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Day 12 - Monday 19 August 2024 â Packsaddle Roadhouse to Wanaaring
Weather: Fine, 5.0ÂșC minimum
I slept very well and wake at 6:00 am. I listen to the news on my phone and then sleep a bit more. I listen to the 7:00 am news and then finish my book. I get up at 7:45 am, it is now 8.2°C. I also notice that my Garmin Descent dive computer/watch has a new screen with the weather on it. Turns out this shows each morning with some information.
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Eliza Kennedy's grave | The former Tibooburra Court House, the National Parks and Wildlife Office since the 1970s. |
I have breakfast and then pack up. Bugger, I realise I have left the key to the Land Cruiser inside. Rather than open it all up and find it, I get the spare one I have hidden with the battery taped to it from inside the car. I leave at 9:33 am, it is now 15°C with a bit of wind from the east. At 10:15 am I see a sign to an historic grave. Turns out to be Eliza Kennedy who died in 1886 of epilepsy while working at the (now gone) Lake Cobham hotel. This is 61.4 km north of Packsaddle.
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The Tibooburra Hotel | Inside the restored Tibooburra Hotel |
I have morning tea while here and leave at 10:25 am. I arrive in Tibooburra at 11:33 am. I go to the fuel bowsers at the Corner Country Store as this morning when looking at the NSW fuel app I saw that its diesel is about 30 cents a litre cheaper than the main fuel station as you come into town. I take 46.4 litres at $2.199 a litre, total $102.03. I have averaged 13.5 l/100 km since Broken Hill, not bad considering there have been some headwinds yesterday and today.
This is my seventh time in Tibooburra (I spent two weeks working north of here in 1980) so the only thing I do is have a quick look inside the Family Hotel at the murals (still there) and then looking inside the Tibooburra Hotel. I was last here in August 2020 and shortly after, a fire burnt down the back section of the hotel. It has been rebuilt and looks good.
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The Family Hotel in Tibooburra | The mural inside the Family Hotel |
I leave town at 11:50 am. I head out on the Wanaaring Road and quickly stop at the large Tibooburra sign to take some photographs. I reach the Cut Line intersection at 12:38 pm and I stop to have lunch. It is 54 kilometres from Tibooburra. Back when I first came out here in 1978, the main road from Wanaaring to Tibooburra was not the road I have just come on but a road called The Cut Line which went from here to Milparinka. That road is now closed and totally overgrown. Interestingly, some organisations and maps now refer to the road from Tibooburra to Wanaaring as The Cut Line which it was never called was before.
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The Tibooburra sign as you come in from the east | Stopped for lunch on the Wanaaring Road |
While here I decide to search for some pens I have lost down between the front seats and the centre console. This spot is very hard to get to. I find them both! I leave at 12:55 pm. The road is pretty good, generally I am sitting on 80km/h. On the now permanent detour around some normally dry lakes (in 1978 this was not there and I had to take my Holden Gemini on sand tracks as the main road was flooded) the only really bad bit of the road was encountered when I hit a hidden crack across the road that shook the car dramatically. I think the shock absorbers totally bottomed out.
I stop for a short break at 2:22 pm (321.9 km today). I have not seen many vehicles since leaving Tibooburra. At 3:27 am I arrive in Wanaaring. I go to the free camping area which is on the Paroo River. This is opposite the derelict hotel. It is not a bad spot and I soon set up overlooking the river.
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My campsite on the Paroo River at Wanaaring | A drone photograph looking towards the shop |
I then go for a walk to check out the toilets and showers which are only a hundred metres or so away. The toilets are okay but the showers have only cold water. I can hear the gas heater trying to start, but my guess is the gas bottle is empty. I ring the number for problems and leave a message, but donât get a reply till tomorrow. There is a large ex-Army truck here with a camper conversion on the back. They ask about the camping area and I tell them that they will need to be careful coming in as there are low branches. Later they slowing come in, cutting some branches off to make it accessible. We are the only ones camped here.
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A sign pointing to the Wanaaring store | The Wanaaring store |
I walk around the town, not much here now, just the general store, the police station and a community hall. I get back to camp at 4:40 pm. I fly my drone and then start a fire. I have drinks from 5:40 pm. At 7:00 pm I cook a beef dish I purchased from Woolies yesterday. I have with rice. I have enough for another meal which I put in a container. After this I have heat up an apple pie in a saucepan and have it with ice cream.
