From Henty it was a 3 1/2 hour run down to Melbourne. We made an early start which meant we were into our caravan park just after midday. Then for some lunch and a rest (P- a mega rest)! before heading out to Philip’s Brother and sister in law, Kevin and Isabel’s for dinner. We spent a lovely evening catching up on all the families news before heading back to the van.

Thursday Philip headed out early to take the truck for a service. This is an hours drive away through morning traffic through the city centre. It’s my morning to have a lie in (P- and NOT have breakfast and a cup of tea delivered to her in bed!) and read before Philip gets back later in the morning. Then off to Costco to stock up before going home. We now have to climb over bulk groceries, toilet rolls, paper towel, 2 bikes and various bags to get to bed tonight. Just as well it’s our last night in the van. Later in the afternoon we headed out to Narrewarren to visit friends Graeme and Marilyn for dinner. Lots of talking, checking out their caravan and comparing notes on grandchildren meant for a great evening.

Friday we packed the van ready to depart later in the afternoon and drove down to Moorabbin to do some (P- MORE) shopping before heading back to pick the truck up from the service centre. Then a drive back to the van to hook up and drive down to Station Pier. We parked along the waterfront and went for a walk before boarding the Spirit of Tasmania for our last leg home.

10500 kilometres. Sounds like a big trip but it worked out at less than 100 k per day.

It’s been an awesome trip and we have seen some fantastic places and met some wonderful people.

Now to start planning for the next trip.

(P- I keep telling Judith how lucky are we to be able disappear and travel (albeit at a much slower pace than we used to! ) The many tough days with my health are overpowered by the beautiful discoveries we make on our travels and the “characters” and lovely people we meet along the way. I often remind Judith how lucky I am that she is a competent driver and handles the “rig” well or we wouldn’t get near as far!)

Sunday 16th September

The plan today is for a pretty easy day. We have a short train ride booked for this morning in a 1940s style train which has been restored ( the carriages were old Indian Pacific ones). Its just a short 1 hour ride, out past the Richmond RAAF airport and the vintage machinery show to Mulgrave and return. A great little ride on a beautiful morning (complete with Champagne, Scones, Jam and Cream! After the train ride we walked back to pick up our car and drive out to Costco and IKEA and then the Lindt Chocolate Factory Store. When we arrived at Costco the car park was so full and there were so many people about we decided to give it a miss and go in to Ikea, this was pretty much the same and decided that we would visit these stores when in Melbourne in a few of days time and not on a Sunday when everyone is doing the same thing. Just as well the Lindt Shop was nowhere as busy. We decided that we would buy a box of “pick your own” to fill the box. Didn’t say how many you could put in the box as long as the lid closed to the specified line. Well Philip likes a challenge and was in his element, determined to see how many chocolates he could get in the box. Finally when we checked out he had 1.8 kg of Chocolate in a box that most would get less than a kilo in. He was so impressed that he went back for a second box. Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas!!! (P-don’t rely on them as a Christmas Gift as all that may be left are the pretty wrappers!)

(P- if they end up as gifts they may be unique Lindt chocolates as there was a slight compression to get them to fit in the box!! At least square instead of round Lindt’s won’t roll off the table!)

Philip now decides that as it’s very early afternoon We would go and hook up the van and instead of driving down the Hume Highway to Melbourne we would go up over the Blue Mountains towards Bathurst and then south through Cowra and Wagga Wagga. By now I’m getting a little suspicious! Why the big change of direction? Why leave this afternoon instead of tomorrow? Think I need to do some questioning and maybe Googling! Once we are packed up an on the road I pose the question, what’s out this way to see and what towns will we pass through heading south? After listing a few towns he mentions Henty!!! Now I have been around a bit and visited many field days over my time and I know that there is a huge Agricultural Field day held in Henty each year! You guessed it, guess what’s on as we pass through this little town in a couple of days? That’s right, the opening day of the Henty Field Days. I knew there had to be a reason for the change of plans.

