Day 69: Queensland Roads

Today we did 800 kilometers on Queensland roads – and roads are obviously not a priority for the Queensland Government.  So in addition to having the worst drivers in the country, we now think that they have the worst roads in the country!  Now I know that our South African readers will be laughing at this point, because heck, at least Australia HAS roads, and I couldn’t agree more, but that argument (and this is from my psychology) would be ‘chasing a red herring’ or ‘comparing apples’  with …….. well no apples’, so instead I will compare apples with apples and we will just stay with Aussie roads and not think about SA right now. 

 Canola fields near Moree, NSW

Anyway, as soon as we crossed the border into New South Wales the ride was so much smoother – it was stark!  We had such a gut wrenching ride along the Queensland ‘highway’ (one of the direct routes from Brisbane to Melbourne) that we actually felt like our insides had been mashed!  It was impossible to read whilst driving along this ‘highway’ and Rich spent his time physically wrestling the wheel (similar to yesterday’s four wheel driving!)   

The highlight of the day was the final campsite that we came to rest in – Narrabri Showgrounds - $7 per person per night, and this covers HOT showers, power, flushing toilets and water!  Heck we could have brought our horse and had a stable too if we wanted!  This is the perfect compromise between free camping and caravan parks! 

 Climbing through the dividing ranges inland from Gympie, QLD 

Low-light of the day – my worst nightmare come true – Cassie floating  Mitch back from Werribee (other side of Melbourne) on her own and a tyre blow out ON THE Westgate Bridge.  The blessing from this was that the blowout didn’t cause any major accident and she had wonderful Sam Bullen (a pony club mum) driving behind her and Sam stayed to make sure she was okay and then continued to follow her home.  There was also a guardian angel bloke who was passing by and who helped them change the tyre.  (** More on the tyre business at the end!)  Needless to say, on hearing the news,  I was instantly struck with a headache and strong nausea being 1500 kilometers away and unable to help!  End of the story is that she got home safely and all that is left is my headache.  Thanks to God for His protection!

 Rich standing in a stream on Fraser Island - the water is so clear that the white in the photo is the white beach sand at the bottom.  

Lastly I thought that in particular the overseas readers would enjoy some of the names of the towns that we passed today!

Gympie                                    Duong

Chinchilla                                 Gayndah

Mundubbera                            Gibinbell

Millmerran                              Kwiambal

Kurumbilla                               Wutul

Goondiwindi                            Mudindi

Wooroolin                               Yalleroi

So the bit is between the teeth so to speak – we are on our way home and plan to be there in two days – which means two long driving days – Rich will hear lots of Dr Karl and I will get some studying done. 

Planes on the 80 mile beach Fraser Island 

PS:  The tyre story:  turns out the spare tyre on the float did not fit the float ….. that tyre is the one that came with the float when we first bought it, which means that either the people who sold the float to us, or the people who owned it before them, deliberately put an incorrectly sized tyre on as a spare in order to sell it.  How is that for unethical, dangerous and frankly irresponsible behaviour! 


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