Free Camping

Maroochydore to Dalveen

Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 by shorty

After some quite heavy rain overnight, the morning quickly warmed up and we were able to get fully packed and ready to go quite early.

Today was a driving day, and we stayed on Motorways pretty well all the way from Maroochydore to Ipswich. Although the roads were great and we made great time, it did limit the opportunity for coffee and other breaks. We also had to battle the GPS which wanted to take us one way but following advice from Downunda and Faye, we wanted to go another. Eventually we got to the Gateway Bridge which is quite spectacular.

Gateway Bridge

Our much delayed coffee break was at Fassifern Memorial Reserve in the company of several other vanners.

Coffee Stop at Fassifern

From Fassifern we experienced some quite steep roads and spectacular views as we went through the Great Dividing Range and the Main Range National Park and Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

Great Dividing Range

We finally escaped from the Motorways around Warwick, which gave us a bit more flexibility to stop. As we were getting a bit hungry by now Ann got a couple of delicious pies from Percy’s Pies in Warwick which we ate at the Australiana Park, Warwick.

Lunch at Warwick

At Warwick we got onto the New England Highway and eventually made our way to a free camp at the Jim Mitchell Park in Dalveen. This is a nice spot with a toilet and a dump point, and a nearby shop. We had a good chat with our next door neighbours, also from Victoria, and said hello to people from most of the other half a dozen vans which had pulled up for the night. This is a nice friendly spot for an overnighter.

Overnight Stop at Jim Mitchell Park at Dalveen

We still weren’t totally happy with the rate at which the van batteries were losing power while we were driving so we got out the generator for the first time to charge the batteries. After a bit of mucking around I got things sorted and the batteries were fully charged in no time. A chat to another vanner here also gave me an idea as to what might be contributing to our flat battery situation so I’ve made a few changes and hopefully we’ll see an improvement from now on.

We’re still living the dream and still don’t know when we’ll be back home.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: dalveen, maroochydore

Conway Beach to Flaggy Rock

Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 by shorty

Today was a travel day so we were up at a reasonable hour, hitched up, and off to the Bruce Highway.

First challenge for the day was the quite steep incline just leaving Conway Beach towards Proserpine, but the Mighty Mazda BT-50 surged up the hill at a top speed of 35 kmh in second gear and conquered the task without even raising a sweat. To be fair, the speed limit both up and down that hill is 40 kph.

Then it was through Proserpine along the Bruce Highway, which means roadwork. We struck speed limits and single lane sections pretty well all day and most of it was adding more patches to the existing patches on the road. Not much fun at all. Other aspects of today’s drive included a lot more road trains, particularly heading North, including quite a few wide loads with mining trucks on board. We also noticed a lot more cattle in largish herds and a considerable volume of road kill – mainly wallabies or small kangaroos.

Overall although it is quite interesting to see the cane harvesters, driving through cane fields isn’t all that inspiring. There always seem to be mountains in the background and that makes things a bit more interesting, but in general there was nothing overly exciting about today’s drive.

Cane Harvesting outside Mackay

First stop was at Kuttabul, where we had our morning coffee and updated the blog for the last couple of days – internet reception at Conway Beach was poor. Kuttabul has a general store/roadhouse and a mechanic and not much else.

Kuttabul General Store

From Kuttabul it was a short distance to Mackay where we stopped at the visitor information centre for some research material and had lunch. Mackay is a largish town but it wasn’t on our must see list this year so we continued down the highway through Sarina where we had planned stopping at the caravan park.

Outside Mackay Visitor Info Centre & Botanical Gardens

However, at the visitor information centre we had picked up a brochure for the Flaggy Rock Exotic Fruit Garden and Icecreamery. We then found out that there was a free camp at Flaggy Rock, so our final destination for the day became Flaggy Rock – I keep referring to it as Fraggle Rock for some reason. We were unsure of our timing and the respective locations of the free camp and the ice cream shop so went to the free camp and made sure we were set up first. As it turns out there is only one other campervan here, in a huge paddock behind the local community centre. We will visit the ice cream place tomorrow morning!

