Wrap-up and Reflections

 We have been so busy since arriving home that it has taken us two weeks to get around to our ‘wrap up’ of the trip.  It was so nice to be out there travelling around, however it’s also lovely to be home.   As we followed the news around the world and even in Australia, we thanked God that we were able to travel, albeit only in our own country. Although the border closures did stifle our ‘lap of Oz’ a little, it didn’t stop us from enjoying what we could do.  We kept reminding ourselves that the parts we weren’t able to see are not going away anytime soon so will be on the bucket list when the borders fully open.  Sometime soon we hope.  We guesstimated that the COVID situation has increased the volume of people travelling in Australia, by all sorts of means by at least 75 percent.  There were many places that we could not have stayed at if we had not booked well in advance. We ‘camped’ at 65 different cities/towns/places on the map at an average of $30/night. We only advance booked three of the 65 places; Darwin, Broome and Kalgoorlie (only because we had to have the Cruisers 30k km service done there). 

We were both amazed how quickly the four months odd went and could imagine if you were on the road full-time, how fast the years would whizz by.  Although Greg could quite easily do it full-time (with an appropriate home-base, like a block of land and a shed), Wendy is less keen, requiring a proper home to fall back on regularly.   

This time we seemed to have taken the appropriate amount of ’stuff’, the only things we purchased along the way were a couple of long-sleeved colourful souvenir shirts, which seem all the rage now with the grey nomads.  Although on our next big trip we will pack some basic camping gear that we can leave in the back of the Cruiser so that we can strike out on rough tracks and camp for a few days. Although we don’t do a lot of this rough camping, there were a few places that we would have liked to visit but the terrain wasn’t suitable for towing the van.  We are not afraid to take the van on dirt roads as it has off-road suspension, but there are limits as it’s not a rugged, fully off-road rig. 

Speaking of the van and the Cruiser, they both performed beyond our expectations. Yes, there were a couple of small things that went wrong with the van, which were easily fixed, but the Cruiser did not miss a beat.  It is so reassuring to have all that power and its mass guarantees that the van sits behind it and tows like a dream.  The 160-litre spare water tank in the back of the Cruiser was a real success.  Although we didn’t use it that often, it was just nice to know it was always there, just in case.  It also kept the back end of the Cruiser firmly attached to the road.  When we do end up doing those rough track camping trips that water will come into its own. We towed the van 16 919 km over all types of roads, and the cruiser drove a total of 19 338 km over the 126 days. The Cruiser drank 3 608 litres of diesel at an average price of $1.56 per litre. Fuel consumption averaged 18.66 litres per 100km. Whilst driving with the van attached, we counted 3 351 RVs; everything from 5th wheelers and buses to tear drops/bubbles and camper trailers. Once again, Jayco seemed to be the most popular brand.

Although we did not travel with anyone this trip, we thoroughly enjoyed the travelling; being able to dance to one’s own tunes gave us flexibility to do as we pleased, when we pleased. We got to meet some of our fellow travellers as well. 

Next trip?   The next trip will be a short one probably, not far from home.  However, in the meantime we will just enjoy being home, close to friends, local cycling, gardening and regular social outings for meals and catch-ups.  And, of course, Greg is enjoying his motorcycle rides with his mates. If COVID continues to keep international borders closed, we may end up doing another long trip, perhaps in the clockwise direction this time.

Day 126: Tue 24 Aug - Kumbia to Home, 252 km; total towed: 16 919 km; total driven: 19 338 km

9-23 deg C,  rainy and miserable until we got to the Maryborough exit

It was a wet start to our last morning on the road. We couldn't even get a walk in. So, we were heading for Kingaroy at 7:15 am. We stopped at Wooroolin for breakfast and couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab a coffee from the Butcher's Café.  This was where we has mornos on Wendy's birthday about four months ago.  The coffee is still good.

Onwards we travelled through Wondai, Murgon, Goomeri, and Kilkivan. Because it was raining and we have stopped at these places many times before, we didn't stop at all.  It wasn't long before we were home on the Hippo Farm (about 11:15 am). And, then the fun began.

Fridge/freezer was unpacked pretty quickly as they were a bit bare. Then came clothes, bathroom, pantry items, etc. Sheets and blankets have already been washed and dried, ready for the next trip.

Tomorrow we shop for supplies, wash the clothes and towels, and then set about cleaning the caravan and Cruiser inside and out. Mind you, due to the rain today, the outside of the van doesn't look too bad.

