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!

Gootchie Creek - 08 - 10/03/2023

Leaving the Malcomson Farm, we motored a huge 50km up the highway to 'Gootchie Creek Escape' - a farm stay situated about 1.5 km off the A1.

Gootchie Creek is a 600 acre cattle property which has opened its gates to the traveling public seeking some some bush tranquility.  There is plenty of room here for hundreds of campers at a time - the place is massive with little billabongs scattered around the place.  The four legged lawn mowers wandered around for the whole time keeping the grass down.

When we rocked up, we were overwhelmed with the choice of sites.  We chose a spot on the opposite side of the waterhole from a few other campers.

This place is so peaceful - R & R at its fullest.

 

We spent 2 days/nights here.  Between nanny naps and time spent doing absolutely nothing, I found plenty of subjects at which to point my camera.

These are a few of my favourites. 

 

We'll definitely be back at some time in the future.

I'll also upload a 'Gootchie Creek' video to our YT channel in the near future.