Dates: Monday 8 July to Friday 13 July 2024
Locations: Dalby, Charleville, Barcaldine, Longreach
Regions: Darling Downs South West, Central and Northwest.
Temperature: 7 – 26 degrees
Trip A on the odometer is set to zero in the Isuzu. We have lightened the van load and checked everything in preparation for the journey ahead.
In the next two weeks we will be crossing regional and outback Queensland, diagonally almost, as we head for Mt Isa via Charleville and Longreach.
Monday 8 Jul 2024
Comminya to Muckadilla 470kms
Temp 7 – 21 degrees currently 17 degrees and sunny with showers earlier.
Two Roos practice boxing in the nearby paddock in the early morning light as we prepare to head off
The day warm’s and the farms around Coominya look moist and brown with new crops springing up a verdant green against the rich black soil, moist from recent rain. I’m sure the farmers will be grateful of the recent winter rains.
We travel West through Dalby, Chinchilla and Miles. As we pass through Miles we see the big Watermelon!
West of Miles we leave the Western Downs region and enter Maranoa region with a welcome sign to Outback Queensland.
A longish day on the road with stops at Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles and Roma.
We park up at the Muckadilla camp; west of Roma with toilets and hot showers for a donation.
Tuesday 9 July
Muckadilla to Augathella, 330 kms, Total trip kms – 800.
Temp 9 – 21, rainy then sunny then overcast.
Heavy rain overnight and a damp morning dawns. It’s showering so after morning stretches, coffee and breakfast and that hot shower we were looking forward to, we set to and are on the road by 8:30am. Good thing too as not long after the rain starts in ernest. Great to see the Outback getting a big drink.
We pass through Mitchell and on towards Charleville and the rain clouds break up and the day clears to sunshine which was fortunate as we planned to do the Riverwalk on the Warrego River.
We park in Alfred street, walk the Main Street and then follow signs for the Riverwalk. A lovely walk to stretch the legs and see the river and then we loop back to the van. About 3kms.
Homemade salad rolls for lunch and we continue on to Augathella, our stop for the night. A great camp with near new toilet and shower facilities for a $10 donation per night and you can camp here for up to 8 nights!
Wednesday 10 Jul 2024
Augathella to Barcaldine 330 kms
Total trip kms – 1130.
Temp 2.5 – 26 degrees
It’s a very chilly start but sunny and by 7:30 the sun is warm.
I set a loaf and do my stretches while Rob’s out for a run. We then have coffee and breakfast before heading to the showers. I really like rest stops with toilets and showers I must say, very civilized and a habit I would like to continue…
We see lots of vans; in fact we’ve seen more vans these past few days than we have previously. A lot of them have red dirt so probably coming from “The Big Red Bash” held out at Birdsville last week. An annual event on the Outback calendar, just like Boulia camel races, Ilfracombe horse races and Cloncurry rodeo scheduled this weekend. They had rain so it turned into “The Big Muddy bash” apparently and there are also a lot of vans going North like us. Every camp spot has been quite full too.
The land stretches out as we enter “Big Sky country” and there are a few puffy clouds. We start to see lots of Kites, most would be the Whistling Kite but perhaps a few Black Kites too.
We pass through Tambo, famous for the “Tambo Teddy” My oldest daughter Riley received one of them as a baby from a close friend, Margaret who was born in Winton which is NW of here past Longreach.
We arrive Blackall and visit the famous “Black Stump” which has burnt down but there are two replica’s along with the story. I also spy another in the Main Street as we take a passing walk.
Continuing on to Barcaldine the day starts to warm up. We arrive around 3:30 and the temp is 26 degrees. Positively Balmy!
Before heading to our free camp; no shower at this one, we visit the “Tree of Knowledge” in the centre of Barcaldine. So named for the reputed birthplace of the Labor Party!
Barcaldine has lots of interesting art along the Main Street and some Scottish history too. The name, originally Bar Call Din, was named after Barcaldine castle in Argyle by the Cameron Family and derived from Barr a challtuin or Hazel Knoll in Gaelic.
We didn’t go back to see the tree at night but apparently it’s stunning when all lit up.
Thursday 11 July
Barcaldine to Longreach 110kms
Total trip kilometres 1310
Stop at Ilfracombe and the Wellshot hotel. A Charming hotel with loads of character, from hundreds of old hats on the ceiling, including one of Lee Kernagan’s, to the barstools! (see photos) .
A great spot to stop and stretch the legs and take in the town’s rich history with many displays on the history of the town, wool scouring, ANZACS, farming equipment and old vehicles all freely available to explore along the highway.
Just outside Ilfracombe we see three of the strangest birds standing in the grass. At first glance, thought they were baby emus but the colouring and proportions were wrong. Later identified as the Australian Bustard. Photo not mine and courtesy of Australian Birdlife.org and taken by Andrew Brooks. Such an unusual looking bird and I’ve never seen one before so very cool.
Longreach Apex Park camp is busy with vans when arrive but we find a space and set down.
We were fortunate to find a potable water tap behind the van so I spend the afternoon washing, enjoying the local wildlife; brolgas no less, and meeting other campers like Bob and his pet cockatoo Laurie.
Bob then tells us about the rats! Apparently the park has a bit of a problem and they’ve taken out four cars, just in the last few days. The little buggers get into the engines at night where it’s warm and destroy wiring and circuitry. The trick is to keep the bonnet up so the area cools and to keep a light on. Later our neighbour’s, a lovely couple; Sheryl and John from Sale in Victoria, tell us the same thing, so we follow the advice.
The sunset over the Thompson is full of colour and accompanied by a local country artist entertaining guests at the caravan park on the other side of the river. From afar he sounds a bit like slim dusty with his crooning country melodies.
Later I rest and shape my dough and pop it in the fridge for its bulk prove overnight and it’s a simple pesto pasta meal for dinner.
The park has about 18 roosters roaming around, some of which are very large and yes they started crowing very early. I wonder who put them there?
Friday 12 July 2024
Temp 12 – 26 cool morning, sunny.
Today, after more washing; having taken advantage of the available water and with the van batteries keeping up from all the lovely sunshine, we head into town for a walk, a quick bite and then our allotted tour of the Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
Longreach is a thriving, bustling town of about 3,750 residents but likely servicing many more than that including graziers in the area. Tourists, van’s, campers and Winnebago’s are everywhere.
The town’s main Street, Eagle Street’s shops are all operating and the town is obviously well cared for.
Fun fact! All the town’s streets are named for birds. There’s Duck, Brolga, Emu, Wren and many more including Bustard!
The Stockman’s Hall of fame is well worth a visit and I’m sorry we missed the live part (not available on Fridays). The displays and history are thoughtful and informative. I continue to be amazed with the courage, strength and tenacity of our forebears. We may not have the buildings that are hundreds of years old, as the European countries have in abundance, but as we explore this wide brown country of ours I am humbled by the stories….
Imagine leaving the East Coast in a sulky (small horse drawn carriage) with a pair of horses and two young children. Imagine surviving on nothing but tea, damper and treacle for months. Imagine travelling into the unknown outback to a small parcel of land, starting from scratch. With only that which you had transported! My mind boggles.
A brilliant visit full of stories, art and artifacts. Very enjoyable.
The day finishes with another beautiful sunset and we are off to Winton tomorrow.
Hope you are all well. Stay safe and take care.
Cheers, Maryann and Rob
Physio my way 
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