Blue Bus Tour to Carnavon Gorge
Sunday, 21 June - Friday, 26 June
work in progress...
Depart Roma Street at 7:55 am
On a chilly and cloudy Sunday morning, we were picked up promptly from Roma Street Station, where we met Tour operators Sandra and Geoff, who own and run Blue Bus Tours (BB).
On the way to our first stop, Geoff impressed us with the bus we were travelling in. Since both Geoff and Sandra have been in the business for impressive years, they knew what they wanted when they had this beauty purpose-built. The chassis was made in Sweden (having been involved with Mack Trucks in a previous life, I know where the chassis is), the body in South America, and the interior was fitted in Brisbane. No comfort was spared. On the left side of the bus are extremely spacious 2-seaters, and on the right, 1-seaters, thus providing extra room. Sandra provided us with back cushions with our names on them, and the seat rotation allowed everyone to get close to the front. Being a former school principal, she was extremely well organised, thought of the finer details, like a personalised coffee mug, and had everything under total control.
The bus is fitted with the latest safety features unique to this bus (hereafter referred to as AA Azure Ark), such that if the driver blinks too often, the sensor will raise an alarm. It also has an anti-rollover device and other features I can't recall, other than to say we felt extremely safe, secure, and comfortable. I just thought of another unique feature, which I will save for later, when I actually saw it in action.
Spacious interior
Short break at Haigslea
...where we initiated our personalised mugs
The flat-topped mountain of Meeba (seeing place)
Until our next stop, the mike was passed around for fellow travellers to tell us a bit about themselves and their travels. I was amazed by the number of return travellers, a testament to the varied and interesting trips you can take with BB over the years.
Chinchilla
Geoff informed us that Cypress pines, a valuable timber resistant to termites, were instrumental in establishing the sawmilling industry that helped found the town of Chinchilla, which is now home to coal seam gas mines. The Chinchilla Botanic Parkland has a historic link to the township's early days, as it is located on the site of the original railway depot connecting Chinchilla with Brisbane.
The concrete siding wall is the last remaining relic of the critical rail infrastructure that was connected to the main track by a spur line. The wall and associated timber sheep and cattle yards contributed greatly to the area's economic growth, with thousands of livestock from the district being railed to Brisbane. The original journey by steam locomotives from Quilpie to Brisbane took around 70 hours (with a 25-hour rest period in Chinchilla).
The watermelon is the official symbol of Chinchilla, which is famously known as the 'Melon Capital of Australia'. The region produces a large share of the country's watermelons and celebrates its agricultural heritage with a giant landmark and a large watermelon community festival.
Caught the moment when the water splashed
Dare one join in the watermelon festivities in this state's present policed milieu, when this fruit's political connotations as a recognised symbol of Palestinian solidarity and resistance could get you arrested were you to be dressed as one? I wonder, which came first: Chinchilla or Palestine?
Watermelon fields forever...
After a delightful lunch at Dalby, we checked into the Swagsman Motor Inn in Miles and had dinner at the Queensland Hotel.
Monday, 22 June
Wallumbilla
After breakfast at the Swagsman Motor Inn, we headed off to Calico Cottage at Wallumbilla for morning tea, where signs warn you of snakes, which have been sighted in this area.
The RNM can't help himself. He's checking to make sure Geoff fitted the right number of tyres.
A lovely bench
The Wallumbilla District was first served by bullock teams and waggons. The construction of the railway line in the 1890s opened up the area, changing the rural community. Dairying, small crops, cattle and sheep were the main original industries, with mainly beef cattle and winter crops now supporting the town.
The good old days? Makes you appreciate the comfort of our AA
The first section of the Western line to Dalby was part of the original Southern & Western railway scheme and opened to Jondaryan on 18 November 1967 and Dalby on 16 April 1868.
The line to Roma opened in sections from 1878 to 1880. In 1881, Wallumbilla recorded a total of 65 passengers for the year. Until 1891/2, it was only described as a stopping place, until a contract was drawn up for station buildings in the same year at a cost of £655.00.
