The Roadside rest areas in this part of the world are excellent - flushing toilets and covered picnic tables). Guess they're catering for the tourists and in particular the grey nomads. If the number camping here is any indication there is a lot of people on the road.
Spent some time with the camera this morning. Can't believe how many different varieties of birds there are in this one spot. Quite a few Black Kites flying around and a huge nest just in a tree on the other side of the railway track. One would think that with kites flying about the little birds would be nowhere to be seen. This is not the case here, in fact, there are small birds flying around the kite's nest. Wonder if they have their nests in there too?
It's quite cool this morning and "blowing a gale". Fascinating mushroom rock near where we were camping.
Drove on to Longreach where we made use of the dump-point in the caravan parking lot. Also filled up with water. Had a bit of a walk around the CBD and stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables at the supermarket.
Drove on to Blackall where we intended to stay the night at the Free Camp (well $8 at the visitor's centre last time we were here) on the Barcoo River and have a nice long soak in the artesian pool. The camp was very crowded so the change of plan was to have a soak and drive on for a bit.
We were a little disappointed with the Aquatic Centre. The spa was nowhere near as hot as it had been in the past. Very relaxing all the same. Even did a few laps in the main pool which was actually warmer than we remember it being in the past. Despite our disappointment, it is a lovely spot and we'' be back next time we pass through.
We ended up driving on for 42km towards Tambo where we found room (just - also quite crowded) in a roadside spot on the Barcoo River. A nice fire - potatoes in foil in the coals along with bacon, beans. cheese etc...