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The derelict Wanaaring Hotel | A timelapse photograph looking over the river |
I take some night photos too as it is almost a full moon. I finish the SMH and start on a new book on my tablet. The garbage bins here are overflowing. I cannot for the life of me understand why people put rubbish in already full bins, especially when up at the toilets there are empty bins. More pigs. The coals from the timber I have burnt are great, so warm. I go to bed at 9:30 pm and it is 12°C.
Weather: Fine, max 23ÂșC Arrived: Wanaaring Time: 3:27 pm Distance: 321.9 kilometres
Day 13 - Tuesday 20 August 2024 - Wanaaring to 10 Mile Bore
Weather: Fine, 7.0ÂșC minimum
Another great sleep, I wake at 6:00 am and read my book and then the SMH. I get up at 8:00 am after changing the sheets on the bed. I plan to wash these today at Hungerford. I pack up and move to the toilet.
I leave town at 9:30 am. I head back west a little to a road which I saw yesterday had directions to Hungerford. I think this is called the Glen Hope Road and it runs up the western side of the Paroo River. My map also shows this as the main road and Google also says this. However, I later find out that a road to the east of the Paroo River is now the main road, it was built over 30 years ago but looks like no-one has told Google or Hema or anyone else.
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I have just come through this gate on the track to Hungerford | A sign and the track to Hungerford |
The road is not too bad, but it is mostly single lane dirt and I have to open and close 11 gates. I sit mostly on 70 km/h. I stop at 10:47 am at the 7th gate, 66.7 km. Here I have morning tea. The middle third of the road is windier and also a bit rougher, but it was okay. I leave at 10:53 am. I finally arrive at the road I should have used and it is a very good road. I follow it and arrive in Hungerford, just over the Queensland border, at 11:40 am. I was here in 2019 on the way to the Big Red Bash at Birdsville.
I go to the camping area as there is a washing machine and dryer there. I put on my load of washing ($4) and also hand wash two new shirts as I am worried the dye will run. However, nothing comes out. I put most of the washing on the line but also some in the dryer. I read for a bit and then have lunch. The washing dries quicker on the line than in the dryer!
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The track I took to Hungerford | The NSW/Queensland border and the gate |
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The Hungerford Royal Mail Hotel | Having a beer inside the Royal Mail Hotel |
At 1:30 pm all the washing is dry, so I move to the Royal Mail Hotel. In 2019 I watched a State of Origin rugby league match here, it was a great night. I have one Coopers Pale Ale ($7) and then head north out of town. Originally I planned to stay a night or two in the Currawinya National Park, but a few days ago some people told me about a nice free camping area north of town at 10 Mile Bore.
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My campsite at 10 Mile Bore | The lake at 10 Mile Bore |
I arrive at the bore (18 km from Hungerford) at 2:15 pm and camp on the lake's northern side. It is very warm and windy now, 31°C. I pick a spot that is somewhat protected from the wind and also has tree shade. I set up camp including my hammock. The road here was very good, with graders working on part of it. I have afternoon tea and read the paper and my book. At 4:00 pm I start a fire as I am using my camp oven to cook a small pork roast.
I discover that my lithium battery in the Land Cruiser is totally flat. I open the bonnet and discover that the plug that connects the DC/DC charger to the battery has somehow disconnected itself. I plug it back in. I go for a walk and also collect firewood, there is heaps here. I put the vegies on at 5:10 pm and the pork 10 minutes later. It is all ready at 6:00 pm. It is a very good pork roast (from Aldi).
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My campsite at 10 Mile Bore from my drone | The lake at 10 Mile Bore from my drone |
There were a few flies earlier and after dark there are lots of bugs and some mozzies. I read my book and it is still very warm (21°C), I only have a short sleeve shirt and shorts on. I go to bed early at 8:10 pm to get away from the bugs. I fall asleep about 8:30 pm.
Weather: Fine, max 31ÂșC Arrived: 10 Mile Bore Time: 2:15 pm Distance: 126.0 kilometres
Day 14 - Wednesday 21 August 2024 â 10 Mile Bore to Alroy Station
Weather: Fine, 8.2ÂșC minimum
I have a great sleep and wake at 6:00 am. I was very hot when I went to bed and only had a blanket over me. Later it got cooler. I get up at 7:50 am and have breakfast. There are a lot of flies around as I pack up the camper.