That being said, the drive over the mountains was spectacular, even though photography was limited. As we neared Bathurst we could see Mount Panorama off to the side. Philip contemplated doing a lap of the race track but would have been a bit limited with the van in tow, so we will have to do that another time. We found a nice little overnight camp not far past Bathurst and stopped for the night. A very easy dinner tonight of mushrooms on toast (we had a big lunch before leaving Richmond so didn’t need much.

Monday

Today’s drive has been lovely. Rain 3 weeks ago has given everything a nice green tinge and the Canola crops are a vibrant yellow, almost glowing on the hillsides. There are some quaint little villages and some impressive old homesteads and railway cottages along our route. First stop for the day today was at Cowra Japanese Garden and the prisoner of war sites. The garden was great but would be beautiful in several weeks when all the blossoms are in full bloom. It’s a lovely spot to wander around and break our trip. Back on the road we continue towards Henty where we find the show ground and our camp spot for the next two nights. We will certainly revisit this area again to have more time to soak up some history. The drive down the Olympic Highway has been great and worth taking some time to explore.

(P- Judith mentioned the green fields! Yes they were green and the canola was yellow BUT it’s a green drought. The green is the result of a small rain in the area approx. 3 weeks ago, just enough to brighten things up. The wheat is ankle high at best. The Canola just a little higher whereas it should be waist high at a minimum! The word around is most of the crops won’t make grain harvest and some of the better ones may be cut for Hay. It’s going to be an incredibly tough year for a large number of Farmers and rural towns and a struggle to recover before the next natural disaster strikes!)(With the drought fools gold this year!!!)

Tuesday

Philip is chaffing at the bit this morning ready to head out to the Field Day site.

(P- Untrue, Judith omitted to mention that she was served a cup of tea, Hash Browns, Grilled Smoked Bacon, Grilled Tomato and scrambled eggs in BED!! If I was in a real rush it would have been a donut at the Field day!)

In all his travels he has never been to this Field Day. We are in the car and on the road just before 8am. Then in a line of traffic 10 k long, sneaking long at 2 k an hour until we reach the car park. I will leave the rest to Philip and he can tell you about the Field Day.

(P-It is amazing how “lucky” we were to stumble across this Rural event! It was a well organised Field Day with mainly Broad Acre and Grain equipment. A vast variety of good food and the usual stalls selling “everything but the Mother In Law”. A great day was had by both of us, I am sure Judith has already mentioned the new 1/2 wardrobe of clothes she purchased! A fun day and back at van at 3pm with an enormous headache, so drugs and a siesta for me!)

Wednesday 13th

After a leisurely morning we caught up with Ross and Rochelle Hewson and daughter Sarah, from NZ. Sarah is racing in the Triathlon on Sunday, unfortunately we will miss her race. It was lovely to spend some time with them all. We had a delicious dinner with them in the evening , after they had been to the Opening Ceremony for the World Triathlon Grand Final.

Thursday morning was a very early start as we had to be out of the caravan park before 6am to avoid all the road closures. We had packed up most things Wednesday evening so that all we had to do was hook up our vehicle and unhook the power. We were on the road just before 6am heading Sydney way.

After a great run we stopped for the afternoon and evening at Diamond Head Campground on Crowdy Bay. (P- we stumbled on this place by accident. We stopped at a little village for a siesta and lunch. I found a hand painted sign that said “beach camping” so we followed yet another narrow goat track and found this awesome place). What a beautiful spot. We camped just 60 metres from the beach on a nice grassed area, with kangaroos grazing around us. After setting up it was off for a walk before dinner. A lovely walk up to a lookout with some amazing wild flowers blooming along the way. The walk wasn’t too long but was a good chance to stretch the legs after a long morning in the car. This would be a lovely spot to come back to and spend some time. There is a great beach and numerous walks around. After sticking the toes in the water and discovering the temperature has dropped quite considerably we decided not to swim, but it looks like a great swimming beach.

