Heading for Home

HEADING FOR HOME

Monday 29 – Port Augusta

Another long day. We had done our research and found a brake specialist, so called in there first. Talk about frustrating! Nowhere to park, so we went round the block and turned up a street which looked like it would lead to the back of the business. It turned out to be a very small cul-de-sac! The bloke was most unhelpful (didn't have the spring, couldn't possibly fit us in to have a look at our broken brake) so there we were – up a one-way street with a big Nissan and a 20 ft van. Ian had to drive over the kerb, across the nature strip, between two poles, out over the footpath and onto a busy 4-lane highway! No worries!

The next business we tried was able to help with the brakes, but wanted us back there at 9.30 next morning – with the van, that is! Sensibly, we called at 9.30 to see if he was ready for us and found we didn't have to get there until 11.30. All fixed by 12.30 and back to our Foreshore CP for lunch.

We did some shopping and then went out to the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens. Didn't expect much, but it was marvellous! So well done, and sculptures all through the gardens. We had a quandong icecream and some excellent coffee in their lovely cafe.

At the lovely Arid Lands Botanical Gardens.
Flinders Ranges in the distance.

Wednesday 30 – Broken Hill

A good day's travelling. We arrived just after lunch at Broken Hill CP where we had a drive-through site, so stayed hitched on. Good facilities. As at the last few parks, there are warnings to lock up every time you leave your car/van, and to keep the door locked even if you are inside. Snatch-and-grab thieves will open the door, grab what's sitting around and be gone before you can get up.

We have also been told about the latest trick when you're free-camping. Crooks will pull up in their vehicle right close to your door so you can't get out, strip your car of valuables and drive off before you can even catch their number-plate. Even so, it's often a stolen car anyway. We wondered why some free-campers seemed to be selfish by parking around the campfires and tables, excluding others from using them. Now we see why that would be a good idea.

The majestic Flinders Ranges.
We plan to take a closer look in the near future.

Thursday October 1 – Cobar

Another long day and Ian was pretty worn out by the time we stopped. Once again, we had a drive-through site and stayed hitched on ready for a fast getaway. The caretaker of Cobar CP also does the Munna Point caravan park (Noosa River Holiday Park), remembered that we stay there and that I act in the pantomimes, so gave us a big discount! Cobar is a neat and friendly town with all amenities. I left Ian to have a snooze and walked down into the town for a coffee and scones at a lovely gift shop. It was a long walk (7 blocks) – a good workout after days of sitting in the car.

We stopped for lunch at this 'caravan park' near the Qld border
This was the 'camp kitchen'.

Surely that's not the only loo!!!!
If you purchase something at the shop you can actually use the loo with a door!

Friday 2 – Cunnamulla

Another big day. We had consulted WikiCamps and discovered that the park in town was not very salubrious, but that the one 4 kms out of town was recommended. What a surprise! After a day of boring scenery, we came to the Warrego Tourist Park. It is set on the banks of the Warrego river. Judy, the owner, has designed the park herself. Every site is a drive-through with its own lawn beside it, separated from each other by strips of garden with flowering rose and grevillea bushes and edible herbs – all of which you are free to pick and use. The amenities are like a classy ensuite bathroom – polished wood around the basins, recessed automatic lighting, HUGE shower cubicles with lots of hooks. Outside, there is a rustic style camp kitchen, or you can take your glass down to the riverbank and sit around the fire-pit and watch the bird life at sunset. Just lovely!

We decided we have to return, base ourselves there and explore the area more fully at a later date.

From the ridiculous to the sublime.
Compare this to the previous pictures!

Relaxing by the Warrego.
See, I CAN sit and do nothing. :)

Warrego River

Saturday October 3 – St George

After sauntering off from our lovely campsite, the dream was soon over – the road from there on was just horrendous. Narrow, rutted, rough bitumen that Ian swore was the worst road he'd driven on for the whole 17000 kms. We were very glad to arrive at the caravan park. We've been there before and liked it. We particularly like the showers there – big, with glass shower doors, lots of hooks and a bench for your goodies.

Unfortunately, our peaceful slumbers were ended at 3.00 am when the two girls in the cabin opposite began their money-making campaign entertaining the lads, two at a time. Those waiting sat outside, high as kites, yelling and laughing while they waited their turn, until well after 4 am. The cops did a drive-through at one stage and the waiters did a bunk for a while, which made us wonder what else the girls were selling.

Sunday October 4 – Toowoomba

Two very tired and cranky travellers once again set out on the worst roads in Australia, through flat, dry and boring countryside dotted with coal seam gas plants. It was a pleasure to arrive at Toowoomba and have an afternoon nap. I had decided that I was NOT cooking on our last night, so arranged for us to go to the Golf Club for a Sunday roast special and watch the rugby league grand final. Both tired and grumpy, we argued with the GPS and each other about how to get there and arrived so cranky our last night threatened to be the worst of the trip. However, a drink or two and a good meal did the trick, we went back to see the Bunnies triumph, had a good sleep and were ready for the run home.

Monday October 5 – HOME SWEET HOME!

What a difference! The road improved, the scenery turned green and hilly, the air warm and humid and we felt we had come home to the real Queensland.

We stopped at Kilcoy for a coffee from a coffee van near the lake. It was a busy little town, it being a long weekend.

Coming out to the highway from Beerwah, everything began to look very familiar, and we drove into our driveway at 12.15, five months and 17 600 km since we left.

Aha! Nearly home.

Our friends, Lorraine & Bob, had been looking after the place for us while we were away and had mown, weeded, watered, scrubbed and polished until our house and gardens looked like a magazine picture. Coming home felt very good!

Our home - looking beautiful.

What a wonderful holiday – the best ever!

No disasters, no illnesses, no stress, only two rainy days and no Winter.

Now – where to next????? :)