April 2021

Having a Gas

We are heading off to an almost local music weekend. Visiting with our Goat friends, Goatboy, Goatgirl and others. There are guest performers we have seen before and enjoyed. This is GAS, Goats Acoustic Sessions, Okld Fashioned Music weekend. Read more

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Trip start
April 6, 2021
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Day 1
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 122 m
Australia Lake Victoria -24.03341, 150.2876524°2’0” S 150°17’16” E
Lake Victoria
April 6, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Our first stop on this trip is Lake Victoria for lunch stop. We are 100k from where we expect to stop for tonight.

This spot is nice but with all the rain around the black soil road back out is risky.

Pam is off stalking the abundant bird life.

Turns out this spot is on private property. Unruly visitors have prompted the errection of a fence and gate. Hopefully visitors will respect the place and behave so the spot remains accessable.Read more
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Day 1
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 3:09 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 127 m
Australia Lake Victoria -24.03422, 150.2874424°2’3” S 150°17’15” E
Lake Victoria to Lawgi Hall
April 6, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The drive on from Lake Victoria to Lawgi Hall was easy and uneventful. We stopped a few times to check out sights and arrived safely at our first overnight stop. Nice and well maintained stop. Up to 72 hours for a donation.

An unusual rainbow brightened the horizon for ages as we approached Thangool and on. It was very broad and very bright.

At one point we headed up a road to get a photo without obstructions and got spotted by a letter box. He paused and froze, waiting to throw his paper plane after we were gone.Read more
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Day 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 6:40 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 329 m
Australia Lawgi -24.56833, 150.6616724°34’6” S 150°39’42” E
Early morning at Lawgi Hall
April 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We awoke very early to a beautiful day. The rain has moved along to the south and we have broken sun.

We decided to have a short walk and enjoyed the cooler weather with the brisk breeze almost to the point of needing a heavier shirt. We ended up walking about 1.3 kilometres. A nice start to the day.Read more
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Day 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 12:09 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 571 m
Australia Coominglah Forest -24.885, 150.9824°53’6” S 150°58’48” E
Hurdle Gully
April 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
It's not a long drive in but care must be taken. We had been here before but we enjoyed the drive in.

As I was driving I noticed what looked like rope right across the road. As we got closer I realized it was itchy grubs. They move along in procession, nose to tail. This group was about 6 meters long from one side of the road to the other.

"These so called ‘itchy grubs’, are the caterpillars of the bag-shelter moth, Orchragaster lunifer. They are common Australian insects."

Pam managed to place one lost fellow at the end of the line and probably saved his life. She offer him a stick that he happily clunbed on for a short lift. You can't touch these guys as they cause severe itching and welts.

I also spotted 2 fine fungi species.Read more
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Day 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 1:30 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 240 m
Australia Monto -24.86095, 151.1078624°51’39” S 151°6’28” E
Monto Street Art
April 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
There was a few artworks on the streets of Monto. The first as we drov in from the north.
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Day 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 2:50 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 250 m
Australia Monto -24.86362, 151.1224224°51’49” S 151°7’21” E
Monto Alley Art
April 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Art in an alley and the skate Park. It all looks fantastic.
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Day 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 3:34 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 230 m
Australia Three Moon -24.915, 151.1283324°54’54” S 151°7’42” E
Silo Art at Monto
April 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Silo Art is always impressive. These are no exception.
TravelerLove the silo art
4/18/21Reply
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Day 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 4:56 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 221 m
Australia Mulgildie -24.96388, 151.1326824°57’50” S 151°7’58” E
Mulgildie Pub.
April 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
These murals were probably done some time back but they definitely went all out. Along the west facing from there is considerable fading.
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Day 4
Friday, April 9, 2021 at 10:36 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 76 m
Australia Bin Bin Creek -25.41, 151.77525°24’36” S 151°46’30” E
Redclaw Bin Bin Creek
April 9, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Just a short distance from Mingo Crossing is one of the creeks that runs into the dammed Burnett River. When the river is dammed right back full this area goes under. The trees drown and die. Normally this area is quite active but the extended dry seasons has left it abandoned by water birds and humans.Read more
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Day 4
Friday, April 9, 2021 at 12:46 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 196 m
Australia Mount Perry -25.17833, 151.6416725°10’42” S 151°38’30” E
Mount Perry
April 9, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Mount Perry is an old copper mining town, that has reinvented itself as a gold mining town. There is still evidence of the copper smelting of many years past. For some reason the top of the slag heap was poured with blocks to form a paving.

Reading through the stories it is claimed that the slag pavers were done as a lasting memorial. Personally I seriously doubt that. It would have cost considerable effort and time so there must have been a reason of operational importance. Possibly they wanted to stabilise the top of the slag heap or as I already speculated, have a solid base to move the dump carts to the edge.

