Brisbane to Mount Isa

(Please click on photo's to enlarge for a better view)

Well finally I have time to sit down in front of the laptop and write about where we have been and what we have done.

Let me first say weather wise it has not been the best we have had so much cold weather it is almost not worth going North for the warmth, never mind we do with what we are given, at least the days are warm most of the time.

We headed to Brisbane to see Max and Judy and spent 5 days with them and enjoyed the time there.

The weather in Brisbane is as bad as anywhere else we had low temperatures and rain we visited the Brisbane Caravan show, a lot smaller than the one in Melbourne, met up with Chris from Jayco, did some shopping said hello to Wanda and Teresa and their families, nice to see them also. Otherwise we just enjoyed their company and being there.(no photo's)

Japaneese Gardens Towoomba

After leaving them we headed for Towoomba stayed for a day or 2 as I wanted to fit new tyres to the van, after 21/2 years and approx 70000Km not bad for Jayco tyres fitted Yokohama's this time hope they will last as long.

Japaneese Gardens Towoomba

Did a little sight seeing the weather was very cold during the day and we heard that while we were there it was the coldest day for years it sat at 8 degrees for most of the day and than got colder during the night, but there was time to visit the Japanees Gardens.

Japaneese Gardens Towoomba

Next stop Wullumbilla and camped at the showground water and power for a gold coin donation, headed of the next day for Mitchel and first night into the caravan park for washing etc and then moved to Niel Turner Weir free camp

Morning Frost minus 2 degrees

 it is here we met Kevin and Maisie and have been seeing them along the way, boy was it cold here, to the point that we used the oven as a heater and and early to bed with 2 doona's, most mornings it was minus 1-2 degrees with frost thick on the grass so you could almost go ice skiyng, but nice warm days.

from 2minus to 25 degrees for spa and a swim

Cool down pool boy is it cold approx 12 degrees Brrrrr

3 days and than we headed for Charlaville to the Evening Star Van Park this town is small but it has the famous Cosmos Centre and we had a great day visiting this during the day and at night to watch the stars.

Looking at changing out our van looked a good buy

Charlaville is also known for the town where they tried to make rain by using a specially made Cannons which shot a certain substance into the clouds, guess what it didn't work, but interesting to read about.

The rain making cannon

 Augathello the town with the Meat Ants we stopped here for coffee and a rest

Meat  ant

Augathello attraction

 Of to Tambo next, here is a CV park which offered stay for 3 pay for 2 which we did and added an other day as we where waiting for Bill and Dawn who where coming our way we did our cleaning, Van, Car, etc town is so small there is nothing to do except walking and more walking.

The Teddy Bear shop is there in Tambo they even have a warning road sign for road users that the cross there.

The warning sign

Blackall next where Bill and Dawn caught up with us parked here spend 7 days free camping at the side of the river with camp fires every night under the stars, little rain but nice every day.

Blackall free camp

At night under the stars

Visited Blackall Sheering and Wool Scouring  (100+ years old) and how amazing to see this fully restored and operating, it is here they wash the wool (Scouring) it shows the various stages the wool washing and drying goes through, a must see.

Wool scouring 100+ years ago and still opperating

The big flywheel to operate the operation

Anyone for a haircut

Start of the wool washing cycle (scouring)

Note the forks to wash the wool

There are caravans for sale everywhere decisions, decisions, no we stick with the Jayco

Blackall has its own character his name is Stuart, he visits the camp site every night either on horse back or by car and talks to each and every van parked that is parked here.

Staurt, Dawn and Bianka

He works for the Council during the day mowing grass and has become a sort of ambassador for Blackall so if you visit here don't forget to look for him.

Artesion water out let at 65+ celcious degrees

Right and Beyond the black stump

While in blackall the country races where on and we had a great day although we did our dough.

Checking out the horses who will win

and the winner is? not ours

relaxing after a hot day at the races in the hot spa and pool at Blackall

It was here we decided to go to Boulia for the Camel Races and Bill decided to come also.

Of to Barcoldine,

At the Barcaldine Labour tree

than Long Reach for food shopping.

Winton for a park stay and finally got to see the singing fence.

It works as it produces sound like a Guitar

Speaks for it selfs

On the Drums

And Symballs

 Bianka went to the old open air Movie Theater, for an informative evening on Winton and surrounds, where the largest deck chai is located

The worlds largest deck chair it is in the open air movie theater

 Winton has a great Butcher according to Bill and he was right stocked up with some great steaks and sausages, Bill and Dawn decided not to go our way here and just as well as you will see shortly.

Thought it is about time to show some great scenery this Boulia way

Middleton Hotel correct name as it is in the middle of no where

Great view from the lookout half way between Winton and Boulia

speaks for itselves

The Boulia Camp ground

Us Camping before the rain

The road train provided wood so we had camp fires every night

Cold about 6degrees C thank god we had a fire

offered $40 per person for a 14 day campsite and entry, thinking we had to get there early we arrived in Boulia on the Sunday before, we set up camp, here we had water and showers but no Power (the panels worked a bueat for the whole 14 days) by the Thursday there were approx 150 or so vans parked around us, also there where Camels to see,

Camels being herded for the races?

it looked great for a good and fun weekend, this was not to be as that night it rained and dropped 17mls on Boulia and us,  effectively stranding us for the weekend, one had to see the mess some of these not so smart 4 wheel drivers made trying to get out anyway Monday it started to dry out and one was able to leave we decided to stay till Sunday

After the rain

After the rain comes mud

and more mud

Friday overcast but dry, so  entertainment for the crowd but no Camel racing as it was declared to dangerous for the jockeys and Camels, so they tried to entertain and Friday night there was Belly dancing and Elvis the impersonater and he was good, good night and well enjoyed by all.

The next 3 photo's are video clips click on the arrow on the left bottom of picture to start the clip, it is the same for all 3. 

Next day, Saturday we were told No racing again so we had Camel Tagging, camel tagging is where a competiter has to tag the camel with a tag and than again remove it and has the lowest time recorded is the winner, note how the camel kicks trying to avoid being tagged there is forward and side way kicking not easy thats for sure,

 Camel tagging

 Note the camel trying to escape the pen on the left side.

Our Belly dancer

 Tug of war,Motor bike demos, Sky diving etc. Boulia organizers tried hard to entertain I give them that much, not their fault it rained like that this was a great loss to them in revenue.

Hi from Bianka

Wild Camels next to the van almost

Moved to a place called Dajara half way between Mount Isa and Boulia wanting to waste some time as we are going to the Mount Isa Rodeo, the largest in Queensland, which are on on the 12-14 August, so till after than.



A boulia sunset campfire to finish  ENJOY

Thanks for you reading our blog.

Sig & Bianka