Wednesday 29 July 2015

Nebo, Duaringa, Goovegin, Gingin

Taking a stroll south now. Couple of nights at Nebo showgrounds - it was damp so didnt feel like travelling. Then down the beef road - Fitzroy Development Road from Nebo to Dingo. Very good road all the way and not much traffic. Mostly mine utes and some big trucks. Was going to detour to Middlemount - next time maybe. Did stop at the Mackenzie river - except I didnt realise that was 'it'. Checked the camp under the bridge. Would be great for campervans but really no good places for a caravan. Luckily there is a small circular road so didnt have to back out. One good spot at the end of the road right beside the river but wouldnt like to be there if it rained! There is also a large truck stop with toilet north of the bridge.
On to Dingo CP. OK but no radio, TV, internet or phone!!!! Very noisy trains until after midnight. They do long toots before the mainroad crossing!
Decided to got to Blackwater showgrounds the next day as I have not been that way. Found a supermarket so stocked up, checked out the showgrounds and decided I didn't want to pay $10 to use a toilet. Asked a local about the road to Rolleston - dirt and not great so decided to go back the 54 km to Dingo and on to Duaringa!  What a great camp that is. Very big, toilets, showers and a dump. Very popular. Nice ladies in the Info centre. Found a laundry at the BP. Spent 3 days there. Met friends from a year ago also - more uke playing.
Had to get right off the road when I left - huge load on a truck. Just the bucket froma dump truck - massive things.  Lucky I had room to shift over!

On down to Goovegin showgrounds with TV & internet! $10 for power. They are developing the camping area and have put in 6 pads - but very close together and too far forward so there is very little room to park unless you come in the 'wrong' way and park facing the footpath and power boxes. Most people drive over the footpath and between the trees and power boxes. Then someone has fenced off the grounds for the ponyclub - which no longer exists! This has limited the maneuvering greatly. Power points but only 1 tap. Lot more money being spent here we are told including taps. Reasonable meals at the pub, and a little shop. Good company here and met a bloke with a guitar so plenty of music. Stayed 5 night in the end.
On down towards Eidsvold. Decided to go in to Wuruma Dam. Such a lovely place BUT FULL. Did manage to get down near the lake eventually after peering down all these steep tracks and wondering if...... Parked on a bit of a road and had a chat to the neighbours. Then the Sunwater man came and explained that I was on the road - even though there was another road on the lower side of the picnic table as well. But said I could stay as it was only for the night.
Down to Kerwee Road  - the Monto road in from Langley is closed. Lovely drive across to GinGin and to a friends property out in the country where I will stay for a week - at least until after the Rugby this weekend! And that was a let down! Ah well - have to let the Aussies win sometimes!