Julia Creek

5th May 2025

Distance: 3.6 Km

Fuel: 25 L

A Rest Day

After my morning shower I hand washed yesterday’s clothes plus my towel and hung them on the line even dripping wet I suspected they would be dry by midday (and they were).

After a lazy breakfast drove into town to get fuel and have a look around. Julia Creek’s population is about 550 so it is not a big town. Probably its main feature is the Wine Glass water tower at one end of the town and a windmill at the other. While I was buying fuel I couldn’t resist a crumbed sausage!

After getting back t0 the caravan park had a cup of tea then went for a walk (and remembered to take a water bottle with me).

About midday decided to set up the car’s awning, while I was setting it up, I remembered the side awning that had arrived with it. I had never even taken it out of its bag never mind set it up. Actually it isn’t bad, my only complaint is that it is two metres wide whereas the awning is 2.5 m. The whole lot cost less than $200 so can’t complain.

It was nice sitting in the shade reading, had a couple of beers and a cup of tea – very restful.

Taking a Break

4th May 2025

Distance: 265 Km

Hughenden to Julia Creek

What a difference a day made! Lovely sunshine this morning though quite a brisk, warm wind.

Definitely no rush to leave today, less than 300km to travel so didn’t leave until after 9.30am. Easy drive just heading west.

Most of the time it was a flat drive across Queensland plain country (with the occasional train in view).

The only interruption to my smooth progress was a convoy carrying two massive mining trucks with a police escort that completely blocked the road.

Made one stop on the way but it was too windy to make tea. Didn’t mind the wind I am sure it improved my fuel economy. The problem with Queensland roads in my opinion is that they have fewer rest areas and rely on “Stopping bays” which are just like the UK’s “Layby” just a roadside stop with no facilities at all. Rest areas on the other hand have shelters, rubbish bins and sometimes toilets.

Arrived in Julia Creek before 1pm so after setting up it was straight to the laundry to get some washing done. Pleasantly surprised to find the machines only cost $4 (often they are $6) my washing was all on the line by 2pm and dry by 4pm. very pleased with that as my clean clothes will now last me until Darwin.

Am staying in Julia Creek for two nights just to give me a break from driving. I think my age is showing as these long driving stints are really tiring.

Further North

3rd May 2025

Distance: 435 km

Fuel: 48 L

Barcaldine to Hughenden

After breakfast made a quick visit to the local supermarket to get milk and some tea bags.

Quite a long drive today, over 400km to Hughenden, going up the recently reopened Aramac to Torrens Creeks road. Set off in brilliant sunshine, turned toward the little town of Aramac – this town has a fascinating history with its own tramway and museum which I had visited on a previous occasion.

The weather was fine for the first 100km or so but then dark clouds started gathering in the distance until spots of rain started to fall. I wish I had checked the forecast but I had assumed sunshine was the order of the day.

I was a bit concerned on two counts the further north I got. Firstly it was single lane so one had to get off the road for road trains I worried about getting bogged as it had not been that long since the road was closed because of flooding. Secondly if it did really rain then it was possible that the road flooded again and I would be trapped. In the event neither happened even though it did rain very heavily and large puddles started to appear on the road and verge.

In fact the most northerly part of the road had only been sealed last year so it was two lanes wide which was terrific, none the less it was nice to get on to the main east west highway heading for Hughenden.

After arriving at the caravan park and pleasantly surprised at the $27 a night rate, it was still raining so I sat in the car for about half an hour until the rain ceased.

Put my new weather shield on the side of the camper so it may get a test tonight.

Drove into town to get fuel and look around, when I saw the FJ Holden Cafe I remembered being here before.

Turning West

2nd May 2025

Distance: 388.8 km

Fuel: 39 L

Springsure to Barcaldine

Not much change to my usual routine, up about sunrise and straight to the shower. This is followed by breakfast of cereal or porridge depending on the temperature. It is cool in the morning but not cold.

Just under 400km to travel today so set off at about 8.30. Annoyingly my old sat nav that I use for these trips decided to give up the ghost fortunately I still had my newer model but not pleased! Note: It came good a day later!!

Easy drive to Emerald but when I turned east the road changed to a much narrower strip of bitumen, still two lanes but narrow. Considering this is one of two east west routes it is surprising. However getting closer to Barcaldine it is obvious that major road widening is being carried out and the road was much straighter.

Enjoyed the Fatigue Trivia:

Found the caravan park after driving straight past, the sat nav said it was on the right hand side of the road so that was where I was looking, it was on the left.

After setting up drove into Barcaldine looking for fuel, stopped to see the Tree of Knowledge and call in to the Tourist Information Office to find out if the Aramac to Torrens Creek Road had re-opened after being closed by flooding. It is open so that was good news.

At the back of the tourism building was a tower which I don’t remember seeing before. I climbed it (naturally the lift was out of order) but the view was less than spectacular however it passed a pleasant enough 15 minutes.

