Sapphire and Emu Park

Hi All

The last blog update had us heading for Barcaldine which has the tree of knowledge on the way out of Longreach a very large lizard cross the road it must have been over 2m long because it covered half of the road, did not get picture but had to swerve to miss it.

We had a good look round Barcaldine but could not find a money tree but we did see the tree of knowledge which has been surrounded by a very large wooden cover in which has been built a wooden wind musical instrument. Barcaldine is a clean well laid out lovely little town and were the Union movement was first founded in Australia.

We then made tracks for Sapphire to meet up with Troy, Kasey and the grand kids which Lee is hanging out for (we had a look at the Blue Gem caravan park but it had no shade and it did not have a swimming pool so we headed for Rubyvale to look at the caravan park there but noticed the sign for Sapphire Caravan Park so followed the road up to the caravan park which was on top of a hill and we were blown away with it so we booked us in for a week and the kids in for 4 days.

We all had a great time in this caravan park watching the owner feed the wildlife, the kids watched from the bbq area, which is a excellent area to have a drink and chat.

We did some fossicking at Armfest mine and the kids found some bits of sapphire and other gem stones.

We also did some touring around the general area and dug up some dirt in the creek in Willows gem fields then took them back to the caravan park and washed it but did not find any gems in the dirt.

We were surprised when Noel and Judy came into the Caravan Park for a few days we first met them in Apollo Bay, we caught up with them later for a drink or two and a chin wag, it was good to see them again

We then headed to Emu Park on the coast where we were to meet up with John and Di from Townsville. The grand kids could not believe the size of John & Di Fifth wheeler

The kids left to go to Sydney and we stayed on for a few days more with John and Di.

We then headed to Rockhampton to have a look round the area.

 The Tree of Knowledge 

 Two Trees of Knowledge one whom must be obeyed  

 Having a few drinks with the gang

One of the many statues in the caravan park

       

We are still having a great time 

On the way to Longreach

Hi all

We have left Atheton and decided to head for Longreach to have a look at the Qantas Founders Museum and the Stockman hall of Fame.

We are heading to Hughenden to have a look around to see what is interesting in the town as it is New Years Day! Hughenden was closed we saw the FJ Holden Cafe which is famous for it's hamburgers but it was also closed not to much else to see so heading for Winton and stay over night, and check out the town the next day.

The Caravan Park we picked was a bit of a dive with rubbish bins overflowing and a bit grubby we did not unhitch caravan, we drove around Winton the next morning but again not a lot to see, we whet to the musical fence, checked out where the first Qantas plane landed and filled up the car with fuel.

We headed to Longreach only 175km we checked out a few caravan parks and decided to stay at the family owned and run one which had more trees for shade as it was going to be a hot couple of days in Longreach 41 and 42 but the air con worked OK, so not to bad.

We when to the information centre to pick up maps and info, and were told the Stockman Hall of Fame was closed until February and they were only told that morning (sent email to Stockman Hall of Shame that we were not happy campers)

The Qantas Founders Museum was fantastic, the tour of the 2 Jets was excellent and the lunch was lovely and not to expensive we had a great 5 hours looking around the Museum.

Will be heading to Barcaldine in the morning to check out the Tree of Knowledge (they also might have a Tree of Money here's hoping)