 

A big thank you to our neighbours for collecting the mail and checking in on the place now and then. We are so lucky to have them.   Thank you also to our neighbour down the road for mowing and keeping the fruit flies at bay by feeding the cattle next door fallen fruit.  As soon as they saw us arrive home they immediately started calling at the fence for their fruit.  

Over the next few days we will post our highlights. lowlights, and general comments on this trip that was a little longer than four months. Considering the border closures and all, we have only arrived home 22 days earlier than originally planned.

A very wet Kumbia this morning

A very wet drive home today

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Day 125: Mon 23 Aug - Bollon to Kumbia, 497 km; total towed: 16 667 km

18-28 deg C, a lovely sunny day with a stiff tail/side wind for most of the day

Left our great little free camp at 7:25 am, heading for St George, another new road for us.  What a shocker, we would go as far to say that like many roads out this way, it's a disgrace.  When you consider how much money this region contributes in taxes and royalties (oil, gas, mines & agriculture) to the QLD economy, if we lived here we would be really disappointed.  Need to send some road engineers over here from the WA to teach them how to build roads.  It wasn't a huge day as far as km go, but towing a van nearly 500 km over such a rough road was draining.   However, we eventually made it, although well shaken!

Arrived at St George just in time to do a little shopping, a little wander and have mornos at a great local bakery.  Appetites satisfied, we left St George, heading for Moonie and beyond. This road was a little better than the one from Bollon to St George, but not by much. We didn't stop in Moonie this time, (which is basically a roadhouse/pub) but have done previously and threatened to when next we have to travel this way.  Although we did stop at Dalby (stayed here many times before) to refuel and have lunch.   Set off again in the direction of Kingaroy to find an overnight stop. 

We finally made camp at Kumbia, at the Apex Park donation camp. It has two sites that can connect to power, but as we don't need power nor water, we parked elsewhere. It does have toilets and showers, and a very fast Telstra connection.  Although we had driven this way many times, we've never stayed overnight here.  Well done Kumbia.

Our last night on the road and we are a bit sad, but also excited to be getting home after a little over four months away. All going well, we should be home by lunch time tomorrow.

Early morning at Bollon

Camp Bollon

Runner Ducks on Wallam Creek

Crossing the Jack Taylor Weir at St George

St George

A few murals at St George

Drive scenery today - lots of Wattles putting on a flower show

Catholic Church, Kumbia

Kumbia Hotel/Motel

Kumbia overnight spot

Day 124: Sun 22 Aug - Thargomindah to Bollon (another new road), 377 km; total towed: 16 170 km

10-32 deg C, another sunny day

After a little sleep-in and walks, we were heading out of Thargomindah about 8:30 am, with the main aim being to find gas. When we drove through Eulo, we noticed the cafe/store had a swap and go for gas, so made a stop. While we we there we also just had to have a coffee and a muffin, well it was morning tea time after all.  An interesting little town which deserved a walk around.  

Onwards to Cunnamulla where we stopped to visit the Information Centre, in particular the Artesian Time Tunnel. All the displays in the centre are very well done, and the short film about the Great Artesian Basin is also well done and easy to understand. After the visit, it was time for lunch and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try a camel burger at the cafe. The burgers were good and the meat did not taste much different to your ordinary beef patty, but had a little more depth in the taste.  Not as gamey as kangaroo though. After a short walk around the place, we headed off once more on our journey East, just a little closer to home.  

Because we now have gas, we don’t need a caravan park and decided that the Wallam Creek camp ground at Bollon was perfect.  On-site toilets and free hot showers not far away in town.  There’s plenty of water in the creek at present so the bird life is abundant, including a few very friendly feral ducks and geese.  We were set up overlooking the creek by 3:30 pm. After a cuppa, we explored the small town, which didn’t take us very long at all.   We both really love these tiny towns which go out of their way to cater for the ever increasing nomad population of this country.  

The moon was still up this morning

A lot of information

Truckies showers and toilets

A pet kangaroo

Thargomindah street art

Pub where we had our meals

Historic house at Thargomindah

Bulloo River reflections

Eulo servo/store/cafe

Diprotodon at Eulo

Eulo War Memorial/Cenotaph

Eulo Queen Hotel

Cunnamulla

Cunnamulla Artesian Time Tunnel

Displays in the Cunnamulla Info Centre

A sheep waiting to be shorn

Shearing shed model

Shearer's quarters model

Cunnamulla murals

Wallam Creek

Bollon War Memorial/Cenotaph

Bollon pub