Ann had a bit of a chat with the ladies in the community centre who were having a local quilting group get-together and they had some beautiful work to show. They are getting ready for a local quilt show on 23^rd & 24^th August.

It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This

We enjoyed sitting out in the sun reading our books until it was time for me to cook steaks on the BBQ for dinner.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: flaggy rock

Mary’s Pool Rest Area to Dunham River Rest Area

Posted on Thursday, July 4, 2013 by shorty

After another cold night we awoke to a glorious morning at Mary’s Pool. While we were packing up to leave, a 4 wheel drive Kimberly Wild tour bus arrived as part of their authentic early morning activities. Unfortunately they chose the wrong place to park today as while drinking their billy tea the tourists had a great view of a large fifth-wheeler (not ours) pumping out their black-water tank into the dump point. Very authentic!

Packing Up at Mary’s Pool Rest Area

Leaving Mary’s Pool

First stop for the day was for coffee and to refuel at Halls Creek, where we took the opportunity to visit the Tourist Info Centre and also have a bit of a look around town. I was partly interested because one of my nieces (with her father) had lived and worked here for several years not too long ago.

On the Way to Halls Creek

Cattle

Cattle Yards

From Halls Creek our next intended destination was the Spring Creek Rest Area which we thought might be a potential overnight stop. No way José, so we continued on.

The next potential free camp was the Muluk Rest Area, where we actually stopped for lunch. However there was really only one decent spot, which was already taken, so we somewhat reluctantly hit the road again.

Driving today has been pretty much the same as previous days, with more single lane bridges, plenty of ant hills of all sorts if shapes and sizes, cattle (some in yards today), some horses roaming free, and, as always, beautiful mountainous scenery.

It was, however, somewhat disconcerting today to see smoke directly ahead of us on the highway, and eventually to be on both sides of us, with the roadsides still smouldering. Speaking to a fellow traveller, he wasn’t at all concerned and just said it was the locals burning off! The big thing is that there never seems to anyone actually looking after the fires. In Turkey Creek they were even burning off their nature strips, again with no-one in attendance.

Smoke Ahead

Burning Off

Mountain After Burning Off

Our next possible overnight stop was the Doon Doon Roadhouse and Caravan Park, but as we arrived the signs indicated that the caravan park had closed.

By now it was getting quite late to be driving, although the scenery was still amazing. Places to stop are rather spread out around here.

Fantastic Scenery

So we headed on up the highway and finally stopped at the Dunham River Rest Area in the Bungle Bungles, where we simply slotted into a great spot and had a chance for a quick sit outside before it got too dark.

Today was the furthest distance we have driven in a single day so far this trip, but all’s well that ends well.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: dunham river, mary's pool

Ellendale Rest Area to Mary’s Pool Rest Area

Posted on Thursday, July 4, 2013 by shorty

Monday night was a starry, starry night, so we spent a fair bit of time outside checking out the Milky Way, Orion’s Belt, The Saucepan and all the other constellations we learnt about in primary school.

The downside of a clear and starry night is that it inevitably leads to a freezing cold night – which it did. So it was back to the doona on the bed.

After a comfortable night in the fiver we eventually got up and organised and hit the road reasonably early (for us).

First stop was the Ngiyali Roadhouse in Fitzroy Crossing for fuel, then a visit to the Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Info Centre, which we found to be surprisingly interesting. Then back to the van for a cup of coffee.

Crossing the Fitzroy River

Fantastic Scenery

We then headed back to the Great Northern Highway for another planned stop at the Ngumpan Cliff Lookout Rest Area. After a minor diversion off-road we got to the lookout to find that it was closed for roadworks. We later heard that the rest area was going to be re-bituminized, and it will be fantastic when finished with great views (if not a bit exposed).

