LONGREACH-EMERALD
After our few nights stopover in Winton it was time to head off towards Longreach, 180klms, Friday, 16th October. As we had visited there before many years ago, our plan was to just stay 1 night so we could visit the Qantas Museum and the 747 that is on display. Because we were too late for the last tour of the day booked the first one the next day before continuing our journey along the Capricorn Highway towards Emerald. Our stop for the night was rest area #338 Camps 5. after travelling 265klms for the day from Longreach through Barcaldine and Alpha. It was called the Belyando River Rest Area. We were the only van there, but it felt safe. It was the most beautiful stop as the sun went down and the traffic stoped flowing the quietness was deafening with millions of stars. The next morning we witnessed the most magnificent sunrise due to large fires in the Rockhampton district. Our only neighbours were the cows in the paddock.
After a trip of 145klms to Emerald we did a bit of shopping before heading south, 18klms to the Fairbairn Dam, Lake Maraboon. We stayed there back in June. This stop ended up being 2 wks. As the weather was warming up the redclaw crayfish were in abundance. As we had our Zodiac inflatable it was easier to place the pots and done really well. Were fortunate to have really good neighbours, Lorraine & Barry, and thoroughly enjoyed their company. They let us borrow a trailer so we could load the Zodiac on and drive down to the lake, which made it a lot easier for us. As well, on our arrival they presented us with a lovely feed of redclaw. Monday nights in the park is Sausage Sizzle night with a gold coin donation going to charity, Careflight. Because our lovely friend Tania Kernaghan had been to the park on the day we arrived, (yes, we did cross paths ) and left a CD & Poster for the boys to auction they raised $100, won by our friend Barry. The weather deteriorated in our 2nd week so we were unable to put our pots out, but when we were leaving Barry & Lorraine gave us a bucket full of frozen green redclaw, as they were semi-permanent they had plenty of time to catch more. Also, during our stay it was our 16th wedding anniversary and the park hosts, Geoff & Andy gave us dinner & wine in the restaurant, which was really appreciated. Thankyou guys.
Sunday 1st Nov. It was time to move, again to a place we had previously stopped at. 284klms to Moura along the Dawson Highway and just 7klms west of town is the Dawson River Rest Area. (430 Camps 5) Beside the river this park is beautiful. Facilities include toilets, showers (hot with a dollar coin) but no drinking water. Enjoyed it so much we stayed for 4 nights which included Melbourne Cup Day, our first away from home. Although we are not regular punters, Cup Day is the only time. As Moura was close by our bets were placed in the morning and the day enjoyed with the company of our neighbours in the park, Heather & Col, Alan & Jean. By the way, it is still hard to pick the winner. D’Arcy tried fishing in the river, but only managed to lose a few lures by getting snagged.
Till next post........
After our few nights stopover in Winton it was time to head off towards Longreach, 180klms, Friday, 16th October. As we had visited there before many years ago, our plan was to just stay 1 night so we could visit the Qantas Museum and the 747 that is on display. Because we were too late for the last tour of the day booked the first one the next day before continuing our journey along the Capricorn Highway towards Emerald. Our stop for the night was rest area #338 Camps 5. after travelling 265klms for the day from Longreach through Barcaldine and Alpha. It was called the Belyando River Rest Area. We were the only van there, but it felt safe. It was the most beautiful stop as the sun went down and the traffic stoped flowing the quietness was deafening with millions of stars. The next morning we witnessed the most magnificent sunrise due to large fires in the Rockhampton district. Our only neighbours were the cows in the paddock.
After a trip of 145klms to Emerald we did a bit of shopping before heading south, 18klms to the Fairbairn Dam, Lake Maraboon. We stayed there back in June. This stop ended up being 2 wks. As the weather was warming up the redclaw crayfish were in abundance. As we had our Zodiac inflatable it was easier to place the pots and done really well. Were fortunate to have really good neighbours, Lorraine & Barry, and thoroughly enjoyed their company. They let us borrow a trailer so we could load the Zodiac on and drive down to the lake, which made it a lot easier for us. As well, on our arrival they presented us with a lovely feed of redclaw. Monday nights in the park is Sausage Sizzle night with a gold coin donation going to charity, Careflight. Because our lovely friend Tania Kernaghan had been to the park on the day we arrived, (yes, we did cross paths ) and left a CD & Poster for the boys to auction they raised $100, won by our friend Barry. The weather deteriorated in our 2nd week so we were unable to put our pots out, but when we were leaving Barry & Lorraine gave us a bucket full of frozen green redclaw, as they were semi-permanent they had plenty of time to catch more. Also, during our stay it was our 16th wedding anniversary and the park hosts, Geoff & Andy gave us dinner & wine in the restaurant, which was really appreciated. Thankyou guys.
Sunday 1st Nov. It was time to move, again to a place we had previously stopped at. 284klms to Moura along the Dawson Highway and just 7klms west of town is the Dawson River Rest Area. (430 Camps 5) Beside the river this park is beautiful. Facilities include toilets, showers (hot with a dollar coin) but no drinking water. Enjoyed it so much we stayed for 4 nights which included Melbourne Cup Day, our first away from home. Although we are not regular punters, Cup Day is the only time. As Moura was close by our bets were placed in the morning and the day enjoyed with the company of our neighbours in the park, Heather & Col, Alan & Jean. By the way, it is still hard to pick the winner. D’Arcy tried fishing in the river, but only managed to lose a few lures by getting snagged.
Till next post........
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