I suspect there was an operational reason. Perhaps it made a solid pavement to run the dump skips on. Now it is an interesting surface on the top of thousands of tonnes of copper smelting slag.

The nearby lookout offers a reasonable look over the area to the south of Mount Perry. It would help if someone kept the trees below a bit trimmed but vee haf vays to solve that minor problem.Read more
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Day 4
Friday, April 9, 2021 at 3:08 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 512 m
Australia Mountain Creek -25.06197, 151.4934925°3’43” S 151°29’37” E
Bania NP.
April 9, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We were curious why there were so many cars driving past our camp. This was signed as a no through road, so there must be something happenning somewhere. There was just one option. We would follow the road and check it out. We ended driving on a good dirt road through the Bania National park. It is a pleasant drive through hilly forested country. There were a couple of pretty gullies still flowing from the recent rain.

In the end we are still not certain why so many vehicles. There are a few properties but seemingly fewer than the cars that travel in and out. There are no camping spots in the national park along this access nor hiking trails. Crossing right through the park ends up at a river so perhaps something there. We did not go to the river so for us it is still a mystery.Read more
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Day 5
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:25 AM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 311 m
Australia Moolboolaman Gap -25.08122, 151.6761825°4’52” S 151°40’34” E
Boolboonda Tunnel
April 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We decided today that we would take a drive to Gin Gin. The road over was a pleasant drive through a good tree lined road. At Gin Gin we topped up our water and fuel. On the way back we detoured slightly to have a look at the Boolboonda tunnel.

This tunnel was dug in 1883 through solid granite for a rail line to Mount Perry. 192m long, it is the longest unsupported tunnel ever dug in Australia. The drilling was done with Ingersoll air drills working from each end. Spent air from the drills helped to ventilate the work area. One can only imagine the dusty and hot work condition.

Today the tunnel is still open and cars can drive through. From the other side you return to the highway.

The tunnel has been discovered by a colony of tint bent wing bats. These small mammals are not bigger than a mouse and hunt insects by night and rest during the day in the tunnel.

We took a walk through the tunnel and then drove through. The drive followed the old rail line for a bit before turning off onto the road back to the highway.Read more
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Day 9
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 7:47 AM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 69 m
Australia Bin Bin Creek -25.395, 151.7825°23’42” S 151°46’48” E
Mingo Crossing
April 14, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Up until the big floods this was a thriving spot. Today after the dam has been lowered to reduce risk of failure, the river levels is quite low. This means there is no fishing or water sports.

For us it was nice and quiet with lots of birdlife along the river. Unless the recreation area can re-invent itself the future seems unknown, unless the dam is repaired and restored to its former levels.Read more
Travelerit's a sham pay big money for engineering
4/14/21Reply
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Day 9
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 10:40 AM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 112 m
Australia Muan -25.46667, 151.9416725°28’0” S 151°56’30” E
Chowey Railway Bridge
April 14, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
On the way to Paradise Dam we made a short 3.5k trip off the road to check out the Chowey railway bridge. This is a concrete arch bridge over a hundred years old and still in good condition.

The info board describes the construction of the bridge made from local sand. Timber structure was used to form the arches. At the time of construction it was the largest arch bridge built in Queensland.Read more
TravelerAmazing!
4/18/21Reply
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Day 9
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 4:17 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 95 m
Australia Bowden Creek -25.35833, 151.9166725°21’30” S 151°55’0” E
Paradise Dam
April 14, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Paradise Dam is a beautiful spot. It has been very busy in the past with water sports and fishing. Now it is very quiet with the water levels too low for boating. The problem is the launching ramp. It had detiorated at the unseen submerged end while levels were high and is now unusable.

The dam was lowered due to concerns about the dam structure. It is not certain if it will be restored or not. Farmers who setup to rely on the water have been left high and dry. Time will tell.

The van park is expensive considering there are no showers available. That's not a problem for us but will deter visitors who might otherwise stay a few days.

The road connection to the other side of the river had been closed and made part of the construction site. This would also affect the decision to visit and perhaps stay a day or two. We would come back since it is a very nice spot.Read more
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Day 10
Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 1:57 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 120 m
Australia Biggenden -25.515, 152.0525°30’54” S 152°3’0” E
Biggenden, Qld
April 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
There are lots of small towns in our great country. Biggenden is a typical rural town that services the farming area around. We shopped at the Food land store for our next few days of supplies.

