Lake Elphinstone - 22nd to 24th February

Lake Elphinstone is surrounded by coal mines, that means the road that passes the lake is fairly busy with trucks and utes that are travelling between Mackay and the mines. Monday night/tuesday morning was a bit of a struggle. There was a b-double pantech parked out on the truck stop for the night with the refrigeration engines running right through the night. Other than this minor inconvenience the stay here was relaxed and pleasant. We had to set up camp in a rush as a large black cloud approached quickly and dumped a very heavy shower on us. Luckily we had the roof up before the rain came over but we had to wait till after the rain to set up the awning. A similar scenario confronted us on the morning we were leaving. We had planned a leisurely departure as we only had about an 2 hour drive to Mackay. But we woke to threatening black skies over the ranges, this meant a quick brekky and a quick pack up before things got wet. We left camp dry but got dumped on further down the road.

After setting up camp in the rain, the sky over the ranges was still threatening.

Our campsite by the lake. This lake is very full now but has been pumped dry by the coal mines on a couple of occasions.

The camp area is well equipped with shelters and free gas BBQs. There are free showers too, the hot water is provided by a 'donkey' if someone lights it! We, like everyone else, had cold showers. The water is in above ground tanks so the temperature is quite tepid. The only real problem here is the lack of drinking water, one must bring in your own requirements. There has been some large functions held here in the past, that's the reason for the large pavillion.

Clermont - 20th & 21st February

For us, camping cheaply is the aim, but we came to Clermont and with no other options available, we had to pay $30 per night. Way too dear for this camp site. Some people will keep driving if the camp fees are over $25, we arrived too late in the afternoon for that option.  Well, that's another item for the travel memory bank. On the Sunday morning we went for a slow dog walk into town. We had only gone about 200 metres towards town when these two Australian Terriers and a very obese Dachsund came running and yapping to the front fence. While we were suitably distracted by all this commotion, a Blue Heeler from the neighbouring property opted for the stealthy rear angle attack, running out of it's yard and tackling Lizzie, taking a mouthful of her left shoulder. No blood was drawn but Lizzie is extremely tender around that shoulder region and yelps if we place too much pressure on the area while lifting her into the van or car. I reported the incident to the local council on Monday morning, an officer recorded all the details but who knows whether any action will be taken. They will most likely give a warning to the owners and wait until something catastrophic occurs.

The main street of Clermont.

The main street in the other direction.

I didn't know Jude had a business going here in Clermont.

At the bottom end of the main street there is extensive parkland along 'Hoods Lagoon'. Here a small waterfall flows into this pond then into the lagoon.

Hoods Lagoon to the left.

Hoods Lagoon to the right.

A windmill further along Hoods Lagoon.

There is a walk way the full length of the lagoon. Walking along this path you discover little treasures like this monument to Mary McKillop.

Also there is this memorial to John Sing who enlisted into the army during WW 1. He was a marvellous marksman and was made a 'Sniper' and put into a 'foxhole' similar to this one. The rifle is protruding through a steel plate with a 2 inch square hole cut into it. He is credited with 150 successful hits but is thought to have achieved far more than this. He served in Gallipoli and France.

There is a monument to the first inhabitants in the area. There is an interesting story on the plaque attached to the wall. Several of the Elders were captured and chained to a tree, they 'Sang' for a catastrophe to befall the white man. They 'Sang' for three days and on the third day a massive flood hit the town, completely destroying it. The present town of Clermont is built on higher ground.

This replica tree stump is positioned on what was the corner of the main streets in the old town. The white line is the flood height.

Further testimony of the destructive floods. This is a replica piano in the tree but the plaque under the tree displays an original photograph of a piano trapped 32 feet off the ground, in the fork of a gum tree.

Theresa Creek Dam - 16th to 19th February

Arrived here about mid afternoon to overcast skies and the dam water level encroaching into the camping area. Kim, the manager, suggested: "Better not camp too low down, we're not sure how high the water will rise." We took Kim's warning at face value and chose a high level camp site. We didn't relish the thought of having to move camp at 2 am! We were here for four days and it rained each day and night but after that first night the water level was slowly dropping day by day. Mal and Veronica had been camping here for three weeks and only had three fine days in that time. People had been catching Redclaw in the 100's before the muddy, trash filled water came down stream, but it was still possible to bag 40 - 50 in 3 or 4 hours. Next trip we'll have some pots on board. At $10 per night for two people Theresa Creek Dam is great value with hot showers and ample picnic shelters and free electric BBQs. The final evening here Jude discovered an active ants nest in the car. Some were around the warmth of the Engel fridge compressor and the others were on the back seat with our hats and travel books. We don't know whether they boarded from a previous stop or from here but it took half a can of Mortein to exterminate the critters.

Dark skies across the lake.

Looking across the park from the day visitors car park towards the lake. Our camp is just visible, middle photo, on the extreme left.

Wet under foot, looking down the boat ramp.

Scene across the camp and lake towards the dam wall.

From the boat ramp, looking across to the Ski Club facilities. You can see the high water level in this photo.

There is a second camp area, further around the lake. This is the boat ramp and loading jetty.

There are about 18 shelters at this camp area. Some people erect their tents or camper trailers under the shelters, others, with vans and mobile homes, park along side and have a great outdoor living space.

Spaced around the camp ground, close to the water are these pot bellied redclaw cookers.

I'm not supposed to be here taking this photo from under the dam wall but is more dramatic at this spot. This is a little over half the length of the wall. Note the tree stuck on the crest of the wall, I came down each day expecting it to be gone, but it's still there!