Next morning (Friday) we weren’t so rushed to get away so left the campground about 8.30. Today’s destination is Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney. I quite enjoy the drive down the Pacific Highway. It’s quite picturesque and as we bypass Newcastle and cross the Hawkesbury River there are some great views. We hit Sydney traffic just after midday. There is only about 8 kilometres of non freeway that we have to negotiate, so it’s pretty easy and we reach our destination just before 1.30. After lunch and a rest we are off for a walk around town, then down to the local cemetery where we want to check out some grave sites of some of Australia’s first fleet convict/settlers/pioneers. It’s amazing to think that these grave sites are tucked away in a corner of this old cemetery.

(P-We enjoy and find fascinating the Modern history of our country. The European settlement that we are very fortunate took place (if it didn’t I might have been living somewhere in the United Kingdom!!!!). It’s fascinating to wander the cemetery’s and find the “First Fleeter’s” (arrived 26 Jan 1788) graves then research their history. We also wandered the cemetery’s in the neighbouring town of Windsor and found many more including the ancestors of one of my very good Client and friend’s! (That just makes it more interesting!) I think I may study some of the excellent published research of my families and where they are buried and spend some time wandering around looking for their grave sites in the future).

Saturday, well what do you know, there is a Vintage Machinery Show on here over the weekend!!!!Now it’s Philips turn to tell you all about it…….

(P- I am sure I mentioned the Sydney antique Machinery Club annual rally to Judith —- well maybe she was asleep! She just couldn’t believe how coincidental it was that we were camped just 3 Km away from one of NSW largest Vintage Machinery rally’s! Oh and also the Kenworth Truck annual show and shine ( over 400 “Beasts of the road” on display).

Not to forget my wonderful wife — there was even “fibre craft” there which she had never seen! A vintage rope making machine which she found interesting and was given the rope at the end.

I haven’t informed her yet but I have instructions for her to “take up” this almost forgotten art in my inherited 1958 “ Weekly Times Farmers Handbook” WOW how lucky is she!!!!

“Coincidently” I have found another “activity” close by for tomorrow- I am sure I would have informed Judith of that also ( and she has forgotten!)

We are now at Broadwater Caravan Park in Southport on the Gold Coast after spending a wonderful weekend at Nanango Country Music Muster. Hours and hours of great music and Bush poetry. We set our chairs up at the main stage on Thursday evening and they remained in place until we left on Sunday morning. That way we could just move between performers and the van when we wanted to hear a particular musician. We ended up spending most of our time at the stage area as all the performers were very talented. They were quite varied in their styles and techniques from classic country to modern country, yodelling (not into this), to gospel. (P-I really enjoy the artists that specialise in Australian Bush Ballads, putting true and not quite Aussie stories to music).They had two bands to back the singers that swapped and changed as the music changed. An awesome pianist, energetic double bass player, steel guitars, fiddle player and multiple guitarists. Most just picked up their instruments and joined in playing without music. All very talented musicians, I enjoyed watching them as much as I enjoyed the singers.

We met some lovely people, just a few vans up from us. As we were walking back to our van, the gentleman was looking very perplexed outside his van. We asked if he had a problem and found he was trying to fit a new LED light. Didn’t have the right screwdriver and couldn’t work out what to do. Of course, Philip had the screw driver he needed, so supplied the tools and ended up fitting the light. Later that afternoon they came along and invited us up for a drink with them and their friends. We had a lovely evening and as it turned out he was the brother of one of the guest poets, Ray Essery. Alan and his wife made us very welcome and we left feeling like old friends, with an invitation to visit whenever we were passing their way.

Sunday morning at 7.30 we were over to listen to the Bush Poets, we love this section of the weekend. There are some very talented people who can get up on stage and recite a poem, tell a story or a joke ( Australiana) with great animation. Carol Heuchan was one of the guest poets. She recited, among other things, The Man From Snowy River. I have never heard this recited like she did it. So full of emotion, and expression. She almost had people in tears. Then she turned round and did a rap verse about a cockroach, which was very funny.

