EMERALD TO TOWNSVILLE
Emerald Caravan Park 2nd and 3rd October
We have just completed a very pleasant two night stay at Rubyvale at the Gemseekers Caravan Park trying to make our fortune digging up sapphires which we failed miserably at and cheated by buying a $25 bag of wash and got small slivers of sapphires that way which I have squirreled away maybe to be made into jewellery one day. We have arrived in Emerald and made camp at the Emerald Caravan Park for two nights. Emerald is a very nice town with all conveniences available and some nice cafes as well. We began by topping up our groceries and coffee at MacDonalds. After lunch we took a drive out to the Fairbairn Dam which created Lake Maraboon which is supposed to be 5 times bigger than Sydney Harbour. Big 4 park is located out there with a nice spot on the water and boat ramp. Back to town, Keith took my photo in front of the giant easel with the sunflowers, behind the Information Centre.
Emerald Station
Finished the day with a walk through part of the Botanic Gardens and checked out the free camp under the bridge into town.
Next day Keith had to get his car serviced which turned out to be an expensive exercise as he needed two new tyres as well. Had a walk around town and ate breakfast at a cafe. Finished the day going around to a friend of Keiths from work in Darwin, Bill and his wife Julie and their 2 dogs. Lovely people and very welcoming. We toured their new home and stayed for dinner. We both enjoyed the evening immensely and I enjoyed meeting both Bill and Julie.
Charters Towers 4/5th October - Burdekin Duck Roadhouse
Left Emerald about 8.30am bound for Charters Towers. Stopping at Capella at the Lighthorse Monument, Clermont and rest stop for coffee.
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Monument to the Lighthorse at Capella
Kept going until Belyando Crossing which is halfway point for people crossing paths from both directions. Got talking to a few people coming from Townsville who warned us that 'it will get hot' as we said we were going up to Townsville. We do know that as we have looked into weather patterns, cyclone season etc and decided we still have time to do what we want to do. To be truthful we are really enjoying the fact that the majority of tourists have gone back south and there is much more room to spread out in the caravan parks. I have not found the weather now too unpleasant and there is still a breeze in the afternoon.
Next morning we drove the 15 mins into town and 1st stop CWA market. Lots of preserves and homemade goodies. We walked around town admiring all the beautiful old buildings. We visited the miners cottage $5 head to get in and well worth it. The gentleman that runs the place gave a talk about gold and showed us various old things which we had never seen before and then a gold panning demonstration. We had lunch at a cafe in the old stock exchange building. We drove up to the lookout at the top of the hill for a view over the town and then visited the local swimming pool to cool off.
Tomorrow off to Townsville.
Monuments in Charters Towers
Stock Exchange building
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