June 22nd to 30th Ravenshoe

     Having a quiet time here in Ravenshoe, the weather is very changeable, wet and drizzly one day and beautiful sunshine the next. the advantage is, that it isn't cold, cool at times but very manageable for us.



Little Millstream platypus water hole

     The pup's and I have been walking the town every day, rain or shine.
Found our way to a part of the Little Millstream that is a bit over grown around the banks but a narrow track led us to this largish waterhole which I later learnt is a Platypus hole. I didn't see any that day, but I did see a platypus in the creek that runs behind the van park we are in, on our first day here, but it was such a  brief sighting I wasn't sure of what I had seen at the time.


The top Pub at Ravenshoe

     There are 2 hotels in Ravenshoe, this one that the locals call the Top Pub and another known as The Club Hotel.
     The town has everything one would ever need and is very friendly and so-o-o- green with all the water ways running beautifully. Shame about the drizzly weather but it wouldn't be green without it and I know that it can be lovely here.

     We will be sticking around Ravenshoe for a while, so catch you next month.

June 9th 21st Prairie to Ravenshoe

      Tuesday 9th
    Leaving Prairie today we went to Pentland again to the van park to catch up with washing and household chores.
     Next day to Charters Towers where we are meeting with a family member from Jerviose Station up around Greenvale area, 256km from the Towers, with the intention of spending some time on the station helping out where ever needed.
     Leaving Pentland reasonably early about 30 minutes out we heard a loud bang, Yip nearly jumped over the table in fright along with myself and Dot. Upon inspection we found the rear tyre had lost the entire centre of the tread, still fully inflated though. Decided to continue very steady trying to make it all the way to Carters Towers. Not to be, 10 minutes up the road and the rest of tread came adrift, (much to our fright again).
     So - after changing the wheel we made Charters Towers by late am, had the tyre replaced and settled into the roadhouse for the night.
     Met with the Jervoise Station member and will stock up tomorrow and make our way to Greenvale first up.
         
          Thursday 11th
    Stocked up at last and away by 11am. Blue Waters Roadhouse made lunch for us, nothing here at all, just the roadhouse.
Arrived in Greenvale 3pm, pretty tired and looking forward to a rest, parked outside the Three Rivers Hotel.


Sausage Tree in Greenvale

    This picture of the Sausage Tree is in the grounds of the hotel. Strange thing, I must say! The sausages (fruit I think)are somewhere between 4-6 inches round and maybe up to a foot long.

Me and the sausages on the
sausage tree at Greenvale

It is a native of South Africa. no known uses at all. There are only 3 other trees recorded in Australia, 2 in Townsville Botanical gardens and 1 in the Adelaide botanical gardens.
     We camped where we where for the night.

            Friday 12th
     Jerviose Station
         The gravel road  to the cattle station left much to be desired (grader maybe good), nearly shook us to bits. Still, got there safely with a warm welcome and a cuppa. After setting up we had a look around and some discussion about what was required.

           Saturday 13th
     Decided that staying at Jerviose was not for us and left midday, making our way to firstly Mt Garnet for a small rest then on to Archer Creek for the night.

           Monday 15th
     The weather is a bit unkind, mizzly misty rain, so have gone into Ravenshoe to the Tall Timbers Caravan park. Booked in for week at $100.00.


Little Millstream falls with Yip

Little Millstream falls

     Have thrown our name in to the hat to volunteer ourselves to help in any way needed after the horror explosion at one of the cafes last week where 8 persons where badly injured.

     In the mean time  taking photo's galore while visiting the Little millstream, one of the many waterfalls around the area.
  Friday 19th
  

Millaa Millaa and country from the look-out

     Took the pup's for drive to Millaa Millaa today, via the scenic route , not good for caravans! I know why, but a pretty drive. The town is small but is renowned for the many waterfalls around the area. The scenery is beautiful all over, this one from the lookout over the surrounding country and the town in the distance.

