A Journey of Discovery & Learning ... 2021

 May 2021 -- New Adventures Begin.

Our Rig

Hello and welcome to another adventure with 'The Rambling Retirees'. This is a "Bucket List" adventure so join us as we travel through the Outback of Australia. We have no definitive schedule or travel plan and like all our adventures, flexibility is the key word.

Each section of this journey we are hoping to tick off some of the "wannadoos" on our bucket list and we are very excited to finally be starting out on this adventure of Discovery & Learning.

Section 1: Toowoomba to Maree via Beetoota and the Birdsville Track.

The first stage of our travels was very familiar to us with a three night stopover at Mitchell where we could enjoy the recuperative water of the artesian spa pool, and the wonderful treats from the local bakery. It was worth enduring the below zero night temps to enjoy the pool and the sweet treats. After 3 nights at Fisherman's Rest free camp it was time to move onto Charleville. 

This was new territory for us to explore. Although we had travelled in this area on other adventures we had never actually had a stopover here. There is much to discover in and around this small western Queensland town. Unfortunately the toll of long term drought followed by the Covid pandemic can be seen with many empty shop fronts. However, these hard times do not seem to have dampened the spirits of these hardy locals. Everyone we met had a smile and a welcoming attitude - from the hardware store to the local barber, bakery, craft centre and, Information Centre staff.

Charleville's signage says 'Welcome to the Centre of the Universe'. In this little town you can discover the beauty of the universe through the Cosmos Centre telescopes. The night skies in this region are clear, smog free and the stars are amazing. Another major attraction is the Bilby Centre where you can learn about this small endangered marsupial and the breeding program trying to increase their numbers and chance of survival.

Aside from the major tourist attractions there are plenty of other things to discover about the history of Charleville. There is a lovely park with a walking track planted with Australian Native trees. 

Australian Natives

 

Wragge

 

The Rain Gun

Here we also discovered the 'rain gun' and learned about its inventor, Clement Wragge.

We enjoyed a walk along a well maintained track beside the Warrego River - and discovered a 'blue' gum tree painted to promote the Beyond Blue program 'R U OK'.

Blue Gum

There are many old buildings in this town dating back to the 1800's. One of which houses a museum. On the verandah of this building I discovered some 'talking' pillars, and learned about the pioneers who built the town.

We spent 4 nights in this area - 2 nights we stayed at the Ward River Bridge free camp, and 2 at the Charleville Bush Camp.

Ward River Camp

Ward River

We could have probably stayed more to explore and learn more of the history of this area but it was time to move onto our next overnight stop.

Originally the plan was to stop and camp at The Lake at Quilpie after we left Mitchell. But, as we had stayed in Charleville we decided to drive a little further on from Quilpie and found a lovely camp spot Kyabra Creek. Just a one night stop but we found a lot of birdlife at this waterhole.

Info

Kyabra Creek Waterhole

So on we go. We are now up to day 10 and not yet ticked anything off the 'Bucket List'! But today is the day for tick number one! THE BETOOTA PUB!

 

Arriving in Betoota around 3pm it was a perfect time to wash away some of that travel dust we had experienced along the way. We planned to stay overnight and we enjoyed a wonderful country "buffet" dinner - steak, snags and an array of salads - plus there was also a lamb stew which was apparently delicious. All for a reasonable cost of $25!! This is a very welcome stopover on the trek to Birdsville and we highly recommend it to all travelling this route.

Dreamtime Serpent

Further along the road from Betoota is an amazing work of art on a hillside that should not be missed. The Dreamtime Serpent sculpture is constructed from locally sourced gibbers and gravel. It represents a series of pathways to connect the river systems in the Channel Country.

Mud, Mud, Mud!!

Wed, 24th Apr 2019

Today our 'Mystery Adventure' turned into an action-packed 'Nightmare Adventure'. The road to Broken Hill (BH) was "Open" according to the sign in Tibooburra so we departed at 9 am planning to drive to BH.

We turned off into Milparinka for a little exploring but the wind was so cold and strong we only stayed long enough to chat with another couple who had left TB around the same time as us. They were also travelling through to BH and Silverton. We will have to return to explore the history of the area.

Milparinka Hotel

Silhouette at Milparinka

   They departed ahead of us but stopped at the end of the bitumen to chat with another van driver. We were surprised to hear from them via the UHF that the road was closed about 50km south of us. Expecting the road to be closed around Packsaddle we elected to continue. Big mistake!

  The road to BH has sections of bitumen and sections of dirt - today it was mud, mud, mud. The first section of mud after Milparinka was a trial for the OWO as he tackled the sliding of both 'Peter Prado' and 'Ada Avan'. At the end of this section, back on the bitumen, we stopped for a breather, hoping that was the worst of it! One can always hope!! 

Dirt Again

   

It was at this point that our "Angel", in his small truck, pulled alongside us and we had a chat about the road ahead. It was not good news. We let him go ahead of us and we followed in his wheel tracks. On this section we passed the car, we had been told at Tibooburra  the previous day, that had overturned. 

Our "Angel"

Wrecked Car

  Although it was had work keeping 'Ada' on track the OWO did a great job. Then we hit a really bad patch and 'Ada' decided to go her own way instead of following the "Angel's" directions. End result "BOGGED" - we were not going anywhere from here without help.

 

Thank goodness we had a guiding "Angel" who towed us onto the side-track, the way we supposed to go in the first place. Of course by this stage there was little traction because of the build-up of mud on our wheels, but we continued to follow our "Angel" guide.

End of the Dirt

Mud

 
The next section of unsealed road was actually dry, good condition, and only a short distance onto the bitumen which continued all the way to Packsaddle Roadhouse. We stopped for a much needed break and breakfast. Whilst here we noticed the road information sign - Packsaddle to Tibooburra - ROAD CLOSED! Oh yes, definitely closed. Why didn't the Tibooburra end say road closed?
What an action-packed trip that was.

Rain, Rain, and more Rain!

Monday, 22nd Apr 2019.

Road Conditions

Sign at Tibooburra

It rained off and on throughout the night and at 5.30 am with more thunderstorms and heavy rain. We had planned to travel on towards Silverton! All roads in and out of Tibooburra - CLOSED.

Tuesday, 23rd Apr.

Bushland

Road out to Broken Hill was opened around 3 pm but we chose to stay another night hoping the road would dry out a little more. We took the opportunity to walk along the Reserve trail, accompanied by many flies which seemed to have increased since the rain, for some photographic scenes.

Friendly Flies

         

Tibooburra countryside

All ready to leave early in the morning!