We left Clermont after a great week doing nothing but site seeing. We met lots of nice people there, most are regulars who come to fossick for a month or two then go home again.
The road up to CT is nowhere near as bad as we had before, not great, but not bad either. We had an uneventful trip just looking at the beautiful scenery as it went by, some startling cliff faces out of nowhere, miles of grass lands.
One thing that stood out all the way from Narribri up was the amount of cotton on the side of the roads from the passing trucks. There must be tons of it, one lady at Goondawindi Info center told us the local charity group built and paid for a small club hall from thr proceeds of picking up the spilt raw cotton from the sides of the road. We would not doubt it.
We finally made it to Charters Towers by three oclock after the caravan park told us if we were not on time they would give our site away.!! I have never had this problem before, never mind, quite a nice park, nice clean ammenities, camp kitchen is not too bad. We have got a BBQ in front of our site but it is wood fired and no wood present. The BBQ has not been used for a while as it is very rusty. They have various theme nights in the camp kitchen every second night or so which cost around $10 - $12 per head, not much I suppose but with two it makes it $20 odd dollars a night, not on my budget by having these nights earning money though it stops any one else using the Free camp kitchen at times. Bit of a bugger. They advertise Free Wi Fi but thats only for 30 mins then you have to pay.
Still never mind again we are close to home and looking forward to getting a few little things done on the van and tug. We will free camp at blue water for a couple of nights then on to Our starting point Cairns.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Emerald to Clermont
We left Roma to head on to Clermont but we received a call as we left. The lions club at Emerald contacted Fae to do a talk that night! No problems, yeh right. No where to stay booked etc never mind, we ended up at a nice free camp by the botanic gardens under the bridge. We got in aroud 4 pm and the camp was almost full. The vans were from the entry to the park all the way down to the rail bridge. There must have been around 20 vans etc in the park. One thing I notice is that every body is friendly in these free camps, they all talk to each other.
Fae had a good night and was given a lift back to the bridge, we had a good nights sleep and off in the morning. We did not get away very early as we only had to go just over a hundred klicks to our next stop in Clearmont.
We had a full week off here, we found a beaut caravan park in the Clermont Caravan Park Haig st. What a pleasent place. The new managers Mort and Gayle were the most welcoming people in a park we have found, they went out of their way to help, offer advice and generaly make you feel special. They have only been there since. Nov last year and are slowly pulling a forgotten park back to its former glory, the amenities, though old are spotless, heaps of hot water, the sites are huge with all sites dead level, slabs and car parks for each site. There is heaps to do in and around town. The girls at the info center go above and beyond to help. The scenery around the area is beautiful as is the Theresas Dam. The camping out there is also mind blowing, $10 per night, showers and toilets, drinking water and open fire places. Heaps of fishing in the dam also red claw aplenty. This area is well worth another visit, albeit from a different direction.
Fae had a good night and was given a lift back to the bridge, we had a good nights sleep and off in the morning. We did not get away very early as we only had to go just over a hundred klicks to our next stop in Clearmont.
We had a full week off here, we found a beaut caravan park in the Clermont Caravan Park Haig st. What a pleasent place. The new managers Mort and Gayle were the most welcoming people in a park we have found, they went out of their way to help, offer advice and generaly make you feel special. They have only been there since. Nov last year and are slowly pulling a forgotten park back to its former glory, the amenities, though old are spotless, heaps of hot water, the sites are huge with all sites dead level, slabs and car parks for each site. There is heaps to do in and around town. The girls at the info center go above and beyond to help. The scenery around the area is beautiful as is the Theresas Dam. The camping out there is also mind blowing, $10 per night, showers and toilets, drinking water and open fire places. Heaps of fishing in the dam also red claw aplenty. This area is well worth another visit, albeit from a different direction.
What a Trip to Roma
The road to Roma from Gundawindi was what is called hell on bitumen. I have often complained about the road from Cairns to Townsville, hell that is a super highway compared to the north road out of Goondi. It is one lane wide with a middle line, i am sure it was someones idea of a joke, you go up and down, down and up the poor suspension on the tug and van. I bent up my brand new Trail Mate jack as it bottomed out on the road. This has not even got close before. The sides of the bitumen were totally destroyed by the big rigs going up and down the road. The sides stood up around 30 -40 cms high leaving you only the center of the road in many places before a small place called The Gums. From there on it was just pure up and down with out the sides being trashed. I realise this sounds bad but take my word for it, do not do that trip.
