Time to leave the big smoke……….

We left Brisbane and drove straight through to Bowenville Reserve where we stayed the night.  Dreading the thought of driving up the Toowoomba hill at peak hour we were pleasantly surprised when the road took us away from there.  Only opened after we last passed this way in 2019 the Toowoomba Bypass is a wonderful road and it certainly made a slow busy drive very easy.  

In the morning we took our time getting ready and drove into Dalby where we had a coffee at The Coffee Club and were asked to check in for the first time in Qld.  So much for their so called diligence with the QR codes.  It really has been non existent everywhere we have been.

Leaving Dalby we drove on stopping for lunch a few hours later in Roma.  From here we trundled up the road a few more km before stopping for the night just outside of Mitchell at the Neil Turner Weir.  Plenty of room and a great spot to overnight though the long advertised cold snap has hit Qld and it was a very chilly start the next morning.

The next day we stopped at Morven for a coffee and then drove into Charleville and had a walk to stretch our legs and have a look around.  The kangaroo in the island is an interesting touch but nothing around to tell me why it’s there.

Soon after we left and continued on to our next stop which was Bowra at Cunnamulla.  We are staying here for 10 days and are looking forward to some time with the birds.  Bowra Bird Sanctuary has just reopened and things have changed since our last visit.  Some because of a change in caretakers and some to do with the current Covid-19 requirements.  No more camping around the lagoon and no more showers and toilets if you are on an unpowered site.  As this was not made  clear on the booking site we just have to live with it.  Other than that it still looks the same.  Not as dry as we have seen it but not as lush as after all the rain on our last visit.  We’ll still enjoy our stay and Bill will love the birds.

Our first task was to find a site which would give us ample solar and meet the new requirements.  All sorted and then it was time to set up and get organized.  Bird call that night proved there was lots to see however some could be a bit elusive.

Our next 10 days began with Bill rising early each morning and going in search of a variety of birds he was hoping to find.  After many stays I’m pleased to report that he did find and photograph the previously elusive Halls Babbler.  Once he returned home we went into town every few days or just chilled at home before an afternoon run to a new location.

This trip he was hoping to get some pictures of the Chestnut Breasted Quail Thrush.  Well we are halfway there.  We saw them on a number of occasions but other than a fuzzy photo they would not play nice.  At least we know they are not a myth and we will return.

We have seen lots of stories on the news and all over social media about the huge flocks of budgerigars in the outback this year.  While here at Bowra this year and on the way we have seen this amazing sight many times.  Thousands of budgies hidden in grass and flying up around us or just passing by as we drive.  A truly amazing sight.  We have also seen huge flocks of the beautiful Cockatiels and Zebra Finches.

While at Bowra we caught up with our good friend Marilyn.  Most afternoons saw us having a cuppa and her and Bill comparing notes about where and what they had seen.  So lovely to be able to catch up while there.

Finally our 10 days were up and it was time to head back into the big wide world and make our way north.  While some days here had been sunny the majority were cold and windy so Bill was well and truly ready to find some sun.

Our first stop was at Eulo where we had a look at the old Police Cells and finally found out what the very old and odd Lizard sculpture was all about.  Apparently the World Famous Lizard Races are held here each year in Aug/Sept.  Who knew!

From Eulo we drove to Quilpie via Toompine where we spent two nights in the caravan park.  Time to wash the sheets, towels and hair.  Just like Cunnamulla it appears that the last year of Covid related closures have taken there toll here too.  Many shops are closed and only the bakery open for coffee.  More vans than you know what to do with passing through but hard to find a reason to stop.  Hopefully things will sort themselves out soon or many of these little towns might be beyond redemption.

We took the opportunity to have a look at the gallery and museum at the information centre.  This beautiful inlaid opal table caught my eye as it was gifted to the council by The Burton Family in memory of Desmond Burton.

Moving on the next day and it was time to cover some new ground and check out some places we had never been before.  We decided to drive to Blackall along the Red Road visiting Adavale along the way.  We’d checked that the road was ok at the ‘I’ yesterday and she said after the first 36 km it was sealed.  Good to go!  It was a bit rough but once we let the tyres down all was well and we arrived in Adavale in time for lunch.

We had been recommended to try The Elegant Emu and after driving through every road in Adavale (there are not many) we finally found it.  Wow what a delicious little find.  In a tiny town with only a handful of residents and just a pub, Christina has opened a French patisserie serving meals, coffee and cakes and very special high teas on her verandah.  We spent a very delicious hour there and then continued on our way to Blackall.  Adavale has one other claim to fame in that the old Shire Hall is used as a campground.  Motor homes, caravans, campers and tents are all able to use this free facility if they register at the pub.  A lovely old building with historic information around the verandah.

The road to Blackall was a single lane half sealed track passing through many properties along the way.  We drove for a few hours and then decided we’d had enough so we pulled off and set up camp.  As I got out of the car I could hear running water.  Yep the tap on our water tanks had been hit by a rock and the water had been leaking out.  Bill managed to sort out a stop and we were left with half a tank of general water and luckily all of the drinking water.  We’ll sort it out tomorrow.

We drove into Blackall the next day and his repairs held.  On arrival he visited the hardware shop, got some bits and then returned to sort out the problem.  Once that was fixed he filled the water tanks again and we were good to go. While here in Blackall we had a look around at a few galleries in town and I found this sculpture by Robert Bridgewater very interesting.  Called Wood, Water & Wool it represents different aspects of life here.  We also saw some fabulous pieces designed by indigenous artists at the Red Ridge Gallery.   

Leaving Blackall mid afternoon we drove out of town a short way and stopped overnight at the first rest stop we found.  Next stop was Barcaldine where we did a bit of shopping, had a coffee and a walk and headed off on another lesser road to Aramac where we camped beside the creek.  After lunch we walked into town to have a look.

Known for the White Bull which was stolen together with 1000 head of cattle by Henry ‘Harry’ Redford.  The statue of the white bull has pride of place in the Main Street with many little replicas dotted throughout the town.  This year the bull was dressed to impress for the second State of Origin game.   It didn’t work Qld lost game 2.

The next morning we said goodbye to Aramac but first had a look at the marker showing that William Lansborough marked a Coolibah tree near the end of this waterhole.  That was in 1860 and he named it Aramac Creek.  The town previously known as Marathon was renamed Aramac in 1875.

Leaving we here we drove through to Torrens Creek where we stayed the next night at a favourite campsite called Burra Gorge.  Lots of space and a mass of native plants meaning  lots of birds.  The next morning it rained for a few moments but soon cleared away to a nice sunny day.  We stopped down the road in Pentland at a little cafe that caught our eye .  

Wookalook is a Cafe/Gallery featuring local artists and has a wide range of interesting art.  Coffee was good and the garden art was pretty quirky too.

From here we drove straight into a campground out of Charters Towers where we were going to stay for four days before meeting friends from Townsville.  Time for a rest.

until next time …….