Final stop for the day was the Mary’s Pool Rest Area where we settled down for the night. Fortunately we got there quite early so we had our choice of sites and were able to secure a site facing the right way, in the sun (ie to charge the solar panel) and level. As this was a short driving day, we had plenty of time to walk around and explore the area, and then relax with our books. The weather was fantastic, in the high 20s.

Mary’s Pool is almost perfect for free camping and we will certainly stay here again if we are back in this neck of the woods.

Entry Road to Mary’s Pool Rest Area

Mary’s Pool

Mary’s Pool Rest Area

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: ellendale, mary's pool

Broome to Ellendale Rest Area [Fitzroy Crossing]

Posted on Monday, July 1, 2013 by shorty

Great weather was forecast for Broome today, and even better further east. It was time to move on so we headed east along the Great Northern Highway.

Several things struck us about today’s drive, including:

Cattle – there were many more cattle along the road today than we had seen previously, although very little in the way of road kill. They must breed them smarter in this neck of the woods.
Ant Hills – they were everywhere in all sorts of shapes and sizes from football size to distorted sumo wrestler size to cattle size and even cemetery headstone size.
Roadworks – there was plenty of activity on the roads and we had to stop and wait several times. There were massive graders, huge side operating tip trucks, and other machines cutting the grass and clearing bush on the sides of the road.
Single Lane Bridges – we crossed over two single lane bridges which surprised us considering the amount of traffic on Highway 1, and the disruption they caused to traffic flow.

Cattle & Ant Hills

Single Lane Bridge Ahead

On-coming Traffic on Single Lane Bridge

Road Sign (and Boab Tree)

Erskine Range

First stop for the day was the Nillibubbica Rest Area. Another designated free camp with a maximum 24 hour stay, this was well set up with undercover shelter, toilet, dump point, and space for plenty of travellers. Great spot.

The Boab Rest Area was similar and would be a great place to stop. We wanted to get a few more miles under our belt so we just had a quick meal break but there were others already setting up for the rest of the day and night. Highlight of this particular rest area was the huge Boab tree in the centre.

Our final destination was the Ellendale Rest Area, which is about 90 kms East of Fitzroy Crossing. Although we arrived at around 2.30 pm space was already at a premium and we were probably the second last van in for the night. But what a spot this is! We set up the awning and spent a very relaxing afternoon in absolutely perfect weather conditions (mid 20s, slight breeze, great views and a magnificent sunset).

Morning Stop – Nillibubbica Rest Area

Lunch at Boab Rest Area

Overnight at Ellendale Rest Area

Sunset at Ellendale Rest Area

Still living the dream!!!!!

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: broome, ellendale, fitzroy crossing

Nullarbor Roadhouse to Moodini Bluff Free Camp

Posted on Monday, June 17, 2013 by shorty

On Friday morning we left the Nullarbor Roadhouse at about 9 am. There had been heavy rain all night so we were happy with our decision to stop when we did on Thursday night. It was very overcast but not raining at that stage. From the roadhouse, the Eyre Highway runs inland along the Bunda Cliffs that we had viewed on Thursday. Today we noticed the Royal Flying Doctor Service signs on the road advising us that at several points the highway is actually an emergency RFDS landing strip. The road in those sections is very good and a lot wider so that we would have space to get out of the way!

Storm Clouds over Nullarbor Roadhouse

Leaving Nullarbor Roadhouse

Just what we needed in the rain!

Rainbow on the Nullarbor – Felt Like We Could Touch It

RFDS Signs on the Highway

After about 75 kms we took a leap of faith and turned down a 2 km dirt track to a lookout. WOW! What a magnificent view! We spent a while exploring and then back to the van for a hot coffee to warm up again before continuing west again.

About 30 Kms further down the highway we turned down another dirt track to the Bunda Cliffs Scenic Lookout. Again, spectacular views and we managed to negotiate the track and turn around without any problems.

