With a population of 5500, Chinchilla is 81 km west of Dalby and 269km by road from Brisbane. It claims to be the Melon Capital of the world -- but I didn't see a single melon there!
Anzac Day, so was up early and down to the town cenotaph for the dawn service. I was very impressed by the crowd, probably around 500, and especially the number of children and young people there. RAAF Amberley provided an honour guard which lent dignity to the proceedings. It was a bit of a comedy of errors: the local RSL heavies couldn't get the PA to work (one of the crowd eventually got it going); then as the address was being given the crows arrived and drowned out the speaker. But in all it was a nice little 20 minute gathering.
Had a drive around the town, a walk in the deserted main street, breakfast at Maccas, and headed out of town.
It was a beautiful sunny day, cloudless sky, and balmy temperature after a chilly pre-dawn start.
Photos here
MILES
An easy 45km run to this neat little town of 1800 people, 314km from Brisbane. Originally known as Dogwood Crossing, it started as a railway camp during the push west. Leichhardt had come through here, and actually named the creek on his 34th birthday.
The town’s big drawcard is its Historical Village and
Museum. Many old buildings have been preserved
or reconstructed to create the main street of Dogwood Crossing as it was in its
early days. Wandering from shop
to shop, and through the hospital and hotel, was a real nostalgia
trip. Things I’d forgotten, like the
stainless steel refrigerated counter in the café in which they kept deep
containers of ice-cream to be sold in cones or milkshakes. And the soda fountain. And the butcher’s block with carcasses
hanging behind. Anyway the photos will
give you some idea.
There is also there a wonderful exhibit on the Great
Artesian Basin. A large relief map shows
all the rivers that drain into the Darling River or Coopers Creek
eventually. Southern Queensland is a huge catchment area. Most interesting was the cross-section of the basin, showing the depth below surface where the water is, and the depth of the aquifer itself. Roma, for example, sits over an extremely deep trench with unbelievable volume of water beneath it.
Downtown, preparations were under way for the Anzac Day parade and 11 am service. Saw a few cadets and girl guides being marshalled into line behind a couple of drummers. A goodly crowd was gathering at the town's war memorial. No need for a thirst in Miles: 3 pubs within 200 metres in the main street.
A drive around the town revealed little else of interest.
Photos here
Photos here
WANDOAN
Another dog's leg. Headed north on the Leichhardt Highway (which runs into central Qld and places like Theodore). Good road, little traffic today. Was surprised to pass a sign saying "Great Dividing Range: Elevation 407 metres". Passed a similar sign on the road back down from Wandoan. I must revisit my geography because I had no concept of the range being this far inland ... and really, no signs of a mountain anywhere!
Another dog's leg. Headed north on the Leichhardt Highway (which runs into central Qld and places like Theodore). Good road, little traffic today. Was surprised to pass a sign saying "Great Dividing Range: Elevation 407 metres". Passed a similar sign on the road back down from Wandoan. I must revisit my geography because I had no concept of the range being this far inland ... and really, no signs of a mountain anywhere!
This is a tired looking little town, nestled in the shadow of huge grain silos. It is 66km north of Miles. Only 650 residents. They had completed their Anzac celebrations when I arrived, and the whole town seems to have adjourned to the local bowls club. I had lunch at the only servo in town, a BP truck stop. Discovered I needed to fill up too -- careless of me to leave it to such an isolated spot where fuel was about 10c a litre dearer. Anyway, 45 litres cost me $72.00 ... for a distance of 484km: so the Nissan is giving me very good mileage.
I drove the town - didn't take long - and headed back south toward the Warrego Highway again: an 88km stretch of pretty narrow road, with several one lane bridges.
Photos here
Photos here
JACKSON
Having re-joined the Warrego Highway and resumed my westward trek, Jackson was listed as next place of note. The tourist notes suggest it has more old car relics than actual population. Anyway, I must have blinked because I have no memory of seeing it!
Having re-joined the Warrego Highway and resumed my westward trek, Jackson was listed as next place of note. The tourist notes suggest it has more old car relics than actual population. Anyway, I must have blinked because I have no memory of seeing it!
ROMA
The most sizable town so far, Roma was at the end of an 85km run from the elusive Jackson. No roadwork and just a few road trains made for an easy trip. Arrived mid-afternoon which gave me time for a short nap before I headed out to explore. Checked out the Avenue of Heroes: a street in the town centre lined with bottle trees, each bearing a plaque to honour one of the locals who died in World War 1. Very impressive. Checked out the main street - only the pubs and Chinese Takeaway open. Ended up eating at Irish McGann's in the Queens Arms Hotel ( there's an anomaly for you!). Tastiest pork cutlet ever! With a schooner of Kilkenny Draught to help it down.
The most sizable town so far, Roma was at the end of an 85km run from the elusive Jackson. No roadwork and just a few road trains made for an easy trip. Arrived mid-afternoon which gave me time for a short nap before I headed out to explore. Checked out the Avenue of Heroes: a street in the town centre lined with bottle trees, each bearing a plaque to honour one of the locals who died in World War 1. Very impressive. Checked out the main street - only the pubs and Chinese Takeaway open. Ended up eating at Irish McGann's in the Queens Arms Hotel ( there's an anomaly for you!). Tastiest pork cutlet ever! With a schooner of Kilkenny Draught to help it down.
No comments:
Post a Comment