We packed up early and got on the road for what was to be a bit of a long trip for us given the short distances we had previously been doing. First stop was Augathella to get a photo with the big meat ant for J's all things big album.
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| The Big Meat Ant Augathella |
We arrived at Blackall just before Lunch. We had a look at the free camp on the Barcoo river and decided to stay. (Camps 7 QLD 623). This is a self contained free camp with no water or power but there are free hot showers and toliets about 300 metres away in short street. Payment is $6 a night payable at the info centre and someone usually comes around each night to ensure everyone has paid.
It was show day in Blackall, so we went across to the showgrounds for a look see. I show and bred horses so we travel throughout Victoria most weekends (October to April) to compete at the Agricultural shows in order to gain qualifications to compete at the royal shows both interstate and at Melbourne. I was pleased to see a number of quality horses competing in the classes I watched. Although it was only a little show it was good to see the local community there supporting it, the whole town must of been there. After we had a look at the show we took the boys home for a afternoon sleep and rest with the intention of taking them back to the show to watch the evenings entertainment but A decided not to sleep and therefore we all had an early night
Sunday 5th May
We awoke this morning to see another travelling family had come in late last night. J was very excited to see they had 3 boys and got dressed and out of the van super fast to see if they could play. ( we haven't camped with any other kids for 3 weeks). We had intended to do the Wool scour and the pool today then head off Monday morning to Barcaldine but given J had made some new friends we decided to have a play day and let the boys have some fun. Bikes were ridden around the camp, the local skate park got a work out then we headed to the pool for the afternoon. Lovely artesian water pool and spa with the temperature of the pool at 26 degree and the spa at 29. Entry to the pool was $11 for a family pass. One returning to the camp site the J and his friends went fishing but once again nothing was caught.
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| Mcfayden boys and J |
Monday 6th of May
Today we waved goodbye to our new friends the McFayden family. They have almost finished their travels so we hope to visit them in there hometown in the near future. We then headed off to the Blackall Wool Scour for a guided tour, the entry fee was $15 A and as my boys aren't of school age they were free. The wool scour was operational from 1908 till 1978 washing the wool from merino sheep prior to being baled. It is the only steam-driven scour incorporating a shearing shed left in Australia.
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| Wool Scour |
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| Steam from the wool scour |
One our way home went to the black stump
We returned the the campsite for lunch after our tour of the woolscour, then headed back to the pool for a swim after A had his afternoon sleep.
Tuesday 7th of May - Barcaldine
Today packed up and headed to Barcaldine along the landsborough hwy, only a short drive at 107km. We decided to free camp again and head out to the Lloyd Jones Weir (Camps7 Qld 337) for 2 nights. We had hope to do some fishing but due to the lack of summer rains this is the lowest the wier has been in 40 years a regular told us.
After setting up we heading into Barcaldine to see the tree of knowledge reported as the the birth place of the Australian Labour Party during the shearers strike in 1891.
Wednesday 8th of May
Today was a bit of a rest day after morning tea and a play at the playground in Barcaldine. With the help of fellow campers we were worked out why our solar panels weren't charging and then many of them passed on valuable information of where to stay what to see and more importantly which roads to take for our travels.
We only planned to stay 2 nights here so next destination is ........Longreach
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