All these people are so talented.

Final tally for the vans at the event was 770. Not bad for a country event. We will be back.

We are now settled at the Broadwater Park for the next 4-5 days. This has turned out to be a great spot as well. Tomorrow is the start of the international Triathlon Event and the swim leg is just off the beach right in front of us and the bike leg is past the entrance to the park. Philip is rapt with our spot here as he can sit and watch all the boats coming and going along the Broadwater and spit area.

(P- Was “Browny” point time yesterday, Judith’s Mother and some friends were staying at Burleigh Heads, so we went down and had lunch with them. Was great to see the “Oldies”. This time I gave them some notice as a couple a years ago we called in unannounced at 7pm. Well oldies in Pajamas and Hair Rollers isn’t a pretty sight – 2 years on I am still recovering). It was great to catch up).

(P- As is normal ( well sometimes) I went for a bike ride this morning. I rode around to the Spit and return (about 12k). The scenery was great (I do enjoy marinas and waterways to ride around). Well I looked quite out of place in my old camping shorts and a Western Shirt! Evidently I was riding on a practice route for the Triathalon being held here. I was in top gear in my bike and felt as tho I was going backwards! Bikes, racing wheel chairs and even the odd runner was passing me on my Trusty Fold up Bike. I still had the upper advantage tho! I enjoyed the scenery whilst they were all heads down and bums up and could only see Bitumen! A far cry from my country town rides where everyone says hi and some even stop for a chat! )

After spending a couple of lovely days with Peter and Di, (Philips Cousin and wife) we drove back to Maroochydore Beach Holiday Park, right on the beach front. We have an internal site here and quite a few spectators as Philip backed the van in. The people next to us even suggested we would need to get the tractor to back us in. We didn’t and he was quite amazed that Philip did it with only a couple of adjustments. Initially we thought it might not be a good site but it turned out to be very good. Lots of room and lots of vehicle parking space.

We spent the next three days relaxing, riding our bikes and eating fish and prawns etc. it’s always a good excuse to have a nice feed of fish and chips if you have ridden 6 kilometres to get them and then have to ride back to the van again.

Philip had the “DobCob” ( as we call Philip’s heat bead BBQ/oven camp cooker) out today to cook some turkey drumsticks for dinner. This always creates a great conversation piece. Either the smell of meat cooking or how unusual it is causes people to stop and chat. Today as the drumsticks are sizzling, a lady stops to chat and asks what it is. Philip tells here it’s our dinner cooking, just some CHICKEN drumsticks and lifts the lid for her to see. Her comment, “wow, I have never seen chicken drumsticks that big. It must have been a massive chicken.” Luckily I was out of view because it was very difficult to keep a straight face and not laugh out loud. She was deadly serious and never even cracked a smile. All this makes camping fun and makes great memories.

Thursday morning we packed up and headed out to Nanango to the Country Music Festival. We were here several years ago and are really looking forward to some good music again. By the time we arrived we were the 610 th van on site. Each van is given a number as it arrives. Some have been here since Monday when the walk up talent shows start. Today will be early enough for us with Friday and Saturday being the main days. The guy who shows us where to park the van (locally known a Brownie) is quite a character and has all the vans organised and placed where he wants them. For those who aren’t real good at backing he yells instructions at the top of his lungs and guides them in with a 6ft Long stick. Could be a real put off for some.

Thursday afternoon we just set up and relax, go for a bike ride and cook roast lamb for dinner. While the lamb is cooking, Philip decides to fix our umbrella just in case it rains. This is a $10 umbrella and it has a broken spoke. Two hours later and after many interesting words, glue on fingers and the umbrella, and quite a few laughs the umbrella now works beautifully. I don’t think I would be so determined but it kept him amused and busy.

After dinner we went up to the main stage to listen to the 16 best walk up performers from the last 3 days. Some of them were quite good and the evening was clear with no wind and a beautiful starry sky. Even a falling star. Now we are looking forward to the serious stuff tomorrow.

