Day 25: Fri 13 May - Dalby to Home, 334km; total towed: 2 715km; total driven: 3 075km

18-24 deg C; another wet day on the road, very wet!

We were up and on the road just after 6:30am again. There were numerous places during the first 5-10km towards Bell that were well under water, so it was a slow start to the trip. We were fortunate that there was a ute in front of us, so we watched him for any unseen potholes or road erosion. The water was mostly fairly shallow, so we made it without any problems.

Our first stop was at Kingaroy, at one of our favourite Maccas (it is right on the main road/highway) and there was a vacant space big enough to park up. Wendy went in was back out with coffees in under 10 minutes. Just what was needed for a wet day on the road. 

Back on the road we didn't stop until Puma at Maryborough South for fuel and to have a wee break. We arrived home to a very soggy yard about 11:15am.

It was another tough day on the road due to the persistent rain and the pretty ordinary roads. However, with careful and attentive driving we made it home safe and sound.

Now, we wait out for the weather to do its thing, whilst planning the next phase of our trip around Qld.

The road out of Dalby

One of the water crossings

Probably took this one a little fast

Bells Bridge; it went under the next day

Hippo Farm after 150mm of rain

Our babies were so excited we were home

The weir at the end of Old Coach Rd, not the highest the water has been

This is what the roughly planned trip map looked like on departure, almost a month ago

This is what we have completed (in red, some of it is hidden by the green)

Day 24: Thu 12 May: Gravel Pit to Dalby, 547km; total towed: 2 381km

18-24 deg C, rain, quite heavy at times, saw a sneaky peak of part sunshine for five minutes, mainly overcast and gloomy

It rained all night last night, sometimes so heavily we thought we might have a problem getting out of the free camp. However as we had picked a gravel pit it was solid so no worries. We were both awake at 3:30am to discuss our options. We initially had to travel via Quilpie to collect our mail that had been re-directed there. However, we realised that we could call them and ask if they could re-re-direct it back to home. (As it turned out the lady at the Post Office was very obliging and agreed to do it, thank you Melanie.)

So, Greg sent Bob a text message outlining our thoughts, saying that as it was very unlikely we would be able to go past Quilpie to any other destinations, and we could very likely get stranded there for a week or more, we should turn back for home whilst we can. In addition the weather picture for the next week or so was looking like there may be some serious flooding all across the mid-west. Bob came over for a chat about 6am'ish and it was agreed that we break camp and head out.  We were on the road about 6:30am. We agreed that Roma would be a good spot to make a decision on what B&N wanted to do. We refuelled there at the same time and they decided to travel with us all the way to home as the inland route to Gladstone (where they were heading to visit family) was a bit suspect for flooding. We also decided to get a large chunk of the km out of the way today so it is not as far tomorrow; only 321km tomorrow. 

In the main the roads were fairly ordinary, rock and roll with the van on the back and the recent rain has not helped. The worst section was from Miles to Dalby, although there have been some recent upgrades to add a few overtaking lanes. After stops for mornos, loo visits, lunch and fuel, we were checked into, and on our site (#14) just after 4pm; not a bad effort at all.

After a minimal set-up, we went for a walk to stretch the legs before getting glammed up for dinner at Criterion Hotel, adjacent the park. Specials tonight were steak, steak, and steak. All meals were absolutely delicious, and very filling.

The road home is all clear at this stage, although that may change any time.  

Leaving our gravel pit this morning

Mornos stop, anyone would think we lived in the Tropics, and we were in the middle of the rainy season

Drive scenery

Lunch stop at Wallumbilla

Calico Cottage

Pink pub at Dulacca

Dalby; Myall Creek, adjacent the van park

This was the height of the most recent floods at Dalby

Day 23: Wed 11 May - Wyandra to Cunnamulla and back to a Gravel Pit 5km West of Charleville, 315km; total towed: 1 834km

16-21 deg C, rain for most of the day.

We left the donation camp at Wyandra at 8:20am heading for Cunnamulla. The road was particularly ordinary for most of the way, with little to no verge, and very lumpy on occasions. As we weren't in a hurry we drove a little slower. Add the extraordinary weather, and it made for slow drive to Cunnamulla. We arrived a tad before 10am, too early to check in to the van park, so pulled up outside the Tourist Info Centre and brewed-up in the van. We arrived at the van park just before 10:30am and were told to "come back at 11am as we are still cleaning and some people have not yet left". No worries, we toured a bit of the town, with the van on the back and decided that we should just go and park up outside the van park. At 11am, we walked back into the park hoping to check in. Nope, "we are still trying to sort out sites and what we have available, so please come back at midday." OK.

