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Preparation has begun for the Big Red Bash 2019

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Since a relatively snap decision several weeks ago to attend this years Big Red Bash in Outback Queensland, we have both been simultaneously excited and worried about the decision.  It was definitely a "lets book the tickets before we change our minds" decision, and one that I'm sure will the the experience of a lifetime. However, before we get can leave, there are a number of things that need to be done: food and packing list removing necessary weight from the car and caravan measures to protect the car and caravan from the rocks and dust ...and just what route are we going to take getting there and coming home. Although in the past we have prepared for numerous trips away all over Australia, for some reason this one seems daunting.  Maybe it's the remoteness of the location, the length of the festival (with no water or other facilities for 6 days), or just the words of caution from other past festivalgoers echoing in our minds that is making us second-gues...
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End of the adventure

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We ended the adventure on Day 13.  Following our stay at the beautiful 'gravel pit' at the side of the road near Yaamba, we headed into Rockhampton where Al attended a customer, then we continued south to Calliope.  We were due to stop overnight near Calliope, but the free camp was packed with holidaymakers, so we continued inland about 20 minutes to Futter Creek.  It was quiet and peaceful here and well worth the extra 20 minutes in the dark. Futter Creek After a restful nights sleep, we continued down the Gladstone Monto Road with the intention of heading into Monto, however a sign saying "Steep Ascent, not suitable for caravans" had us turning around some 45 minutes down the road and heading back towards Calliope.  It seemed that we needed to go the long way around to Monto, through Biloela. Our last night was spent at Binjour Range Rest Area, a lovely spot that had the most spectacular view out our back window of the caravan.  Just beautiful. ...
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Location: Mooloolaba QLD 4557, Australia
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End of Day 10

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Day 10 - Airlie Beach to a free camp at a gravel pit just north of Yaamba. Although we only traveled just under 400km yesterday (Day 10), it was a really pleasant drive.  It was a day of vastly different landscapes.  From the vast cane fields up north, to the barren brown landscape where we ended up - it really shows the differences in vegetation in our country. Landscape somewhere north of Marlborough So, here are some pictures of how our day ended, with Al setting up a make-shift office in the gravel pit to do the inevitable emails and officework at the end of the day. I'm absolutely loving this lifestyle :-)
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Location: Yaamba QLD 4704, Australia
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Day 9 - a day of R&R

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Day 9 of our wonderful adventure saw Al off working for the day in Airlie Beach, while I spent the day around the caravan park, doing chores and catching up on work emails. So, here I am, at a luxury caravan resort, chilling out before we begin to head south again tomorrow. Airlie Beach Airlie Beach Big4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach Big4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach Big4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach Big4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach
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Location: Airlie Beach QLD 4802, Australia
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Day 8 of Western (Central) Queensland adventure

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The end of Day 8 sees us at Airlie Beach, staying at the Big 4 caravan park to say the least!  The atmosphere here, and 'class' of campers is completely different from the earlier part of the week.  Where the first week was very much mud, dirt, country camping, this week will be more refined 'city' camping.  Both have their place, but I know which one I prefer. Anyway, some pics of the last couple of days.... Bush Oasis Caravan Park, Nome Anzac Park, Ayr Anzac Park, Ayr Ayr We have pulled up for the night (and tomorrow night) here, the Big 4 Caravan Park in Airlie Beach.  It is very fancy.  I would love to be able to take Tanya for a visit here - she would love it. Big 4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach Big 4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach Big 4 Caravan Park, Airlie Beach
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Location: Airlie Beach - Cannonvale QLD, Australia
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Days 5 and 6 - Plans a-changed

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Day 5 saw us leave Emerald, and instead of heading towards home base, we were diverted unexpectedly north to Townsville by Al's work.  I guess when you are on a working holiday, you need to expect the unexpected. Staying at the Emerald Showground We left Emerald at about lunchtime after Al had finished his work in Emerald and headed north towards Townsville.  Going through towns like Clermont, Charters Towers...names that I had heard many times and always thought they were in the "middle of Queensland somewhere".  Now I know where they are.  I would like to come back this way again as a tourist.  I'm told that Charters Towers is a particularly nice town, but unfortunately the Gregory Highway bypasses it so I wasn't able to see any of it's charm. So what we had today was endless bitumen with stunning scenery that seemed to change at every bend.  We started to think about setting up for the night at around 3pm, however lack of phone service ...
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Location: Nome QLD 4816, Australia
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Day 4 - rolling into Emerald

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Day 4 bought us from Roma to Emerald, a trip of just over 400km.  Last nights accommodation at Up'N'Downs Farmstay in Roma was beautiful.  Quiet, country, comfortable.  If down this way again we'll definitely stop again. Today wasn't terribly eventful - no stops, no historic pub visits, no boggings, but there was plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy.  I particularly loved the Boxvale State Forest, between Injune and Rolleston - lovely.  I can't wait to come back to this area as a tourist.  I have always wanted to visit Carnavon Gorge, and unfortunately I could only admire the road sign at the turn off this trip.  Next time.... On the way into Emerald
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Location: Emerald QLD 4720, Australia
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