Even Further South

Winton to Blackall

20th May 2025

Distance: 403 Km

Fuel: 44 L

Two fairly long drives for the next couple of days both about 400kms each day. As you can guess this trip is now about getting home.

Left the Winton Wanderers Caravan Park about 8am to drive to Blackall

Stopped in Barcaldine to fill up with fuel at the self serve diesel only tanks.

Didn’t stop at Longreach but passed the Qantas Museum.

Finally saw the Blackall town sign.

Arrived at the caravan park about 1pm and immediately realised I have stayed here before – for some reason I get Blackall and Blackwater muddled up. Anyway set myself up in a nice spot. The place has these new(ish) unisex toilet/shower all in one facilities which are very nice but can fill up at certain times. I am not a fan I prefer separate facilities.

Drove into Blackall to look for fuel even though I only needed about 8 to 10 litres, it is comforting to start each morning with a full tank.

Blackall to Wyandra

21st May 2025

Distance: 405 Km

Fuel: 36 L

Today is once again well known territory.

Stopped at Augathella as I always seem to do, took a few of my usual photos, discovered the pub coffee shop didn’t open for another half an hour so went on my way.

Filled up with fuel in Charleville at another of those self serve diesel only stops, same company as at Barcaldine, must have a look on line to see if they have a map showing all their sites, they are so much cheaper than the regular servos.

The sky started to cloud over and I thought it might rain but eventually the clouds dispersed and the sun came out again.

Went past the wrecked railway bridge at Angellala – a truck carrying fertiliser caught fire and exploded. It wiped out the road and rail bridge, only the road bridge was replaced, the railway line was abandoned.

Wyandra is a funny stop, very rudimentary facilities but only $20 a night behind the post shop.

This will be my last night in Queensland, just two more nights in NSW before I am home.

Wyandra

18th September 2024

Distance: 287 Km

It was cold last night, according to BOM it was zero degrees though my camper stayed several degrees higher than that. I was lovely and warm in bed but I turned on my little electric heater before I got up just to take the chill out of the air. The sun soon warmed the place up and just after 7am was back to a T shirt.

Went for a walk along the river bank and back to the caravan park via a dirt road just for the exercise, no rush this morning only a three hour drive to Wyandra.

Passed the site of the Angellala Bridge explosion but didn’t stop this time.

Stopped about half way at a nice rest area and used my little stove to make some coffee and have a sandwich. Surprisingly I had it all to myself. As I left a passenger train came along the track beside the road, I wouldn’t be surprised if Queensland has more rural passenger services than NSW. I over took the train a little way further on.

I arrived at Wyandra about 1pm and checked in, I knew I had been here before but I could not remember it until I drove up. It’s a General Store/Post Office type of place in a very small town. The small caravan park is behind, they only charge $20 for a powered site and while the sites are fine the facilities are clean if rudimentary but good value.

I drove down to the sign posted “The Beach” just for a look.

If I have a complaint about the caravan park it is that there is little shade so I set up my new awning for the first time. It was a bit of a farce but eventually worked out how it went, it is a bit crude but as it cost under $200 including a side wall I can’t complain. If I use it a lot I will replace it with a better one but it did the job I bought it for – Didn’t try the sidewall.

The facilities are basic but clean and functional.

There is no fuel here but will buy fuel in Cunnamulla tomorrow on my way to Bourke.

Wyandra

29th May 2024

Distance: 409 Km

Fuel: 26 L

Another slow start to the day though I was up at 6am for my shower but just took my time getting ready to leave. The trip is really coming to an end with only a few days before I get home.

Just to see if it improves my fuel economy I decided not to exceed 100kph today.

My first stop was in Augathella I don’t know why but I always call in. This time I bought a coffee and some fuel.

My only other stop was at the Angellala Bridge Explosion site. Unfortunately today the sun was just too bright and badly positioned to take decent photos.