RNM is looking for the dipstick
RNM is checking for coal
Roma
After lunch at Café on Second, in Injune, we stopped in Roma to admire and get close to Roma's largest Bottle Tree, which has a girth of 9.62 mtrs, a height of 15 mtrs, and a crown of 23 mtrs. It was transplanted from a local property to this site in 1927. The Bottle Tree can live naturally for over 200 years.
History of the area.
Roma is at the northern end of the Murray-Darling Basin, beside Bungil Creek, a tributary of the Balonne River, which runs into the Darling River before entering the Murray River and heading out to sea near Adelaide. Roma is 299 m above sea level with spectacular scenery along the Great Dividing Range, less than 80 km to the north and northeast of the town. We travelled 476 km by road from Brisbane and are just over 1000 km from where the Queensland, South Australian and Northern Territory borders meet.
The landscape surrounding Roma is formed on Cretaceous sedimentary rocks laid down as sandy and silty beds in various streams and lake environments during the age of dinosaurs, and subsequently buried deep in the earth. Erosion and weathering of exposed beds of these sedimentary rocks have formed the current landscape, which consists of undulating plains and low hills. The soil produced from this weathering process includes fertile clays that support a productive cattle industry. Stay tuned for our return trip, when we'll visit the largest cattle saleyard in Australia.
Six Australian bustards
En route to our next stop, Geoff regaled us with tales that connect cattle, bales of hay and a square meal. It all made sense and was quite humorous. He also enlightened us about the circumstances of how he and Sandra met, which involved a bit of slave trading, travel, shining a light, romance and lots of fun. You have to hear it firsthand to fully appreciate it. 😍
We arrived and checked into our home for the next 3 nights.
Because this was our home for the next 3 nights, it warrants a closer look.
Getting closer
We had a delightful dinner at the Wilderness Lodge, where cute Elliott from Paris poured my wine, a cheerful chef from Indonesia prepared our meal, and a charming waitress from Belgium served it, after which we retired to our luxury tent.
Tuesday, 23 June
Carnarvon Gorge
Carnarvon Gorge
After breakfast at the Wilderniss Lodge, we started our guided walk with Simon from Carnarvon Gorge Eco Tours to Moss Garden, 3.5 km from Park Headquarters.
Simon revealed the fascinating secrets of the surrounding bush, pointing out a tree used by Aboriginal women for abortive purposes, and by men for reproductive regulation. The mechanics of these methods gave me goosebumps, leaving me to marvel at their ancient, profound knowledge of bodily functions that would give any modern urologist pause.
At Moss Garden, a layer of impervious sandstone pushes out a crystal-clear stream of water, filtered by porous sandstone, which fosters an abundance of ferns and mosses. A gorgeous waterwall pours gently into the waterhole.
Moss Garden
Home again for a relax before another delicious dinner
Wednesday, 24 June
Leaving our cabin on a glorious day for another adventure, for a morning visit to Nyanda Station
Welcomed by Cathie and Christian for morning tea, we learned about the history and management of their property, set against a backdrop of an ancient landscape.
Nyanda Station is a mountainous 38,500-acre working cattle property, sharing a large border with Carnarvon National Park. It has been family-owned and operated for three generations, with a steadfast commitment to rearing Droughtmaster cattle. The rugged terrain of Nyanda is characterised by stunning sandstone cliffs that have stood the test of time, as well as spring-fed creeks that flow year-round.
the formation of the shells is prominent
Ancient footprints
The plant that survived the Permian era's massive destruction of our Earth
Christian explaining his findings
Christian enthusiastically imparted his connection with paleontologists from Harvard and Central Queensland University, who had just left the property, taking finds from their digs back for more research and analysis. Exciting times are ahead for him and Cathy.
Back at our cabin, we had a visitor sitting between the trees
Nature Trail Walk to Mickey Creek / Rock Pool