My main battery is low and I discover that the power lead from the Land Cruiser to the trailer is not completely in. I think that when I left Wanaaring this morning and I had to do a tight turn, it pulled loose. I put it back in and when I start the Cruiser, I have power going into the main battery. I leave at 9:40 am.
The road north is very good, with more graders working on one section. I arrive in Eulo at 10:57 am. I go to the small park on the eastern approach to town where there are toilets and water. I use the toilet while I wait for the caravans parked near the water. However, one of them is not even in the queue as when the one filling moves, its owners are not there.
I move to the water tap and connect my hose. Pitiful, that is the only word to describe the flow. There is hardly any water coming out at all. I fill my main tank which I have so far only used for showers. It takes ages, luckily it was not that empty. I also fill my drinking water container. I decide to go to Alroy Station which I visited in 2021. This is to the north-west of Eulo. I leave at 11:46 am.
I pass the Eulo âMud Springsâ but do not stop. I have stopped here in 2003, 2010 and 2021 and not once has there been any mud. The tourist information still has it as an attraction despite there being nothing at all to see other than hard dried mud. Don't bother stopping!
The road to Alroy Station comes off the main Adventure Way (real name is Bulloo Developmental Road) and is mostly a single lane tar road. There are a lot of emus in the paddocks but no kangaroos.
I arrive at Alroy Station, a working cattle station. I stopped here in 2021 as well. It has large camping areas, two are alongside the creek and the other near the hot artesian baths and huge undercover camp kitchen. I go to the one nearer the baths and set up near where I did last time. It is 12:30 pm. I set up and then have lunch. I read the SMH (which I downloaded in Eulo but there is very good Telstra coverage here).
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My campsite at Alroy Station and the camp kitchen | A photograph from my drone looking south |
After lunch I go to the artesian baths. These are two huge baths in a small enclosure. You turn on taps and let the water fill them. I need to add cold water from a separate hose as otherwise it is too hot. I make it 38°C. I have a very relaxing time in the bath. Back at my camp I ring a few people from my dive club, Ron and Eddy. Later I ring one of my oldest friends from diving, Les. They are all okay (Ron and Donna are also in Queensland on a camping trip).
At 3:30 pm I have another bath and then as I have a cuppa, I do some planning about the rest of my trip, or at least the coming few days. I decide to stay here two nights and do a day trip tomorrow to Yowah. This is not far away and has artesian pools and is also an opal town. I will then go to Cunnamulla and then to Charlotte Plains and Mitchell.
I also phone Seatec Aquasuits back in Sydney who make wetsuits etc. I purchased another new wetsuit from them last December and have decided I want a new drysuit. My existing one from the UK, only 4.5 years old, has a number of leaks which I have not been able to fix. Before I left home I had phoned them but there was no answer nor a reply to my message. I discover that they need a lot more measurements (they are made to measure) than they already have from last time. No way I can do this out here and by myself, so I will drop in on the way home.
The owner of the station, Mac comes around in his vehicle and has a chat, well sort of, he is not one to say much. Just after 4:00 pm his wife, Mary, comes around and collects the camping fees. I pay $20 for two nights, $10 a person per night). She is a very nice person who talks a lot more than Mac! She also gives me some free firewood.
At 5:30 pm I have drinks and nibblies and later start a fire in my firepit. It is a warm 24°C. Later I reheat some beef and rice from a few days ago. At 8:00 pm I go to the baths. It is very nice here looking up at the stars, but I see no satellites or shooting stars. I am back at 8:35 pm. I read more of my book and at 10:00 pm I go to bed.
Weather: Fine, max 25ÂșC Arrived: Alroy Station Time: 12:30 pm Distance: 168.5 kilometres
Day 15 - Thursday 22 August 2024 â Alroy Station to Yowah and back to Alroy Station
Weather: Fine, 7.3ÂșC minimum
I have a great sleep and wake at 7:00 am, although I was awake for 30 minutes earlier. I get up at 7:20 am and it is now 10°C. I have a toasted bacon sandwich for breakfast. I have an early artesian bath and after that read the SMH. I then disconnect the Land Cruiser from the camper and then drive around the whole camping area. There are some nice spots up the end on the creek.
