Away at last ...
- mcnovies
- May 20
- 3 min read
Welcome!
Our big pack up day before we left was marred by rain … all day. So … up at 5am on departure day and in to it!
First night out we made it to Bollon where we found a fabulous free camp on the Wallam Creek. Bollon has a population of about 170 people … and no pub or coffee shop… it burnt down … both at the same time as the coffee shop was part of the pub. Talking with one of the locals on his morning stroll along the creek (more like a river in size and full to the brim) he told us the trials and tribulations of who owned what; who didn’t pay; speculation as to the cause of the fire amid conspiracy theories by all of the locals … but suffice to say … it is no more … but it may be resurrected …
The following day we headed to Charlotte Plains – famous for its hot artesian bore baths where we spent 2 nights. It’s basically a large flat paddock with a rustic bar (and a country and western singer in the evening) with bath tubs (usually in pairs) located along a channel. Each tub is fed by the artesian bore water which starts at around 42 degrees in the main pool and gets cooler as you get further down the line (the tubs near us were probably around 32 degrees).
Last trip we had booked a private bath session but due to the weather we struck on the way home (it was flooded) we couldn’t use it. So, we transferred our 2 hour sunset booking to this trip. On arrival, we realised that it was somewhat cooler than December and that sunset in May would be a tad cooler. Actually, it was a bit more complicated than that!
The Private Bath facility is 10.5km from the main campground along a gravel/rocky road … which just happens to be currently closed due to flooding! But here’s the kicker … to get to it, you have to drive 4kms back to the highway; then 14kms to the turn off to the Homestead; then another 10kms on a gravel road to the Homestead before making a turn and travelling another 4kms to this little 3 sided shed in the middle of nowhere with the cool breeze blowing directly onto as you submerge into a bath that was warm at best ! Ahh well … tick that one off.
Today we headed west to Cunnamulla with the plan to get to Tibooburra before heading south to Broken Hill. While, you may have forgotten about the recent deluge of rain in Central Australia and Western Queensland, I can assure you its impact is still being felt … the road to Tibooburra is closed due to flooding. So, we went to the Council Offices in Cunnamulla to find out how we could get south to Broken Hill and come back up through the Flinders Ranges. Well, that was a waste of time … the most recent record they had of road conditions was 12 days ago … the road depot wasn’t answering their phone and apparently the Council supply the local Police station with their reports – no point in going there…
Back to the car (at least some mobile reception) … check Qld Traffic App … roads open to Hungerford with some hazards – but not closed due to flooding … goodo … off we go … hit the gravel … air down the tyres and away we go … 60kms later and we are at Currawinya National Park just checking out the National Park notice board when a Park Ranger drives up … we have a chat about the park and places to stay (a couple of large waterholes) … how about the road from Hungerford we ask … closed due to flooding! You’ll have to back track to Cunnamulla and use the bitumen to get south!
Tonight we are at a waterhole in Currawinya National Park – I dare say we are the only people in the entire national park… at least the fish are entertaining as they jump out of the water in front of us …
Loved Cunnamulla - we stayed at the shearing shed but know of all the places you mentioned. We were lucky - we got in last July, albeit very muddy & wet, but a week earlier, was too wet for Deb.
If you go through Dirranbandi, have a coffee & cake at the Russian bakery! Amazing!
Have fun - love your stories 🥰
Well good to see you back in the office Pete. A nice read but sounds like rerouting is going to be the norm for the trip (perhaps).