It was a relaxed start this morning, and with only 278 km to travel today, we took our time leaving the campsite. The temperature was fourteen degrees with clear blue skies. We drove south for several kilometres before turning west onto the Dawson Highway and stopping for fuel at Calliope, where the price was $139.90 per litre. Just over 100 km later, we arrived in Biloela after climbing several large mountains, the highest of which was just 420 metres above sea level. Biloela is a busy and thriving town with a population exceeding 5,000 residents.
You definitely know you're in Queensland when the local shire is called the Banana Shire. The town grows crops such as sorghum and wheat and supports a considerable cattle industry. We turned north onto the Burnett Highway, passing through Dululu, which has a small free camp, a pub, and several houses, before turning west onto the Capricorn Highway towards Duaringa.
We passed through Duaringa several years ago, en route to Bedford Weir just north of Blackwater, and were very impressed with the facilities at the free camp on the eastern outskirts of this small town. So, this is our camp for tonight. The site covers a vast area, featuring showers, toilets, and a dump point. Beautiful sites like this are rare, and although the site is free, we stopped at the information centre and made a donation towards its upkeep. Over sixty vans camped here that evening, and the lady at the centre told us that only about 40% of visitors leave a donation.
Today's drive of 379 km is our longest since leaving home. As we approached the small town of Dingo, we could see in the distance to our left the Blackdown Tableland National Park. Access to the campground and the plateau is via a very steep and winding road and not suitable for caravans.
We soon arrived in Blackwater, a town with a population of over 5,000 people, most of whom are employed in the coal industry, with many open-cut mines surrounding the town. Just over 70 km later, we reached Emerald, which also has significant coal deposits. The construction of Fairbairn Dam in the early 1970s provided water for agricultural use in the surrounding area.
Lake Maraboon was formed as a result of the dam and offers camping and fishing opportunities, and is well known for its famous Red Claw Crayfish. After leaving Emerald, we continued west, passing the turnoff to the Sapphire and Rubyvale Gemfields.
As we proceeded further west, we climbed the Drummond Range before the country flattened out, forming vast plains. Upon arriving in the small town of Alpha, we stopped to view the many murals that surround it. These murals were first painted by local residents after devastating floods nearly ruined the town in the early 1990s.
We soon arrived in Blackwater, a town with a population of over 5,000 people, most of whom are employed in the coal industry, with many open-cut mines surrounding the town. Just over 70 km later, we reached Emerald, which also has significant coal deposits. The construction of Fairbairn Dam in the early 1970s provided water for agricultural use in the surrounding area.
Lake Maraboon was formed as a result of the dam and offers camping and fishing opportunities, and is well known for its famous Red Claw Crayfish. After leaving Emerald, we continued west, passing the turnoff to the Sapphire and Rubyvale Gemfields.
As we proceeded further west, we climbed the Drummond Range before the country flattened out, forming vast plains. Upon arriving in the small town of Alpha, we stopped to view the many murals that surround it. These murals were first painted by local residents after devastating floods nearly ruined the town in the early 1990s.
After another 50 km, we arrived in the small town of Jerico, where we planned to spend the night. We are staying at another free camp on the eastern outskirts of town. The site is called Redbank Park. As we entered, we placed some money in their donation box to help maintain the site, including the toilets.
It is day six since leaving home, and so far, today has been the coldest morning we have experienced. Just three degrees inside the van this morning before the diesel heater was turned on. We waited in bed until the temperature rose enough for us to get changed. The extra heater outlet in the ensuite makes getting changed even easier. Today's drive is just under 200 km as we head to Longreach to stay at the caravan park, where we can wash clothes, buy groceries, and purchase fuel.
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