LONGREACH - POPULATION: 3,357

THURSDAY 4.07.2013: The day has dawned and so far everything is still functioning! We plan to use everything electrical today and book into the auto electrician tomorrow. A bouquet to Watsons' Caravans, Coffs Harbour - we are some two years out of warranty and really they are not obliged to be "on call" to provide ongoing assistance. Damo has also offered to guide the auto electrician through the motorhome electrics if need be.

APEX RIVERSIDE PARK
IN THE FLOODS OF 2000 THIS AREA
WAS 10 FOOT UNDER WATER. THE DAMAGE
TO THE GROUND LEFT RATHER LARGE
CRACKS WHICH SHAYDEN KEEPS
SUCCESSFULLY FALLING IN!

Where do you begin with Longreach - so much to do that we had trouble making the decisions. Whilst Longreach has a smaller population than the Tilligerry Peninsula it is far more spread and the retail industry is equivalent to a city. During the winter months they ensure every tourist attraction is promoted and when summer hits - the town closes as it is too hot! Longreach is named for its position near the long reach of the river. All the streets are named after birds. Streets that run east-west are named after water birds and those that run north-south are named for land birds. We found a spot at the Apex Riverside Park Freedom Camp which is just out of town - something of a car park in reverse, empties by day, fills by night!

BARCALDINE - POPULATION: 1,656

WEDNESDAY 3.07.2013: Back to the reason behind the blog not being kept up to date. Over the past few days we have been having trouble with our electrics. There were two power failures and then today another, but we were unable to correct the problem. SOS Damo (Damien, the Service Manager from Watsons Coffs Harbour), to report the issue. Damo's worst nightmares are when the PEEL/TURNER motorhome heads off on a road trip! Carole was provided with a check list for an auto electrician, plus advised to check and if need be change the battery fuses. Sorry, where were they again? We bought ice, downloaded the freezer and more importantly chilled Denise Davies' Christmas pudding and the wine! We managed to attend to all our chores by running the engine, then headed for our overnight stop at Packsaddle Creek Rest Area (30 km west of Barcaldine). On arrival we followed Damo's instructions and changed the fuses. The batteries have been charged from the drive so it is a case of wait and see.

"A LAND OF SWEEPING PLAINS....."

 

BLACKALL

THE "BLACK STUMP"

TUESDAY 2.07.2013: Stopped at the infamous Black Stump used for surveying purposes and which permanently marks the Astro Station established in 1887. Surveyors placed their transit on the stump for latitude and longitude observations and a stump was used rather than a set of legs to give more stability to the transit. At the time any country west of Blackall was considered to be "beyond the Black Stump". Visited the Blackall Cemetery - Jack Howe was a legendary shearer that shore an Australian record of 321 sheep in 7 hours 40 minutes in 1892. Also, in 1905 Roy Dunne set a record when he jumped his goat Nugget (as you do), over a 3' 6" hurdle. A photo of Roy and Nugget are on Roy's headstone.

The Blackall Caravan Park had left a flyer at the Information Centre advising of nightly entertainment (gold coin donation), and a camp dinner ($20.00), which was open to anyone. Rang and found out that even though we were not staying at the park we could still book in for the dinner and show. Poodle Palace was parked outside the van park and we carried in our chairs, plates, knives, forks and more importantly - the bottle of champagne! It was a great night - Graham Rodger, a bush balladeer (2013 Golden Guitar Winner at Tamworth), entertained us. We had a beautiful baked dinner cooked in the camp oven, followed by billy tea and damper. Bravo to the Blackall Caravan Park for their generosity and vision in opening up the evening to all - great night.

GRAHAM RODGER

Did you know? It is not widely known now but Blackall's claim to fame was once based on the popular, and for the time, risqué limerick:

 A popular girl of Blackall

Wore a newspaper dress to the ball,

Her rig-out caught fire

And burned her entire,

Front page,

sporting section and all.





 

The Eagle and the Nest was built with a focus on community and its connection to the Barcoo River. The eagle maintains vigil over the township and the river. 