At 10:05 am I head off towards Yowah. The road is the same as yesterday, single lane tar. I arrived at Yowah at 10:35 am, 31.9 kilometres. I average 10.2 l/100 km, I was taking it very easy as I am in no rush. I go to the artesian pools, cost is $5 for the day, same as three years ago. There are two pools here, one warmer than the other. I go in the hot one, 39°C.
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The Yowah artesian baths | An old fuel pump |
After this I walk around the town and notice the café is closed. No indication why it is closed. I later learn that there was supposed to be a power outage for most of the day but it only went for a short time. The owner decided to not open and perhaps has gone to Cunnamulla for the day. I go to the camping area, it has new showers and toilets since 2021.
I go back to the baths and speak to a bloke who is in the pool He is working on a TV show called Outback Opal Hunters. They are filming a new series here, the ninth I think. They have a day off filming today and later some other of the crew come and speak to him.
After the spa, I drive down to the caravan park. I had planned to eat lunch at the café, a hamburger was my aim. Earlier I spoke to the caravan park owner and he told me they had some frozen stuff which he could heat up. I buy a couple of sausage rolls and get him to heat one for me. I go to the park opposite and eat it there. I actually stayed in the caravan park in 2021, it was quite good and they have artesian baths too. See my pages on that trip for more information.
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A sign at the store/post office | An old house in Yowah |
I head back to Alroy at 12:50 pm and arrive at Alroy at 1:20 pm. I average 9.3 l/100km for this, amazing. I put out my hammock and have a cuppa and read. I then go to the baths but I make it too hot at 40°C and cannot stay in for too long. I pack away the hammock which I had connect to a tree and my bullbar and then move the Land Cruiser back and connect to the camper.
I have finished the SMH and start a new book. I book Charlotte Plains for two nights from tomorrow, an expensive $56, especially compared to the $20 here. I should mention that there are very nice flushing toilets and showers here, better than the ones at Charlotte Plains. There are also lots of budgies around, in fact I have been seeing small flocks since Broken Hill.
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The lagoon at Alroy Station | The artesian baths at Alroy Station |
I go for a walk to the end of the camping area and then to the road. I then follow the fence around and come back to my camping spot. There are lots more here tonight, only a few vehicles last night. I think there are four near me and ten by the creek. Despite this, it is not at all crowded. I get some more firewood from Mary when she comes around (Mac also came around and was a little more chatty than yesterday, I think he is quite shy).
I start the fire at 5:30 pm and have drinks. I cook sausages on my skillet over the fire and heat up a rice dish on it too. Later I have some ice cream (but no apple pie). I watch the NRL on my tablet and also have another spa bath. I go to bed when the NRL finishes at 9:50 pm, again is warm at 21°C.
Weather: Fine, max 26ÂșC Arrived: Alroy Station Time: 1:20 pm Distance: 63.1 kilometres
Day 16 - Friday 23 August 2024 â Alroy Station to Charlotte Plains Station
Weather: Fine, 12.3ÂșC minimum
Although it was cooler during the night, it is a lot warmer at 7:00 am when I wake (16°C). I slept very well yet again. I read the SMH and listen to the ABC News. I get up at 7:50 am and it is already 22°C. I pack up and leave at 9:20 am. It is now quite windy.
I travel back the way I came two days ago to Eulo where I arrive at 10:05 am. There is a fuel container/station in the main street next to the hotel and I decide to refuel there. However, I cannot get it to work. Unlike most of the ones I have used where you just tap your credit card before refuelling, this has a QR code which you scan. You then need to enter details into the website. I try a number of times but for some reason it rejects me. Luckily I have enough fuel to last till Cunnamulla.
I go to the park again and top up my drinking water container. I leave town at 10:16 am. I stop at Mirra Paroo Creek/Bow Creek at 10:42 am, 97.1 km today. I have morning tea here and notice that the police vehicle from Eulo goes past towards Cunnamulla. I leave at 10:50 am. I arrive in Cunnamulla at 11:13 am. I park near the bakery and then walk to the IGA. This is the closest I can get. I buy more bread and a few other things, $61.
