Fletcher Creek - 29/06 - 03/07/2023

This past weekend was Townsville's Show Day long weekend, so we siezed the opportunity to slip away to one of our regular haunts.

Fletcher Creek is about 50km North of Charters Towers along the Lynd Highway and is a popular spot for nomads from the south to escape the bleak winters at home.

For us, it's a close 'off grid' getaway escape to the bush.  Whe I say close, it's an easy 2 hour's drive from home.

This trip, we tagged along with Damien, Adri and 'the boys' and David and Marie.  We found a different spot in the scrub away from the crowds - a nice little area which could facilitate a half dozen campsites easily.  Judy and I headed out Thursday to scout a suitable spot.  Damien and Adri arrived Friday evening and David and Marie arrived Saturday morning.

 

The weather was kind - 12 deg overnight lows to 25 deg daytime highs, light breezes all day - simply wonderful.  That's why we love to get away in our NQ winters.  The weather forecast was for rain to set in on Monday which was when we planned to leave for home so we packed up as much as we could on Sunday evening for an easy kick off on Monday should it be raining.  As it turned out, the rain didn't start until we arrived home - and it's still raining in the Ville.

Brody 'hunting' with his makeshift bow and arrow.  Check out the quiver on the back.

Ollie playing cars on the rocks.

"Grandad, can I have a fly of your drone?"  "Ummm, let's take a selfie from the ground."

This trip rates up there for us - the kids had a ball all weekend doing all the things they don't get to do at home.

First day/night Waxing Gibeous became a full moon on Sunday night

Black Cockatoos dropped by for a visit each evening

The Burdekin River - a stone's throw from our campsite

I'm going for a 'grease and oil change' surgery on my right leg later this month so we wanted to get away at least once more before I'm laid up for a while.

Might be our last trip for a couple of months but we'll see how I progress.

Macrossan Park - 28-30/04/2023

We spent this past weekend parked up at Macrossan Park Camping Reserve which, unbelievably, we've never stayed at before.  The place is only 112 km from home.  Due to some delays due to roadworks - about an hour and 3/4 drive.  Macrossan Park for those that aren't familiar, is on the banks of the Burdekin River on the Flinders Highway about 20 km NE of Charters Towers.

The camping area is starting to dry out despite all the summer rain we've had this year.  We managed to get a spot against the dense tree line on the eastern bank of the river.

We went with David and Marie (Judy's brother and SIL).  It was their first 'off-grid' trip in their new van - a shake down of sorts.  We had a good time, good food, good company and plenty of laughs.

Saturday morning, we awoke to a heavy fog and a beautiful 16 degrees.  I siezed the moment for some exploration and photography around the area.

The new and old rail bridges dissapear into the mist on the river

The thick fog quelled the sun to a diffused ball of light

An attraction here for me is the historic rail bridge about 100m from our campsite.

The original bridge was commissioned in Jan 1899 and was one of the largest bridges in Queensland at the time - to me, it's quite the engineering feat of its time.

The original bridge to the North (right) is not too dissimilar in construction to the new' bridge (left)

The original construction is visibly 'lighter' than the current bridge (below)

 If you wish to understand its history a little more, check this link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burdekin_River_Rail_Bridge

The Macrossan road bridge as seen from above the rail bridges

Take-A-Break Bush Camp - 12-13/03/2023

Next stop is a little place called 'Take-A-Break Bush Camp' which is situated just off the Rocky - Emu Park Road.

We kicked off early from Eureka Station for a longer drive to rock up a little after midday.  Ian, our host was there to meet us at the gate - super friendly.  We had the place to ourselves and picked our site for the next couple of nights.  The designated camping area is fenced off around the dam.  There are about 8 sites available. 

The view from our front deck

The weather was kind to us with a cool breeze prevailing into the night.  A beautiful clear night presented a great view of the unpolluted cosmos.

On Golden Pond

A very starry night

The colours of the sunrise were a sight to behold...

The previous day, we made a spontaneous decision to take a trip to Great Keppel Island as we'd never been.

The weather was undecided as to how it would hold up for the day but it turned out fine with a storm rolling in across the coast - visible from the island, it produced some tormenting skies.

A few piccies from our day...

That sky is in the general direction of our campsite!

On our trip back to camp, we copped a rock on the windscreen which, by next morning, had developed into a 300mm crack.  New windscreen is already booked in when we get home.

By the time we arrived back at camp, the storm had pretty much passed over and the most beautiful light washed over the countryside.  The saturated colours against the dark stormy skies was is always magical to me.  So, I grabbed the opportunity to capture a few special images...

 

A little follow up rain overnight made for a nice cool night.  We left the next day - onward and northward towards home.  As we left, we witnessed a cloud inversion over Mt Archer nearby to our place of temporary residence.

Mt Archer

Well, this wraps up our little loop trip to SQ via the central west and back.  We enjoyed getting to catch up with family and a experience a few new places along the way.  By the time you get to see this, we'll be home.

A brief map of the route taken

 It's been great!!!  Thanks for comin' along for the ride.

 

 

Eureka Station - 11/03/2023

After an overnighter in the RV park in the back streets of Childers, we moved out to another bush camp only 20 or so km north of Childers - Eureka Station Camping Retreat.

TIP:  If you decide to go to Eureka (from the south as we did), ignore Google Maps if it tells to turn off the A1 at 'Gentle Annie Rd'.  The correct turn off is Eureka Station Rd.

We only spent the night as time allowed but could easily return another time.  It's a great little stopover or choose to stay a while.  All sites are loosely designated by the placement of firepits in the .  They also have five 'Bell Tents' for those seeking a roof over the head but not BYO-ing. 

The friendly young hosts, Jake and Ashleigh moved up from Victoria a few years ago and bought the place as a block of bush essentially and have put a lot of work into establishing this great little shady hideaway.  

The most notable feature of Eureka Station is the Eco Swimming Pond - no chemicals.  Check it out!

Swimming with the fish

The pond has a lined sandy floor which tapers off to 6+ ft deep

Camp kitchen

There are 5 bell tents available

 Definitely be back here one day too!