Kauri pine log at Millaa Millaa

In a park in town is this huge Kauri log. It is estimated to be 870 years old. Apparently planted somewhere around 1137!!
    It fell over in 2003, the root system no longer able to sustain the tree.
At that time it was 26 metres to the first branch. (What do you reckon? big eh!) The trunk of it was trucked to its present resting place in 2003 in 3 x 4 metre and 1 x 2 metre lengths making a total of 14 metres of log. 1 metre of the trunk is equal to 4 tonnes of timber.


Millaa Millaa falls

    

Drove to the Millaa Millaa falls while there but gave the others a miss as they are in National park and the dogs are not allowed to visit. These are great though, very picturesque.




   

The Reluctant Cow
a statue at Millaa Millaa

     This unusual statue I found at the end of the road in the town, sort of hiding in the corner. Thought it rated a photo.






Wind Farm at Ravenshoe

     On the way back to Ravenshoe I stopped to look at the Wind Turbines at the Wind Farm. Absolutely Huge, making a kind of slow swishing noise as they moved slowly with the wind, a little weird kind of noise.

          Saturday 20th
     There is a wild life hospital at Millstream we visited today called Eagle Nest owned by a chap named Harry. He has all kinds of animal but the most impressive for us is the 13 Dingo, along with 3 (that I saw) wedge tailed eagles.


Alpine Dingo at Ravenshoe

Black+Tan dingo at Ravenshoe

    



Jim + 4 of the dingo at Ravenshoe

A Tawny Frogmouth Owl at
Ravenshoe

Many wallaby, other birds, emu and all sorts of injured and rescue animals.
     This little owl was a among the many birds I saw.


     Back at camp the day has been fantastic, clouded over in the late afternoon but no rain as yet.




           Sunday 21st
     The weather has turned misty and showery. Nothing for it but - to relax.

                   Stand by for the next episode when I blog again.



June 1st to 8th Charters Towers to Prairie

      Monday 1st
    



Charters towers from Towers Hill

Parked at the roadhouse west of Charters Towers overnight last night to get to Windscreens O'Brien and have the windscreen on the bus replaced after the Wedge trailed eagle smashed it last week.
     While waiting, I spent the day restocking Dilligaf, and sightseeing to Towers Hill, which has a 360 degree view of Charters towers and surrounds.



1889 building in Charters Towers
then the N.S.W Bank

     The town has some amazing old buildings, as this one of the Bank of N.S.W.  dated 1889.


     The windscreen was completed around mid afternoon so we camped another night at the roadhouse.

          Tuesday 2nd


Old Police cells at Pentland

 




Pentland rail station with
incoming train

      Away from Charters Towers early this morning after reloading Jimny on the trailer  and refuelling both vehicles and a couple of jerry cans we reached Pentland to book into the van park for a couple of nights at $22.00 per night.


          Thursday 4th
     Prairie today.
         On the way through Pentland we stopped at the local farmers fruit stall, thought he had left the area as hadn't seen him, but grabbed a whole heap of lovely fresh fruit, vegies, cake and bread rolls, John is the stall holders name, he makes all the goodies himself.


Sunset on our 2nd day at Prairie

     Arriving at the Prairie Hotel late morning we set up camp behind the hotel, will catch up with old friends later.


     Intend to spend the long June weekend here.


The hotel and Proprietress

     The owners of the hotel have been hard at it with renovations since our last visit. The Horse on the roof  is an attention grabber, looks good too.






Trains, Planes +??
they have it all in Prairie

The pups are having a ball, they both enjoy their walks around the town and along some of the dirt roads.
     Walking them one evening this jet trail seemed to go on for ever and couldn't help including the photo I took.

     Life is much the same in Prairie, not much has changed (except the date) It's always good to catch up with old acquaintance's.

    Back east again Tuesday 9th to Charters Towers to see about helping out at a cattle station near Greenvale.
     Wait to see what happens when next I blog.



May 25th to 31st Charters Towers area

          Monday 25th


Railway hotel at Ravenswood

     The sun this morning shone in such a way as to make the Railway Hotel look like an artists painting, so I took a picture.
     Another beautiful day has dawned and we are heading to Charters towers today. Packed and ready to go mid morning, didn't load the Jimny on the trailer as there's not that far to go.
    