I then drive to the fuel station on the northern side of the old railway station, much cheaper here than the ones closer into the centre of town. I take 102.8 litres at $2.00 a litre, $205.62. I have averaged 14.2 l/100 km since Tibooburra (725 km). I go to look at the free camping area but it is way out of town on the eastern side and it is not very attractive looking, wet and dry mud. I have already decided I will not stay here anyway since I have booked Charlottes Plains for the next two nights, but I may have come back after that.
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A sheep at the entrance to Alroy Station | The new Cunnamulla Artesian Baths |
I then drive to the new Cunnamulla Hot Springs. It is a very nice looking building and I go inside for a look around. There are seven thermal pools, sauna, steam room and more. They are excellent, that is for sure. However, the cost is $45 a person for the day ($35 concession), way too much considering what you can get at other places. I may have considered it if I was here early in the morning and could get a full dayâs experience, but, considering half the day is already gone, no way.
I head out east on the Balonne Highway. This is a good two lane tar road. I arrive at Charlottle Plains Station at 12:50 pm. This time I go in the main entrance and as I get near this, I notice that the one I used three years ago (the first one from Cunnamulla) no longer has a sign (it is the long way in). There are heaps of vehicles here and I notice a few changes. There is now a bar area near the main pools and also the road into the main part of the camping area has been moved to behind the bar and the other one removed.
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The buildings at Charlotte Plains, bar at left | |
I find a spot near where I camped in 2021 in amongst some trees. It is a quite warm 26°C so I want shade. I have lunch first and then set up. I walk to the new bar and also notice that there is a new toilet and shower block near me. I have a bath in one of the artesian baths near me and then read the SMH and my book.
At 3:20 pm I go to the bar and check-in. Beers are $6 so I decide I might go back later for one. I count well over 70 vehicles here. I later walk to the large spa pool, it is very hot, 39°C. I am back at my camp at 4:55 pm. I decide that I will just have a drink here. At 5:20 pm I start a small fire and have drinks and nibblies and then reheat the last of the beef and rice I made days ago. Later I go to the baths near me. It takes ages to get warm water out of the pipe (it has to come hundreds of metres), I only get it to about 35°C.
Back at camp I listen to NRL on the radio, there is no phone coverage here. I go to bed when it finishes, about 9:50 pm. It is still a warm 20°C.
Weather: Fine, max 26ÂșC Arrived: Charlotte Plains Station Time: 12:50 pm Distance: 185.2 kilometres
Day 17 - Saturday 22 August 2024 â Charlotte Plains Station
Weather: Fine, 15.8ÂșC minimum
I have a great sleep, I still cannot figure out why I sleep so well out camping compared to when I am at home. I wake at 6:30 am and discover that someone has a Starlink with no password on it. Well, I connected successfully and download the SMH for today. I also check my email on my phone. Thank you very much to the person who has no password. I also listen to the ABC news via the phone app.
I get up at 7:45 am and it is already 18°C, there is a very strong wind from the north-west. I cook some kranskies and have one on toast for breakfast. Put the others in the fridge. Since it looks like being a very hot day, at 8:55 am I decide to walk to the highway. I follow the tracks I drove in on. I end up opening and closing the gate for a few vehicles which are leaving. I donât actually reach the road as at 4 kilometres I turn around. I get back at 10:35 am.
I have morning tea and read the SMH as I have a rest. I then walk to the main pool for a spa. I then have lunch and later a cooler bath near me as it is now 36°C. I make myself a cup of tea but it takes ages to boil the water as the strong wind is blowing out the flame.
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The new bar at Charlotte Plains | Having a beer at the bar |
At 4:15 pm I go to the bar and have a beer with Eddy who I met earlier in the main pool. I end up having three Tooheys Draught cans with Eddy and some others. While here I use the small amount of free wifi to make phone calls to my ex-wife Kelly and friend John. Kelly and I discuss what to do with Vetoâs ashes, but we do not make a final decision.
I am back at 5:30 pm and then fly my drone as the wind has died. It is still 30°C. I start a fire and get the remaining pork ribs ready by putting a dry rub on them. I listen to the NRL on my radio. I put the ribs on to cook in my small camp oven. They take a while as there are not many coals from the fire.
The Starlink has disappeared, I think that the person must have left, but it available again tomorrow morning as it turns out. The ribs are great and later I listen to Souths play Newcastle on the radio. Souths get shitted on, I end up turning it off before it is finished. I wash all my dishes as they are dirty from the dust. I go to bed at 9:25 pm, it is 22°C.