A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA, TRIVIA OR SOMETHING

(P- I awoke this morning to the news that Actor Burt Reynolds had passed away. I just had to wake Judith and break the news and remind her how lucky she is!

WHY you may well ask? Well some 41 years ago Judith and I (and a couple of others) went to the Drive in Theatre. The Movie showing was “Smokey and the Bandit”, starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field. Judith was lucky (my opinion) enough to sit in the front (next to me). The rest you may say is history!! Wow time flies and in my opinion. The old “Smokey” is a damn special movie! How lucky am I and how lucky are we.

HOWEVER in hindsight maybe we should have named Mark, “Burt” and Joanne, “Sally” given the First time out together with “Smokey and the Bandit”.)

3 great days at Seventeen Seventy. We took it pretty easy chatting to fellow campers, walking on the beach, bike riding and reading and of course some eating.

(P-nothing like a Roast slow cooked over coals in my “Dobson made” Camp oven / fire pot. A roast of lamb and veggies cooked in the coals one night, Roast Duck another, lamb shanks and Beef short ribs to mention a few of the items on the menu. We have endless onlookers commenting on the delicious aromas that waft across the camp grounds.)

We are soaking up the sun and warmth while we still have some, it’s gunna be much cooler when we get home.

On Friday (31st) we were up early to walk up to the marina by 7.30 ready for a trip out to Lady Musgrave Island. Have to go early to catch the tides as once the tide is low there are sand bars across the estuary mouth. It’s a 2 hour trip out to the island and it’s a bit rolly but we travelled okay. There were only 19 of us on the boat so plenty of room to move about. Just before reaching the island and reef we were lucky enough to see 4 whales passing by us. We stopped to watch for a few minutes until they were out of view. Pretty awesome to see these great creatures.

Once we made our way inside the reef the water levelled out and the boat moored and a wonderful morning tea was served before we off loaded into a glass bottom boat for a trip around some of the bommies and the reef walls that surround the island. Although the coral is not very colourful it is very healthy with many different types of corals about. We also saw numerous green turtles, some resting on the coral some just lazily floating around and some poking their heads above the water. After spending 90 minutes looking at the reef we landed on the island ready for a walk with our island guide.

Lady Musgrave Coral Cay is only 14 hectares, with a 1292 hectare surrounding reef, one third being the Lagoon. The island is a haven for seabirds, Wedgetailed Shearwaters, Noddies, Boobies and Terns. The seabirds nest in and under the Pisonia forest ( these trees are unique to the Great Barrier Reef) the main nesting season is October to December but some early arrivals of Noddies were making their presence felt. The Pisonia forest is beautiful. The old trees have gnarled and broken trunks with new branches shooting outs, and a bright green canopy of leaves giving a mottled shady walk through the island. Back out on the beach we wander round the shore spotting black tip reef sharks and sting rays along the shore line. The beach is not sandy but made up of broken coral in all shapes and sizes. Not good for walking bare foot but interesting to walk along. As your feet move the coral it makes a light tinkling noise as it hits against more coral. With 20 people walking long it makes quite an interesting musical accompaniment. Back on the main boat it’s lunch time and then snorkelling time. Only about 8 of us snorkelled but the water was warm and the fish life was amazing. We saw many variety of fish and turtles, probably the most variety we have ever seen in one snorkelling area. It was great. Then unfortunately it was time to leave and head back to the mainland. A good time to have a snooze and relax before we get back. The tide is now very low so the Reef Jet can’t get through the sandbars at the estuary so the Lark (an amphibious boat/vehicle) has come out to collect us. We board the Lark and drive, and motor back to the jetty and walk back to the van, tired but very happy with the great day we have had.

Saturday, we are off early this morning for a 5 hour drive down to Caboulture to stay with Philips cousin, Peter and Di for the next couple of nights.

