Yeppoon, Qld July 2018 There was great excitement today…the newly repaired coastal scenic drive was reopened 5 minutes late at 2:05pm. It was such a hot topic at the caravan park that Woody made a point of being there to be among the first to drive on it. We saw the local media and the smiling politicians and probably made the papers as we cruised by the photographers on that smooth stretch of bitumen. I think we’ve been in this town too long. Continue reading Time to go
In an effort to enjoy every iconic pub in this country sometimes we stumble and it this one we came a cropper. Aug 2018 With a bunch of mates we have lunch at the ‘B’ Hotel and it is memorable. I am ‘lucky’ enough to get the last serve of the daily roast pork. Funny we’re the first diners to order and they’ve only got six serves. Now I know the true meaning of ‘bitter end’ because I am confronted with a plate full of bitter, chewy and dry, day old roast ends. Is it any wonder that they gave … Continue reading The Bitter End
June 2018 It’s a cold morning and we have a long drive ahead of us. This westerly route to Longreach is shorter but there are fewer towns. As we listen to the local radio they are discussing tourism and the dinosaur trail. “There is a kronosaurus down there that needs to be excavated.” Says the local expert. It seems that in a short decade or so cattle and sheep have taken a backseat to dinosaurs around here. No longer is cattle the king. Suddenly a hundred galahs wheel in front of us in a cloud of pink and grey, what … Continue reading In the Dinosaur Triangle
Staying in Mulambin on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, we lazily drive the one kilometre to Causeway Lake for their famous fish & chips. The lake is sparkling in the sun and people are fishing from tinnies and kayaks. It is busy with people having picnics or just strolling. The old kiosk is a remnant from the ‘50’s, timber and fibro cement. Inside it is painted what I like to call Government Green, the colour of school walls in the fifties and the only things new are the drink fridges and the coffee machine, but I’m sure that someone else owns those. … Continue reading Time Travel
July 2018 What price would you put on acres of lawn shaded by mango trees and clumps of spindly gums? Not far from the highway yet perfectly quiet but for the sounds of farm life. A few Brahman cattle grazing, … Continue reading Flaggy Rock Community Campground
When I was a kid growing up on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula (in the fifties when it was considered ‘the bush’ and before it became desirable real estate) our teacher used to teach us geography by tricking us. Where’s Western Australia? “West!” We freckle faced kids in home knits would all shout. Where’s the Northern Territory? “North!” (Oh this is too easy) Where’s South Australia? “South!” We’d shout. Wrong! It’s west! Tricky but effective. Hmmm maybe it’s time to go west again, to South Australia. Continue reading Travel? It’s all a matter of direction
Aug 2018 You know Aussies are a friendly bunch. As I walk across to the loos this morning a woman asks if we are moving on today. I answer “No” and expect the conversation to end there. Oh no, into the cubicles, still chatting, still asking questions. Somewhat embarrassed I realise that there’s no getting away from the inevitable. Thus in the course of performing our most personal of morning duties we discuss Queensland free camps, Victorian silo art and how we prefer to avoid cities. Washing my hands I call out “Safe travels” and scoot out the door. Only … Continue reading G’day
August 2018 We take the advice of a couple we met at Burdekin Cane Farm and seek out the Great Western Hotel. It doesn’t look much from the outside and there is an enormous shed at the back. Stepping up … Continue reading Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
Aug 2018 After striking heavy traffic on the Bruce Highway down to Calliope. We turn off at a colourful little town called Miriam Vale which is busy with RV’s, has spacious parking but surprisingly offers no camping. We are on … Continue reading Lowmead Hotel
After an earlier fracas when our GPS tried to send us up a steep, unmade mountain road with the van on the back, we ignore Gabbi Garmin’s navigation suggestion and travel to Warracknabeal via St Arnaud and Donald and take a route of our own choosing. On the way our mates the Prado’s thought that the van in front of them was ours. El Prado picked up the CB and called “Brown rice boy to ukulele lady?” An amused passing truckie came on the air and replied with “Oh that’s so cute!” Continue reading Call Signs & CB’s
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