On reaching Roma we stayed at the Big Rig Tourist Van Park. The park is taken over by the mine workers once again, i know you cant blame the owners but the touring vanners take second plsce. We were lucky to have a site with a slab, out the back people were just placed around the mud areas. There were no sealed roads out the back just a lot of single quarters. Pool was closed, water to doors of toilets when it rained. The managers were not that helpful either.
The one saving grace was the Bull Ring camp kitchen, right in the middle of the front park, it had every thing you would want. 2 BBQs, stove top, fridge freezer, microwave all stainless steel bench tops etc and lots of seating and room. Although you do have to get in early to beat the workers and truckies who live there. When we left they still had a couple of single mens quarters to open up. Forget trying to use the laundry, the workers leave their gear in machines and driers all day and night.
There were lots of things to do in Roma itself so you can still have fun. By the way the family park is owned by the same crowd so dont expect any better, oh dont forget to book. They were turning away 20 vans per day when we were there.
On reaching Roma we stayed at the Big Rig Tourist Van Park. The park is taken over by the mine workers once again, i know you cant blame the owners but the touring vanners take second plsce. We were lucky to have a site with a slab, out the back people were just placed around the mud areas. There were no sealed roads out the back just a lot of single quarters. Pool was closed, water to doors of toilets when it rained. The managers were not that helpful either.
The one saving grace was the Bull Ring camp kitchen, right in the middle of the front park, it had every thing you would want. 2 BBQs, stove top, fridge freezer, microwave all stainless steel bench tops etc and lots of seating and room. Although you do have to get in early to beat the workers and truckies who live there. When we left they still had a couple of single mens quarters to open up. Forget trying to use the laundry, the workers leave their gear in machines and driers all day and night.
There were lots of things to do in Roma itself so you can still have fun. By the way the family park is owned by the same crowd so dont expect any better, oh dont forget to book. They were turning away 20 vans per day when we were there.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Goondawindi
We left Narribri and drove out towards Roma via the Macka's for brekky, He! He!
First part of trip as far as Goondawindy was great. We ended up stopping, what a lovely little town, we ended up staying at the Goondawindi Tourist Park for three nights. The park was one of the best we have stayed in so far, clean, peaceful, great clean ammenities, camp kitchens (two) BBQ's about 4,did I mention Clean!!
The owner managers were teriffic, I was walking to the office, after I had stopped in the designated booking in area, and noticed a golf cart coming my way. Being stupid I stuck my thumb out and the cart stopped, the guy said I was a "lazy bastard" and to get in. He turned out to be the boss, what a pleasant way to be welcomed Ha!Ha! After booking in they show you where to park and escourt you just in case you have any trouble reversing etc. it was a drive through so that was OK but one gent did have to get help !! makes you wonder. The owners tell you about the parks facilities also what happening in and around in town.
There is a stocked billabong on the property complete with ducks etc. They have fish BBQ every second night and pancakes on Sundays. We did not do the BBQ's as $15 per head was out of our budget. For that though you got a fish fillet, coleslaw and a baked spud, choc pud for desert and bottomless tea and coffee, so not bad.
The place was very busy and full all the time, the only complaint was he told us we would have trouble with power, and he was right, every time you wanted a coffee you had to turn off HW and heater. On investigation I found that the part of the park we were in was supplied with 10 amp circuit breakers only, there were no exceptions to the complains about this but he said they are working on it, here's hoping.
Unfortunately it was time to go and head for Roma so on ward further north.
First part of trip as far as Goondawindy was great. We ended up stopping, what a lovely little town, we ended up staying at the Goondawindi Tourist Park for three nights. The park was one of the best we have stayed in so far, clean, peaceful, great clean ammenities, camp kitchens (two) BBQ's about 4,did I mention Clean!!