 

BLACKALL - POPULATION: 1,589

RAM PARK - INFORMATION CENTRE

MONDAY 1.07.2013: Now here is a town making every effort to stay on the map - loved it. $5.00 coupon purchased from the Information Centre allows you to stay overnight at the Barcoo River Camp. Blackall was explored in 1846 by Sir Thomas Mitchell and was named after QLD's second Governor, Sir Samuel Blackall. The B-I-G ram symbolises the importance of the wool industry to Blackall.

We visited the Blackall Woolscour and must admit we were not sure what to expect. Really enjoyed the day - Blackall has the only fully intact steam-powered wool washing plant left in Australia. The Woolscour operated commercially under steam power from 1908 until 1978 and though it is now a tourist attraction, the machinery is still functional.



ARTESIAN BORE AT
THE WOOLSCOUR

TAMBO - POPULATION: 611

SUNDAY 30.06.2013: Gotta love a country town - arrived in Tambo and drove the length of the main street to determine where everything was located. Turned down a side street and we waited to do a U-turn. A car kept driving towards us "who you looking for?", "ah no-one, just wanted to do a U-turn." "Hmm, you missed everything in town, finished yesterday." "Okay, thank you." Turned out that Tambo celebrated their 150th year with a week long festival which culminated last night in a ball. As a result, very few places were open and the locals that were about had attended the ball and looked somewhat under the weather. Decided to lunch at Fanny Mae's and whilst we acknowledge that it was busy, we have to admit that it was the longest wait we have ever had for take away fish and chips. Settled down for the evening at Barcoo River Rest Area 59 klms north of Tambo. A yell emanated from the middle of the paddock "POODLE PARLOUR!" We acknowledged the recognition then made our way back to the motorhome. Have to admit that Poodle Palace and the poodles are suffering the affects of Central QLD dust - both could do with a trip to the parlour!

AUGATHELLA - POPULATION: 430

SATURDAY 29.6.2013: Reluctantly left Morven conceding that we are actually destined for Western Australia and that we were only joking when we said that it would probably take us 10 years! Called into Augathella with a view to having lunch. Saturday afternoon in Augathella is not their peak time - evident were the caravans and motorhomes stopping for lunch, but alas their was not a soul in town.  ALL the shops were closed! Walked the ghost streets and took photos of the murals, wrought iron sculptures and the B-I-G Meat Ant. Quietly returned to the motorhome and exited the town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As scavengers meat ants play an important role in the environment by recycling nutrients. In the 1960's Augathella were known for their Mighty Meat Ants Rugby League Team. We stayed at the North Augathella Rest Area overnight and were entertained by the local kangaroos - excellent seeing the animals in their natural habitat. Having said that there has also been a considerable amount of road kill.

AUGATHELLA - MEAT ANT
COUNTRY.

MORVEN - POPULATION: 250

WED 26 - FRI 28.6.2013: Been a break in the blog entries - as always a story and we will update later! Pulled into Morven Recreation Ground - excellent! $5.00 (donation), per night and if you are early enough there are some 10 sites with power and water, plus a dump point, showers and toilets. We chose to park down by the creek and were serenaded (day and night), by the ducks! Morven is certainly making every effort to capture the "caravanning public" - great feel to the area. Major Mitchell travelled through Morven in 1845 and it was settled in 1859. We have found that 1845/6 was a busy time for the Major! Visited Morven Museum which was 15 years in the making and houses the history of the area. Then to a collection of hand crafted miniature buildings by Mr A. R. (Bob) Johnson which replicated the original settlement of Morven.

JOHN GORDON
COMMERCIAL HOTEL
REPLICA

The Great Depression (1929-32) was a time of extreme hardship. Many people lost their homes and were forced to live in makeshift dwellings. One innovative idea was to erect dwellings using kerosene tins. Five kerosene huts were built in the Morven Town Common. They were built in a large circle with one tap in the middle. Each one had a bower shed at the front (posts and a roof for branches for shade) with a cooking galley and vegie garden. Huts were constructed using a sapling frame and flattened 4 gallon kerosene tins neatly folded at the edges which cladded the building. In later years mainly pensioners lived in the huts.

MORVEN MUSEUM



KEROSENE HUT

INSIDE THE
KEROSENE HUT

Went into "town" for supplies and stopped for a drink at the local. According to the towns folk we were really lucky because "he only opens when he feels like it".

MORVEN HOTEL

 



LOCALS VISITED THE
FREEDOM CAMP