Then 10 kms further down the highway there was yet another dirt track to Lookout #3. This was also breathtaking scenery but totally different to the first 2 lookouts. This time rather than spectacular rugged cliff faces, we were viewing amazing beaches and sand dunes.

Lookout #1

Lookout #2

Lookout #3

Is this a dinosaur footprint?

As we proceeded to the South Australia / Western Australia border checkpoint we caught glimpses of the ocean from the highway. The quarantine inspection at the border crossing is very thorough. Inspectors take all of your details and check the tow vehicle and the van for fresh fruit and vegetables or nuts or plants or soil materials or honey. We had an open jar of honey which we declared and they confiscated.

Rooey Giving Directions at the SA/WA Border

SA-WA Quarantine Inspection Checkpoint

SA – WA Border

After that we drove a short distance to Eucla where we bought sandwiches for lunch and then drove down a 4 km dirt track to the sand dunes to explore the old Eucla Telegraph Station which is now almost totally submerged under sand. We had seen it a number of times on TV but it is quite an experience to actually see the sand dunes taking over substantial buildings. We walked around and climbed sand dunes before returning to the van. We were both a bit surprised that we had driven down such a steep dirt track to get to the ruins but the Mazda didn’t miss a beat hauling the rig up the 45 degree hill. What were we thinking – perhaps we weren’t!!

Welcome Whale at Eucla

Eucla Telegraph Station

On Dear! The only way is up, with the rig.

It didn’t look this steep coming down!

Travellers’ Cross at Eucla

We checked out a number of rest areas before we finally stopped at Moodini Bluff Rest Area for the night. There were about 8 other travellers there and there was plenty of space for everyone and more. It is set back off the road and nice and quiet, although we didn’t even bother checking out the toilet facilities. This was a great spot for our first night free camping on our 2013 Big Adventure.

Trailblazer at Moodini Bluff

Moodini Bluff Rest Area Facilities

Very Happy Camper!

Unfortunately (?) there was no mobile or internet access so we are posting this entry retrospectively.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: moodini bluff, nullarbor roadhouse

Day 32 – Mitchell to Surat

Posted on Sunday, June 24, 2012 by shorty

We were woken at 1.00 am with alarms and noises coming from the Redarc electrical cupboard. Basically it was a low battery warning alarm and in the end I had to disengage everything electrical so that we could get back to sleep. This meant that the fridge was off but the temperatures were at freezing point so we weren’t too worried about food spoilage. That alarm is not what you want to hear when you are freecamping!!

I was up very early to check everything and found that the van batteries were almost completely dead and that as we had no power; we had no water pump, no fridge and could not even flush the toilet. Fortunately I met another vanner near the amenities and we commented on the heavy frost this morning and when I mentioned our problem, he immediately offered us a loan of his generator to get us going. It’s this great vanner spirit that makes this style of travel so enjoyable, and reaffirms one’s faith in humankind.

After a couple of hours on the generator we had a decent charge in the batteries and things seemed to be back under control – at least for the time-being. We took off for Roma and stopped at Muckadilla as there was a tap in the free camp. We filled our water tank and kept going to Roma. We stopped there and bought coffees and a nut loaf for morning tea. We drove around Roma and liked what we saw.

Then it was back on the highway in the direction of Surat. We had to stop for a kangaroo and a couple of emus. There were bad roads and plenty of road works.

We had lunch at Hema 863Q Free Camp Fishing and Restocking Club Park in Surat. It was a nice place but very crowded. Ann rang ahead to St George and found that there was no room at any of the caravan parks which was a problem as we needed power for the van to recharge the batteries, etc.

Information Sign at Surat

We drove around Surat and found the Surat Caravan Park. Not wishing to take the risk of not having a powered site for the night, I pulled into a drive through ensuite spot and started setting up while Ann walked down to the pub to sort out the paperwork. We then had a wander around town (didn’t take too long) and then returned to have coffee by the van and got chatting with Gary from the Sterling next to us. We later showered and went to the pub with Sue and Gary for a few drinks and had a great night. They live in their van and do casual work all over the country. It seems like a close to ideal lifestyle.