Nearing the intersection to the Flinders highway Jim has a bit of scare with a Wedge Tailed Eagle - it slammed into the windscreen of the bus and cracked it rather badly!, still in one piece so continue on to the Bivouac Junction camp site to park up at $138.00 per week. Will have to contact insurance co. to get the windscreen replaced. I saw the eagle fly into the scrub on the road side, seemed to be O.K. but will never know if it survived or not.

         Tuesday 26th


Bivouac Junction on the Burdekin river
opposite the camping area

      The camp area is at a junction in the Burdekin river, not much water in the river but is trickling along. The pups are loving the fresh water to swim in and I have found a couple of holes deep enough to get them wet all over. The rocks in the river bed are different, pink, grey, whitish with black streaks through them.
    Despite not much water in the system at present, it is still very pretty.

        Wednesday 27th


Foggy morning at Bivouac Junction on the
Burdekin river

     Foggy morning!! not quiet a pea souper, but thick any way.
     Having a good relaxing time, taking the pup's for a swim 2 or 3 times a day resting and the like,(life is really tough).

     Have had the windscreen looked at and will take the bus into Charters Towers on Monday 1st June to have it replaced. In the mean time - just have to take it easy.




          Friday 29th
     Not much happening around here. We have decided to head into Charters Towers on Sunday afternoon 31st of May, probably to the Gold City Roadhouse for the night so we can get the windscreen people to fix us up early on Monday morning.
     
       Catch you next month.

May 19th to 24th Lake Elphinstone to Ravenswood

Bowen river on the way to
Collinsville

   Tuesday 19th
    We got away from lake Elphinstone fairly early, making our way to Collinsville.
     The land seems to be even dryer around this area than ever, although there was a nice glimpse of blue water in the Bowen river as we drove over it.

     Arrived in Collinsville mid morning after restocking the drinks department we found the free R.V. camp at the show grounds opposite the Miners Workers Club. A visit from the clubs vice president to inform us that the club offered free showers to campers, along with the knowledge that the club had a fine restaurant and nice cool beer, all at reasonable prices. How nice.

          Wednesday 20th
     Early morning visitors today. first an old local gentleman by the name of Bill Aspinall, (celebrated his 91st birthday just before Xmas last year) who likes a good chat and offered some of his wood turned pieces for sale. I grabbed a stubby holder and hand casting fishing reel. Both beautiful articles of fine woodwork, as is the craftsman. (hope I'm as good as he is when I get to that age.)

Fruit park at Collinsville
(help yourself to fruit in season)

     Second, was a bloke from the heritage centre, making us very welcome.
    I got a lift with him to the display centre and walked back. This park I found on the way, offering me any fruit which might be there, to help myself. I couldn't find any though. A lovely day, the folk around here a exceptionally friendly and helpful. WE a few more visitors during the day, all offering friendly advice and/or welcome to their country town. Another great town in the west of Queensland and the outback.

          Thursday 21


inside the "coalface experience"
Collinsville

     The weather is great.
    Acting like a tourist I visited "The Coalface Experience". An informative display at the miners club with video and photo's with full size mannequins portraying the life of the miner back when coal mining first started here and on to the present. This photo is of the banner they used to inform all about the union. A delightful way to spend an hour or two.

Friday 22nd


Bowen harbour

     To Bowen this morning to restock the larder before heading to groper creek(a camping area on the creek edge-good fishing?) After the shopping is over we found the fishing co-op to buy a feed of fish and some bait. Having done that we feasted on hot chips for lunch at a park overlooking the boat harbour.
    

     On to Home Hill to the turnoff to Groper Creek. We rested up for a while at the comfort stop in the middle of town, then made our way to the camp at Groper creek.


