Nardoo Station to Longreach

Bourke to Nardoo Station – Friday 9 July

After an enjoyable visit to Bourke we set off by 9 am to travel north over the Queensland border at Barringun (where we had a cup of instant coffee at a ‘hot tucker’ shop) and chatted to some other travellers.  We arrived at Cunnamulla at lunch time.  The road was good and we made good time.  There seemed to be lots of cars about near the town hall and town park, and realised soon that a very large aboriginal funeral had taken place, and watched cars leave in procession with police escort.  We ate lunch in the caravan (on an angle) beside the park.

Though it was early to stop we’d made good time to Nardoo Station 38ks north of C’mulla and decided to stop and enjoy the wide country and a dip in an artesian spa.  The stars at night were wonderful away from any city or town lights.  The owners had added a caravan park and motel/cabin units a few years ago to supplement their income.  Their stock is cattle and mostly sheep for eating, not wool.  It was interesting to see the old wool shed, which is almost not in use now.  A nice camp fire is provided for people to sit around and chat.

Nardoo Station to Blackall – Sat 10 July

We made an early start, for us, at 8.30.  It was clear and cool and very damp on the ground after a heavy dew.  A long road north of about 160 ks to Charleville, where we stopped outside a long old pub building and then walked along the town centre, which was fairly busy for Sat morning.  We found a bakery and bought bread, rolls, and cream buns for a healthy lunch!  As it was still morning tea time we drove to the park we’d seen arriving in town and had morning tea before setting off for the next place - Augathella.

Augathella, is a small settlement off the road, where we’d stopped 4 years before (we have now joined the route we took that trip).  There’s been a lot of rain here a few days before and the park area had lots of drying mud, so had to drive carefully in to find a place to stop to have lunch – when we did eat the cream buns, and a bread roll which was huge.  (2 more for lunch tomorrow)

The afternoon was a long drive, with a brief stop in Tambo for petrol and to assess the town, missed seeing the Tambo Teddies.  It appears to be a pleasant village.   Phoned through to Blackall Caravan Park and were allocated the last place for the day, so decided to drive the next 100 k.  We arrived here about 4:30 , most people stop by 3 p.m.  We are set up, and then had a swim in the artesian watered town swimming pools 25 degC and 29 degC, just enough time before closing.  It was good then to avoid preparing dinner, and have a meal at the Barcoo Pub for under $10 each!!

Blackall to Barcaldine – Sun 11 July

We decided to connect the car and leave the park before 9 am to get to the Blackall Uniting Church for 9am church.  A small group of people, at present run by a ministry team, until a new minister is appointed prob not till late in the year or more.  They were very welcoming, and even asked Roger to explain what we would be doing in Kununurra.  We had morning tea and chat following.  An older man (part of the team) is retired and has lived in Blackall for years, but has taken up a mail run to outlying properties.  Starts at 3 am each day and does 2 different runs, and back to Blackall to catch the mail in the afternoon.  He will do the circuit preaching next week – Blackall, Jericho and Alpha.

We had a drive around town, looked at the parks near the ‘old’ Barcoo River, before heading off for the 108 kms to Barcaldine.  This is another interesting place, with old buildings, and plenty of history.  The home of the Aust Labor Party.  We visited the Australian Workers Heritage Centre on the site of the old school.  Some of the buildings are of lovely old timber, Queensland (naturally) style.  We also looked at the Tree of Knowledge, which now has died, and a large timber structure built over it in front of the railway station.  We finished the day listening to a yarn from a local at the van park, have damper and listen to some country singers.

 Monday morning in Longreach

Here we are stopped for morning tea around the corner from a bakery coffee shop - getting this in order first.  The pictures jump around, so we havn't put many on. There have been a few Queensland bottle trees, of which this an example, lots of wide open spaces and interesting old country towns.  Not a pub in Cunnamulla the next photo (which should be first).  We've not had Optus connection till here since Bourke.  Not the best provider to use!  We had a pleasant night in Barcaldine and left about 8.30 with a brief stop in Ilfracombe to have a brief look at the Machinery Mile.  Old tractors, etc. etc. along one side of the road in 'town'.  The first glimpse of Longreach is of the tail of the Jumbo Jet in the Qantas Museum.  Across the road is the Stockman's Hall of Fame, and the School of theAir.  There are lots of things to do here, but we've seen some 4 years ago, and havn't the time this trip.  Roger is pleased that he hasn't messed up his Optus connection, after trying to use the free internet offered last night.  Didn't work!!  Now for that coffee!