24-28 August

Three days of relaxing, soaking up some sun, bike rides and swimming. This is a beautiful spot. A rare not so touristy, lovely and quiet “hideaway”. Sunday we were very energetic and took the bikes out for a spin. From the park at Hydeaway Bay we rode around to Dingo Beach. This is the main beach area and has a boat ramp, pub, General Store and a lovely beachfront park. A pretty easy ride as it’s flat all of the 6 kilometres, well almost flat. When we arrived the tide was just heading out so we changed and had a lovely swim. The water is about 23 degrees so you can just walk straight in. We swam in the enclosure which protects from stingers etc during the months of November to May. Didn’t really need to today but that’s where everyone seemed to be. It was a very pleasant swim and very refreshing after the bike ride. After swimming and drying off we cycled round to the pub and found ourselves a seat in the sun. They have live music during Sunday and the guy was playing some great guitar and singing all while we enjoyed a yummy seafood platter and a drink. Unfortunately after lunch we have to ride back to the park. Oh well I guess it just worked off the calories we just ate. Later in the afternoon we took the path out the back of the park and headed down to the beach again, (this time a bit closer). It’s not as nice here, rocky and a bit breezy, we follow a track back up to the top of the hill and wander back to the campground. From the top of the hill we could see Dingo Beach, it’s probably only a 30 minute walk away over a clear track.

Monday

Out early for a ride around the local township. It’s pretty hilly here but there are some beautiful homes, all fairly new, that overlook the bay. We made a couple of stops to check out the beach then back to the van to change into our bathers and back down to the closest beach for a swim while the tide is high. The water is clear and warm and it’s a beautiful spot to swim.

Back to the van for a quick shower and change and then we are heading into Airlie Beach. This area has grown heaps since we were last here. Very touristy now and lots of traffic but we find a car park and head off for a walk around the waterfront to the marina. Philip loves this area and drools over the boats and the possible places to sail to. We stop for lunch at a bistro that overlooks the marina and select our favourite yachts or catamarans while we enjoy a light lunch. Then more of a wander around the yachts before heading back to the car. Then some grocery shopping and refuelling before heading back to the van.

A great day again.

Tuesday. 28

On the road again today. Heading down through cane country, Mackay, Marlborough and almost to Rockhampton. Just stopped at a roadside stop tonight next to a classic old pub in Yaamba, it appears to be an old railway town. A wander around this not so large of a village before enjoying a “Van Baked” Shepherds Pie. Tomorrow we are heading to Seventeen Seventy for 3 nights.

(P-Those of you with a map can see we have now left the outback and are now on the coastal phase of our journey. It’s a pleasant change but not as relaxing as there is a large amount of heavy traffic and many more people. A far cry from driving for 2 or 3 days “Outback” and only seeing 3 or 4 vehicles and not many more people. Camping “Outback” under the unhindered open night sky’s .Watching shooting stars and satellite’s criss crossing our skies, identifying the satellite’s and constellations (with the aid of a couple of Ipad Apps) and magnificent sunsets. We also enjoyed the camp fires and camp oven food! My choice is the “Outback” and friendly country people any day!)

Unfortunately the time comes when you have to make the decision to start to head south. Today is that day. Although there is a lot more we would like to see up this end of Australia, time limits us. So today we leave Chillagoe and head toward Mt Surprise down the Ootan Track, then down towards Einasleigh and Copperfield Gorge. Once we leave the main road, within the first few kilometres there are a series of road signs and then they continue sporadically as we continue down the road. To some travellers they would be quite off putting but the road is good and we have a good radio for communication with other travellers and truck drivers. It’s quite a pretty area with numerous (P- Understatement!!!) dry creek crossings and many changes of vegetation along the way. Quite a bit of this road follows the Savanahlander rail line from Almaden to Forsayth, crossing the track in several spots.

