Lightning Ridge was a real surprise. We really enjoyed our stay there and could have put in a few more days. It is very friendly, there is a lot to see, and there is little crime. However it is time to move on, and today we head off to St George in QLD, with light persistent rain still with us.
Fortunately we packed up our awning late yesterday when there was a bit of a dry spell for a few hours, so we didn't have to cope with a wet awning this morning. We diverted a bit along the way to see a few recommended attractions.
Today's route
The first town we reach, Hebel, is a general store and a service station with a population of 60-70 people. We did not bother to stop and moved on to Dirrabandi which has a highly recommended bakery operated by some Russians. It was a good tip and quite busy. Morning tea was beckoning, so the arrival time was perfect. I can highly recommend the sausage rolls.
The Dirribandi Russian Bakery
There were plenty of caravans parked in the vicinity of the bakery, so the word has obviously got out that it is a worthwhile stop, and one where it is relatively easy to get a park for your rig.
From Dirribandi we diverted to the town of Thallon, where Graincorp have smartened up their grain silos with some very good silo art.
Going via Thallon also allowed us to pass through Nindigully, where the main attraction is the pub, which is one of Queensland's oldest continually licensed hotels. It's liquor licence was issued in 1864.
Located on the banks of the Moonie River, the pub had a large area for free camping, and despite the miserable rainy conditions today, they had a few diehards in caravans settled in there.
When we arrived it was lunch time, so we thought we should experience what "the Gully", as it is known had to offer.
The dining room (muddy shoes must be removed before entering)
The main bar is filled with memorabilia
The pubs other claim to fame is that it was used in the filming of the movie Paperback Hero in which it was named Lucktown Pub.
There isn't much else of note in Nindigully other than the pub. They have an annual fund raising event on the last Saturday of November each year to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Nindigully Pig Races.
We had a typical pub lunch and soaked up a bit of the atmosphere before moving on to complete our trip to St George. It is only 14-15 C today with intermittent rain all day, so not great for sightseeing. Fortunately our site at the caravan park is a drive through, so we don't have to unhitch in the cold and rain.
It looks like our visit to St George will be limited to doing some laundry and staying inside out of the cold and rain.
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