Western Queensland National Parks - 5 May

The Dawson River floods, as can be seen by the flood levels on the toilet block. The river, on this day, was quietly behaving itself in the background. 

We packed up and were ready to leave at 7:15, so spent about half an hour chatting to Ashley and Audrey. 

They clued us up n the Moura mine view, which included a memorial to the miners tragically killed in the disaster. So we went in for a look.

(Sorry about the quality of this shot...taken while driving and through rain)

We had been planning to fill up with diesel at Banana and were shocked to find there was none. They were waiting for a truck to deliver, and we weren't prepared to wait, (especially as they had no ETA), so we continued to Biloela. 

This meant we took a different road home to what we had been planning, and that we were able to have morning tea at the lovely stop at Jambin hall. We arrived safely home at midday, which was very unusual timing for us. All in all, a very enjoyable trip.

Western Queensland National Parks - 4 May

John packed up and headed off at 7:05, as he had to get home. We helped Dell and Al pack and they left at 8 am. (Dell had to get back to Rocky for a Beef Week event in the morning). We had a leisurely clean up and pack, and enjoyed a visit to the campsite by a flock of Apostle birds and some kangaroo's, before taking off at 9:40.

I just love these happy families of chirpy Apostle birds

These photos are Dell and Al's trip out...

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

These photos are from our trip out...

We got to Springsure for lunch, and were just pulling into the park when Dell and Al drove past! We were totally shocked as we had expected them to be well on their way home, but Dell wanted to visit friends. We only stopped for a very quick chat, before they proceeded, and we went into the park for lunch. The area around had a lot of historic artifacts.

Interesting 'toys' in the playground for the kids!

A really interesting boulder

Cairn on the Staircase Range

We had been planning to stay the night at Lake Victoria but it was getting late, so we decided to stop at the Dawson River camp ground at Moura. As we pulled in, I saw a big red bus which I immediately recognised as that belonging to Ashley, Dell's cousin. So we introduced ourselves and had happy hour with him and Audrey, his wife. It turns out Ashley is also a cousin of my Anderson cousins. There's quite a contrast between Ashley's big red rig (clean) and our little setup, but our's does us.

Western Queensland National Parks - 3 May

This little cutie was hiding under a flap of John's swag

Today's trip was to Homoranthus Hill, which had stone steps hewn out of the sandstone. The views were excellent, and we decided we would return at dusk for escarpment photos.

(Dell's photo)

(John's photo)

(Darryl's photo)

(Darryl's photo)

(Dell's photo)

Morning tea was back at Louisa Creek, and luckily for us the shelter was, once again, available.

Next stop was Spyglass Peak, where you had to walk past Hadrian's Wall then on to view Spyglass. Hadrian's Wall was completely amazing, and the views from behind up on the hill made us realise that this would be a much better, and safer, location for our sunset photos.

I think this is the only photo of us all together for the whole trip

(Darryl's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Darryl's photo)

(John's photo)

(Darryl's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(John's photo)

Back at camp we had another swim, then Darryl, Dell and I decided to explore some more over the causeway, while John and Al relaxed. 

(Dell's photo)

A Cymbidium in an old stump at the campsite (John's photo)

(Darryl's photo)

If you look very closely you can see the dark spots which are spore cups

Quinine fruit

Darryl went back for the Isuzu, as we felt it was late enough to return to Spyglass, and just as he came across the creek, a vehicle came from the other way and they stopped to tell us a tree had fallen across the road, in the time between when they went up and came back. It was certainly quite a big one!

Lucily we were able to drive around it (Dell's photo)

Even though the escarpment didn't light up the way we anticipated (the sun was in the wrong place), the views of the sunset were wonderful, and we even had some threatening storm clouds and a rainbow.

(Darryl's photo)

Luckily previous walkers had marked the path over the sandstone (Dell's photo)

Native fuchia (Darryl's photo)

(Dell's photo)

(Darryl's photo)