Weather: Fine, max 36ÂșC Arrived: N/A Time: N/A Distance: 0 kilometres
Day 18 - Sunday 25 August 2024 â Charlotte Plains Station to Wallum Creek, Bollan
Weather: Fine, 19.4ÂșC minimum
I wake at 6:00 am and download the SMH via the Starlink which is again visible. I also listen to the ABC news via the phone app. I read the paper and get up at 7:45 am. It is windy again from the north-west and 22°C. I have breakfast and pack up. At 9:15 am I move my car to near the bar. I go to the artesian pool and then to the nearest showers. However, I then discover that the showers here no longer work. I decide to forget about having one.
I leave at 9:57 am. I go back to the Balonne Highway and continue east. Yesterday some people told me about a nice camping area at Bollan. I decide to check it out. I have also discovered that the artesian baths at Mitchell are closed as a few days ago the filter died. I stop at 10:50 am on the side of the road for morning tea. I have come 60.1 km, averaging 13.1 l/100 km. I arrive at Bollan at noon. I drive into the Wallam Creek Camping Area and go right to the end before picking a spot alongside the creek just back a little.
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My campsite at Wallam Creek Camping Area, Bollon | An old shed at Bollon |
I set up and have lunch. This is a very nice spot. There are toilets a few hundred metres from me and back on the highway more toilets and some showers. It is exactly 1.0 kilometres from my campsite to there. At 1:35 pm I walk to town. There are some nice old buildings, including the police station. The pub does not open till 2:30 pm and I find out it has dinner from 6 to 8 pm. I decide to come back for dinner tonight. I buy an ice cream from the general store (in an old warehouse I think) which is very well resourced. Luckily I had some cash as under $20 cash only.
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A mural at Bollon | The Bollon Police Station, old Queensland building |
I am back at camp at 2:30 pm, I walked 3.5 km. I the NRL on my tablet. I have a cuppa and read the paper at the same time. At 5:15 pm I walk to the showers. Very good and well setup with hooks and a seat. I then go over to the hotel for dinner. Tonight is pasta night it seems, a limited number of things. I think the chef has the day off and has made this up previously and it will simply be reheated and served by the staff.
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The Bollon Hotel | Having a beer in the Bollon Hotel |
Anyway, the staff are two girls from Florida. They have been in Australia for a year and want to stay longer so are working in the outback so that they can renew their visa for a year. They are also working at the café up the road. I have a XXXX Gold ($7) and then order the spaghetti bolognaise. It is only an average meal, my spag bol is many times better! I have another beer with dinner and then walk back to the campsite where I am by 7:00 pm.
I really like this camping area, so at the pub I made the decision to stay here another night. There are too many bugs out so I go to bed at 7:50 pm. I listen to the NRL and read for a while. It is still warm at 23°C.
Weather: Fine, max 31ÂșC Arrived: Bollan Time: 12:00 pm Distance: 140.7 kilometres
Day 19 â Monday 26 August 2024 â Bollan
Weather: High overcast, 20.2ÂșC minimum
I slept till 2:30 am, a fair while considering I went to sleep very early. However, I am then awake for over an hour and then sleep again till 6:15 am. I read the paper and get up at 7:35 am. This is much nicer than last week.
I have breakfast and then redo my intinerary considering I am not going to Mitchell due to the pool being closed. I decide to Thallon via St George and then to Goondiwindi. From there to Collarenabri, Walgett, Burren Junction and then I am not sure. I read the paper and put my solar blanket out as I am in the shade. I have to move it a lot to keep it in the sun. I later put my hammock up next to the creek and have morning tea. I finish the paper.
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A drone shot of the Wallam Creek Camping Area, I am camped in the middle of the photo | The Wallam Creek Camping Area looking towards the town |
It is now sunny but cooler (even though it is 25°C) as the wind is from the south. I read in the hammock till 11:20 am when I again walk to town. This time I go around some of the back streets and then go to the information centre which is pretty good. I get back to the camper at 12:25 pm, having walked 4.2 km. I have lunch and then read some more in the hammock.
