organising around busy Jamie |
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| Boris going for a walk.... |
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| Camerons Corner Store |
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| Standing at the Corner |
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| Tick, that's another corner done! |
So, first stop is Tibooburra today which is south easterly from here. (Adrian said the fuel is cheaper there, so everyone will top up when we get there) and of course it's already been discussed to have lunch there at the pub. Adrian & Tania called in here before and said they went to The Family Hotel, which was quite good. Lunch is organised, we'd better get there firstly! Off about 10am travelling through Sturt National Park for a bit onto Middle Road, east to the Jump Up Loop Road, then south to Tibooburra.
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| Welcome to Sturt National Park |
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| Don't you just love a good track! |
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| Old water tanks |
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| Adrian & Tania behind us - tried to arty with my shot.. |
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| It's a bit dusty. |
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| Yep, Boris still travels well.
Scenery yet again is stunning, flat, green, sometimes stony - absolutely amazing. It is truly unbelievable from the plains stretching as far as your eye can see, to the unusual boulders you come across as you get closer to Tibooburra.
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| Check out the windmill |
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| On the road again |
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| Stunning scenery |
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| Our little convoy |
We arrived in Tibooburra around 12.15pm, it's a cute little town - 2 pubs, general store/fuel. Something I did notice was the lovely old stone buildings dotted around the main street - gorgeous.
Everyone fuelled up first, 2 cars at a time. Craig spotted the street sign hanging from the tree - worthy of a photo:
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| What a cracker! |
You know, when you step back and look at our lot arriving somewhere, it's like an instant crowd - OMG it's funny to watch. Wasn't that little pub "The Family Hotel" busy when we all walked in, kids running around inside and on the front verandah, drinks being ordered left, right & centre, lunch menus being perused, everyone having a chat with the Publican - if his head wasn't spinning with this activity, it should have been. The Publican (and I didn't get his name), was really lovely & friendly and very accommodating to his instant crowd. We all had a good laugh with him.
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| The Family Hotel |
The inside of the pub is covered with Muriels & paintings on all the walls - you are most welcome to take photos, but need to make a donation to the RFD, which is well worth it).
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| Inside the pub |
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| Yep, Flying Doctors |
Lunches ordered, photos taken, Boris was allowed on the front verandah, so we all moved outside. It was very relaxing in the shade, a little breeze blowing and everyone enjoying a drink and a chat while waiting for lunch.
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| Well some of us out the front |
Lunch was good & everyone was enjoying themselves, until someone reminded all that we weren't camping here tonight!! Hayden needed to open up the camper as the nappies for little Sienna had been packed inside, this drew a little crowd of onlookers (not the nappies, the Travelander being opened up), so Hayden went into Salesman mode - it was funny from our point of view! After about 1/2 hour we were able to get some group photos (thanks to a lovely lady who was patient enough to take about 10 photos from everyones cameras). Jess & Hayden were leaving us today because they said they were sick of Darren..... no not really, they had to start heading back to Melbourne.
There is a second pub in Tibooburra, one of those 2 storey old Queenslander type pubs, with the verandah on the 2nd storey as well as the ground level verandah. Brillant looking pub, we had a quick chat to I assume the Publican while the Julia took some photos of the Travelander cars out the front. In all fairness, we figure if we were all camping in Tibooburra tonight dinner probably would have been at this pub, so we shared the love. However being we didn't camp there tonight, Craig and I decided next time we pass through Tibooburra, it's would only be fair to share the love and have lunch at the other pub.
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| Outside the The Family Hotel |
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| People looking over the camper |
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| Adrian & Darren found the chevy more interesting to discuss. |
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| Hayden in Salesman mode - haha |
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| All of our Ugly Mugs (except little Sienna who is sleeping) |
So next town we're heading for is Wanaaring, it's about 230klms and we're still on dirt roads and we got a bit of traffic today!
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| A bit of traffic! Haha |
The landscape today again was amazing! The boulders outside of Tibooburra, some hills, yet still flat grasslands, lots of emus and green - how beautifully green it has been out here. The roads varied in condition and colour from red to white (almost like someone got sick of looking at red roads, so they threw some white dirt over it for something different, haha). Everyone has been amazed at the number of emus everywhere we go out here - must of been a really good breeding season for them. On the down side though, it's the most emu's we've unfortunately seen dead on the side of the road.
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| Boulders near Tibooburra - Adrian & Tania behind us. |
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| Bitumen is about to run out |
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| The red dirt road & some hills |
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| Wonderful landscape |
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| Open grasslands |
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| Emus (I know it's just one in this photo) but they were everywhere! |
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| Salt Lake |
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| White dirt road |
So, we've been looking along the road this afternoon for a campsite - yeah, not looking good. It's getting onto later in the afternoon now, so here's hoping there's something/somewhere in Wanaaring.... On approach to town we saw a Shell sign advertising fuel, showers, toilets & camp ground. Pulled up in front of Coopers Camp Ground & Caravan Park, looked okay - grass, toilets, showers, campfires, quite quaint really. Darren headed off down the road to make sure there wasn't something better, he did find a nice spot on the river but general consensus was "showers", so Coopers Camp Ground won. The young fellow who runs it wondered out while we were chatting, we asked how much to camp and can Boris stay - $15 unpowered, $20 powered and yes for Boris but keep him away from the house fence line, as their dogs are there to keep dogs out (we're guessing wild dogs/dingoes he's means)..... Gate opened and in we went to setup. We passed a couple of cars about an hour or so out of town, one with a trailer and both travelling very slowly. Checked with them on the radio they were okay (nope, trailer had broken the u-bolts), but they were okay to make it into town. Just as dusk fell those 2 cars pulled up and then another 2 cars arrived about 1/2 hour or so later. It's getting pretty popular this camp ground!!
There are no pictures of this little camp ground tonight, unfortunately my camera refused to take any photo's and I didn't have the patience to work it out tonight - plus boy was already doing his normal line "what's for dinner, are you making it yet" - it's really not a wonder that Jim & Ev from our Cape Trip gave him that T-Shirt he was wearing!
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| That shirt..... |
We had a little problem when setting up tonight, there were those woody prickles everywhere on the ground - you know the ones that burn when you pull them out... Boris was obviously excited to get out and run around, probably have a wee and we hadn't actually noticed all those prickles at this point..... can you see what's about to happen! Yep, Boris jumped out of the truck and straight into one of those prickle patches, he didn't know how to walk or where to walk at this point. Threw him into the front of the truck, pulled out all the prickles which were in all 4 paws and double checked we had them all out. Well that was it for Boris, he wasn't moving out of the truck after that. We got the shade cloth out and put it down at the back of the camper, sort of in the middle of everyone, carried Boris from the truck and plonked him down on that. Poor little fellow didn't move, he wasn't game to! Craig carried him out onto the road and walked along that to see if he wanted to go to the toilet. I think all of us felt sorry for Boris - not a fun dog camp tonight.
We're cooking for dinner for Adrian & Tania tonight, since they shared their chicken with us last night. Well it was really a joint dinner, with Tania doing the bacon & onions, boy cooking the rissoles I made & eggs - yes we had gourmet style Hamburgers, yummy!
After feeding time, the boys sat around talking for a bit - I think I saw the map come out. Night All :)
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