The owner managers were teriffic, I was walking to the office, after I had stopped in the designated booking in area, and noticed a golf cart coming my way. Being stupid I stuck my thumb out and the cart stopped, the guy said I was a "lazy bastard" and to get in. He turned out to be the boss, what a pleasant way to be welcomed Ha!Ha! After booking in they show you where to park and escourt you just in case you have any trouble reversing etc. it was a drive through so that was OK but one gent did have to get help !! makes you wonder. The owners tell you about the parks facilities also what happening in and around in town.
There is a stocked billabong on the property complete with ducks etc. They have fish BBQ every second night and pancakes on Sundays. We did not do the BBQ's as $15 per head was out of our budget. For that though you got a fish fillet, coleslaw and a baked spud, choc pud for desert and bottomless tea and coffee, so not bad.
The place was very busy and full all the time, the only complaint was he told us we would have trouble with power, and he was right, every time you wanted a coffee you had to turn off HW and heater. On investigation I found that the part of the park we were in was supplied with 10 amp circuit breakers only, there were no exceptions to the complains about this but he said they are working on it, here's hoping.
Unfortunately it was time to go and head for Roma so on ward further north.
Narribri NSW
Well we made a big mistake here. I booked on line after seeing the place on the web it looked OK. (Narribri Motel & Caravan Park) Wrong, getting in the dip of a drive way should have been a warning, went into the office, quite nice and friendly young girl. We paid straight up instead of having a look, The layout of the park looked good on paper, on paper every thing looks good!!
Drove through and around the first corner, very tight with a bigger van, where are all those sites??? Gone to make way for cabins, there were 10 van sites (drive through) in total, 3.4mts wide and suitable for an 18ft van only. Went back to office and said you have got to be kidding, they allowed me to take up half of one of three tent sites as well, that helped a bit. These tent sites were in the middle of the van sites.Power was a mile away, only taps for 8 sites!! It did not get any better from there. It was bloody freezing for the whole week we were there. Not the owners fault I know.
All the tiny cabins were booked out to mine workers, and this little park, which the owner emailed, was very quiet and peaseful, buzzed all night with the coming and going of the workers and taxis. Hell it was noisy, the toilet had not been cleaned for a week and the facilities, BBQ areas etc had not been cleaned for a year. The toilet block had raised panels off the floor separating the toilets and showers, ie when some one had a shower the spray would come under the wall, great again, wet pants. One good thing was Queensland winning the State of Origin again Yea!!
On a positive note the town was very friendly and clean, Fae did a couple of talks and was very warmly received. We had a wonder around the place and found some great shops and cafes.
I must admit that we could not wait to leave and head on to Roma.
Drove through and around the first corner, very tight with a bigger van, where are all those sites??? Gone to make way for cabins, there were 10 van sites (drive through) in total, 3.4mts wide and suitable for an 18ft van only. Went back to office and said you have got to be kidding, they allowed me to take up half of one of three tent sites as well, that helped a bit. These tent sites were in the middle of the van sites.Power was a mile away, only taps for 8 sites!! It did not get any better from there. It was bloody freezing for the whole week we were there. Not the owners fault I know.
All the tiny cabins were booked out to mine workers, and this little park, which the owner emailed, was very quiet and peaseful, buzzed all night with the coming and going of the workers and taxis. Hell it was noisy, the toilet had not been cleaned for a week and the facilities, BBQ areas etc had not been cleaned for a year. The toilet block had raised panels off the floor separating the toilets and showers, ie when some one had a shower the spray would come under the wall, great again, wet pants. One good thing was Queensland winning the State of Origin again Yea!!
On a positive note the town was very friendly and clean, Fae did a couple of talks and was very warmly received. We had a wonder around the place and found some great shops and cafes.