We had not been able to get any news for the last few days and marched in with our masks on. A nice lady informed us that we no longer needed them but don't throw them away.Read more
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Day 10
Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 2:09 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 632 m
Australia Mount Walsh -25.57182, 152.0519625°34’19” S 152°3’7” E
Mt Walsh NP
April 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Another place to put on our wish list. We took a photo on the way past.
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Day 13
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 8:00 AM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 141 m
Australia Brooweena -25.62219, 152.2708725°37’20” S 152°16’15” E
The Gas Festival
April 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
We are now on the last day of our festival. Our weekend was jam packed near non stop music. Bryce has done a fantastic job of getting great acts for this weekend.

Having seen Cigani Weaver a couple of years back we were pleased to see them here. They have gotten even better than lest time. The band are amazing Gypsy jazz/folk style andsinger Jo Davies has a truly amazing voice.

We are now waiting for the all in jam that is a tribute to the late John Prine.

Edit:- The John Prine tribute was amazing. We saw another side to many performers when they performed a selection of his songs. The day has ended up being very good.Read more
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Day 13
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 8:24 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 141 m
Australia Brooweena -25.6222, 152.270925°37’20” S 152°16’15” E
It Was a Gas!
April 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Packing up after a fantastic weekend. The Hillbilly Goats never fail to please and Bryce and Marney are perfect hosts. We are packed and ready to roll at 9:00 after a bit of a sleep in.

There were many great acts with some surprises. Some old friends and some new aqaintences. We were surprised by the voice of one lady we have seen before mostly playing bass. She sang in a very powerful voice and would have been in good company with Mama Cass.

Last night was a show by Dave Flowers and friends. 2 hours of unrehearsed performances strictly unplugged.

Bryce and Marney has built a great venue all solar powered. There is a backup generator that had to be run for a bit when the batteries got too low later on Saturday night. I expect a minor upgrade coming up.

WELL DONE GOATS!Read more
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Day 14
Monday, April 19, 2021 at 8:25 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 39 m
Australia Fraser Coast -25.50981, 152.663225°30’35” S 152°39’48” E
Maryborough, Camping at the Showgrounds.
April 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
After a huge weekend we made the very short journey to Maryborough. We decided to camp in the Showgrounds. Price is very reasonable and the amenities are very clean and tidy.

After setting up our camp and having lunch we had a quick trip to town to get a few groceries to last the next few days as we make our way home.Read more
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Day 15
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 1:53 PM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 41 m
Australia Powell Creek -25.43833, 152.54525°26’18” S 152°32’42” E
Wongi Waterholes
April 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We are now making our way home for a few days before we start the next trip. We have 2 nights at Wongi before we leave this part of the world.

It is very pleasant camped among the forest with visits from many birds, and a herd of cattle. A group of grey crowned babblers came in and entertained us for a while late this afternoon. They hang in family groups similar to Apostle birds and Choughs. The whole family helps the breeding pair with nest building and raising the young.

The photos today were from a low altitude (3m) drone flight. These waterholes are quite beautiful with amazing reflections.Read more
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Day 16
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 10:57 AM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 42 m
Australia Logbridge Creek -25.43838, 152.5434725°26’18” S 152°32’36” E
Wongi Waterholes
April 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
This morning we walked along the waterholes. The scenery changes from one waterhole to another. Some are deep dark pools. Others are fully covered in mats of water plant and some are solid reed beds.

The wildlife is spoilt for choice with so many different habitats. Small finches flitter around in the shrubs, larger birds work the tall paperbacks while pardelopes can be heard but not seen. They tend to sit high in the bloodwoods and eucaltpts and make their chip, chip, chip.Read more
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Day 16
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 1:49 PM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 54 m
Australia Lake Lenthall -25.41633, 152.5356925°24’59” S 152°32’8” E
Burrum River
April 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We decided to take to the rough forestry tracks and explore the side of the river away from the part of the river upstream of the dam. The dam is not far across but it is quite a drive over another substandard road to get to the dam.Read more
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Day 16
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Australia Duckinwilla Creek -25.40201, 152.5331425°24’7” S 152°31’59” E
Lenthalls Dam
April 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
The Lenthalls Dam is situated on the Burrum River. This water is used for Hervey Bay and surrounding areas.

There is quite a nice area for camping and several day use areas. Cost to stay here is a bit on the high side, especially when you consider that it has no power and the amenities are a long way from the camping.

The birds can be heard but they stick in the dense tree area away a bit.Read more
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Day 17
Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 2:58 PM
☁️ 26 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Australia Duckinwilla Creek -25.402, 152.533125°24’7” S 152°31’59” E
Lake Monduran
April 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Today we are camped at Monduran Lake. The park here is quite nice, spacious and very popular. It's only about 4k off the highway with a good road.

There is a lookout to view out over the Fred Haigh dam and get a good view around. We drove around to the boat ramp and then came back to our van. Right now it is raining lightly so we may be packing up wet tomorrow.

Just a short hop home now and this trip will be finished. Out next trip starts from home next week on Thursday.Read more
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