It was very peaceful at the Charleville Bush Caravan Park and we would certainly go back there, if in the area. We were all packed and ready to go at 9.30 am for our roughly 300 km drive to Blackall today.
Our route takes us through Augathella, where we stopped for morning tea. With a population of a bit over 300 it seems to attract quite a few tourists, particularly in caravans. There were a few tourist attractions. It was hard to miss the mural on the water tower as you drove into town.
It seems collecting wild dog scalps can be an attractive sideline
A little further down the road we came to a park which houses the treasured sculpture of the Giant Meat Ant.
Opposite the park is is the remains of an old cinema, with a mural of "Smiley" a classic 1956 film. Apparently Augathella is the home of this movie.
Enough of the highlights of Augathella, it is time for a cup of coffee at the Catfish Cafe which adjoins the old cinema.
Our visit to Augathella was a bit more than we expected and the cafe was quite large and modern inside. It is time to move on towards Blackall and we are planning to stop in Tambo for lunch, about another 100 km from Augathella.
Whilst the landscape is still very flat and scrubby, we can see some hills on the horizon.
Just as we arrive at Tambo, there is a huge rest area on the right hand side of the road for large vehicles and caravans. We turn in there as parking in some towns can be difficult. It turned out to be a fantastic facility with toilets, picnic tables and it was located on the banks of the Tambo dam.
Lots of caravans have stopped here for a lunch break
It is a huge park and walking around to stretch our legs we came across this wonderful tribute to the tradion of the B & S Ball, which are still sporadically held in the area. A very clever piece of artwork.
Iconic ute with the Spinster and Bachelor having a beverage
Someone sleeping it off, with a dog looking out the window
A kangaroo splattered on the bonnet
It was a great place to stop for lunch, and gave us chance to have a walk around before getting back on the road for the final leg to Blackall.
A hour or so later we were in Blackall settling in to our home for the next 2 nights at the Blackall Caravan Park, right in town. Once again we have found a great spot. It is a small and very friendly park with good facilities. Close to everything, and they have a happy hour from 4 - 6 pm with live music and an opportunity to meet other campers. Because we are only here for 2 days we chose to go for a walk into town, even though it is Saturday asfternoon and everything pretty much is closed. Nevertheless there is a lot of history in the streets and we managed to uncover some of it.
In 1885 Blackall became the first town in QLD to sink an artesian bore. They weren't the first to strike water, but this memorial depicts the occasion with a display of a steam engine and drilling rig.
Muir's Garage, an old BP Service Station, seeking restoration
The old Masonic Lodge Building built in 1906 was listed as a National Trust Building in 1978. It now operates as a cafe, antique and art gallery.
Masonic Lodge
All of this was just a short walk from our caravan park. We arrived back when happy hour was well under way. Within half an hour a live musician arrived entertaining the crowd for a good hour or so. We are so close to this area that we can watch and hear from our van, so we didn't bother to join in tonight, but maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow there is a lot to see and do.
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