Day 4: Sat 24 Apr - Chinchilla to Theodore, 294 km

2-25 degC, absolutely beautiful weather

We fully intended to end up in Springsure this afternoon, however, we have been on the “go-slow” since leaving home, so here we are in Theodore. 

We left a chilly Chinchilla at 8 am and our first stop was at Miles for fuel (didn’t really need it, but thought we’d get it whilst it was still relatively cheap). Next stop was at Wandoan, an unintentional stop, but one was was worth it in the end. They have recently constructed an Avenue of Honour for the  Wandoan Settler Soldiers and it was being opened today. It looks like it has been modeled on the Avenue of Honour at Yungaburra, and is an excellent commemoration. We also saw the water tank art.

We arrived at Taroom just in time for mornos and then went exploring on foot to see the Leichhardt Tree, named after Ludwig Leichhardt who explored the area and marked the tree on 13 November 1844. The markings have since been grown over. Wendy also saw a hot pink shirt she just could not leave in the shop.

Last stop was here in Theodore where we made camp at Junction Park, a donation camp at the junction of the Dawson River and Castle Creek. A nice little spot right on the bank on the creek - hope there has not been too much rain upstream. In 2011, this whole town was under water.

After lunch and an LLD, we explored the sprawling metropolis of Theodore which didn’t take very long at all. We even called in at the pub and booked us in for dinner; it is Sat night after all.

Took a slow walk to the pub (650m), had our dinner (had better, but also had a lot worse), and had a slow walk home.

Tank art Wandoan

Pre-dinner drinks in the banks of the Dawson River, Theodore 

The view from our van - Castle Creek

Wandoan

Flood levels at Theodore

Theodore clocktower

Catholic Church Theodore

Junction of Dawson River and Castle Creek

Rubern Lagoon this morning

Wandoan Visitor Information Centre

Wandoan Settler Soldier Avenue of Honour

Scenery on today’s drive

Commemoration recognizing the role of civil and military aircraft during the 2010/2011 floods

Bird hide on Castle Creek, Theodore 

Scenery

Reflections on Castle Creek

Mick the cattle dog - saved the life of a drover 

Theodore war memorial 

Scenery around Theodore 

The Leichhardt Tree, Taroom

Chilly Chinchilla this morning

Junction of Dawson River and Castle Creek