Across the Queensland border.

We are very sad to hear the bad news coming out of Victoria with more cases, more deaths, mandatory mask wearing and tighter restrictions looming. Our hearts go out to you all and we feel a little guilty traipsing around here in Queensland - But we are thinking of you all. I apologetically say, it actually rather perfect here in this corner of the sunshine state - sunny days about 24 degrees, they’ve had good rains so waterholes, creeks, rivers and lakes are looking great, birds abound and wildflowers are starting to bloom. 

Our trip from Cobar to Wanaaring was very interesting with the scenery changing constantly from lush tree lined water ways to quite barren flood plains.

                                                     
We could count on one hand the traffic we saw and the roads were pretty good (mainly dirt of course) We went via Louth where we had our morning cuppa. It’s sad to see the iconic Louth pub still closed and this time it was even taped off. 

                                         
From Louth, once we hit the Dowling track to Wanaaring, the road was pretty corrugated but we only had 57km so that wasn’t too bad. At Wanaaring, we fuelled up and had our picnic lunch on the banks of the Paroo River - with geese to watch this time. 

                                       
The trip to Hungerford was easy and at the gate there was no expected police - the gate was unlocked so Darryl opened it and we drove through. We couldn’t find the police, so no one has seen our passes!! I guess it’s a remote spot - but we did see it was manned later on. We stayed at the little caravan park and treated ourselves to a meal at the pub. It’s a typical outback pub with plenty of character and friendly folk.  

We spent the evening sitting around our fire pit entertaining our bikie neighbour who was a lovely chap in his 50’s enjoying a road trip from his home on the Sunshine Coast. 

This morning I had the luxury of washing and drying our clothes in the free laundry. Not very often you have that available - all modern and clean units too. 

                                  
We are now set up in the Currawinya National Park, not far from Hungerford by the Ourimperee water hole. It’s another bird heaven and so very peaceful and beautiful.  It reminds us of the permanent water hole at Comeroo Station. There’s no service here but it is available up at the rangers office so we can check in each day - and maybe post this blog!! We had an interesting talk to a chap involved in a long running Bilby program which  is sited here in a secret location. They have fenced off an area 25 square kilometres to keep cats and foxes out and the population is responding well which is good to hear. We’d love to see a Bilby but doubt we’d be that lucky. 

Last night our bikie friend set up near us and we shared the evening and a meal around our campfire. He thought a couple of sausages and vegetables were preferable to his dried pasta dish!! He set off this morning heading home again. We did enjoy his company.

Today we set off on day1 of the tour of this park and saw a huge fresh water lake - and a few kilometres away a huge salt water lake. The bird life in the salt lake was prolific whereas there was not much on the fresh water lake. We are evidently seeing everything at its best - any earlier the tracks would be impassable and later things will start to dry out.  

                                      
We had a great over view of the park from this lookout.

Tonight we are cooking a camp oven roast lamb so have an open fire this time. Tomorrow we have more to explore in this park before we move onto a station stay out of Hungerford. We hope everyone is well and keeping safe. Till our next blog, love from Marg & Darryl - the lucky ones!!