and had lunch by the river. Looked around for a campsite just out of town by the wells, but decided on a caravan park just out of town - Red Lizard. Booked in for the cosmos centre star gazing night, after having a roast dinner. Got to see stars recently formed, others just starting to get some colour, and then others with distinct colours of blue and yellow. Also saw Saturn with its rings, and several close-ups of the moon, with its craters and shadows.
Wednesday, left town heading for Morven, and then onto Mitchell, where we finally got to have a spa in an artesian pool.
It was sooooo good, we decided to come back later in the afternoon for another dip. Set-up camp at Fisherman's Rest about 5km's west of town by the river.
Thursday, we left early and drove 245km's to the Mt Mofatt section of Carnarvon NP. The road was OK until we got to the dirt, and then it was 100km's of reasonable dirt, with Qld gov't signs proclaiming it was a "road to recovery". Arrived at the ranger station, paid our fees of $5.45 pp per night, and camped at West Branch camping area, about 3km's off the main track. Great grassy site by a small creek, with great toilets and fresh water. Went for a drive up the ranges to Rotary Shelter camp spot,
Top Shelter Shed picnic area, mahogany forrest, and the head of Carnarvon Creek. We had 2 passengers for the trip - Kevin, who had got half way thru the Great Walk (86km's circuit from Carnarvon) before getting blisters and breaking several ribs, and Anna, a retired school teacher from Sydney who had walked 20km's that morning to the mahogany forrest and back. The views from the top (approx 1,100 metres) were awesome. Returned to camp late in the afternoon, and endured a very cold night.
Friday we woke early and headed out to do some walking around the natural attractions, completing the circuit walk of 6.2km's, seeing the Chimneys,
the Tombs where the locals buried there ancestors and completed lots of artwork,
the Looking Glass (both big and small),
and finally the Cathedral Rock. On the way back to camp, we stopped at Marlong Arch,
Kookaburra Cave, and finally Lot's Wife.
After the cold of the previous night, we were determined to have a fire, so had a roast too - made the cold night much more bearable.
Saturday morning, we left this side of the NP, and headed for the more tourist side via Injune where we had lunch. Another 153km's up the road, we arrived at Takaraka caravan park, where the fees were $38 for an unpowered site - the price you pay when they have a monopoly on the area. Set-up camp next to Graham and Ruth and shared some pre-dinner nibbles and a drink.
Sunday was the day of the big walk - leave the car at the visitor centre, and follow the track to see the natural attractions in the gorge - the closest walk about 4.5km's away, with the furthest 9.7km's away.
Di decided to walk to the Art Gallery, and then see each of the attractions on the way back, but I was determined to get to Big Bend (the furthest away) and race back to meet her. The rock formation at Big Bend was like a wave of rock forming in the ocean and well worth it.
Boominda Gorge narrowed until it was only a few metres wide, but curved and mossy.
Cathedral Cave was a gallery for Aboriginal art.
Got back to the Art Gallery (another Aboriginal painting collection) to find that Di had left to return back to the carkpark after having waited 2.5 hours for me.
Caught her at Wards Canyon, which was an awesome gully through the rocks.
Next was the Amphitheatre, where you climbed several ladders to then walk though a narrow chasm, wth it opening up into an almost circular chamber with 60 metre walls reaching for the sky - amazing natural wonder.
After this we visited the Moss Garden,
and then the 3.5km walk back to the car. In total, Di walked 14km's and I made it through 24km's in the day - the legs were very tired, but it was worth it to see these natural wonders.
Monday we departed, stopping at Injune again, and then onto Roma. Headed for Chinchilla, where several people had mentioned the free camp at the weir. Found it was very popular, but manged to get a site, and had a relaxing evening overlooking the water. The ducks were funny. But they may have been geese???
Tuesday we headed for Dalby for a fuel fill-up, and then to Yarraman via the back roads. Stopped for a coffee, before continuing to Benarkin via Blackbutt - another free camp site - First Settlers rest area. Could get free power, and only $2 for the hot showers. Campsite was beside the old disused railway line and opposite the local store.
Wednesday, we needed to be in Maroochydore to take the camper in for repairs on Thursday morning - more about this later when we find out how much needed to be done and how much $$$$$ it was going to set us back. Followed the main road out to the Bruce Hwy, and then north towards the Sunshine Coast, where we dropped into Travelander and went through the issues with them, and then headed for the Cottontree Caravan Park right on the beach and the river. Found a nice spot just back from the beach,
and can hear the waves as I am typing this tonight. Had a great seafood meal at a local restaurant.
Will post photos ASAP
More to come soon.
Di and Hammo
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