So we ended up staying at the Top Tourist Park in Barcaldine. We were tempted to stay at the showgrounds or the free stopover into town, but were swayed with an offering of a laundry and free wifi internet.
Leaving Duaringa:
We saw a great sunrise at Duaringa 6:30
Lots of people cleared out early.
Tried out the gas grill for toast – worked awesome.
Packed up our stuff after everyone else, decided to check the oil before driving off to barky. Surprise surprise – it was on the “low” mark. Topped it up to mid way and will check again in the next few days. Of course spilt it all over the engine trying to top it up from the full oil container (adds funnel to shopping list).
Drive to Barcaldine was lonnnng but interesting. Saw a man carrying two shotguns crossing a street. Army convoy drove through town – big convoy!
Saw our first long trains – and the station where their carriages are loaded with coal (blackwater). All the trains were stopped on the tracks about 5km appart.
Stopped at an old railway station for a looksy.
Army convoy passed us while we were stopped over so we had to follow them for a long time. The last truck looked like a generator truck and was reallllly slow up hills.
Stopped for a nap at Alpha – Hayley made some friends with a couple traveling the same way as us. Got boxed in by road trains at the truck stop. Hayley made trucky friends too haha.
Arrived at Barcaldine:
Nice town. 1 main street (the highway) and you cannot miss the HUGE building over the tree of knowledge.
Couple of good free stopover places around town – the weir looks great.
Setup camp then dropped in on a friend of ours.
Went to the Hotel across the road for a great meal (Ironbark Motel). You have a choice of Lamb, Pork, Rump, Barramundi or Ribs. Then serve yourself roast veggies / salad bar. Highly recommended. About $25-$30 per meal. Pub meals in town are cheaper but they were closed on the Monday night.
Discount voucher from the caravan park for a meal at the Shakespear.
