Finally after weeks of discussions, indecision, planning, re-planning, stressing and then, 3 days of cleaning, packing and more stress, we started our travels. We have a fairly loose plan as to where we are going but for now we will have three nights in Mitchell then onto Lightning Ridge with maybe one night at Nindigully on the way. After that, due to various road closures, it will be a Mystery Adventure!
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| Steve outside Sparky's |
So! We left home at 10am (Mon 8th Apr) and our first coffee stop was Sparky's Cafe just west of Chinchilla. Have stopped here a few times now and always a good feed at a reasonable price. Arr: 11.45. Dep: 12.30.
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| Diana outside Sparky's |
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| Brunch |
On to Mitchell where we booked into the Major Mitchell van park. We usually stay at Fisherman's Rest free camp but decided on the van park this time. Walking distance to the Artesian Spa and pubs.
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| On location |
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| En-suite Drive-thru Site |
$35 per night for drive-thru en-suite site. Friendly owners, Craig & Caroline. Lovely well-spaced sites with the only negative being cattle trucks passing at night.
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| BBQ Area |
The Mitchell Yumba Interpretative Trail
Well worth a visit if you are looking for Historical information.
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| Interpretative Trail |
This walk is approx 4km and tells the story of Yumba, a government Reserve for the Aboriginal Inhabitants of Mitchell set up in 1935 by the Queensland government.
This was a completely separate community from the non-indigenous inhabitants of Mitchell, and located east of the Maranoa River. It was closed in 1963 when the Queensland government relocated the indigenous families back into the township of Mitchell, but the last family did not leave Yumba until 1967 when the settlement was bulldozed. Yumba had its own school with one teacher, but it was closed in 1953 when the building was removed. However, that building has been returned to the Yumba and is now a museum. Despite all the beautiful artwork along this trail, there is a feeling of great sadness here when exploring the history of this area.
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| Jurdis Bough Sheds |
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| Bough Shed Story Board |
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| Bough Shed Info |
A must-do whilst in Mitchell is to visit the Artesian Spa where you can relax and unwind in the hot artesian water. The spa complex is now managed by members of the local community and there is a cafe offering a range of meals at a reasonable price. A visit to the local bakery is also well worth doing.
Mitchell, like many western towns in Queensland and NSW, is a community badly affected by the drought and many of the businesses have either closed or have reduced opening hours. Of the five hotels in the town only one is now operating but is also up for sale. You know a community is struggling in Australia when even the pubs are closing their doors.!!
