Lara Wetlands to Capella Wild………

It was a sunny morning as we packed up and left Lara Wetlands to continue our journey north.  Our first stop was Barcaldine where we had a coffee and did some shopping.  We checked out the Information Centre to decide which way to go and this rather colorful painting caught my eye.  It is an artistic version of the local shire map.

We decided on a new route from here and were soon on our way to Jericho where we camped overnight at the Redlands Rd campground beside the river.  A delightful little park costing just $6 per night.  Before we left the next morning we had a look around this little town.  It is said to have the smallest drive-in still operating in the country.  Just 35 cars and then some deck chairs if you can’t drive in.  Right next door to the lovely old Town Hall.

We crossed the road and had a look at The Crystal Trumpeters sculptures said to be an interpretation of the biblical story of Jericho.  An interesting feature none the less.  A little further down the road we found the wire and wood sculpture of The Trumpeter.  In the library just a little further on was a miniature village made of clay and wood.  Some very intricate work here which would have taken hours to make.

Our next stop was to visit Alpha.  This tiny town is known as ‘the little town of murals’.  We only saw a few of the 28 said to be around town and unfortunately those we did see were very faded.  As we went to leave we discovered that we had a flat tire on the van, the first one ever.  A few before on the car but the van has remained unscathed until now.  Bill changed it and we called into the local service station to see if it could be fixed but it was not to be.  A large truck tyre valve had pierced sideways through the tread and the tyre was ruined as the guy tried to remove it.  He did sell us an old odd one to get us going but we decided to go straight into Emerald and get two new ones.

We stayed overnight in one of the van parks in Emerald, packed in like sardines and not our idea of fun but they did have an on-site fish and chip shop and they were delicious.  The next morning we got the two new tyres fitted and balanced while we had coffee next door at the Fairburn Bakery.  Once finished we left town again and returned to our original plan of checking out the Central Gemfields.  We found a home for two nights at the Sapphire Caravan Park.  What a gorgeous place and so different to last night.  We set up and immediately went back to the office and extended for two more nights.  

A drive that afternoon took us down the road to Rubyvale where we had coffee and strudel at Muggachinos.  Absolutely delicious.  Now it’s here I feel I have to mention that only one of us had strudel and he didn’t like to share!  The gardens here were truly a tropical oasis in the very dry and dusty landscape. We became regular visitors for the four days of our stay.

We spent the days looking around the area.  Visiting the many Gem Shops all selling wonderful sapphire jewelry and other bits and pieces.  One day we visited the Miners Heritage Centre and did the underground mine tour.  It was very good and so interesting to learn all about the life they lead here.

Sapphires were first reported in the gemfields here by John Archibald Richardson in the 1870’s.  Commercial mining began by 1890.  Mines were dug by hand using picks and shovels in open pits or trenches.  It was incredibly hard work in isolated spots in harsh conditions with a lack of water. 

In the early days the main buyers were Germans, Russians and other European nationals.  A decline happened after 1935 until the 1960’s when tourists fossocking and recreational mining became popular.  By 1970 the price of rough sapphires had increased, and large scale mechanized mining resulted in huge amounts of sapphires being bought by buyers from Thailand.  During this period Australia produced over 80% of the world’s sapphires.  The market slowed down in the ‘80’s with an increase in production from Asia and Africa.  

With an active tourist industry from then sapphires are still being found if you are crazy enough to give it a go.  I have to say it’s not for me!

When we arrived our first visitors were a couple of Lorikeets.  It seems these birds are quite a feature here.  Each night there is bird feeding for the kids to participate and so Bill has got some lovely pictures of the beautiful Lorikeets all taken before the kids came down.  The cockatoos have decided they like the feeding too and happily join in as well though the kids aren’t keen if they come too close to them.

Our four days seemed to pass quickly and it was soon time to pack up and leave again on Monday morning.  We drove into Clermont where we did some shopping and then made our way to Capella Wild where we spent three wonderful days with Alex, Brenten and the four kids.  It has been three years since we have seen them and the kids have all grown up so much.  Now 9, 7, 5 and 3 they are all delightful kids who kept us entertained.  I was taken for a walk out to the paddy paddock where I met their paddy calves, Frank, Fergus, Flicker, Ferdinand and 2 more little ones whose names escape me now.  Bike riding, acrobats and bedrooms were all proudly shown off to us over the time we were there.

Alex took us out with Weylan and Josie one day in the buggy to check the water tanks and we saw a great deal of the property and the many cattle on it.  We had wonderful view of the Peak Range as we drove out but no pictures.

We had to drive back to Emerald before we left for Bill to get his 4th Covid vaccination.  All went well and he had no side effects so we were very happy.  While there we had a walk around and found this lovely sculpture outside the Art Gallery.  It depicts all the disaster relief workers who came out to help in times of need.  A beautiful piece.

And so at the end of another delightful visit with Alex, Brenten and the kids we said farewell again and made our way still further north.  Still looking for the warm weather.

until next time……….