Week 23 : 27 July to 2 Aug 2012 -- Isisford to Home

Since arriving at Isisford on Wednesday, we had been thoroughly enjoying the spot. The weather was great with nice warm days and cold, clear nights that got down to about 4 degrees. Vic had only approved of staying for a few days because the TV reception was good, which allowed her to watch the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and the subsequent competitions. Happy wife… happy life!

Our great stay here was topped off on Saturday when I heard the rumbling of a Jeep v8 coming down the track. To our surprise, it was Shane and Ally. They had taken a couple of days off and had been camping near Emmet, about 50 klms from Isisford. They’d heard how good this spot was and decided to check it out on their way back to Longreach. They stayed and had morning tea with us before we said our goodbyes again.

On our last night on the banks of the Barcoo, we had a combined dinner with this band of 10, a fantastic meal of Grunter fillets. The fish had been caught in Karumba by one of the group, and we were all grateful that he was happy to share his catch.

The 4 days and nights here had been the best test of the caravan’s power system that we’d given it. When we free camp, the battery in the van powers the water pump, lights and the stereo, while the hot water, frig and stove are all gas powered. The battery also provides power, via the invertor, to recharge the computer and camera batteries, as well as watch TV. The system had worked impeccably and still had power available after 4 days… testament to the great work done by Jared at Battery World Enoggera. For sales or fantastic service and advice, contact them on their web site at

http://batteryworld.com.au/store/battery-world-enoggera

Sitting on the Black Stump, Blackall

Jackie Howe Memorial

We got away at 11am on Sunday and took it carefully to Blackall because we had heard horror stories about the violent grids that are spread over this section of highway. After the 90 minute trip, we set up camp at the Barcoo River Camp Area (#684 in Camps 5) on the edge of town and put our $5 into the honesty box. We then took a drive around town and saw the Black Stump, the Jackie Howe Memorial and an old servo I’d seen photos of in a caravan magazine, before heading out to the Blackall Wool Scour. This is the only steam driven wool scour still operational of the 52 that once worked across Australia.

Barcoo River Camp Area

That evening, Vic and I went to the Blackall Caravan Park to see country music singer/songwriter, Graham Rodger 

Graham in action

(www.grahamrodger.com.au), who performs here each night throughout the winter season. After his show, for $20 each, you can enjoy a camp oven roast dinner followed by damper and maple syrup with billy tea. Our main reason for being here was to catch up with Graham, who Vic and I had both worked with 30 years ago. It was great to catch up with him after all this time and he was so surprised and happy to see us. We hope to catch up with him again but not in 30 years time...

The next day the head wind returned and we battled it all the way to Charleville via Tambo and Augathella. After a quick cuppa in Tambo we headed for Augathella where we "thought" we'd grab a local pie for lunch. Not a pie in sight, actually not a person in sight :(. Augathella is the home to the Bull Ant, or so they say, and where the Smiley stories were written. Some of you more mature travellers will recall Chips Raffety in Smiley, an original Australian classic movie.

Downtown Augathella

Meat Ant sculpture 

Why a meat ant? Augathella's football team was known as the mighty Augathella Meat Ants and were fearless in their attack against their opponents. This then earned the town the nickname...Meat Ant Country".

Our camp site in Charleville - fabulous spot

Heaps of room and fabulous amenities and managers

We booked into the Charleville Bush Camp which is a fantastic park 2 klms west of town. This is a new park that operates from April to October and pets, children, and smokers are not permitted here. It’s a fantastic area with large sites capable of taking the biggest motorhomes or fifth wheelers, spotlessly clean unisex amenities, lots of shade, a book exchange and a great fire pit where everybody tends to gather from 4.30 each afternoon to share stories and experiences.

Overnight the temperature dropped to -1 outside (3 degrees in the van) and it dawned a beautiful day. 

At 9am, we met at the office to join others for a bus tour, and over the next 2 hours, we visited Charleville’s historical sites, points of interest and saw the steps being taken to mitigate future flooding of the town. The tour is run by the park manager and the $10 cost was extremely good value.

Levee bank gates

Levee bank

Photo of Charleville during the 2010 flood

In the afternoon, Caroline, the manager’s wife, showed us around the property, which was originally the Charleville Race Track in the 1930’s before becoming a piggery. The old tote office is still there as is the old slaughter house and rusting equipment fills an old shed. One of the old buildings has been renovated and makes a comfortable little cabin to stay in. The equipment is outstanding, but the photo opportunities here speak for themselves.....

Some of the hundreds of horse shoes found on the property (and no Rod didn't get to keep one)

Is this where bottled water comes from? 

After a sluggish start in the morning, we had a slow trip along the Warrego Highway through Morven and onto Mitchell. The whoop-de-doos were a curse again and caused a bit of bother inside the van with the pantry shelves coming loose. We had lunch opposite the Muckadilla Hotel and then continued onto Roma where we had a stroll around to stretch our legs.

Our daughter is famous in Roma - apparently
she has a music shop

 At 5.30, we rolled into Miles and set up for the night in the park beside Dogwood Creek. When we arrived we did as we all do, one inside and one outside, only to hear this noise coming toward us. Eleven ducks came right up to our van door to greet us. Then just as quickly as they came they turned around and off they went again. It was amazing. 

Our welcome committee

It quickly became cold so we lit a campfire before having dinner outside and watching the moon rise on our last night on the road, for an unknown time. Vic and I were both extremely tired so retired to the van early and snuggled into a nice warm bed, thanks to the hot water bottles. 

Our Miles campsite 

There is nothing like an open campfire to get you warm

On Wednesday 2^nd August, we were up early and broke camp not long after. It is imperative, when you pass through Chinchilla, to stop at the Tourist Information Centre and meet the ladies that run the place. They serve the best Devonshire tea you’ll get, for $5, and the outside deck is a great place to enjoy it.

From there we moved onto Toowoomba for lunch and arrived at our son and daughter-in-law’s home, back in Brisbane, at 4.30pm.

We were met at the door by our heavily pregnant daughter-in-law who had been in labour since the night before. We’d left Darwin on the 18^th July, travelled 3781 klms, stayed 2 nights in Longreach, 4 nights at Isisford, 2 nights at Charleville plus lots of over night stops, spent $1377.33 on fuel, tried to take my time while Vic tried to get me moving and arrived safely back where we started this amazing trip (or Part A of our Around Australia Trip Number 1.

Our timing was perfect… at 5.30am on the morning after we got back, our beautiful little grandson arrived.

Welcome to the world Lakyn Thomas Maden!! Nanny & Poppy can't wait to take you camping.