Monto

Saturday, 4th of July

The joy of not having a set timetable as in wandering.

While driving from Mundubbera, where I stayed last night in Jaycee Park (free camp), towards Monto, I decided not to go to Waruma Dam with the caravan, but instead go straight to Monto, where I am staying in the small park behind the information kiosk. They charge $5 per person, per night, no power, water or toilets (must be self contained) but I'm not sure who collects the money.

During the afternoon I drove (car only) down to Waruma dam to see what all the fuss was about. Lucky I didn't take the van, because there aren't many sites available. The place is somewhat crowded. Some look like they are there for a very long time. There is a fifth wheeler there as well, but I don't think I would take my van down where he is parked; it is going to be a big haul back up the hill when it comes time for him to leave.




On the way there I passed through the small village of Abercorn where I noticed something I haven't seen in some time. The tennis courts at the side of the road had his and hers amenities. Very quaint.



Tomorrow I will make a day trip to Cania Gorge national Park, which is about 27km to the north-west of Monto.

Knobby Tree

Friday 3rd July.

While driving from Gayndah to Mundubbera today, I suddenly saw this unusual tree.

Quick decision, find somewhere to pull up, about 500 meters later there is a side road, so I stop there and walk back with the camera.




As I am walking back to the car, I hear another car pull up behind me and then go down to the same spot to park. Look around, and he has let the wife out to take a photo as well.

It seems that the 'Knobby Tree' is well known and is also photographed often. According to some tourist literature the tree dates from early settlement.



The tree is about 4.5km south of the Mundubbera turnoff on the  Burnett Highway.

Mingo Crossing

Tuesday 30th June.

Camps8 13/443  S25.23'38"  E151.46'38"

Mingo Crossing is about half way between Gayndah and Mt Perry, about 30km to either town which includes some gravel roads, but they are in good condition. The road to Mt Perry crosses through some private property, so watch out for cattle on the road.

This view of the caravan park (run by the North Burnett Council) is looking towards Mt Perry to the north. The bridge crosses the western end of the lake formed by Paradise Dam which is about 10km to the east.






The caravan park has twelve powered sites and a large area for all other users.

There is a good shower and toilet block next to the water tank. They are cleaned every day at 6am. There is also a laundry with a couple of front loading machines for $4 a wash.

The grounds are well maintained, clean and tidy. A small shop at the office sells a few items, chips, soap powder, ice creams and drinks, etc.






Telstra mobile service is available if you are up near the caravan sites and dogs on a leash are permitted.

If you want to relax and or do some fishing, Mingo Crossing is the place to be. A number of people have boats with them but you can still go fishing from the banks and good catches of yellowbelly are possible.

This is a good site and I would recommend it to anyone.

In the long paddock

Thursday, 25th of June

I am now officially in the 'long paddock'

Woke up this morning in Nanango after arriving there at 3pm yesterday for a cup of tea stop. You know how it is, a cup of tea, a bit of a chat, next thing you know you have to make the evening meal. 

Drove up towards Goomeri and on the way stopped at Boonara to photograph half a dozen graves at St. David's church, and then on to Tansey where I photographed about 15 to 20 graves in the local cemetery which is about a half kilometer walk from the highway. 

Arrived at Ban Ban Springs at 2pm and decided to stay the night here. Will drive to Mingo Crossing tomorrow morning. 

Sent from Samsung tablet

Chowey Bridge

The turnoff to the Chowey Bridge on the Gooroolba-Biggenden Road is at S 25 27' 59.58" and E151 56' 28.44"

From here you have 3.6km two wheel track through private property which would not be suitable for a caravan, but while it is dry you could do it in two wheel drive.

At the end of the track there is a table with seating. Nothing else is available.

The rail line has been fenced off from the public, but of course, where there is a fence there is a way around it, on in this case, through it. The reason for the fencing becomes obvious when you do go up onto the rail line over the bridge, which crosses Deep Creek. During the dry season, rather than a deep creek, it is more like a deep gorge, and the sides and bottom are mostly rock.

The bridge was built in 1906 and is the first of it's kind, one main arch with several smaller arches above it all concrete.

It has been some time since a train has travelled on this track.

Hot water valve

This valve is usually pinned to the underside of the floor

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When is the choo choo coming

In my recent travels around the Biggenden area I started to notice some new signs.

The first sign on the left says that there is a train track on the side road.











So, I went to investigate. This next picture is looking down the side road.

When I get to the train track I look at the signs and I notice that they seem to be very new. The manufacture date on one of them is 2012.

Then I look left and right and this is what I see.

Later when I speak with one of the locals I am told that it has been something like six years since a train of any description has been on any of these tracks.

My guess is, that this land is still owned and or controlled by Queensland Rail, and, because of political correctness or health and safety issues, (and the fear of being sued if something goes wrong) they have had to put these signs up to save the public from themselves.

The notice in the little yellow sign says "Report faults or safety incidents on 1800 079 303   Quote crossing #4796"

The only possible fault or safety concern I can see is that the train driver can't see where he is going.