Back to the vans to plot the next move after Cunnamulla, taking into consideration the deteriorating weather. Back to the office at 12pm, and we didn't even make it all the way, when we were told "don't come any further, we have no sites left." Wendy: "But I made a booking for two powered sites two days ago?". The lady, "Did you pay?" "No, because you said it was not necessary." "Well, other people have paid online and we have to prioritise them. The weather has caused all sorts of issues, and we can only do what we can. We have no further vacancies." After a group discussion we decided to head back to Charleville. 

Off we returned from whence we had come. We stopped on the outskirts of Cunnamulla for lunch to go, and in Wyandra for an afternoon brew-to-go. As we were nearing Charleville, Greg asked Wendy to check if there were any free camps on the Quilpie road that would be suitable to stay at instead of a van park. Wendy found a Gravel Pit about 5km West of Charleville. The beauty of travelling in a well-equipped, self-contained box, is that you can pull up anywhere and make it home

After refuelling and restocking a few grocery items, we headed out of Charleville, on the road to Quilpie. This is a road we have done before, however, we have some mail to collect at Quilpie. We are also hoping the weather will improve, but that's out of our control so it is what it is.

The gravel pit has a nice covering of gravel (what else) much more solid that anywhere we have seen in many days, including van parks. It is quite quiet, dark and we could actually see some stars and the moon trying to shine through the clouds. Just maybe we'll see the sun.... on day. It also stopped drizzling just after 6pm, bonus! However we've never begrudged the farmers out here of this lovely rain; after so many years of drought, how could we. 

We did manage to have pre-dinner drinks under Bob and Noeleene's awning before retiring to our home for dinner.

Wyandra camp this morning

Wet and soggy on the road

Two very lucky emu

Cunnamulla water tower

Camp Gravel Pit, about 5km West of Charleville; at least it was mostly gravel and therefore mostly solid underfoot

Day 22: Tue 10 May - Charleville to Wyandra, 102km; total towed: 1 519km

18-19 deg C, cloudy in Charleville to start the day, a few light showers along the way, fine when we arrived at Wyandra, a shower as we wandered, a heavy shower early afternoon, cloudy all day

We left Charleville at 8:50am, a later than usual departure for us, however, as we didn't have far to travel we were in no rush. First stop was at the Angellala Bridge Explosion site where a truck carrying 53 tonnes of ammonium nitrate caught fire, crashed, then exploded in Sep 2014. It created a blast radius of more than 1km, and the effect of the blast was felt over 30km away. The blast also damaged a police car that was about 200m away, and a fire truck was destroyed. Eight people were injured, but no lives were lost. A fragment of the ammonium truck driver's bible was found amongst the rubble; this page was from Psalm 31 (see photo).

Mornos was taken in a gravel area on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere about 30km from Wyandra. We arrived at the Wyandra donation camp at 11am. Greg decided he needed another cuppa, and then we all headed out, on foot, so see the sights of Wyandra. We stopped here back in 2019 on our way back from Wendy's 50th celebrations with family at Dubbo, and it was nice and sunny back then. Today, not so sunny. It started to drizzle about half way into our wander, then turned into proper rain. To escape it, we went into the Post Office, and the smell of hot chips made our mouths water such that we had to order some. Half an hour later we were on our way back to our vans for lunch and a rest, during which the rain came down quite heavily.

After a rest, and more rain, the boys went for a walk to The Beach and reported that it was just as well we chose the donation camp, as The Beach was very slippery with very sticky mud. Noeleene baked scones and Wendy read her book then joined Noel for afternoonos. The boys returned a little later.

Pre-dinner drinks were had in the camp kitchen. We then retired to our vans for dinner as it had started to drizzle again.   

Charleville Town Hall

The Angellala explosion memorial site

A wet drive today

Mornos stop

In the loo at Wyandra Camp

The cops came to say G'day

On the side of the cop car

Camp Wyandra

Wyandra School

Renovators delight

Love the colour scheme

Rumour Has It Café and Shop

They must like the colour green at Wyandra, or maybe they were the only colours available?

Soldier memorial in the back streets

Wyandra War Memorial

Wyandra Post Office and General Store

Wyandra Gaol

Characters at Wyandra PO and General Store

Inside Wyandra PO and General Store

Wish fuel was still this cheap 30.9c/l

St Aidans Anglican Church

A bit wet

Warrego River at The Beach, Wyandra

Greg's artistic shot

Noeleene and her scones

Afternoonos

Apostle birds having their afternoonos at our van

Pre-dinner drinks at Wyandra camp kitchen