Caravan Parks4 Comments

Caravan Parks that make an Effort

Itching for Hitching

Ilfracombe Caravan Park At first glance there doesn’t appear to be much in Ilfracombe but it is a better option than Longreach when staying in this area. Why? Because Jesse, Cath and the kids have built a Happy Hour shed and every night they put on nibbles and entertainment. It’s the sort of entertainment where you’ll laugh until your sides hurt. Even the kids deliver bush poetry. If that isn’t enough Cath takes guests on tours of the local Langenbaker Historic House. But hey there is more. Every winter they host the Ilfracombe Olympics and that, folks, is another story. … Continue reading Caravan Parks that make an Effort

Qld, Signs of Life2 Comments

Naming Rights

Itching for Hitching

I’m intrigued with the grand names of cattle and sheep stations. Often named by homesick settlers, properties the size of small countries have been named after villages and landmarks in England. This one in Queensland however does not fit into that category. Continue reading Naming Rights

Freedom Camp, Qld, The Pubs10 Comments

Nindigully Pub

Itching for Hitching

I’m sure all Queenslanders know of the Nindigully Pub. West of Goondiwindi, south of St George and not far from the New South Wales border Nindigully sits at the junction of the Carnarvon and Barwon highways and on the banks of the Moonie River. As far as iconic Aussie bush pubs go this one ticks all of the boxes.Built in 1864 on a well used stock route and river crossing there is now little else but the pub in what was once a Cobb & Co staging post. The long low pub has a wooden floored verandah and hitching rails … Continue reading Nindigully Pub

Freedom Camp, Qld9 Comments

Emerald, Qld free camp

Itching for Hitching

Emerald has beautiful Botanic Gardens lush green lawns and palm glades overlook the Nogoa River. Amidst all this beauty is a 24 hour free camp between the highway, the river and the Botanic Gardens. This gives us quite a giggle because the vans are parked between the road and railway bridges and it seems that the prime spot is right underneath the railway bridge. Heaven knows how anyone could get any sleep there. As well as that the main use of this line is for carrying cattle and the railway line in town is covered in pungent cow manure. I … Continue reading Emerald, Qld free camp

When Things Just Go Wrong4 Comments

All Stoved In

Itching for Hitching

In Boort, Vic there are old gnarly peppercorn trees in the Main Street and bracts of pink peppercorns are crushed on the pavement. The air smells of pepper. We are on our way to a club muster in Balranald NSW but the first night is at a farmstay. Simply Tomatoes and Aussie Wool Quilts is 15kms north of town, down 5 kms of good dirt road. Owner Ian directs us to a park near the dam which is home to a flock of geese. When lighting the gas for the fridge we discover that our stove isn’t working. Gas is … Continue reading All Stoved In