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| Riversands Winery with 2012 flood level |
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| On the banks of the Balonne |
Saturday 20 April 2013
Friday 19 April 2013
April 19-22 Bourke - Lightning Ridge - St George
After a couple of lovely days in Bourke, we set out for Lightning Ridge. Travelled via Brewarrina which is located on the Barwon-Darling River. There are 40 000 year old fish traps used by the Aboriginal people still visible there. This weekend they are having a huge celebration for their 150 years as a town.
Next town was Walgett. It was the last town on the "Darling Run" but it is actually situated on the Namoi River which is a major tributary of the Darling. Sturt was the first to visit here in 1829. Banjo Paterson was a frequent visitor to the town where he penned "Been There Before". Sir Edmund Barton was the prosecutor there in the late 1880's.
Next stop was Lightning Ridge. Stayed in the Opal Caravan Park just near the hot baths. Did the car door tours and went to the "Black Hand Mine" where the owner has created an art gallery in the old mine shafts. He has carved figures, animals, people, "Last Supper" into the sandstone walls. It was amazing. Saw The Big Emu - an 18 metre tall emu constructed by local artist John Murray. His gallery was really great. Love his work and it is all around the town.
Today we drove to St George via Hebel. The Hotel here, has paintings on the outside done by John. Stopped at the local store for a devonshire tea before heading to the "Riversands" Winery in St George. Good to see it back in production after the devestation of the 2012 floods. Camped on the banks of the Balonne River just north of town. Allan is trying his hand at fishing.
Tomorrow we camp at Lake Braodwater National Park. On Monday, we leave Pat & Allan at Dalby and go our separate ways home. Our trip will have covered 9000 kms and we have had some great times. Another great adventure.
Next town was Walgett. It was the last town on the "Darling Run" but it is actually situated on the Namoi River which is a major tributary of the Darling. Sturt was the first to visit here in 1829. Banjo Paterson was a frequent visitor to the town where he penned "Been There Before". Sir Edmund Barton was the prosecutor there in the late 1880's.
Next stop was Lightning Ridge. Stayed in the Opal Caravan Park just near the hot baths. Did the car door tours and went to the "Black Hand Mine" where the owner has created an art gallery in the old mine shafts. He has carved figures, animals, people, "Last Supper" into the sandstone walls. It was amazing. Saw The Big Emu - an 18 metre tall emu constructed by local artist John Murray. His gallery was really great. Love his work and it is all around the town.
Today we drove to St George via Hebel. The Hotel here, has paintings on the outside done by John. Stopped at the local store for a devonshire tea before heading to the "Riversands" Winery in St George. Good to see it back in production after the devestation of the 2012 floods. Camped on the banks of the Balonne River just north of town. Allan is trying his hand at fishing.
Tomorrow we camp at Lake Braodwater National Park. On Monday, we leave Pat & Allan at Dalby and go our separate ways home. Our trip will have covered 9000 kms and we have had some great times. Another great adventure.
Wednesday 17 April 2013
Wednesday 17 April Bourke
Today we spent in a leisurely manner as we have all been to Bourke before. Had coffee at the Port of Bourke where they started up a Crossley engine. Missed the "Back of Bourke" performance as we did not realise that it started at 11.00 AM. Did a walk around the old block of Bourke where there are some really beautiful old buildings. Jo had trouble with the Anderson plug on the caravan so had to an auto electrician out to fix the fuses.
Tuesday 16 April 2013
April 16 Louth - Bourke
We left the van hitched last night and had dinner at the Louth Pub so it was an easy start to the morning today. The road to Bourke has just been graded but there were sections with lots of deep bull dust. Lack of rain out here has the countryside very dry. Only had 100 kms to cover today so we arrived in Bourke quite early. Staying at the Kidman Camp Caravan Park on the Cunnamulla Road.
After 500 or so kms on dirt, today was a chore day - hose the dust off the van, clean the inside, hose the car, do the washing etc. Tomorrow we will set out exploring the town.
After 500 or so kms on dirt, today was a chore day - hose the dust off the van, clean the inside, hose the car, do the washing etc. Tomorrow we will set out exploring the town.
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