5.7.15 - Longreach to bush camp between Windorah and Quilpie

Today marks a turning point, we are as far north as we will get and today we begin heading south again.

Packed up and departed that camp about 9.15, a few quick jobs around town, money, fuel and some groceries.

First stop was a small place called Stonehenge, en route to Jundah. Stonehenge was a well kept little town, very proud townsfolk I would say. Given it was Sunday there wasn’t much happening at the visitor centre – closed. A great little display of interesting rocks and some cool corrugated iron animals – a dog rounding up some sheep.

The Caravan park was tidy and had everything you would need. The town used to be a point for bullock drays and was a connection of 3 properties. Now also the home of some technology for the defence force….Over the Horizon Radar Initiative.

I had read there was a lookout between Stonehenge and Jundah, called Swanvale Jump up. So we turned and headed up a track with signs pointing to Swanvale, 15kms later and several gates to open and shut, we drove through some beautiful jump ups, and ridges of trees, spinifex shrub, through several creek beds, with water in waterholes, lovely white barked gums and a range of other trees and shrubs.

We doubted that this was actually the lookout I had read about, so had some lunch and headed back to the main road. Only to find the actual lookout about 2kms up the road, and only 200 metres from the main road, beautiful views from a Jump up, over the flats and undulations that go on forever.

Not much further along there was a sign indicating a ‘native well’, again only 50 metres of the track and a natural rock-hole filled with water – about 2 feet deep, not stagnant, even had a few tadpoles in it. Dad reckons there must have been a spring to feed it.

Through Jundah, across the Thompson River again and on towards Windorah, lots of gibber desert like sections, some mulga scrub, gidgee and other trees we couldn’t name, the outlook was ever changing. Quite a few sheep and cattle grazing around the place, and the ever present dead roos along the roadside. The road was sealed but only one car wide most of the time. We met a few oncoming vehicles, vans, campers and only a couple of road trains thankfully. Some great road signs along the way too.

Approaching Windorah we stopped to refuel, $1.63 a litre, our most expensive to date. Also an icecream for us. Through Windorah and across the Cooper Creek, lots of water, it would have been a great place to camp, but we needed a few more kms under our belt.

 

On from Windorah towards Quilpie, we stopped by the roadside to collect some wood, as tonight would be our first bush camp. 

Found a little wayside stop, one other vehicle pulled up. Ready made fire pit, surrounded by rocks. Time to set up prior to the last light of day. Got a nice fire humming along, to accompany some drinks and nibblies. Great stars too.

Tea tonight was cup-a-soup and egg and bacon jaffles, pretty good, hit the spot. It is a bit chilly, so the fire is much appreciated as I sit fireside to type up the days ramblings. Going to have to rug up for bed tonight methinks.

Better go, Dad is doing the dishes, I can dry and then head for bed…