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Published: December 1st 2014
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Chinchilla Weir
Images around and on the weir Leaving Chareville we head toward a small town on the Darling downs Chinchilla and we are hoping to take advantage of a free camp at the Chinchilla weir, the only free camp we are aware of that has free electric hook ups.The journey takes us through towns and hamlets we had passed on the way to Charleville so we are basically backtracking most of the way.Along the way we see fields begging for rain,some parts of this land has not seen rain for over three years and it shows.However as we near Chinchilla the scenery begins to change and we begin to see green grass and foliage.
Chinchilla is a small town with a population of just over 5,000 and rising .Established in 1877 when the railway from Toowoomba across the Darling downs was being built.The town grew up on Agriculture producing beef,pork and wool.Horticulture also plays a large role in the local economy and now has a reputation as the Melon capital of Australia.In recent years however the resources boom has injected welcome cash into the town which is experiencing major growth.The town still remains a country town with many country activities such as an annual camp draft several
horse racing events and of course the Chinchilla Melon Festival held every two years in February.Chinchilla produces 25% of Australia's melons.
Built in 1973 Chinchilla weir is eight kilometres south of the town and has a duel purpose,to supply water for irrigation along the alluvial flats of the Condamine river and augmenting the water supply to the town.I am not sure when the campground was built,nestled next to the weir and lake it is a beautiful place with ample space for caravans, tents and motor homes with free hook ups scattered around the site.Flushing toilets are available but no showers. Barbecues both gas and electric are available as well as built in fire places.A boat ramp is nearby and safe swimming,fishing is a popular sport for tourists and locals alike.
Arriving late afternoon we find several other campers there,ranging from tents to motor homes but plenty of space.We find ourselves a level piece of ground and hook up to the free power.The other campers are a welcoming bunch and we swap stories about where we have been and where we are going.We have elected to stay only one night others are staying longer.Next to a lake is an
opportunity to practice with my camera so that is what I did,so I have included in this blog photographs of the camp site and lake.
Staying only one night we head off in the morning and headed for Inskip point a collection of camp sites strung along a sandy peninsular just outside Rainbow beach, a popular tourist destination next to the water and being the only place to catch the ferry to Fraser island the largest sand island in the world.Permits are required to camp at Inskip point and apart from drop toilets and waste bins you need to be self sufficient with your own power and water.After picking up our permits in Rainbow beach we move on to our camp ground for the next week.This turns out to be a spacious bush camp right next to the water in fact we have water both sides being a peninsular.There was a mixture of caravans,camper vans and tents all parked strategically to maximize space, there are no marked sites.Time here is spent walking along the beach,some fishing (no luck) and generally chilling out.The sunsets are beautiful and the peace and quiet magical.Apart from sand flies and soft sand that seems
to get everywhere we had once again ticked off another of our bucket list things to do,we had passed this place several times on our way to Fraser Island and had always promised to camp there one day.
Having run out of water for showers we pull up stumps and head for a caravan park just outside of Rainbow beach With a small resident population of only 1.500 which swells to over 5,000+ in the holiday season this small village is a mecca for tourist wanting beautiful scenery, adventure and something different.Beach driving straight off the main street to view some spectacular sand blows and coloured sands is only one of the many attractions this small village holds.Fraser Island is just a short ferry ride across the water and the only ferry on the sunshine coast and being the largest sand island in the world it is a major attraction bringing tourist from all over the world.At low tide a journey from Noosa can be made along the beach about 1 1/2 hours stopping to see many natural attractions as well as the famous wreck to reach Rainbow beach,many have tried to beat the tide only to come unstuck
at mudlo and middle rocks which has become a graveyard for unsuspecting or foolish drivers and their cars.Pictures of failed encounter's with these rocks adorn a wall in the local pub and are testament to the woes of those who ignored the warnings.We are slowly making our way to Brisbane to spend Christmas with friends and we have visited this area so many times and seen all the sights and attractions we do not need to spend our days doing touristy things. However anyone reading this blog who have yet to visit this area put it on your bucket list, it is a place not to be missed,with safe bathing and patrolled beaches and so much more.
Our next stop is Mooloolaba a viberent seaside town midway between Rainbow beach and Brisbane a town we have visited so many times and never tire of visiting.
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Alan
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Happy days
Thanks for the scenic update on this part of Aus! Very poetic!! - Bill, you are getting pretty good with that camera, especially the setting/rising sun on the lakes- you should be selling them to. The Australian Tourist Board!!! - Well I guess this will be the last blog of 2014, enjoy the time in Vic Point, catch up with all and recharge batteries! Thanks guys and looking forward to pastures new in 2015. Alan