Sunday 15th May

Left home on Sunday 15th May and stayed 1st night at Blackbutt. Stayed just over the bridge, west from town, free camping at the Squash courts at the top of the hill. free use of the toilets. Met up with friends of Dons whom we are doing the trip with J & A.

Cold night and long shadows, Blackbutt. Qld.

Woke to a lovely day and the start of the holiday. Image below shows the area for camping, really is good.

Day 1

Monday 16th. 

Up early and cleaned up, was very cold during the night.  Had morning tea at Goomeri and headed for Mingo crossing, very nice van park, tidy, green and good facilities. we stayed two  nights here, was a long day, arrived at 3 pm for afternoon tea. I will post some images later.

 Wren  Paradise Dam caravan park, it is a beautiful place.

Startrails at the Dam.

Tuesday 17th.

Slept well, cold, sunny, have the morning sun in camper kitchen. Lots of birds.

 These birds a Kite and Tern were fighting over a fish the Kite had caught.

Wednesday 18th

Heading off to Wuruma Dam today. I took a few photos of Paradise Dam before heading off. We have been told its pretty full, but were going to check it out anyway. We traveled via Ceratadace. Well we got a tops spot for both vehicles, very happy. Had lunch and settled in. Lots of water in the Dam, I will post images later.

 Fog on the dam.  Sunrise

Lots of space for camping.

 At Wurumu Dam, there is always something happening, birds everywhere. White faced Heron.  Apostle bird, these birds are so funny to watch.  Don and Jack out having a kayak.  Turtles, there were heaps, little ones as well as big ones.

Sunset at Wurumu Dam.

Thursday 19th

Very mild last night slept with all windows open. Had a very relaxing day, chattered with some people, took photos men went kayaking again. Lots of water birds. Ran the gene and charged all the batteries etc..

View from our site,

Friday 20th.

Got away by 9 am and heading to Monto, we dumped and filled up here and had morning tea, from here we went to Biloela and did some shopping. Filled up gas bottles here. Shouted ourselves lunch out. We are all set for 3  nights off the grid. Got to Lake Victoria 3 pm, set up and had a cuppa. Beautiful spot. Black soil so will be watching for rain. We have a full moon so no night shooting stars tonight.

 Lovely spot so were very pleased. Lake Victoria.  This camping is on private property so please be mindful of the owners animals and leave things as you see them, It was lovely to see that all other campers had taken all there rubbish away with them, good one you.  At least these lucky cows have plenty of water.

Just a night shot from the camp site.

Saturday 21st.

Woke to a beautiful day not a cloud to be seen. We read, chattered, and took photo’s, lots of birds. Did some night shooting and star trails until some clouds came across.

 Spoonbills flying off  We could here a cat meow, but couldn’t work it out as to where the sound was coming from, then we saw it, a black cat after a dead fish on the bank across from us.  Ibis  I went for a walk and saw these big cobwebs, there were heaps of them, I don’t like spiders, so I always see cobwebs.  Pelicans taking off from the lake.

Real golden sunset tonight.

Sunday 22nd.

Cloudy, windy and not a lot of sunlight for solar panels so will run the gene later. Another lovely day, caught up on a few bits and packed what we can as tomorrow is a early start for Sapphire, hope we get a site. Took these shots just before leaving.

 Reflection on the Lake Victoria.

Pelican landing, they are such a big bird.

Monday 23rd. 

Up at 6 am, lovely morning, been pretty mild as well at nights. Got breakfast done and cleaned up, left the gate by 8.40 am Had a good run thru to Dululu and dumped and filled up the water containers. I had a shower here its free so that was awesome, thanks Dululu. We had morning tea here. Headed for Comet and had lunch nice we spot. Carried onto Emerald. Grabbed a few bits and pieces, rang some family and friends while we had good coverage. Spent a bit of time here but still arrived in Sapphire by 4.30 pm and got a site, as its for only one night you make do. Been a long day, its very hot, 32 deg. Crashed into bed early.

 Early morning shot of the moon still in the sky going down as the sun was coming up behind me.  Sunrise colours, Lake Victoria.  Dululu, thanks to the wee town for the facilities of hot free showers and a dump point. Support these towns, got to be grateful.

Coal train while were traveling.