At this point we had to make a decision about the van’s electricals. Do we try to get things fixed somewhere on the road and then take our time heading home or do we head back home quickly and get it done there. We decided that as we were quite remote and not very close to any main centres it could be difficult finding someone to fix things so we would head back home via caravan parks and make sure things were fixed by someone we knew and trusted before our next Big Adventure.

Categories: 2012 Winton Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: mitchell, surat

Day 31 – Stubby Bend (Tambo) to Mitchell

Posted on Saturday, June 23, 2012 by shorty

When we woke up this morning it was very cold and windy at our beautiful camp spot.

After showers and breakfast we headed for Augathella, which we inadvertently bypassed (thanks Garmin) but we continued on to Morven where we checked out a camp spot at the recreation reserve. Very nice – we would stay there. We stopped at a camp spot in Mungallala and filled up the water tanks as they were getting a bit low.

Quick Stop at Morven

Then we went on to the Neil Turner Weir freecamp area in Mitchell. This is a great spot and quite a few vans are here. It looks as though people stay here for a while, not just overnight as with many freecamps. It also looks like it has been very wet and muddy, but we have a good spot for the night. It has been a long day and a hard drive with awful roads and loads of roadkill to avoid.

Neil Turner Weir free camp at Mitchell

We are still having issues with the van electrics and will need to go to a caravan park tomorrow to recharge everything. Bummer!

Categories: 2012 Winton Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: mitchell, tambo

Day 30 – Longreach to Stubby Bend Near Tambo

Posted on Friday, June 22, 2012 by shorty

We left Longreach about 10.15 am after showers, feeding the Brolga family and discussing washing machines with a couple from Melbourne in a neighbouring van.

Feeding the Brolgas at the Longreach Caravan Park

We stopped at Barcaldine for lunch – pies from the bakery in the van with coffee and apple slice. Then on to Blackall for a quick stop and on further to Stubby Bend free camp near Tambo for the night. We arrived about 3.30 pm.

Some Interesting Driving Situations Happen in the Bush

On the Way to Blackall

Stopped at Stubby Bend free camp near Tambo

We have been experiencing some issues with the caravan batteries apparently not accepting charge from the solar panel but everything seems OK tonight. We spent a gorgeous afternoon by the Barcoo River and later had pasta dinner in van.

Relaxing at Stubby Bend free camp near Tambo

Sunset at Stubby Bend free camp near Tambo

Categories: 2012 Winton Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: longreach, tambo

Day 19 – Charleville to Blackall

Posted on Monday, June 11, 2012 by shorty

We were up very early for showers etc and then packed up and hitched up and headed north up the Kidman Way. There was plenty of roadkill to be seen by the road. The highway was diverted before Augathella.

travelling_4222_Stomped 12 06 2012 008_Stomped

Lunch Break at Tambo

We stopped in Tambo by the lake for hot cheese and asparagus on muffins for lunch. We caught up with Nola and Ike who we had met at Charleville.

We then drove on to Blackall where everything was closed because of the Queen’s Birthday Holiday. After driving around town to see the sights, we set up the van at a very nice freecamp (Qld 684 – Barcoo River Camp Blackall). There were some great metal sculptures around the camp area including a large bird on a nest on a tall pole.

Blackall Visitor Information Centre

Tribute to Jackie Howe – Shearer – Blackall

The Black Stump – Blackall

Barcoo River Camp – Blackall

Metal Sculpture at Blackall

We were experiencing great weather so I cooked a BBQ dinner outside.

Today we had some issues with the batteries in the caravan, which is not good news when freecamping, but we coped OK.

This was a great spot and we would like to return here at some point in the future.

Categories: 2012 Winton Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: blackall, charleville