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A Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 circa late 1970s with V8 engine | This very old water tank was off the track to the toilets |
At 3:10 pm I take all my beer cans to the nearest toilet as there is a bin there for a local charity. I then look at the cemetery which is right behind the toilet. Lots of children as in most country towns, earliest I see is 1896. I go back and have afternoon tea and read more. There are more people camped near me than last night, later I count 35 vehicles.
At 4:30 pm I again walk to the showers (2 km return). It is very nice again. I am back just after five. I start a fire and then cook the other beef strip dish I purchased in Broken Hill. I cook onion with it and then have it in a wrap, a bit like a kebab. It was nice. Unlike last night, there are no bugs, I think the wind is keeping them away. I go to bed at 9:30 pm, it is 17°C.
Weather: Fine, max 25ÂșC Arrived: N/A Time: N/A Distance: 0 kilometres
Day 20 - Tuesday 27 August 2024 â Bollon to Thallon
Weather: Fine, 10.2ÂșC minimum
Once again I am awake overnight for over an hour, this time from 2:00 am. I also have a period of coughing for some reason. Later I fall back asleep till 6:30 am. As usual I download the SMH and read it as well as listening to the ABC Radio News from Sydney. I get up at 8:00 am. I have breakfast and read some more of the paper.
I pack up and then walk to find the Aboriginal scar tree that is supposed to be further down where I am. I looked yesterday but did not find it. I do this time, there is no sign apart from the one I saw as i came into the camping area. It is past the end of the camping and right on the creek edge. I move to the toilet and then at 10:00 am I leave.
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The Aboriginal scar tree at Bollon | The baths at St George, taken 2023 |
I am again on the Balonne Highway. This section is pretty poor, with probably 33% in bad condition. I stop at a rest area at 10:45 am for morning tea, 58.7 km travelled. It is a nice 24°C. I leave at 10:55 am. The first 10 km is rough but then it is better. I arrive at the St George Aquatic Centre at 11:35 am. It is 114.4 km to here.
I pay my $6 and go in and use the artesian pool. It is a nice 37°C. I spend 35 minutes in there. I then have a swim in the main pool, a cool 22°C. It is very refreshing after the hot water. I have another shorter time in the artesian pool. I then have a shower and leave at 12:40 am. I go to the Lifeline store (like a Vinnies) which is on the southern side of the town proper to look for a replacement crystal wine glass for the one I broke at Mundi Mundi. I do find one, $4.
I then go to town to look for a bucket. I somehow lost mine, I can only think that someone nicked it when I was at Charlotte Plains. I need a certain size as it has to fit over my gas bottle. I only find a very expensive one at a hardware store and a flimsy one at a $2 shop. I leave without getting one.
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The park and Paroo River at St George | My campsite at Thallon |
I then go to the park by the Paroo River. This is very nice. I have lunch here. I leave at 1:35 pm and head south on the Carnarvon Highway and then take the Castlereagh Highway. I arrive at Thallon at 2:20 pm. I go to the free camping area which is between the sports ground and the grain silos. There are some wet spots here but I finally find a spot that is dry. I set up camp. There are also some powered sites which cost a small amount.
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The Thallon silo art from my drone | The Thallon camping area and silos |
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The Thallon Francis Hotel | Having a beer in the Francis Hotel |
I then have a cuppa, fly my drone and then watch a few Media Watches on the ABC iView app. After this I walk to the viewing area near the silos and take some photographs. The silos have murals on them like a lot of ones now do in country Australia.
I then walk to the Francis Hotel, looking again at some of the art work/sculptures that are around the town. We visited here last year on our artesian baths tour, so look at my 2023 Artesian Baths trip report for more photographs of them. The hotel has new owners, a young couple. I have a couple of XXXX Gold schooners at $8.
I am back at the camper at 5:30 pm. I then head to the toilet block and have a free hot shower. Nice. After this I have nibblies and make a pasta dish using a pack pasta and the kranskies I cooked a few days ago. I have done this before, it makes a very nice dish. I later watch the ABC TV News from Sydney on my tablet using the free wifi.
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One of the Thallon art works/sculptures | The Thallon silos at night |
At 7:25 pm I walk to the silos again and take some night photographs. I read some more and then go to bed at 9:25 pm. As every night, I read for 10 minutes or so before going to sleep.
Weather: Fine, max 28ÂșC Arrived: Thallon Time: 2:20 pm Distance: 197.4 kilometres
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