Blogs from Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 18

On our bucket list of places to visit was the QANTASMuseumand the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, both in Longreach. After a reasonable drive – 106km – to Longreach we stopped off first of all at the QANTAS Founders Museum. We checked in at 10:15 to be told that there were no more tours available that day, but we were welcome to wander through the museum and the original hangar (built in 1921). We should have guessed it was going to be busy because of the number of caravans parked out the front. It is a good display, but because we knew we couldn’t do the guided tour of the various aircraft we both had the same thought that “we are over static museum displays of this nature”. We enjoyed what we saw, but felt a little ... read more

Because of the lack of accessible campgrounds further along to Longreach we have decided to stay put here for another 2 nights. The rain persisted overnight and looked like it wasn’t going to stop for another 24hrs. With no caravan park availability and roads into bush camping areas closed all around we thought it a lot easier to alter our plans slightly and just make a day trip to Longreach. It is just over100km west of Barcaldine so not too far a journey in the car. We will secure the caravan, pay the extra $32/night camp fee and off we will go. We spoke with some other travellers this morning who had just arrived from Longreach – they were camping at the Showgrounds there and had become bogged. They sought help from the showground operators (read: ... read more

Sunny and Humid Breakfast at 6:45 and departed at 7:15 for our trip to Thursday Island. Our bags are going to Cairns on the bus. The ferry across was very comfortable. We were met at the ferry terminal for a tour of the island. We first stopped at the cemetery to see memorials to the creator of the Thursday Island flag and also the Japanese of the island. We then visited Green Hill Fort which was built like Fort Denison in Sydney, to repel a Russian invasion. There was a very interesting museum of objects including furniture from the time of the building of the fort. We went to our hotel to wait for checkin. The rooms were clean bu a bit tired. Aircon worked well so all good. We decided on a quick walk around ... read more

First thing today we made our way down to the Tourist Info Centre and had a very entertaining guide tell us all about the Greater Bilby. Charleville is home to the largest bilby breeding program in Queensland. There was a nocturnal viewing area where we could see 1 male and 2 female bilbies running around their very well simulated desert environment. Currawinya National Park (south of Cunnamulla) is where the Bilby breeding program has released 300 bilbies behind an elaborate predator proof fence. As needs must they bring in other bilbies from northern Western Australia to help keep the gene pool fresh and uncomplicated. Bilbies were once found across 70% of Australia’s landmass but today they are on the endangered list and programs such as the one we heard about are vital for their protection and ... read more

Charleville is the heart of the mulga lands on the banks of the WaregoRiver. The timber of the mulga tree is extremely poisonous and if you happen to get a splinter but fail to remove all of that splinter you are guaranteed to get blood poisoning. Mental note to self – be extremely careful as to what timber you pick up for campfires! The Mitchell Highway(also known as the Matilda Way) brought us north from Wyandra. We pulled into a bush camp just outside of Charleville township. It is run by CMCA (Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia). As members it cost us $6/night. We have booked in for 2 nights, but having been to the Tourist Info Centre to gather brochures etc we may extend that to 3 nights so that we can enjoy a ... read more