Dululu RA and Dualinga RA - 14th & 15th February

Sunday morning we broke camp at Mount Perry and made tracks for a town that had a PO that stayed open for the day. We reached a mid-way point Sunday afternoon at Dululu. Dululu is situated on a major cross-road. We came in from Biloela to the south, the left goes to Banana, the right goes to Mount Morgan and then onto Rockhampton and the straight ahead goes north to the Capricorn Highway and then onto Blackwater. There is not much of note in Dululu, only business open is the Pub. The RA is overgrown with grass and weeds and is alive with bugs and ants. Some of these ants stowed away in the car, having gained entry on the 12v lead from the van into the car for the Engel fridge. No photos from here, not much to record - seems like a dying community! Next morning we headed 30 km east to Mount Morgan. Here we transacted our business at the PO and filled a prescription at the pharmacy. Jude found an Op-shop, the ladies looked after Lizzie while Jude shopped. We had lunch and a walk around town then hit the highway back to the west. We reached Dualinga, on the Capricorn Highway, and stayed in the RA there. The RA here is vast and with free hot showers. There were several over-night campers and we traded travel notes with them. The upset was a truckie that was having a stop-over and had his generator running all night to power his air-con. It wasn't really necessary!! Didn't buy fuel here as it was 20c/l over priced. We went onto Blackwater and refuelled there. We continued onto Emerald then turned off north to Clermont and then out to Theresa Creek Dam. I do not have any photos from our travels here. Our next report from Theresa Creek Dam will have some photos of grey skies, puddles and water galore!

Mount Perry - 11th to 13th February

We booked into the Mount Perry CP for two nights but for an odd reason we stayed on for the third night. Not that we minded so much, Mount Perry is a scenic town. We had to extend our mail redirection, so I went to the PO at 2:30pm on the Friday and found that it closed at 2:00pm! It was no use leaving on the Saturday as I could not get to any other PO until Monday anyway, hence the extra day. We had an elevated camp site in the CP and could look out over the main street and see the 750 m high Mount Perry keeping an eye on the town. Much of the time Mount Perry was directing dark and menacing clouds, some of these clouds dropped some rain on us.

Mount Perry the town nestles in the valley looked over by 750m Mount Perry.

If you are coming into town from Monto or Gayndah you will be welcomed by this friendly chappie in the Museum.

Some of the relics in the Museum grounds.

Many of the old commercial buildings have long disappeared, this one will probably suffer the same fate.

The still operating and very busy General Store.

The Post Office (the one that closes at 2:00pm) and the Hotel.

Lodgings and a Restaurant in the Federal Inn.

The out-house behind the Federal Inn. I'm sure it's purely nostalgic.

Along the main street on the creek side is a large park area. Part of this park hosts a range of exercise machines, we managed a brief work out on each of them.

Jude and Lizzie heading over the walk bridge.

About 17 km towards Gin Gin is a turn off to the Boolboonda Tunnel, you can read all the details of this tunnel here.

It is amazing what men with picks and shovels can achieve. While driving through we disturbed many small bats.

Mingo Crossing - 7th to 10th February

The camp here is on the Burnett River at the bridge crossing of the Gayndah - Mt Perry Road. Approximately half the distance through is gravel with some really deep pot-holes. It was raining on our way in so the car and van was covered in red mud. The river is enlarged because the back waters of the Paradise Dam wall reaches the 26 km back here to Mingo Crossing. The camp here is excellent with established concrete pads for caravans and motor-homes and 'acres' of space for campers like us. The amenities are excellent with septic toilets and hot showers. There is also a laundry facility. But, like the Paradise camp, there is not much to do here except for working puzzles and reading novels. Also of course, if you have a boat the fishing is good. Our arrival and departure to/from here was timely. A fishing club departed here just prior to our arrival and following our departure the camp is almost booked out with motor-homes from the CMCA Wide Bay Wanderers.

Part of the camp area at Mingo Crossing.

The view from our camp sight.

A wider angle view of the camp with the new bridge in the background. The previous bridge (now removed) would have been underwater. The old road way is now the boat ramp.

The concrete pads and drive-ways of the powered sites for caravans and motor-homes.

Mingo Crossing camp viewed from the bridge.

Mingo Crossing camp from the opposite side of the river.

Paradise Dam - 3rd to 6th February

The dam wall here is on the Burnett River and the reservoir has flooded the old town of Paradise, hence the name of the dam wall and the lake. I'm not sure whether the Tropical Depression that was 'Olga' in Far North Queensland is still influencing the weather here but we are still receiving a lot of rain. We have had one really beaut day, the remainder of the time has been breezy and/or raining. But, what else would you expect in a Queensland Summer. The camp here is good and the amenities are good too, but there is not much to do if you don't have a boat with you. There is limited bird life, limited photo opportunities, and limited walks. Four days is probably about the time limit here unless you have a good library.

The view from our camp towards the dam wall.

The camp amenities for campers and day visitors alike.

A view of the dam wall from the look-out at the Ranger's Office.

The view from the same look-out back towards the camp ground and boat ramp. You can make out our camp behind the trees on the left of the photo.

Not much to see behind the dam wall! No water flowing.

There is a fish ladder installed at the dam wall, I'm not sure if this is it or not?

Lizzie woke us early, as usual, and I got these clear photos, this is looking up river towards Mingo Crossing 26 km away.

In the opposite direction towards the dam wall.