Found one of those truck refuelling stations that use credit or fuel cards, Diesel was 17c a litre cheaper than at the local servos.

I forgot to call into the local IGA for milk and some snacks, it will have to wait until the morning. I did remember to book a site at the Hughenden caravan park for tomorrow but I am beginning to suspect that it really isn’t necessary at the moment the caravan parks are not full.

On to Springsure

1st May 2025

Distance: 414 km

Fuel: 45 L

Surat to Springsure

A fine morning with a light dew (handy for cleaning windscreens). Not going to wait around this morning as I would like to drive over 400km.

Had the usual shower, made myself coffee and porridge before starting to pack up. Was worried about where to hand in the key because the pub doesn’t open until much later. Turns out the coffee shop takes them.

Set off about 8.30 after visiting the coffee shop, depositing the key and buying a flat white to take with me. Surat is a typical small town.

I had originally intended to stop at Rolleston but aiming for Springsure got me 70km closer to Barcaldine, my next stop.

Lots of minor roadworks repairing flood damage (that’s what it looked like to me) but otherwise mostly smooth sailing through a variety of scenery.

Springsure Roadhouse is one of those places offering everything for the traveller, as roadhouses go it is very small but it has fuel, accommodation, food and snacks.

The facilities were looking a bit tired but for the price they charged they were more than adequate.

I’m in Queensland Now

30th April 2025

Distance: 341 Km

Fuel: 37 L

Lightning Ridge to Surat

No rush to leave this morning so had leisurely shower then sat around before eating breakfast.

I think I have cured a problem with one of the indicators on the camper. Simple job – just slightly spread the pin on the connector. Unfortunately this change of routine led to a bad mistake, I left the support wheel down – usually do a walk round before I drive off but because of this change to routine I didn’t, fortunately only went a few metres before a clanking noise from the tow bar mount made me stop to investigate.

Easy drive in lovely weather, it is only about 60km from lighting Ridge to the Queensland border.

Used the heavy vehicle route to bypass St George.

No hold ups other than for a roadworks which only took a few minutes. Still lots of water lying about in the paddocks either side of the road but no major road damage that I saw. It was nice to see the road condition signs all green.

Stopped several times to stretch my legs and make tea,

Found the caravan park easy enough but not the pub that owned and ran it, they had given me a site number on the phone so set myself up then drove to get fuel and discovered the pub opposite the servo. After visiting them, paying and receiving the facilities key, left the car and walked around town, it is a small place so it didn’t take long.

Setting Off

Am going to visit my son in Darwin, yes, I could have flown there, cheaper and quicker but where’s the fun in that?

My original plan was to go via Quilpie, Stonehenge but the floods put paid to that idea. In fact for some time it looked like there was no route through Queensland. Eventually in the eastern part of the state a route started to appear, in a way it was a good thing because it brought a visit to Julia Creek into play. For some reason I have never been on the section of road between Hughenden and Julia Creek. This trip became a change to rectify that omission.

Day One

28th April 2025

Distance: 372 km

Fuel: 36 L

Started out just after 9am, heading toward the Hume Highway M7 and the Blue Mountains, not my favourite drive. The traffic was intense

It was lovely to turn off the Great Western Highway after Lithgow toward Mudgee and Gulgong ad country roads.

Arrived in Gulgong about 2pm and checked in.

Once set up went for a short drive into the town centre, it hasn’t changed at all over the years.

Saw a sign for a town lookout, it is a pity the view is so limited but better than nothing.

Followed this up with a stop for fuel before returning to the caravan park and something to eat.

Day Two

29th April 2025

Distance: 436 km

Fuel: 46 L

A much longer drive today to get me close to the Queensland border. Normally try to limit a day’s drive to below 400km but there will be exceptions especially in remote areas.

Woke up to find the campsite blanketed in mist, not cold but definitely cool, out came the cardigan. After having an early shower waited until I had rung a caravan park in Lightning Ridge to ensure there was a site – to be honest I think it is a waste of time there is usually plenty of room this early in the season.

Hitched up the camper and started driving at about 8.30am, it was still quite misty in spots. I followed a ute as far as Dunedoo, travelling at the same speed as me.

Later passed a few caravans and trucks, easy to pass out here. Stopped about three times as my sciatica is playing up, standing for a few minutes keeps it at bay.

Arrived in Lightning Ridge at about 2pm and checked in at the motel that runs the caravan park, unhitched the camper then went for a look at the town. I have been here a couple of times before, not much has changed. Bought a surprisingly good coffee at a local cafe/restaurant/supermarket. Also bought a postcard and a fridge magnet before returning to the caravan park for something to eat.

As the sun was going down there was a tremendous noise from a nearby tree, No idea of the types of birds but there were a lot of them. As the sun went down it was as if someone had thrown a switch and instant quiet.