Home Hill rail station

Sadly, they are booked out until Monday next week! It's very crowded too!, decided not to bother coming back later and spent the night in Home Hill at the sports grounds.
     Very tough for Yip! there are chickens running around free and both the pups would like to have a good old game of chassy, not to be though.

     Generally a quiet evening.

Saturday 23rd
    
           Now to find our way to Ravenswood via the back road!


Burdekin river bridge
north of Home Hill toward to Ayr

     Crossing the magnificent bridge over the Burdekin river toward Ayr, we turned off when the gps said to, eventually getting to Clare.
     Further along  we passed a road sign reading "not suitable for trucks-buses-caravans or trailers", well, we had 2 of these! I looked at Jim! "yeah we'll be right" he said "built tough"


Dry country-side on the back road
Home Hill to Ravenswood

    
So off we went. passing some very dry scenery and once again none of the creeks had any water.

You may snub your nose Jim! Yes it was a steep
climb.

    




     We reached a station called Hillsborough after finding the gravel road not too unpleasant at all.
      The beginning of the steep climb (which the signs had been warning us about along the way) we came across this mammoth sign only 2 or 3 km before reaching Ravenswood, yeah!, it was very steep, sealed though and our rig handled it no problem. Wouldn't like to be under-powered at all if towing a trailer or van, probably wouldn't make it to the top.


Entering Ravenswood via
the back road from Ayr

    All was good as we came across the welcome sign to Ravenswood. Made our way to the hotel for a quick beer before parking up at the show ground camping area at $15.00 per night for a powered site.
     We were in this area about a year ago when we spent some time at the Burdekin Falls Dam.
     We plan to have a couple of nights here. The town was built during the gold mining era and there are ruins to seek out all over the town, will have a look while here this time.

         Sunday 24th


Burdekin river below the dam. very different
to 12 months ago

      Drove out to the Burdekin Dam to remind myself of the area. Last time the dam was flowing 2 feet over the dam wall, what a difference a year later, 2 metres below the wall and so dry all around. The river flowing into this huge hole in the river bed was roaring last time I filmed it.
      Enjoyed the 160km drive out and back catching some new sights on the way back. An Emu in the middle of the road, I slowed, but the ute coming toward me did NOT, -result- a stone chip and crack in the Jimny windscreen, not dangerous, just annoying!


Wedge Tailed Eagle
road kill dinner at Ravenswood

 

      Nearing Ravenswood again I spied 2 wedge tailed eagles feasting on a small wallaby road kill. One flew away as I approached but I managed to get this picture of the remaining one. Spectacular creatures!
    





Old Arch bridge at Ravenswood

                      Later in the day while walking the dogs I found an old arch bridge, beneath the arch when I approached where 3 white peacocks and 2 normal ones. Unusual to my way of thinking but missed a picture of them, too quick for me, so I took one of the bridge any way.
     The rest of the day passed uneventfully, I had a ball.
    
Tomorrow we head toward Charters Towers.



    



9th to 18th Baffle Ck to Lake Elphinstone

             Saturday 9th


Bustard bay from round hill headland at 1770

     Mid morning saw us arrive at Agnes Waters where we stopped briefly to restock the larder and fill Dilligaf. On to the Town of 1770 where I walked the track of Round Hill headland, the view across Bustard Bay was magnificent, there is an old light house on Bustard Head in the distance of this photo, but couldn't make it out very well.


Miriam Vale Hotel

     Had a bite to eat and decided it is a bit too hectic in 1770 and travelled on to Miriam Vale, getting there about 1pm, time for a nanny nap.
     Jim was hoping to watch a game of rugby on the T.V at the Miriam Vale Hotel, so we parked in the car park opposite, where we stayed for the night. Unfortunately the game was not televised so listened to it on the radio. The hotel cooked dinner for us, It was a great end to a enjoyable day.

             Sunday 10th

Calliope river free camp on the old Bruce highway

     Travelling on this morning we ended up at Calliope.  Driving through the town we rested at a small park to find out where the free camp is on the Calliope river. About 4 km north of town is the old Bruce Highway which traverses the Calliope river with camping area on either side of the river. We elected the southern side and had breakfast before deciding on the park-up area beside the old bridge(which is now closed) Might have a go at fishing later, saw a nice one caught off the beach below the bridge.
    