I must admit that we could not wait to leave and head on to Roma.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Dubbo
Arrived at Dubbo on Saturday afternoon as planned. We have stayed here before and had prebooked our site, near amenities. The people here are very friendly and welcomed us back again. Dubbo is a very busy place and again there is a lot to see with the western plains zoo etc. Night telescope viewing and shps galore. Plenty of places to test the budget. We stocked up on supplies and fuel. Very pissed off on that front. I wanted to do a fuel check so had to fill the empty tank up to full. 131ltrs. At $1.52 per litre. Averaged 15.4 liters per 100 klms. Very happy with that. Two days later fuel dropped 6cents a liter or 10 cents with fuel docket. Not happy jan. Never mind, Fae is doing two talks in town then we are off to Narribri thats further north so it has got to be a good thing
Bye for now
Bye for now
Spring Hill
Free camp tonight on way to Dubbo. The free camp at spring hill is very nice. You know the thing that stood out most was as soon as we crossed the NSW border the road side stops had toilets. This one boasts, BBQ, fire pit, toilets, water & a fenced play ground. There was a very nice, clean table chair set up on three sides of a covered seating area. We met some nice fo.k there, George & Dot in their motorhome. Some other folk all came and said hi as well. Every one seems much friendlier in the free camps. We left the next day around 10:30 and headed to our next free camp at Meadow Glen. On the way we leapfrogged George & Dot at a couple of rest areas where they or us stopped for lunch or coffee. Again the areas were very well kept and clean. We went on arriving at Meadow Glen out of Cobar arond early afternoon. What a very busy place, by happy hour we had 16 vans and motorhomes pulled up in the various sites. The area was around 5 acres, toilets, fire pits, etc were all around, a great spot. George and co joined us for drinks, as it got colder we were invited in the motor home to sample a Webasto diesel heater at work. Got to get me one of those very toasty and warm. Bugger had to go back to our van to sleep
On to Dubbo tomorrow.
On to Dubbo tomorrow.
Peterbrough
What a nice park. Sites are level, most drive through. Amenities very clean and well maintained. Soap and air driers supplied.
A very interesting town, based on the railway from years gone by, the East West still passes through. I guess i have not seen a town that caters so well for the traveller, there are parking areas a plenty set up for vans etc. A great info centre built in an old sleeper railcar. The volunters that opperate the info center are a very happy and knowledgeable group. There is much to do in town and see, from self guided walks to light shows, all free. Ther are four pubs in the msin street all offering cheap meals, so no need to go hungry. Some local drives were terrific too! Magnetic hill, does your car get pulled up the hill??
Also found a litt.e town called Terowie, this is where General MacCarthur uttered his famous 'I will return". I tjought he said that in Darwin, learning all the time i is
A very interesting town, based on the railway from years gone by, the East West still passes through. I guess i have not seen a town that caters so well for the traveller, there are parking areas a plenty set up for vans etc. A great info centre built in an old sleeper railcar. The volunters that opperate the info center are a very happy and knowledgeable group. There is much to do in town and see, from self guided walks to light shows, all free. Ther are four pubs in the msin street all offering cheap meals, so no need to go hungry. Some local drives were terrific too! Magnetic hill, does your car get pulled up the hill??
Also found a litt.e town called Terowie, this is where General MacCarthur uttered his famous 'I will return". I tjought he said that in Darwin, learning all the time i is
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Whyalla
We had booked into a park by the airport on the West side of Whyalla. We turned into the drive and pulled up to the office. Luckily for us no one was around, the place looked very sad and run down. We did a quick u turn and left.
Went in to the Forshore Park, this was left as it was supposed to be expensive. The staff were very friendly, asked if were sight seeing etc, gave us maps, pointed out local attractions, best eating places etc. Charged us the same rate as quoted by the other park, great! We were offered a seaside site but we asked if we could go up the back of the park amonst the cabins. Much quieter, less wind, that was the kicker as the wind was freezing on the water front. The amenities were great, soap, paper towel, air driers and shower mats. Great free BBQ and camp kitchen and as i said great staff could not do enough for you. We had a week there and did the touristy bit before heading off to Peterbrough.
Went in to the Forshore Park, this was left as it was supposed to be expensive. The staff were very friendly, asked if were sight seeing etc, gave us maps, pointed out local attractions, best eating places etc. Charged us the same rate as quoted by the other park, great! We were offered a seaside site but we asked if we could go up the back of the park amonst the cabins. Much quieter, less wind, that was the kicker as the wind was freezing on the water front. The amenities were great, soap, paper towel, air driers and shower mats. Great free BBQ and camp kitchen and as i said great staff could not do enough for you. We had a week there and did the touristy bit before heading off to Peterbrough.
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