When we reach Mt Surprise we stop for a wander. Not much of a town, a fuel stop, General Store, caravan park and large parking area. That’s about it. We have a chat with the store keeper while we purchase our ice creams, before continuing down to Einasleigh. Again the road signs continue, but not as prolifically as in the first section. By mid afternoon we reach The town of Einasleigh. (Again not very big but smaller and more remote than Mt Surprise). We had thought we might stop here overnight but there was really nowhere to stop. We drove past the pub and noticed the sign that it had new owners. Now if we were the owners of the pub we would have a big sign out welcoming caravaners and letting them stay in their yard. It would bring in a bit more income for them! “Eat at our Pub and stay free in our campground”, (P- really not hard to be a little entrepreneurial if you stop and think), Especially as just across the road is the Copperfield Gorge. This Gorge would be pretty spectacular if there was some water in it, which there isn’t. Anyway we continue down the road towards Kidston where we find a nice area just off the road to stay the night. The evenings out here are gorgeous, with the sun setting behind the line of trees and the sky turning orange.

Mornings are not bad either as the sun rises over the hills and the birds stir in the surrounding trees. Today’s first stop is Kidston Mine (abandoned) and the remains of Kidston Town the old town that served the Mine.

(P- the old Kidston Mine site was a diversion for Peter and I on our recent flying trip, we decided to fly over it for a look. When we did fly over we couldn’t work out what all the straight lines were in the old settling ponds. That evening I googled the history of the old gold mine and discovered that the “straight lines” we saw were a huge, yep, massive Solar Panel farm capable of generating approx 300mw of electricity. BUT ,WAIT there is more to this old abandoned Mine site! They have two old mine open cut pits -one at a higher elevation than the other, with these 2 pits they are creating a Pumped Hydro Scheme with the pumps powered by the Solar Farm, supplying peak demand electricity when needed. Amazing technology in such a remote place! Have a look at these links if it interests you. https://youtu.be/egBJHR6xmiw and https://youtu.be/mlcae3UvF5Q ).

Once we leave the Kidston we continue the loop round through Welfern, Bagsure, Glenmore, Oakpark and Lyndhurst and back to the Oasis Roadhouse on the Gregory Development Road. This is a great drive, good scenery, three mobs of cattle being mustered, a bit of History at Oakpark and then sealed roads once we hit the Development Road.

Oakpark was purchased in 1888 by James Russel Nimmo and remained in his family for 96 years, until it was sold in 1984. The Oakpark picnic races are held here annually. What an event that would be to attend. (P- another “bucket list agenda item”).

During the afternoon we drove through the town of Greenvale. For Slim Dusty fans you may remember the song, “Three Rivers Hotel”. Well here it is. A very unassuming place. The song goes as follows (for those who don’t know it).

“From Townsville to Greenvale their Building a line,

Through the ranges and the gorges to the Great Nickel Mine,

the long days are dusty and hotter than hell,

That’s why we all worship Three Rivers Hotel.”

Unfortunately the Mine closed in 1984 and the town, while still tidy is only very small compared to what it used to be.

From here we continued in the direction of Charters Towers, stopping by the side of the road in a small gravel pit for the night. Again a beautiful evening and with road train drivers giving us a toot and a wave as they passed by.

24th August.

Today has been a long driving day, about 500 k. But we are now on the coast at a lovely park at Hideaway Bay, just north of Airlie Beach. We stopped for a while in Charters Towers for a wander around. There are some magnificent old buildings there as this was a very rich gold mining area. The town boasted one of the few Stock Exchanges outside a Capital City and at one stage there were 92 Pubs in town. Many of the old buildings remain and this certainly adds character to the lovely Main Street. We need some more time to fully explore this rural centre.

Several more stops along the way plus a Siesta time and we reached our destination just before 5pm. That’s late for us but it’s good to be here and set up for a couple of days. (P-In Charters Towers I found an old fashioned family owned Butchers Shop and invested in some protein. The 30mm (for Judith) and 50mm (mine) Rib Fillet Steaks wrapped in Bacon and topped with Blue Cheese and Bacon rounded out another great but tiring day!)