Blog 5 - 16th to 22nd April 2013

Tuesday 16th April, we decided to leave Cunnamulla and drive the short distance to Eulo, a small town even further west towards the NT border. Had a look down beside the river for the free camp, but decided the campsite behind the pub would be better - so had lunch at the pub just to make sure. From here we went for a walk around town, before our 6pm appointment with the people from the date farm for our mud bath.

But this was far from jumping into a bubbling pool of mud beside the road. We had booked the double bath - 2 x baths joined together to form a "stretch bath", complete with warming fire going at the side and a glass of wine and nibbles on a board across the top for us to enjoy. First step was to get in and let the warm water and mud relax the stress away (what stress?????), and then hop out, dry off, and apply a covering of mud and let this dry in front of the fire. Then top up the bath with hot water, and jump back in to wash it all off. For $60 each, this was the best investment we had made. Lots of fun, and very relaxing.

Wednesday, we left Eulo and headed up the road to the opal fields at Yowah, stopping in at an art gallery for a look and a chat. Also went to the lookout just out of town.

Further up the road was Toompine, noted as a town with only a pub but no town. Our next stop was Baldy Top lookout, just before arriving in Quilpie. The views from the top of the hill / mountain were great.

 

Stayed in the caravan park that night, and met some more nice people around the camp kitchen for a chat into the night.

Thursday, left Quilpie, after looking into St Finnibar's Catholic Church, where the alter and other stands are covered in local opals,

and then headed for Windorah, a couple of hundred km's up the road, heading further west towards the red sandhills. Camped in the caravan park again, but the midgies were pretty bad. That afternon we drove out to the sandhills, and got some great photos around sunset.

 

 

 

 Friday we departed, heading for Longreach via Jundah, Stonehenge and the XXXX lookout.

After dinner we went to the local pub to watch the Aussies play the Kiwis in the test match - we were surrounded by New Zealanders, but they went quiet when the Aussies started piling on the points in the 2nd half.
Saturday, we had planned to visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame, where we saw a cattlemans show as well,

and then the Qantas Museum, which were both very interesting and worthwhile visiting. After a quick look at the old railway station, then it was out to the Lily Lagoon for some piccies.

Dinner was had at the restaurant at the caravan park after listening to some old guy tells bush stories around the fire. After dinner we listened to another guy sings both types of music - country AND western.
Sunday we relaxed as most things in country towns close at midday on Saturday, so we got some chores done and chilled.
Monday we departed Longreach after a quick shop and viewing the outback photo gallery in town. We headed for Barcaldine via Ilfracombe, and stopped at the info centre. From here we turned south to Blackall where we saw the bronze statue of Jackie Howe, who sheared 321 sheep in 7 hrs 40 mins using hand shears - a record to this day. We also saw the replica of the original "Black Stump" which was used as a mapping tool back in the day.

Further down the road was Tambo, which looked great in the brochures with a nice river and lake to swim in. After suffering a horid road of bumps and dips (thought we would get airborne a few times), we arrived to find the river was dry, and the lake was not near the campsite - damn tourist brochures!!!!

But did get some great late afternoon photo shots.

More to come soon with piccies.
Di and Hammo