Lara Station Wetlands Again

We left Rockyview this morning just before 8:30 about 20 km north of Rockhampton on our way to spend the evening in the small town of Alpha in Central Queensland. Our three days spent here were very enjoyable and we enjoyed lunch at the sailing club in Yeppoon on one of our sightseeing days. A view of the house including our van from a height of 50 metres taken with my DJI Mavic Pro.

Lyn and Tony's property was again shrouded in mist as we left but soon cleared as we headed to Rocky. It was such a slow process negotiating the many sets of traffic lights and people heading off to work.

We have often spent the night at the rest area in the small town of Duaringa which is 109 km west of Rockhampton, so this is where we stopped for our coffee break and to stretch our legs.
A lunch break in Emerald before arriving in Alpha just after 2:30. We are camped on the outskirts of town in an area we are sharing with another six vans. There are no facilities here which suit us just fine. Its a first for us having passed through this small town on numerous occasions but never staying.  

A rather lateish start this morning as we headed further west towards Barcaldine 140 km away before turning south onto the Landsborough Highway. Thirty kilometres later we turned onto a 13 km well-maintained dirt access road that took us into Lara Station. We stayed here on two occasions last year and enjoyed the experience so much that we have returned again.

Site fees are still $20 each night and that gets you very clean flushing toilets and hot showers that are housed in a demountable. There is also a dump point, drinkable bore water, free wood if you collect it yourself otherwise it's $10 a barrow load. There is a  hot artesian pool and the most amazing sunsets.

We were spoilt on our last two visits but were surprised just how many were camped here this time. At least sixty vans per night surrounding the wetlands with generators going and they now allow pets. Unfortunately, all these factors mean that the birdlife has disappeared. Our plan was to spend a week here but left after three days. If you decide you want to stay then the best time is late September early October when everyone has left to head home.

Last night we cooked lamb shanks in the camp oven in a red wine garlic and herb sauce with potatoes and pumpkin. This was washed down with a lovely red.

On our last day, we were joined by fellow BT owner Stephen who has just come from Lawn Hill and camping on the Gregory River. We had a long chat when he arrived and he joined us later in the day and spent time around the campfire.