           Monday 11th


foggy morning on the
Calliope river

    
     Awoke to a foggy morning, very spooky while walking the dogs. This picture of the Calliope river looks like a thermal spring, it's not though, only fog.
      Went fishing today but nothing to be had.

Calliope river below the old
Bruce highway bridge

great day relaxing. Also took a self guided tour of the Calliope Heritage village on the other side of the river, quite interesting.


          Tuesday 12th
     The weather is just great!! 29 degree during the day, the evenings and nights are a bit cool though with 7 to 10 in early am.



Calliope River road bridge
down stream of the camp site

         Wednesday 13th
     Apparently 13 is an unlucky number. Well, we were going to make tracks this morning but couldn't start the bus!! the batteries are over 2 years old and had it. They have been a bit quirky in the cold weather over the last couple of weeks but thought they would last a bit longer, not to be.
 Any way, we called a mobile battery bloke who arrived about 2 hours later and installed 2 new batteries. Too late to go any where now so will stay another day. 
     Met up with a couple yesterday afternoon that we previously met at Julia Creek in 2013, Deb and Greg and  their  little cocker spaniel, Crystal. They asked me to look after the dog while they went out for the day, no problem, she is a cute pup and Dot and Yip got on with her O.K.

          Thursday 14th


big bull in the round-a-bout
coming in  to Rockhampton

     Taking off from Calliope river this morning we back tracked the few kilometres to Calliope township to restock the larder at the local IGA. All done by 9.30 and made Rockhampton late morning,where we stopped off to shop in Bunnings for a couple of new chairs and a door mat.


Yip is very comfy in the bus on the
way to Marlborough

Chrysoprase in a huge rock
on display in a park in
Marlborough

The rock and Dot at Marlborough

     Mid day saw a us arrive at Marlborough. We are in the middle of no where!! a pub, post office-general store and private residences. Cute little town, another of the many that has passed the "use by date" and slowing dying. We camped behind the hotel charging $5.00 per person.
     Taking the dogs for a walk later in the day I came across a park with this huge rock in it. all fence off, so I thought it must be something special. It was donated by the local mining company for display by the community with a nice sample of the gem which is embedded in it. It is called Chrysoprase, looks a little like Opal. Another piece of Australia we have had the privilege to see. Informative day and fun too!

Memorial at Croydon 12/11/1956
commemorating the Olympic torch
relay Sarina to Marlborough highway

         Friday 15th
    To Lotus Creek (Where??)
A road house in the middle of nothing!! and a camping area where we are headed today. On the way we came across this memorial of the 1956 Olympic  games and the torch relay on the Sarina to Marlborough highway. Yonks ago but a pleasant reminder of the things mankind does for sport.


100km north of Maryborough
Yip looks at Lotus Creek roadhouse

     We reached Lotus Creek to find nothing!! well, almost! only the roadhouse and camping area. We rested here for the night with a powered site at $20.00.
     Since heading out this way we have noticed how much drier the land is, the stock we pass seem to look good, but the grasses are all brown and dry and none of the creeks or water courses have any water in them. A vast difference to the eastern coast area we have been through.

                             Saturday 16th


Lake Elphinstone with a knarly
old tree at the edge

Our rig at Lake Elphinstone

     Away from Lotus Creek early, we stopped in Nebo for a short time on our way to Lake Elphinstone, about a 100km west of Mackay. Nebo is a mining town and we didn't stay for too long. Lake Elphinstone looks like a lovely spot, trouble is it's raining!!, making it a bit uncomfortable. Not to complain, we will put the yabbie pots in tomorrow and see what happens. The afternoon fined up a bit, much nicer.


Lake Elphinstone

           Monday 18th
     We have had 3 days at the lake and never caught anything in the pots. Moving on tomorrow, the cool misty rainy days have chased away. We will make for Collinsville in the morning.