We enjoyed our first road trip to outback Queensland in July 2020 (here) so much we decided to go again, further west this time and set off for 3 weeks in another Apollo Euro Tourer. The map is here.
Woombye
Woombye established in 1868 as a staging depot for Cobb & Co stagecoaches
Nambour
Nambour Street Art
Cedar Creek
The 3rd of 7 crossings of the Amamoor Creek on the road to the National ParkThe water level in Cedar Creek (Amamoor NP) was too low for swimmingThere’s 2 walks from the campsite – 1 km through rainforest and 5 km in more open bushWe enjoyed camping here – sausages and vegetables coked on an open fire for dinner
Wednesday 21 October: Amamoor NP to Hervey Bay 155 km
Gympie
The Queensland National Bank opened in Gympie in 1872 In the first 21 days of trading this branch purchased over 6000 ozs of goldThe neo-classical Royal Bank of Queensland operated as a bank in Gympie from 1892 to 1979Gympie Court House built 1900-1902
Maryborough
The former Queensland National Bank in Maryborough was originally constructed in 1863, rebuilt in 1914Maryborough Post Office, built 1865, is the oldest surviving Post Office in Queensland No idea what this 1870 building in Maryborough was used for But loved the way the light poles were built through the awnings 1889 Post Office Hotel, Maryborough Our favorite paintings of the 36 on the Maryborough Mural TrailPamela Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, was born in Maryborough
Thursday 22 October: Hervey Bay to Mundubbera 225 km
Childers
Takura State School, opened 1907 closed 1964On the outskirts of Childers – Mamino Ice Cream made in a small shed next to their house Homemade traditional with local macadamias – best ice cream we’ve had anywhereThe Federal is a 113 year-old timber hotel in ChildersUnfortunately the Old Butcher Shop was closed so we had to buy our meat from the new butcher shopChilders is a lovely town but with a sad story In June 2000, 15 backpackers who were staying at The Palace died in a deliberately lit fire
Biggenden
Biggenden – This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore
Gayndah
The Grand Hotel in Gayndah celebrated its 100th birthday in 2012Ideraway Homestead (c1870) has been relocated to Gayndah and is in the process of being restored
Mundubbera
The word “Mundubbera” is an Aboriginal word meaning “Footsteps in the Trees” This 200 yo Eucalyptus populnea is a listed horticultural value tree“Mundubbera” can also mean “Meeting Place of the Waters”We saw lots of Pacific Islanders in Mundubbera – here is the Community Hungi PitMundubbera Railway Station (c1904) is still there but the rails are silent Many outback churches have a wooden bell tower
Friday 23 October: Mundubbera to Isla Gorge NP 215 km
Eidsvold
I wanted to use the dunny in the main street of Eidsvold but it was occupiedIt must have been a huge bakeryEidsvold Butcher has the old fashioned roof vents running the length of the building An old house in Eidsvold The original slab hut of Eidsvold Homestead (c1850) a few km out of town A particularly good example of the earliest type of station housing
Crackow
Cracow (pop 7?) is a tiny ghost town – the bottom building was the Bank of NSW Yet less than a km away is a huge gold mine with 220+ employees housed in a demountable “village”Hotel Crackow – sign on the door says “Gone fishin, open at 4.30”
Theodore
The Dawson River Palm is a unique species found only in the creeks and rivers around TheodoreA group of Bottle Trees left behind after the land was cleared Theodore Catholic Church: an excellent example of early Queensland wooden architectureTheodore Hotel is the only pub in Queensland owned by an entire community The locals took it over in the 1940’s when plans to build Nathan Dam for irrigation failed
Isla Gorge National Park
Grass Trees on the way into Isla Gorge camping areaIsla Gorge is famous for spectacular sunsets and sunrises but it was so cloudy that we missed outCooking dinner on an open fire at the Isla Gorge campsite
